Roman Reigns Returns to SmackDown
This week’s edition of Friday Night SmackDown kicked off with the return of the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns. Roman spoke about it being “Promotion Season” before he announced Solo Sikoa as the next Tribal Chief (when the time comes). What I liked about this was Jimmy Uso thought Reigns was talking about him. Randy Orton’s music then hit as The Viper came down to the ring to tell The Head of The Table that he’s been planning his demise for 18 months and that all takes place at the Royal Rumble. However, Roman laughed this off and said Orton didn’t deserve a shot at the World Championship before Randy tried to deliver an RKO to the Champion. This was decent enough, both men are capable of better segments, but there’ll be plenty more time for that.
Grade: C+
Carmelo Hayes VS Grayson Waller, Austin Theory VS Kevin Owens: United States Championship Number 1 Contender’s Tournament (Round 1), The Kabuki Warriors VS Michin and Zelina Vega
After a video package for Carmelo Hayes, Carmelo made his way down to the ring as he was about to go one-on-one with Grayson Waller in the First Round of the United States Championship Number 1 Contender’s Tournament. Both Melo and Grayson know each other very well from their past battles and I think that honestly served them both well. This was a good match between two guys who will be at the top of the card in a few years time, and yeah, after Hayes reversed Waller’s attempt at the Rolling-Stunner into the First 48, Melo nailed The Arrogant Aussie with Nothin’ but Net to pick up the victory. This gets a thumbs-up from me.
Grade: B-
Randy Orton bumped into LA Knight in the back and Randy made it clear to LA to stay out of his way. It was then time for the final match in the First Round of the United States Championship Number 1 Contender’s Tournament as Austin Theory looked to take out Kevin Owens once and for all. Kevin Owens had a protected cast on his injured arm following A-Town Down Under’s attack on him a few weeks ago, and it ended up becoming a bit of a target as Theory continually tried to stomp on it. However, in the end, the cast actually helped Owens as KO decked Theory with a right hand which was so hard, it scored him the 3 count. I’ve said this in the past and I’ll say it again, everyone should where these protective casts because they seem to give you a massive advantage.
Grade: C+
Roman Reigns told Jimmy Uso what he could earn if he shuts up Randy Orton in tonight’s Main Event before we got a Karrion Kross video promo! Yes, you heard me correctly, Karrion Kross (and Scarlett) got a video promo, and it was really, really good. Cameron Grimes then congratulated Kevin Owens to remind everyone that he is a good guy on the show before KO came face-to-face with Carmelo Hayes. Owens actually said that him and Carmelo are alike and if you’ve been following NXT recently, he may have a very good point. Also, KO-Melo is very much an early Christmas present for me! Damage CTRL then cut a terrific video promo where Bayley said they’re taking all the Gold before it was time for The Kabuki Warriors to take on the team of Michin and Zelina Vega. Before the match even started, Michin and Zelina attacked Asuka and Kairi Sane from behind which seemed a bit wrong before we got a decent match that basically just reminded everyone how cool Asuka and Kairi are. Vega and Mia Yim did get some offense in, but in the end, a bit of help from Bayley allowed Sane to hit the InSane Elbow to get the victory. Man, Damage CTRL are so cool!
Grade: C+
Jimmy Uso VS Randy Orton
Jimmy Uso asked Solo Sikoa to tell him if Roman Reigns has plans to get rid of him before Santos Escobar and Bobby Lashley both cut a promo on one another before their match next week. It was then Main Event time as Jimmy Uso looked to impress The Tribal Chief by taking out Randy Orton. However, it didn’t exactly go to plan for Jimmy Uso as Randy dominated for the most part before Solo Sikoa arrived to try and help his brother out. However, LA Knight then arrived to take care of Solo before Orton dropped Uso with the RKO to get the victory. After the match, LA Knight walked down to the ring before he was attacked from behind by Roman Reigns before Roman and Randy got into it in the middle of the ring. Whilst the numbers game helped The Bloodline take advantage of Orton and Knight, AJ Styles made his return to Friday Night SmackDown to drop The Undisputed WWE Universal Champion with a Phenomenal Forearm to leave the Babyfaces standing tall. However, that wasn’t the end of the year show as AJ then dropped The Megastar with a massive clothesline before he walked off. A lot went on here! The match itself was a typical SmackDown Main Event where it felt more like a house show match than anything else. The aftermath of the contest was good as Roman Reigns and Randy Orton got into it, and AJ Styles returning and then immediately turning Heel (or at least that’s what I think he’s doing) is really cool as Styles is so much better as a bad guy.
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