WWE Smackdown Results
January 23, 2018
Washington, DC
Commentary: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton and Corey Graves
Results by: Adam Martin of Wrestleview.com
We immediately go live to Washington, DC when Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn walk out.
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn open Smackdown Live
Owens grabs a mic and says tonight you see the future of WWE and not a bunch of old talent that you saw last night on the RAW 25th Anniversary. He asks the crowd to give it up for your next co-WWE Champion Sami Zayn.
Zayn grabs his mic and wants the crowd to give it up for your next co-WWE Champion, Mr. Kevin Owens. Owens takes a bow. He says the Yep Movement is about staring in the face of adversity and persevering no matter what the odds are.
Owens says they are the absolute best competitors on Smackdown Live. He adds that AJ Styles has no shot of retaining the WWE Championship this Sunday. A loud “AJ STYLES” chant starts up in DC. Zayn says they will beat Styles, take his championship and become the first ever co-WWE Champions. “And just to add a little insult to injury, after we take your title, we’re gonna hurt you,” adds Zayn. They start up a “YEP” chant.
Here comes the WWE Champion AJ Styles and he has something to say. Styles, referring to them as “Kami”, says he can’t believe he heard them say he would lose this Sunday. He adds a “NOPE” in response. Styles asks if he is annoying them and points out how they have been annoying everyone with the Yep Movement. Owens says he is going to have to get used to it after Sunday, hearing “YEP” in every airport and arena across the world.
Styles says they sound pretty confident, but they aren’t facing just anybody. They are facing someone who is phenomenal. He wants to make sure they will never become co-WWE Champions. Styles says this isn’t the Kami Show. This is the house that AJ Styles built. Owens says Styles is quite predictable. Zayn says ignorance got Styles into this situation in the first place. They air footage of Styles suggesting a handicap match against Owens and Zayn a few weeks ago. Back live, Owens says Styles doesn’t look like he expected someone to take him up on that offer. Zayn says for once in his life, Styles has to step up and be a man based on the authority of Daniel Bryan.
Here comes Smackdown General Manager Daniel Bryan. Bryan tells Owens and Zayn that enough is enough. He says they are right about being some of the greatest superstars to step foot in the ring and how difficult it is to win a handicap match. Bryan says he has the utmost faith in AJ Styles. Styles stops Bryan and wonders if he’s in bed with Owens and Zayn. He offers back-to-back matches with Owens and Zayn tonight, spoiling the expected announcement by Bryan. Styles drops the mic and stares down Owens and Zayn heading to the back. We get smiles from Owens and Zayn inside the ring.
Pretty average opener tonight to hype AJ Styles taking on Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in back-to-back singles matches tonight, still enjoying the tease of Daniel Bryan possibly playing favoritism with Owens/Zayn #SDLive
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) January 24, 2018
-Commercial Break-
Backstage, Shane McMahon is with Daniel Bryan. Shane questions Bryan allowing WWE Champion AJ Styles to wrestle back-to-back matches against Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. Bryan says he actually wasn’t going to sanction anything. Shane seems to question that. Bryan asks Shane if he is questioning Styles’ ability. Shane says that’s not the ability he is questioning and walks off.
Jey Uso vs. Chad Gable
Jimmy Uso is joining Jey, while Shelton Benjamin is joining Gable tonight.
Gable with a big takedown early on Jey and goes for a waistlock to keep Jey grounded. Gable trips up Jey and gets him grounded again. Gable takes the back of Jey and throws shots to the face. Jey with a shot to Gable that sends him flying to the outside.
-Commercial Break-
Back live, Gable cuts off a dive by Jey. Inside the ring, Jey dumps Gable over the top rope. Jey dives out again and catches Gable as Jimmy and Benjamin trade insults at ringside. Jey misses a shot off the top rope, but catches Gable with a samoan drop back inside the ring. Gable with a rolling kick and then a roll through german suplex into a bridge for the win!
Winner: Chad Gable
Solid match between Jey Uso and Chad Gable, Gable is really coming together nicely in the ring with his fun offense, I was the first to say Gable and Shelton Benjamin were quite boring together, kudos to #WWE for turning the corner on both characters #SDLive
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) January 24, 2018
Backstage, Renee Young is with Shinsuke Nakamura talking about him taking part in the Royal Rumble this Sunday. Nakamura plans to introduce his boot to many faces. Baron Corbin walks up saying Nakamura is nothing but hype. Corbin says his resume speaks volumes and he’s going to only add to it by winning the Royal Rumble. He asks Nakamura what he’s even done. Nakamura suggests they rumble tonight.
-Commercial Break-
We hear from Tye Dillinger about the Royal Rumble this Sunday.
Naomi vs. Liv Morgan
Morgan is joined by Ruby Riott and Sarah Logan at ringside tonight.
Naomi with a dropkick to Morgan early from the corner followed by a sliding slap to the face. Series of pinfall attempts between the two. Morgan avoids high kicks from Naomi, but Naomi finally catches her on a third attempt. Morgan tosses Naomi face first into the second turnbuckle in the corner. Morgan chokes Naomi with her own arms. Natalya, Lana and Carmella are walking down to the ringside area. Morgan with a clothesline to Naomi. Here comes Becky Lynch. Naomi with a sunset flip pin on Morgan to pick up the win.
Winner: Naomi
After the match, Ruby Riott and Sarah Logan attack Naomi. Becky Lynch runs in to break it up. Becky tosses Logan over the top rope, but Natalya nails Becky. Lana kicks Ruby in the face. Natalya tosses Lana over the top rope. Carmella with a kick to Morgan. Carmella and Natalya toss Morgan over the top rope. Natalya takes out Carmella and bails. Becky Lynch and Naomi stand tall together. Becky then tosses Naomi over the top rope.
Here comes Smackdown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair with a mic in hand. She says what Becky just did was fierce and clearly it is every women for themselves this Sunday. Charlotte talks about how the winner will earn a shot at the queen at WrestleMania. She wishes all of the women good luck for this Sunday night.
Not much of a match between Naomi and Liv Morgan tonight, I will say Morgan is starting to get more comfortable in the ring, pretty interesting they are proclaiming Charlotte will remain champion until #WrestleMania this year #SDLive
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) January 24, 2018
-Commercial Break-
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Baron Corbin
Corbin works over he left arm of Nakamura. Nakamura does the same to Corbin. Nakamura with a knee and then drops a knee over the face of Corbin. Corbin ends up getting the upper hand on Nakamura and sends him into the steel ring post.
Byron Saxton just said Shinsuke Nakamura told him he has always wanted to be in the #RoyalRumble…the same Nakamura that maybe says two-three words per promo… #SDLive pic.twitter.com/TDnrzKI4Ya
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) January 24, 2018
-Commercial Break-
Back live, Corbin has Nakamura grounded on the mat working over his jaw and left arm. Corbin and Nakamura exchange knees. Nakamura with kicks to the chest of Corbin. Nakamura sends Corbin to the ropes with a kick to the head. Nakamura props Corbin up on the top rope and throws his big lifting knee. Corbin with Deep Six on Nakamura. Nakamura gets a shoulder up. Corbin levels Nakamura with a huge clothesline and Nakamura again finds a way to kick out. Nakamura counters End of Days into an armbar. Corbin turns Nakamura over onto his back getting another close pinfall attempt. Nakamura catches Corbin with a spin kick to the head. Nakamura is gearing up for a Kinshasa in the corner. Randy Orton jumps in the ring and hits an RKO out of no where!
Winner via DQ: Baron Corbin
The bell rings immediately.
The crowd in Washington, DC explodes seeing Orton jump in hitting his RKO on Nakamura! Baron Corbin tries to attack Orton, but Orton connects with an RKO on Corbin as well! The commentary team talks about Orton firing his first shot before the Royal Rumble.
Welp, that was definitely an RKO out of no where on Nakamura tonight, didn't see that one coming, DC also seemed quite surprised by that as well #SDLive
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) January 24, 2018
A highlight video package from RAW 25 last night airs.
-Commercial Break-
Before the match, The New Day announces they are all entering the Royal Rumble match this Sunday night in Philadelphia. Xavier Woods puts over Bobby Roode defeating two men last week to become the new WWE United States Champion.
The new WWE United States Champion Bobby Roode heads to the ring with a mic in hand as New Day dances to his “Glorious” theme. Roode thanks New Day for that wonderful introduction. He couldn’t think of a more fitting place to introduce his new title.
Roode says his goal is to be the best United States Champion in history. “My reign as the WWE United States Champion is going to be…absolutely…” New Day jumps in with other words. Roode says no. He poses as the crowd chants “GLORIOUS.”
Jinder Mahal, Rusev and Aiden English head to the ring. The six man tag is next.
-Commercial Break-
The New Day and WWE United States Champion Bobby Roode vs. Jinder Mahal, Rusev and Aiden English
We are back live. In the ring is Rusev and Kofi Kingston. Rusev with a knee to Kofi and connects with a charge in the corner. Rusev with a shot to Xavier Woods on the corner. Kofi with a jumping bulldog on Rusev. Tag to Bobby Roode and Aiden English. Roode with a corner clothesline and neckbreaker combo. Roode knocks Jinder Mahal off the corner and connects with a Blockbuster on English off the second rope. Roode plants Mahal with a spinebuster when he jumps in. Rusev with a huge kick to the head of Roode. English rolls up Roode for a close two count. Kofi off the top catching Rusev. Kofi dives out taking out Mahal and Rusev at ringside! Woods tags himself in. Woods kicks English in the face and Roode hits a spinebuster. Woods off the top with a flying elbow to get the pinfall.
Winners: The New Day and Bobby Roode
Very good six man tag match, it's pretty surprising to see what's happened with the Jinder Mahal character in just a few short weeks, still think #WWE still has something with him in his heel act role #SDLive
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) January 24, 2018
Tom Phillips, Corey Graves and Byron Saxton preview the Royal Rumble card on Sunday.
WWE Champion AJ Styles is heading to the ring.
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn are out next. As Owens and Zayn get halfway down the ramp, Smackdown Commissioner Shane McMahon walks out and has a new stipulation. Shane says if Zayn is at ringside tonight for this first match, he will lose his shot at the WWE Championship this Sunday and will be fired on the spot. The same applies to Owens, whether he wins or loses his match up next with Styles.
-Commercial Break-
WWE Champion AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens
We return live as Styles begins kicking away at Owens in the corner. Owens fires back dropping Styles with a clothesline near the corner. Owens misses with a cannonball attempt in the corner and favors his knee. Styles starts kicking away at the knee of Owens. Styles gets Owens down and locks in the Calf Crusher. Owens taps out immediately.
Winner: AJ Styles
Sami Zayn, who was not allowed at ringside, runs down and attacks Styles right away. The referee and Zayn check on Owens who rolls out clutching his knee. Zayn jumps back in and tries to attack Styles more. The referee backs off Zayn and checks on Styles. Styles crawls to the corner and Zayn starts to attack him again. The referee again breaks it up.
Zayn jumps to the outside and pulls Styles out with him. Zayn whips Styles knee first into the steel ring steps. We see a shot of Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan watching backstage. Zayn again throws more rights as we head to a break.
Was not expecting such a short match between AJ Styles and Kevin Owens tonight with Owens tapping out immediately, don't totally mind the story they told with Owens' knee, the immediate Sami Zayn beatdown was well done #SDLive
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) January 24, 2018
-Commercial Break-
WWE Champion AJ Styles vs. Sami Zayn
We are back live as Zayn is throwing tons of right hands keeping Styles down. Medical staff are taking a look at Kevin Owens who remains on his back at ringside. Inside the ring, Zayn tosses Styles into the corner with force. Zayn drops Styles with a quick clothesline. Styles with a series of strikes and a forearm to Zayn. Styles with a corner clothesline and then tosses Zayn over the top rope near Owens who may need to be put on a stretcher. Styles with a springboard forearm over the top rope catching Zayn. Styles with a kick to the face of Owens and then kicks/punches away at his bad knee at ringside. Zayn with a clothesline that levels Styles to break up the attack at ringside.
-Commercial Break-
Back live, Styles is throwing body shots backing Zayn to the corner. Styles with chops. Styles with a top rope huricanrana on Zayn! We again see Shane and Bryan watching the match backstage. Kevin Owens is still being attended to by medical staff at ringside. Zayn and Styles exchange right hands. Styles with his neckbreaker over a knee on Zayn for a two count. Zayn avoids a Styles Clash attempt. Styles with a Pele Kick. Zayn with elbows and then catches Styles with a Michinoku Driver for a close two count! Styles slips down avoiding a superplex from Zayn. Zayn bails when Styles goes for a Styles Clash. Styles with a sliding knee to the jaw of Zayn and then tosses him back inside the ring. Styles tips over the stretcher that Owens was put on at ringside. When Styles rolls in, Zayn charges in and catches him with the Helluva Kick! Zayn with a Blue Thunder Bomb and gets the pinfall!
Winner: Sami Zayn
After the match, Kevin Owens rolls in and celebrates the win with Sami Zayn.
Very good main event between AJ Styles and Sami Zayn tonight, lots of surprises tonight with Zayn pinning the #WWE Champion before the #RoyalRumble this Sunday, probably was the right call to give Owens some rest time with nagging injuries before this Sunday #SDLive
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) January 24, 2018
Overall, not a blow away go-home show from the blue brand tonight, they still had some pretty fun matches and a few fun surprises (RKO's out of no where, Zayn pinning Styles, solid Gable vs. Jey match) #SDLive
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) January 24, 2018
What did you think of tonight's #SDLive from Washington, DC?
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) January 24, 2018
Our live coverage of WWE Mixed Match Challenge is up next!
Thanks for joining us tonight!
Quick Match Results:
* Chad Gable def. Jey Uso
* Naomi def. Liv Morgan
* Baron Corbin def. Shinsuke Nakamura via DQ
* The New Day and Bobby Roode def. Jinder Mahal, Rusev and Aiden English
* WWE Champion AJ Styles def. Kevin Owens in a non-title match
* Sami Zayn def. WWE Champion AJ Styles in a non-title match