WWE Friday Night SmackDown Results
January 6, 2023
FedEX Forum in Memphis, Tennessee.
Commentary: Michael Cole and Wade Barrett
Results by: Roy Nemer of Wrestleview.com
WWE SmackDown kicks off with The Bloodline invading the show. They jump the barricade and start throwing things around ringside. Roman’s music hits and out he comes with Paul Heyman.
We see clips of last week’s SmackDown where John Cena and Kevin Owens got the win against Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn.
The fans chant “Ucey” as they all stand in the ring. Roman tells the fans to acknowledge him. Roman tells Heyman they will start things off a little different. He said he would like to hear from the Honorary Uce, Sami Zayn. He calls Roman his tribal chief and tells the fans how they all saw how they kicked off the show, how they kicked off Raw and how they will kick off all of 2023. He says this year belongs to the Bloodline.
Zayn says they are starting 2023 right. They showed up on Raw to send a message and that is what they did. They all won their matches. They are sending a message this year.
Roman says but he doesn’t care to talk about this year. He wants to talk about what happened last year. He says he and Zayn had the biggest SmackDown match of the year last week. Roman asks them what they think happened. Roman says some say they lost as he laughs. And that is something he doesn’t understand because the tribal chief doesn’t lose. It’s not in his DNA, he thought about it and he says he didn’t lose. Zayn lost. Roman’s shoulders were not on the mat, Zayn’s shoulders were. He doesn’t care about that but what is confusing for him is why he called his shot. Why did he guarantee a win. Why did he do that. Roman does that. The tribal chief calls his shot. He always delivers, it’s never a problem.
Reigns says he doesn’t understand. He asks Zayn if he wants to be the tribal chief. He asks him if he is trying to be like him, if he thinks he can do something better than him. He says when you are Roman, you always have to ask these questions. He asks Zayn if he wants to be him. Roman yells at Zayn and asks him if he wants to be the tribal chief, if he wants to run the Bloodline. Zayn backs away as he gets scared and Kevin’s music hits and out comes Kevin Owens.
He says before things go too far, he thinks Roman needs to calm down. Because he has some misdirected anger. He is always calm, cool, collected. The last time he saw him like this, Kevin was the cause of this. And he thinks tonight, he is the cause of it. His problem is not Zayn. Roman’s problem is Kevin. Zayn has said it for weeks, he has a KO problem. And it’s time for Roman to show everyone what the tribal chief does. He doesn’t want to tell him what to do but the best way to take care of the KO problem is in a match at the Royal Rumble for the Undisputed WWE championship.
Roman says yeah, sure, he doesn’t care. He wants Owens to leave forever. Owens tells him after what they did to him last week, when Kevin beat Roman, he is in a great mood. He will leave but not forever. He will see him at the Royal Rumble. He tells Zayn he will see him when he digs his balls out of Roman’s pocket.
-Commercial Break-
A white BMW pulls up and it’s WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion, Charlotte Flair.
We see a clip from earlier in the day where the New Day were backstage with Legado Del Fantasma. Santos says Kofi always has highlights at the Royal Rumble but the New Day is over and he will replace him.
Kofi Kingston with Xavier Woods vs. Santos Escobar with Legado Del Fantasma
The bell rings and we are under way. A kick by Santos followed by a right hand. Kofi to the ropes but Kofi with a hurricanrana. Kofi on the ring apron but Santos with a right hand and Kofi falls on the ring apron. Escobar tries to push him to the outside but Kofi does a handstand and gets to the ring steps. Kofi on the ring apron and a kick onto Escobar. Kofi with a crossbody off the top rope and he throws Santos over the top rope and to the outside.
-Commercial Break-
Back from commercial, kicks by Escobar in the ring. He gets Kofi in the corner and a chop to the chest. He throws Kofi to the other turnbuckle but Kofi jumps on the second rope and hits Santos with a drop kick. Both men back up and Santos is thrown over the top rope and onto the ring apron. Woods plays the trombone and that scares Escobar as he falls to the outside of the ring. Escobar gets back into the ring and a kick to the face onto Kofi. He goes for the cover but Kofi kicks out. Santos goes for a splash in the corner but Kofi moves out of the way. Kofi wit ha right hand.
Kofi with a kick to the face. Kofi hits him with the SOS. He goes for the cover but Santos kicks out. Kofi climbs the top rope but Escobar climbs the second rope. Right hands by Escobar. He goes for a suplex but a headbutt by Kofi and Escobar falls to the mat. Kofi jumps but Escobar hits him with a knee to the face. He goes for the cover but Kofi kicks out.
Woods distracts Escobar and Kofi hits him with a double knees. Kofi goes for the cover but Escobar kicks out. Legado Del Fantasma distract Kofi and the referee as Santos kicks Kofi in the face. He hits Kofi with the Phantom Driver. Santos goes for the cover and gets the pin.
Winner: Santos Escobar
It is announced that Roman Reigns will defend his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Kevin Owens at the Royal Rumble.
We cut backstage and Zayn knocks on the Bloodline’s door. Heyman opens and Zayn tells him he has to talk to him, he has to explain. Heyman tells him now is not the time. In come the Usos who walk in and Zayn waits outside. Heyman tells him last week, he told him life on the island of relevancy is staying three steps ahead at all times. Heyman says he still loves him and enters the locker room.
-Commercial Break-
Liv Morgan cuts a promo about how she will win the Women’s Royal Rumble.
We see a clip of Uncle Howdy hitting a Sister Abigail on Bray Wyatt last week.
LA Knight is backstage with Kayla. He tells her he found himself walking through Memphis and he thought does he really feel the way he feels? Yeah! He feels damn good. Not because he is in Memphis, no one feels good about that. He feels good because Wyatt’s plans turned against him last week. And all he has to do is kick what remains of Wyatt at the Royal Rumble and everyone will start talking about him.
Mixed Tag Team Match: Karrion Kross with Scarlett vs. Madcap Moss and Emma
The match started during the commercial. Madcap and Kross are down in the ring and Scarlett is tagged in as is Emma. Emma with right hands. She throws Scarlett to the ropes and a clothesline by Emma. She hits Scarlett with a forearm to the face. She goes for the cover but Scarlett kicks out. She runs to the ropes but Scarlett throws Emma onto the mat. She goes for the cover but Emma kicks out. Scarlett goes for a slam but Emma lands on her feet. Emma with a double underhook suplex followed by a dropkick. She goes for the cover but Kross breaks it up. The referee tells Kross to leave the ring and Emma slaps him in the face. Madcap tags himself in and he hits Kross with a right hand. Madcap to the ropes as Scarlett trips him up and Kross hits him with a clothesline. Scarlett throws Emma into the ring post. She grabs Emma and throws her over the announce table. In the ring, Kross hits Madcap with the Kross Hammer followed by the Kross Jacket and Madcap passes out as the referee calls for the bell.
Winners: Karrion Kross and Scarlett
After the match, Scarlett places Rey Mysterio’s mask onto Madcapp as Kross holds up a Rey Mysterio card and places it on Madcap.
-Commercial Break-
Out comes the WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair. She asks them if they missed their queen and that she missed them too. She says payback’s a bitch and Ronda knows. The fans chant “thank you Charlotte” as she says she never thought she would hear that.
Charlotte says she was away for eight months. She was genuinely overwhelmed by their reaction when she won the title last Friday. If you cheer her or boo her or woo, she has always been about three things. Passion, consistency and dedication for what she does in the ring. She might be a lot of different things to a lot of people but the one thing she is not is complacent. She will always do more, ask for more, demand more. She will not rest and she will knock down any obstacle or anyone that stands in her way. That’s what a champion does.
Flair says a champion expects the unexpected and rises to any occasion and that is what she has done 14 times. Out comes Sonya Deville.
She tells Flair that the hillbilly’s in the building might not be bright enough to see through her lies but she is and she does. She is standing out there bragging about being a 14 times champion but there should be an * next to number fourteen. She beat a half dead Ronda Rousey, congratulations. The fans chant “whoop that trick” as Sonya asks her how she would fare against a fresh fighter.
Flair says that Sonya is the fighter. Sonya says she is the fighter and to put her title on the line right now. Flair asks the crowd if she should put her title on the line as the fans cheer. Flair says challenge accepted, trick.
WWE SmackDown Women’s Title Match – Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Sonya Deville
A referee gets in the ring and the bell rings as Sonya attacks Flair from behind. Sonya with right hands. She runs to the ropes but Flair with a big boot.
-Commercial Break-
Back from commercial, Sonya with a knee to the face. She goes for the cover but Flair kicks out. Sonya runs towards Flair but Flair moves out of the way and a kick to the face by Flair followed by a clothesline. Flair with a chop to the chest. A back suplex by Flair. She runs towards Sonya but Sonya kicks her in the face. Sonya goes for a knee but Flair moves out of the way and she hits Sonya with a clothesline. Sonya rolls onto the ring apron. She grabs Sonya but Sonya hangs her up on the top rope. Sonya back in the ring but Flair hits her with a spear. Flair with the figure four and into the figure eight as Sonya taps out.
Winner: Still WWE SmackDown Women’s champion, Charlotte Flair
-Commercial Break-
Royal Rumble Qualifier: Ricochet vs. Top Dolla with Hit Row
The bell rings and we are under way. Ricochet on the ring apron goes to jump off the top rope but Top Dolla grabs him and throws him onto the mat. A big boot by Top Dolla. He goes for the cover but Ricochet kicks out. Ricochet kicks Top Dolla and runs to the ropes and Ricochet with an acrobatic slam. Ricochet climbs the top rope and lands the shooting star. He goes for the cover and gets the pin.
Winner: Ricochet
Hit Row get in the ring after the match. Top Dolla extends his hand for a handshake as both men hug. Top Dolla raises Ricochet’s hand but a Ashante with a right hand onto Ricochet. Top Dolla grabs Ricochet and B-Fab kicks him in the face. Ashante with right hands. They lift Ricochet up and slam Ricochet onto the mat. Out comes Braun Strowman. He runs down to the ring as Hit Row leave the ring.
We cut backstage and the Bloodline are in the locker room. The Usos are getting ready for their match as they leave with Solo. Roman tells Heyman to get him Zayn.
-Commercial Break-
Roman tells Zayn to sit down. Zayn says he acknowledges him, everyone does. He is the tribal chief, that is not even a question. He is not trying to be the tribal chief or take power. If there is anything that he did which gave him that impression, he is sorry. Roman tells Zayn he does not accept his apology. As his tribal chief, he holds himself to a very high standard. At the end of the day, he has to control his anger. No one deserves to be spoken to like that, no one deserves that in front of the whole world. Roman says he does not accept his apology because he should be the one apologizing. He apologizes to him as Zayn says it is fine. He is under a lot of pressure. Roman says he appreciates it but it is no excuse. he is embarrassed to say but he was right, Owens was right. He is not mad at Zayn. He is mad at Kevin and he is taking i out on Zayn. But they are going to fix that. The KO problem is done. Heyman sits next to Zayn and tells him that Roman has given him the opportunity to redeem himself. Because next week, it will be Zayn against Owens. Zayn says yeah, let’s do it. He will take care of Owens for Roman, the tribal chief.
The Usos are making their way to the ring as Zayn stands up and says he will go be with them. Roman stops him and tells him to stay and they will watch the match together.
-Commercial Break-
WWE Undisputed Tag Team Championship match – The Usos (c’s) with Solo Sikoa vs. Drew McIntyre and Sheamus
The bell rings and we are under way. Sheamus and Jimmy start the match. Sheamus with a clothesline. Drew is tagged in and a chop to the chest onto Jimmy. Drew grabs Jimmy and an overhead throw by Drew. Jey is tagged into the match. Drew with right hands. A clothesline by Drew. He throws Jey to the ropes and a back elbow by Drew. He knocks Jimmy off the ring apron and Jey with a Samoan drop. He goes for the cover but Drew kicks out. Drew on the ring apron and a right hand by Jey. He suplexes Drew into the ring. Jimmy is tagged in and they double team Drew. Jimmy with a headlock.
Drew starts to get to his feet but Jimmy with a right hand. Drew on the ring apron and Jey is tagged in. Jey goes for a right hand but Drew with a right hand onto Jey. Drew with a right hand onto Jimmy but Jey hits Drew with a right hand. Dew falls to the outside. Drew on his feet and he clotheslines Jimmy. Jey with a suicide dive onto Drew.
-Commercial Break-
Back from commercial, Sheamus with 20 Beats of the Bodhran on Jey. Sheamus with a body slam. He goes for the cover but Jey kicks out. Zayn and Heyman are shown backstage watching the match with Roman as Zayn and Heyman are eating popcorn. Jimmy is tagged in and Jey with a right hand onto Sheamus as Jimmy kicked him in the face. Jimmy with the Uso splash. He goes for the cover but Sheamus kicks out. The Usos climb the top ropes but Drew with a right hand onto Jimmy. Sheamus with a right hand onto Jey. Drew and Sheamus simultaneously hit the Usos with a White Noise. Sheamus goes for the cover but Jey kicks out. Sheamus grabs Jey but Jey with a kick to the side of the head. Drew is tagged in and Drew hits him with a neck breaker. Jimmy gets in the ring and Drew hits him with a neckbreaker. The Usos to the outside of the ring. Drew flies over the top rope and onto the Usos. Drew throws Jey back into the ring. Drew with the Claymore. He goes for the cover but Jimmy breaks it up. We cut backstage and now Roman is eating popcorn too. Drew goes for a spear but Jey moves out of the way and Sheamus is tagged in. Sheamus lifts Jey up and Jimmy tags himself in. Jimmy grabs Jey down and they hit Sheamus with a double super kick. They hit Sheamus with the 1D. Jimmy goes for the cover but Drew breaks it up. Jey throws Drew to the outside but Drew hits him with a headbutt.
Solo with the Spike and he slams Drew into the barricade with the referee distracted. Out comes Butch and Holland who attack Solo and throw him over the barricade. In the ring, Sheamus with the Brogue Kick. Sheamus goes for the cover but Jey drags Jimmy to the outside of the ring. Sheamus climbs the top rope and jumps onto the Usos. Sheamus throws Jimy back into the ring. Sheamus lifts Jimmy onto his shoulders as Jey gets on the ring apron. Sheamus kicks Jey down as Jimmy rolls Sheamus up and Jey pushes Jimmy down for leverage and they get the pin.
Winners: Still WWE Undisputed Tag Team champions, The Usos