The Brawling Brutes made their SmackDown debut, and with Drew McIntyre unable to make it to the show, Sheamus and Butch were set to take on The Usos for the Undisputed Tag Team Titles.
WWE SmackDown results (December 9, 2022): The Usos (c) vs. The Brawling Brutes – WWE Undisputed Tag Team Championship match
Sheamus and Jimmy started the match and the challengers dominated early on. After tagging in the Usos isolated Butch and after a break, the latter broke away with a German suplex and tagged Sheamus.
The Brutes hit Bodhran’s beats together before Sheamus got an Avalanche White Noise. Butch got a near-fall with a DDT before Sheamus sent Jay over the barricades.
Butch was about to get the win, but Sami Zayn interfered and Ridge Holland chased him down. Sheamus took a superkick from Jay before The Usos hit a 1D on Butch for the win.
Result: The Usos def. The Brawling Brutes to retain the WWE Undisputed Tag Team Championship
Kurt Angle was backstage with Gable Stevenson when he ran into Braun Strowman. Braun greets Kurt and challenges Gable to a future match. Gable didn’t back down and this infuriated Braun.
LA Knight was out next and was still searching for his assailant from the previous weeks. He reviews footage from the attacks and realizes that Uncle Howdy’s mask was on at every opportunity.
.@RealLAKnight has had enough of #BrayWyatt, but is Bray attacking?
Uncle Howdy came on the Titantron and said something about the door being closed and it became clear that Bray Wyatt was behind it all. LA ran backstage to find whoever was responsible before moving on to SmackDown.
Shotzi had been attacked earlier in the night. When asked about their involvement, Shayna Baszler and Ronda Rousey denied having any part in it.
Liv Morgan and Tegan Knox challenged Rousey and Baszler to a match before going back to the ring for the next match.
Legado del Fantasma vs The Viking Raiders on Smackdown
Wilde and Erik started the match, and initially the Vikings were in control. Hit Row’s music hits, and we see B-Fab come down the ramp with a steel chair. Top Doll and Ashante attacked Legado in the ring before the referee called the match.
B-Fab attacked Valhalla and threw her into Zelina Vega at ringside before Vikings was taken down by Hit Row. Dole caught Wilde diving and hit a huge neck breaker before posing in the ring with his teammates.
Result: Legado del Fantasma def. The Viking Raiders via DQ
Looks like #HitRow was in the mood for some revenge tonight 😳
L.A. Knight was backstage and entered his locker room and found a Bray Wyatt Firefly T-shirt inside. He tossed it aside, and the lights went out before Uncle Howdy was seen there with them, and the cameras cut away.
After the break on SmackDown, Ricochet and Imperium went out for the Intercontinental Championship match contract signing. The New Day came out to help Ricochet against the Imperium when needed.
Gunther talks about being professionals, not artists, and Ricochet turns this into a joke, saying they can’t perform.
A brawl broke out shortly after, and Adam Pearce turned it into a match as The New Day and Ricochet sent Imperium out and hit big dives on them.
The Imperium vs The New Day and Ricochet on Smackdown
Ricochet and Kaiser officially started the match, and Woods was tagged in early on to take control of the match. Vinci came in with the tag and drove Woods to the corner before sending him to the outside.
Gunther tagged in and beat down Woods in the ring before Kofi arrived and took control of the match with some high moves. Kofi’s jumps on Vinci caused Caesar’s distraction before Kingston was sent to the announce desk.
Ricochet got back under control in the ring, but New Day missed the Midnight Hour. Ricochet took out Gunther with a dive before Kofi hit the Trouble in Paradise on Caesar. Ricochet finished off Caesars with a splash and picked up the win.
Result: The New Day and Ricochet def. imperialism @KingRicochet speeding up next week!
Can he take back the #ICTitle from @Gunther_AUT? #smack down
Grade: B+
Backstage, Alpha Academy discovered that they were not invited to Kurt’s party, while Streets’ benefit.
The Bloodline was backstage, and Jey Uso asked Sami Zayn to get a haircut before Roman Reigns returned next week.
Karrion Cross and Scarlett come out to talk to Rey Mysterio. Kross calls Ray useless and washes him before security comes in and sends him outside.
Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler vs. Liv Morgan and Tegan Nox on Smackdown
Nox and Shayna started the match, and Baszler was sent to the corner before hitting Tegan against the ropes. Rousey tagged in and mocked Morgan before locking her in the ankle lock.
Raquel Rodriguez came out with a broken hand, and the distraction allowed Knox and Morgan to pick up the victory over Baszler.
Result: Liv Morgan and Tegan Knox def. Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler
The next time on SmackDown, Kurt Angle was eliminated, but before he could celebrate his birthday, he was interrupted by Alpha Academy. He was unhappy before saying no and made fun of the WWE Hall of Famer.
Chad Gable and Otis finish the celebration before eating the cake. Kurt leaves before Gable Stevenson arrives with an old-fashioned milk truck.
They threw bottles of milk at Alpha Academy before Angle forced them to drink more milk.
What an incredible birthday celebration!
@RealKurtAngle @GableSteveson #SmackDown