SmackDown begins with Roman Reigns and Bloodline, and Paul Heyman comes on the mic. He introduces the team and reminds us that The Usos will defend their title against Hit Row tonight while Solo Sequoia takes on Sheamus.
Roman Reigns took the mic and asked Sami what was wrong with him. Sami said that he was looking for a family that would respect him and he finally found it with Bloodline.
Still, Sami said that he was not happy because Kevin Owens broke his dream last week.
Zayn said that he will defeat John Cena and Kevin Owens next week with the help of Roman Reigns.
WWE SmackDown Results (December 23, 2022): The Usos (c) vs. Hit Row – Undisputed Tag Title Match
Adonis and Jay started the match, and the challenger managed to briefly isolate Jay in the ring, but Jimmy made a tag and took control. He got a big DDT off a counter before Adonis recovered and got a big crossbody for a near fall.
Jimmy hit Ashante with a superkick before Top Dolla tried to lift both Usos and pulled up Rick Buggs – meaning his legs gave way. Dolla hit double superkicks and a 1D before The Usos picked up the win.
Result: The Usos def. Hits Row to retain the Undisputed Tag Titles
Emma and Shia Lee started the match, and Emma was in control early on, before Shia came in with a spinning kick and quickly took her down for the pin.
Tegan Nox was out next, and she got in a big front-face slam before Lee took her to the corner.
Lee kicked Knox into the ring post several times and then took him down as well as a kick to the back of the head.
Raquel Rodriguez was out next and was sent out of the ring before attacking her injured arm.
Raquel got a big suplex before dodging a spin kick and getting a powerbomb for the pin.
Liv Morgan was the next to enter the match, and she caught a huge dive before reversing a powerbomb into a rollup.
Liv got a standing sleeper hold before Raquel converted into a slam. Liv steps on Raquel’s injured arm before nearly collapsing.
Morgan is locked in the rings of Saturn, but it is broken before Raquel can fall.
Raquel blocks Oblivion and gets the Texana Bomb before Morgana is out for good. Sonya Deville was up next and went behind Raquel’s arm just before she landed a big knee to the face.
Sonya Deville was on the apron and sent Raquel’s arm into the ring post. Raquel broke free from a hold and hit another Texana Bomb on Deville for the pin.
After the match, Ronda Rousey came out and said that there is another entry in the match, Shayna Baszler.
Baszler immediately rips off Raquel’s arm and tears off the cast. Somehow, while Baszler was showing off the cast, Rodriguez came from behind and rolled up Baszler for the win!
#SmackDown Women’s Champion @RondaRousey tried to cheat the system but it backfired!
Result: Raquel Rodriguez wins the Gauntlet match and will face Ronda Rousey for the SmackDown Women’s Title
grade A
Bray Wyatt came out next and demanded that L.A. Knight apologize to him. He stated that he was never Uncle Howdy before suddenly collapsing in the ring and attacking a cameraman.
The guys came to stop the attack, and as soon as the brawl on SmackDown calmed down, we went to break.
Mysterio was in control from the start and drove Garza into the corner and then attacked him. Karrion Kross and Scarlett were outside watching the match from the stands.
Garza used the distraction to get in
control and took down Mysterio before trying for the 619 on the WWE legend. Mysterio got a 619 of his own off the counter, followed by a big springboard DDT before picking up the win.
Result: Rey Mysterio def. Angel Garza
Emma fought with Scarlett backstage and slapped her before Kross threatened her, and they walked off.
Braun Strowman & Ricochet vs. Imperium – Miracle on 34th Street Fight on WWE SmackDown
Braun and Ricochet got in control early on, and Strowman tossed Vinci and Kaiser on either side of the ring. Kaiser took out Ricochet before Imperium tried to team up on Strowman, but they were thrown outside before Ricochet came in with a dive.
After the break, Ricochet and Strowman were attacked with steel chairs and kendo sticks. Strowman came back with big kicks and tossed Imperium into the Christmas trees on the stage.
Vinci was cut open on his cheek, and they unwrapped a large human-sized gift box, and out came a ballerina. The New Day came out of another box, dressed as toy soldier nutcrackers, before Strowman came back and ran through Imperium, taking them down.
Ricochet was down at ringside, and Strowman helped him up before ring announcer Samantha Irving, Ricochet’s real-life girlfriend, gave him a kiss, reviving the Superstar.
Kaiser was sent through a table full of snacks before Ricochet hit a big dive off Strowman’s shoulders and hit a big dive on Vinci in the ring, getting the win.
Result: Braun Strowman & Ricochet def. Imperium on SmackDown
Episode rating: A-
We got a big title match to kick things off on SmackDown tonight, as well as a Gauntlet match and Street Fight as we closed out the second last SmackDown of 2022. We wish you Happy Holiday and a very Merry Christmas!