Friday Night Smackdown – Dec 16th 2022: Results & Review
Welcome to this review of this past Friday’s episode of Friday Night Smackdown, right here on Nerdly. Let’s see what went down on the show!
Match #1: WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship – Damage CTRL def. Liv Morgan & Tegan Nox
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
After the newly aligned team of Liv Morgan and Tegan Nox scored a victory over SmackDown Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler last week, they earned a WWE Women’s Tag Team Title Match against Damage CTRL. Nox nearly earned the win with the Shiniest Wizard on Kai, but SKY broke up the pinfall. The pace quickened as Morgan hit a huge sunset flip powerbomb onto Kai before SKY leveled her with a vicious dropkick. As Nox tried to get Bayley out of the equation after The Role Model attempted to interfere, a mysterious person in a hoodie ambushed Nox, allowing Kai and SKY to retain the titles after SKY hit an Over the Moonsault on Nox. It was later revealed via a Digital Exclusive that the person in the hoodie was Xia Li.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #2: Intercontinental Championship – Gunther def. Ricochet
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
With Ricochet achieving glory in the SmackDown World Cup Final, he booked his ticket to an Intercontinental Title Match against Gunther. Gunther dethroned Ricochet as Intercontinental Champion earlier in the year, so Ricochet was out for retribution in his quest to gain back the title. Ricochet put up a great fight, hitting The Ring General with multiple high-flying attacks. Ricochet showcased his strength too, lifting Gunther into a vertical suplex. With the Chicago crowd rocking, Ricochet nearly captured the title after a humongous shooting star press, but the champion kicked out incredulously. A gigantic chop and a vicious powerbomb from Gunther almost sealed the deal for the champion, but it was Ricochet’s turn to kick out. The fight from Ricochet, however fizzled out as The Ring General capped off the win with the Last Symphony. After the match, the rest of Imperium came to beat down Ricochet, but Braun Strowman chased them from the ring.
My Score: 4 out of 5
Match #3: Triple Threat Tag Team No. 1 Contenders’ Match – Hit Row def. Legado del Fantasma and The Viking Raiders
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
A chance to face The Usos for the WWE Undisputed Tag Team Titles was on the line as the three warring factions of Hit Row, Legado del Fantasma and The Viking Raiders engaged in a frenetic Triple Threat Tag Team Match. After an attempted dive from Top Dolla, B-Fab, Valhalla and Zelina Vega got into a scrap, allowing Hit Row to take advantage and earn the hard-fought victory.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3.5/5
Three matches? Seriously? On a two-hour show? What the actual hell?!! OK, I’ll admit the Intercontinental Championship match was fantastic but the other two matches let the show down, and THAT main event really, REALLY, let the show down. Jesus! What a shambles that was! Outside of the Gunther/Ricochet match this week’s episode was saved by the great LA Knight/Bray Wyatt/Uncle Howdy promo and the surprise appearance of John Cena! Still, despite my complaints, this was better than last week’s Vince-esque show!
