Friday Night Smackdown – Dec 15th 2023: Results & Review
Welcome to this review of this past Friday’s episode of Friday Night Smackdown, a Tribute to the Troops special, right here on Nerdly. Let’s see what went down on this week’s episode!
Match #1: United States Championship Tournament – Carmelo Hayes def. Grayson Waller
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
NXT Superstar has come to SmackDown and stunned Grayson Waller to advance in the United States Championship Tournament. The brash Waller used his size advantage to down the athletic Hayes, but it would only take mere moments for Melo to prove that he is HIM. One quick counter led to a First 48, and the WWE Universe was treated to a Nothing But Net leg drop from the top rope that saw Hayes punch his ticket to the semi-finals.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #2: United States Championship Tournament – Kevin Owens def. Austin Theory
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Despite a broken hand, Kevin Owens made good on his word to punch Austin Theory and he did that and more as he advanced in the United States Championship Tournament. Theory, a former two-time United States Champion, was on a mission to reclaim what he believes is his title, but Owens had other ideas. The vicious Theory brutalized the injured hand of Owens, but a heads up Owens cracked Theory with the cast and knocked him clean out, earning the victory.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #3: The Kabuki Warriors def. Zelina Vega & Michin
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
With some help from their Damage CTRL allies, Asuka and Kairi Sane took down the team of Zelina Vega and Michin in tag team action. Vega and Michin attacked The Kabuki Warriors before the match even began, but their momentum was short lived due in part to the numbers game of Damage CTRL. Michin looked poised to hit a top maneuver, but a distraction from Dakota Kai and a sneak attack by Bayley lifted The Kabuki Warriors to a win.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #4: Randy Orton def. Jimmy Uso
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
“The Viper” Randy Orton is hunting down The Bloodline and in his first act, he defeated Jimmy Uso in a thrilling SmackDown main event. Orton was his vintage self, but Uso was determined to prove himself to “The Tribal Chief” Roman Reigns, but in the end, he couldn’t deliver. Solo Sikoa arrived at ringside, but LA Knight neutralized the threat, allowing Orton to nail an RKO for the win.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
News of the Night:
- AJ Styles returned at the episode’s close, attacked the Bloodline and then LA Knight?!
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
A buy-the-numbers episode of Smackdown that was only elevated by Kevin Owens, who also elevated Austin Theory in the process; and the main roster debut of Carmelo Hayes. Otherwise this was very much treading water for the blue brand and not even the post-main event appearance of AJ Styles could make this any better.