WWE SmackDown outcomes: Winners, Grades, reaction and Highlights from December 30 - Bleacher document

WWE SmackDown results: Winners, Grades, reaction and Highlights from December 30

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John Cena wrestled his first fit of 2022 on the year's ultimate episode of SmackDown.credit score: WWE.com

John Cena stored a 20-year streak intact Friday nighttime, returning to SmackDown for a yr-closing leading experience through which he partnered with Kevin Owens to combat Sami Zayn and Undisputed WWE prevalent champion Roman Reigns.

Cena's first, and handiest, in shape of 2022 headlined an episode that additionally saw a protection of the SmackDown girls's Championship through Ronda Rousey and the latest in the battle for supremacy between The Brawling Brutes and The Bloodline.

Bray Wyatt Kicked Off SmackDown

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Bray Wyatt kicked off the night's broadcast and instantly apologized for his moves every week ago, which saw him attack an innocent cameraman. LA Knight interrupted, notwithstanding,

After Knight issued a problem for a in shape at Royal Rumble and Wyatt approved, Uncle hey made his approach to the ring. He got here face-to-face with Wyatt, then stood by way of his side before losing the previous WWE champion with Sister Abigail and leaving Knight to ask, "what is happening?!"

This became a noteworthy delivery to the show. It as soon as once again put hiya within the enviornment, and this time, his actions indicate he may no longer definitely be on the identical aspect as Wyatt. Knight audibly questioning what is going on displays the audience's sentiment as they try to determine the items of the puzzle Wyatt and the creative forces at play are producing.

The Rumble suit between Wyatt and Knight may still be decent and, extra importantly, prevents the former from having to lose in the precise Royal Rumble.

Grade

A

precise Moments

  • "Deep down, I do not feel of myself as a good grownup, notwithstanding I in fact do are trying." 
  • "You can not even conclude a sentence, then you definitely get all embarrassed and take it out on a negative cameraman," Knight pointed out, mocking Wyatt.
  • "You pay certainly one of your goons to return down right here in a Captain hey outfit..."
  • "You was once whatever thing. You was once a drive," Knight referred to, taunting Wyatt. "Week after week, all you have got proven your self to be is a fraud. A broke-down loser." 
  • Uncle howdy entered the area, stepping through what gave the impression to be an enflamed doorway, comprehensive along with his own theme tune. 
  • Sheamus vs. Solo Sikoa

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    An appropriately physical match kicked off the night's in-ring action because the Brawling Brutes' Sheamus battled The Bloodline's Solo Sikoa one-on-one. Butch and Ridge Holland accompanied The Celtic Warrior whereas The Usos backed up their brother.

    Sheamus fought from underneath and surged late, however a short-term distraction brought about with the aid of his attack on Jimmy and Jey allowed Sikoa to pressure him into the put up and convey a Samoan Spike for the pinfall victory.

    After the in shape, The Bloodline worn out Butch and Holland and beat down Sheamus unless Drew McIntyre back for the first time considering Survivor sequence and made the save.

    a bit of more seasoning for Sikoa and this would had been a true banger, however because it is, this turned into a fine, aggressive in shape that spotlighted the young famous person while continuing to place over the grittiness of Sheamus at this aspect in his corridor of fame career.

    McIntyre making the save makes sense, not most effective because of his appreciate for Sheamus but as a result of the unfinished enterprise he has with Sikoa. It become the NXT export who cost The Scottish Warrior the Undisputed WWE general Championship again at clash on the castle, and the company has finished a beautiful job with the gradual burn in preference to leaping at the first chance to e-book the match.

    result

    Sikoa pinned Sheamus

    Grade

    B-

    correct Moments

  • Sheamus wiped out The Usos at ringside, permitting Sikoa to seize him by using the arm and force him into the ring put up.
  • The McIntyre retailer drew a big pop, a testomony to his persevered popularity with the WWE lovers.
  • SmackDown ladies's Championship healthy: Raquel Rodriguez vs. Ronda Rousey

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    pushed by means of fury following multiple assaults that left her with an injured arm, Raquel Rodriguez wasted little time taking the fight to SmackDown girls's Champion Ronda Rousey of their title bout Friday night.

    Rousey capitalized on an sick-fated blind charge heading into the ruin and centered the arm, looking to take advantage of it to her expertise as she seized manage. a huge vertical suplex coming out of the damage earned Rodriguez a two-count number.

    Later, interference from Shayna Baszler went unpunished by the official and, moments later, a recovered Rousey utilized the armbar and pulled Rodriguez from the right rope to the mat below, forcing an immediate faucet out.

    With zero time to waste, Charlotte flair back to WWE, months after losing the equal SmackDown women's Championship to Rousey, and issued a challenge for a match tonight. Rousey authorized, and aptitude proceeded to ranking a pin on Rousey to win the title.

    here's some expert Jedi mind trickery right here as Triple H and the creative crew have the gang cheering aptitude in a method she had not been in somewhat some time, partly as a result of the shock but, additionally, as a result of they definitely don't love Rousey that a lot greater.

    Of course, it could be enjoyable to see if aptitude can retain that recognition as it becomes clear that she is in her 14th reign as champion and literally simply strolled again in and won the gold. With that mentioned, she is a typical-bearer for girls's wrestling and has more than earned her spot.

    a brand new look, a brand new theme music, and a unique presentation helped pique hobby within the Queen all over again. whether Triple H and Co. can support preserve that pastime is the actual question relocating forward.

    As for Rodriguez, she looked very good and became naturally the superior of both wrestlers. it might now not be amazing to see her in a excessive-profile healthy or position towards flair correct around WrestleMania 39.

    influence

    Rousey defeated Rodriguez to maintain; flair defeated Rousey to win the title

    Grade

    B+

    accurate Moments

  • "Oh, we acquired a bleeder!" Rousey taunted as she persevered her domination of Rodriguez.
  • Rousey grabbed Rodriguez's arm, however the challenger powered through it, spilled to the flooring and powerbombed the champion on to the ring apron.
  • Rodriguez had the title received, however Baszler interfered on behalf of the champion because the commentary team referred to as for her dismissal from ringside. It didn't come.
  • Gunther's course of Destruction

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    Intercontinental champion Gunther, Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci hit the ring for a promo section, however Braun Strowman interrupted fairly without delay.

    Strowman issued a challenge for an IC title fit, however Gunther became to walk away. Strowman insisted and a brawl broke out. The Monster among Monsters launched himself at the Ring usual however crashed during the timekeeper's barricade. Imperium beat him down earlier than Gunther focused the left arm of his top contender.

    Vinci and Kaiser fended off referees and officers, however a chair-toting Ricochet chased the heels off.

    It seems destined to be Strowman who, potentially, ends Gunther's run. a minimum of, Strowman is his latest and most desirable challenger. both method, it was nice to look the heel get some warmth again with the aid of punishing Strowman and potentially injuring him after working like a coward the closing handful of instances he turned into in the massive man's region.

    The inevitable showdown will have warmth and, if fresh history is any indication, Gunther will probably provide Strowman his gold standard match to this point.

    Grade

    C+

    correct Moments

  • behind the scenes, Sami Zayn asked Roman Reigns if he's upset about the crowd chanting his name instead of The Tribal Chief's. The Undisputed WWE everyday champion laughed it off. 
  • Some pleasant behind the curtain competitors gave way to a heated trade between Hit Row and Ricochet after the latter mentioned appropriate Dolla as "Flop Dolla" in accordance with his contemporary botched dive.
  • Michael Cole formally introduced Wyatt vs. Knight for Royal Rumble because the "Mountain Dew Pitch Black" in shape however didn't go into extra element. 
  • John Cena and Kevin Owens vs. Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn

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    John Cena may have back to the ring for the primary time in 2022 as part of Friday's leading experience tag crew match, but the story of the primary half become Sami Zayn, who sought to impress Roman Reigns because the Bloodline representatives battled The most reliable of All Time and Kevin Owens.

    The heels remoted and beat down Owens in the course of the commercial break, slicing him off from Cena. When it gave the look of a scorching tag might be coming, The Tribal Chief pulled Cena off the apron.

    Cena at last exploded into the fit, worn out Reigns with an perspective Adjustment and watched as Owens comprehensive Zayn with a Stunner for the win.

    The healthy became seriously abbreviated, having simplest 10 minutes as soon as the entrances and final classified ads wrapped up. The action turned into abrupt and rushed, with a brief warmth section on Owens earlier than the Cena sizzling tag. by the time he eventually hit the ring to spark the comeback, it changed into over.

    all the hype and Cena's involvement turned into restrained to a couple of moves earlier than it went domestic.

    With that mentioned, the energy he dropped at the fit and his selflessness when it came to giving Owens the shine was the stuff of a true seasoned. His involvement may also had been short-lived, but he had the group eating out of the palm of his hand and really helped put over Owens with the aid of sharing the highlight with him and permitting him to get the pin on Zayn.

    How will Reigns react to Zayn failing to end the KO issue and, worse, dropping the match for The Bloodline? That will be the story to watch heading into 2023.

    result

    Cena and Owens defeated Reigns and Zayn

    Grade

    B, elevated drastically via the enjoyable of it all and the uncooked energy of Cena, which is majorly neglected

    desirable Moments

  • Amid the pomp and circumstance of the healthy, Michael Cole slyly reminded the viewers that Zayn remains "honorary" except that title is dropped and he had to provoke Reigns and end the KO difficulty to make that occur. fantastic setup and a reminder of what is really at play during this in shape.
  • "you are embarrassing your self in front of The Tribal Chief," Owens exclaimed. 
  • Owens scored a close-fall off a frog splash on Reigns.
  • The Cena sizzling tag changed into particular stuff, as become the double 5 Knuckle Shuffle to the heels.
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