WWE SmackDown live results: New Year’s Revolution

SmackDown kicks off 2024 tonight with a special New Year’s Revolution episode.

Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns is set to make an appearance on the show. His challenger for the Royal Rumble will be determined tonight when Randy Orton, LA Knight, and AJ Styles square off in a triple threat match. All three have been staking claim to being the number one contender to Reigns’ belt.

Also on tap is the finals of WWE’s United States title number one contender’s tournament. Kevin Owens and Santos Escobar will face off with the winner advancing to challenge Logan Paul for the US title at the Royal Rumble.

Paul, meanwhile, is also slated to appear on tonight’s show. 

Michin will challenge IYO SKY for the WWE Women’s Championship tonight. Michin was part of a team that beat Damage CTRL on the December 22 edition of SmackDown.

Butch must also find a partner to team with him against Pretty Deadly. 

Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

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– A video recapping The Rock’s return on Raw aired to open the show. An SUV pulled up in the back and Roman Reigns stepped out of it. Reigns was met by Kayla Braxton, whose microphone didn’t initially work, so I’m not sure what she asked. Either way, Reigns just laughed and walked away. 

– Kevin Patrick welcomed everyone into the show. Kevin Owens’s music hit and to the first match, we went. The commentary team was Patrick and Corey Graves, so the two were swimming without the lifeboat that is Michael Cole.

Kevin Owens defeated Santos Escobar to win the U.S. title tournament [16:47]

I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a welcome change of pace to have the show begin with a match and not some 12-minute promo that sets up an unannounced main event. So, kudos to WWE for that. The match itself was pretty good, but it never kicked into the next gear for me. Both guys worked hard and crowd was fantastic, biting on almost every near-fall, adding great texture to everything that went down in the ring. Still, the outcome felt predictable considering how we had to think they would go with a babyface vs. heel dynamic at the Royal Rumble. Escobar is a heel. Owens is a babyface. The math is easy. Either way, this was a fine opener – good, but not great. 

Before the bell rang, Logan Paul’s music hit and Paul walked to the ring, where he sat in on commentary. The LWO’s Del Toro and Wilde ran out and fought Carillo and Garza to the back. Owens capitalized on that and ultimately landed a frog splash for a good early-match near-fall. The show then went to a commercial break. Back from the break, Owens had control and stared at Paul. Owens went to the top, but Escobar cut him off and Escobar slammed Owens’s arm into the ring post. 

Escobar worked Owens’s arm inside the ring. With Owens on the outside, Escobar landed a tope suicida and posed. Escobar went for Owens’s arm, but Owens kicked his way out and rolled back into the ring, where Escobar went to the top. Owens climbed up with him, but Escobar fought him off and jumped off the top, where Owens caught and planted Escobar with a DDT. The two went back to the top and Escobar set up for a super-plex, but Owens countered into a package suplex of his own. The show then went to another commercial break. 

Back from that break, the two were on the top rope yet again and they fought out of it. Owens super-kicked Escobar to the outside and Owens landed a Cannonball before going back to the top, where Owens went for a Senton, but Escobar got his knees up. Escobar then landed a double-knees and a Frankensteiner from the top rope. Escobar landed a splash for a two-count. The crowd chanted “Logan sucks!” and Paul played into it from the commentary table. 

Escobar then placed Owens back on the top rope and hit a step-up enziguri. Owens grabbed Escobar and landed a rolling Senton from the second rope for a good near-fall. Owens went for a Stunner, but Escobar rolled Owens up for a two-count. Owens hit a super-kick and then, after one failed attempt, a pop-up powerbomb. Owens then hit the Stunner and got the win.

After the match, Paul got a house mic and told Owens he will face the greatest United States Champion in history. Paul mentioned he’s had his title for 62 days. Paul got into the ring and said, “You thought a Canadian could have the United States Championship?” Paul mocked the idea of the Vancouver Canucks winning the Stanley Cup. Paul tried to say his own name, but Owens knocked Paul out with a punch from his cast hand. 

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Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits made their entrance. It’s going to be an All Mighty New Year, they say. As such, the show then went to a commercial break. 

– Logan Paul was walking backstage and was interviewed. Austin Theory and Grayson Waller stepped in and helped Paul. Cameron Grimes then came into the frame and laughed at everyone. Waller shoved Grimes and the show went back into the ring, where Lashley and the Profits were waiting. 

The Bobby Lashley/Street Profits segment

And so, the rumors were true. I won’t lie: I’m intrigued by the AOP/Kross pairing, if only because I guess this means Ellering feels better about going on the road again and Ellering brought so much to that act before he decided to pull back. Whatever the faction ends up being, it could be dominating, which would be welcome for Kross, as he’s been spinning his wheels on the WWE main roster for what feels like lightyears. The presentation here was pretty good and they’re off to a strong start. I’m cautious, but I’m optimistic for where this group goes. 

Lashley welcomed everyone into New Year’s Revolution. Lashley said 2023 was probably the toughest year of his career in WWE. Lashley said he didn’t get the results he wanted in 2023. Lashley said the highlight of the year for him was hooking up with the Profits. Lashley said their resolution is simple – they are going to fight for and take everything they deserve in 2024. Montez Ford chimed in and the crowd chanted “Bobby!” 

Ford said they will take full advantage of every opportunity when it comes to capturing championships. Dawkins spoke, too, and said Judgment Day needs to keep their head on a swivel. Lashley added his personal goal for 2024 is to get back to being “The All Mighty.” Lashley then declared for the Royal Rumble Match. On cue, Karrion Kross’s music played and he walked out with Scarlett – as well as Paul Ellering. A returning AOP then attacked the Profits from behind while Kross walked to the ring and attacked Lashley. AOP hit the Super Collider on the Profits and Kross landed his new finisher on Lashley. Kross and AOP stood tall in the ring to end the segment. 

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IYO SKY defeated Michin to retain the WWE Women’s Championship [10:19]

This was really very good despite a few moments that gave me pause. I’m all for seeing Michin/Mia Yim get some national TV time and they gave her all the offense and then some throughout this match. In fact, I’d say it was probably 80-85% Michin dominating and 20-15% SKY getting in what she could. I’d love to think this means Michin will stick around the title picture (or for that matter, in some meaningful way on SmackDown), but I have my doubts. Forget the cynicism for now. This was a strong match between two very good wrestlers and the second-rope Styles Clash that Michin pulled off was nuts. Good on WWE (again) for making sure there was no nonsense involved here, too. No interference. No eye rolls. Solid stuff. 

Michin made her entrance flanked by The O.C., who then went to the back. Damage CTRL then flanked SKY during her entrance, but they also went to the back. The two started off fast without either woman getting the upper hand. Michin tried a couple roll-ups, but SKY ultimately landed a standing double stomp to slow Michin down. SKY ended up on the outside and Michin hit a dive through the ropes to take SKY down. The show then went to a commercial break. 

Back from that break, Michin still had control, and after an odd powerbomb exchange, Michin landed a knee to SKY’s chin and a then Cannonball for a two-count. Michin slapped SKY and then hit a sort of reverse code-breaker. Michin worked a half-crab until SKY made it to the ropes for a break. Michin went to kick SKY, but SKY caught her. Even so, SKY tried a springboard move, but Michin cut her off with a punch to the head. SKY then landed a bridging German Suplex on Michin on the apron to take control. 

SKY followed that up with a springboard shotgun dropkick. SKY tried an Over The Moonsault, but Michin got the knees up. Michin followed that up with a Dragon Suplex for a nice near-fall. Michin tried to lift SKY, but SKY countered with a double knees. SKY went back to the top, but Michin cut her off and went to the top herself. SKY cut Michin off, but Michin caught SKY and ultimately landed a wild Styles Clash from the second rope … but SKY got her hand on the bottom rope to break up a pin attempt. 

With SKY on the outside, Michin went for another dive, but SKY moved and hit a Meteora on Michin on the barricade. SKY got Michin back into the ring, hit a double knees, and, of course, the Over The Moonsault for the win. 

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– Paul Heyman was shown backstage and was remotely interviewed by Kevin Patrick. Heyman said The Rock name-dropped Reigns because The Rock wants to sit at the head of the table. Heyman said The Rock needs to be invited to sit there, but The Rock will not be invited. Heyman said there are two ways to go viral in this world – 1. Date Taylor Swift. 2. Call out Roman Reigns. Heyman mocked Cody for talking about finishing his story. Heyman called out CM Punk for saying he was the OG Paul Heyman Guy. Heyman said the man who wins tonight in the main event will be smashed at the Royal Rumble by the Tribal Chief. Heyman said there isn’t one man on the planet who could beat Roman Reigns. 

– SKY was shown walking backstage and Damage CTRL ran up to her to congratulate her on the win. Bayley said she sees greatness in all of Damage CTRL. SKY said IYO’s Era will never end. Bayley kept talking about her plan, which will include Asuka and Sane winning the tag titles and Bayley winning the Rumble match. Bianca Belair walked into the frame and congratulated SKY for winning. Belair said Bayley won’t win the Rumble match because Belair is going to win the Rumble match because Belair just now declared herself in the match. Dakota Kai said Bayley has to take care of Belair and Damage CTRL walked away from Bayley. 

– With Pretty Deadly in the ring, the Brawling Brutes music hit. Butch walked out first, and then walked out … Tyler Bate. That was fun. 

Butch & Tyler Bate defeated Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson & Elton Prince) [7:51]

Hey, look. It’s Tyler Bate! I’m inclined to err toward Butch and Bate because I stuck with that initial WWE UK stint some six, seven years ago, and those two were destined to be absolute stars coming out of their battles with one another. Shoot, just look up their NXT Takeover bout and watch those kids cook. So, seeing them reunited here makes me feel warm, but that sentiment clearly was not shared by the live crowd, which has been very hot at times, but here, was painfully subdued. Still, for those of us who have followed Bate and the former Pete Dunne, this was a ray of hope that both guys will get more main roster love moving forward. As for the match, Bate played the hits while Butch felt overly enthusiastic. What more could anyone want? Now the question suddenly must be asked: What happens to Pretty Deadly? They seemed to be on a fast track to a high spot on the card and now … not so much.

Bate and Wilson began the match. Bate worked a head-lock and executed some of his signature Tyler Bate spots. Bate toyed with Wilson and posed, which got a very mild response. Butch tagged in and so did Prince. Wilson ran in and Butch worked his fingers spot on Wilson. With both of Pretty Deadly on the outside, Bate and Butch landed stereo dives to send the show to a commercial break. 

Back from the break, Prince was working over Butch. Butch fought his way out and suplexed Prince. Wilson tagged in, but Bate got the hot tag and cleaned house. Bate landed a European Uppercut from the second rope on Wilson. Bate hit a standing shooting-star press and spun Wilson around and around and around. Butch tagged in and the two landed a double-team move, but Prince broke up the pin attempt. Butch went to the top, but Wilson cut him off. Prince then pushed Butch off the top. Butch tagged in Bate and they hit a double Tyler Driver 97 on Wilson for the win. 

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– Nick Aldis was shown backstage and Ashante Thee Adonis walked into his office. Ashante said he feels lost, but he’s been ready and he just needs an opportunity. Aldis said he believed in Ashante. Aldis said he had ideas for Ashante and the scene cut away. 

– Next week, Bianca Belair vs. Bayley is booked. Cameron Grimes vs. Grayson Waller will also be on tap. Also, Wilde & Del Toro will square off against Angel & Humberto. The show went back to the ring, where AJ Styles made his entrance for the main event. 

Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles vs. LA Knight ended in a no-contest [19:21 of TV time]

This was a really fun match until the end. Not that the end was bad, because it apparently set up a four-way between everyone involved here, but it would have been far more interesting to see a clean finish between the three advertised wrestlers. I guess this opens up possibilities – maybe The Rock interferes and costs Reigns the title at Royal Rumble and that’s why we get Rock vs. Roman? I don’t think any of us believes that will happen, but it’s a tiny possibility. Anyway, the match was pretty good. The three guys worked hard and I still don’t know what happened to Knight that led to him getting color the way he did. The referee pull-outs were kind of fun (if not a bit trite) in their own way. But while this lasted, it was a strong television main event. 

The match was joined in progress and Styles was working over Orton, until Knight attacked Styles and clotheslined Styles over the top. Orton then clotheslined Knight over the top and everyone was on the outside. Knight slammed Styles off the commentary table repeatedly, but then out of nowhere (pun intended) Orton hit a back body-drop on both Knight and Styles. Knight got it twice. Orton tried again with Styles, but Styles countered and did the same to Orton. 

Styles ran Knight into the ring steps. “This is awesome!” chants broke out. Orton was in the ring and Styles went for the Phenomenal Forearm, but Orton cut him off. Orton went for the draping DDT and ultimately hit it on Styles. Orton got the crowd fired up and they were chanting “Randy!” Orton set up for an RKO, but Knight pulled Orton outside and Knight ran Orton into the ring steps. From there, Styles hit a running dropkick on Knight on the outside and all three guys were down as the show went to another commercial break. 

The show returned and Styles was in control, landing a running forearm on Knight. Styles hit a knee to Knight’s stomach. Styles landed a back body-drop on Knight for a two-count. Orton climbed back into the ring, but Styles kicked the hell out of Orton. On the outside, Styles ran Orton into the barrier. Styles slammed Orton’s head into the ring steps. Back in the ring, Knight fought back on Styles and hit a series of punches and kicks to take Styles down. 

Orton came into the frame, but Knight hit a series of punches on Orton. Knight then hit a side Russian leg-sweep on Orton. Knight fired up, but Orton stopped Knight’s momentum with a snap power-slam. Ditto for Styles, who ate the same move. Orton went for an RKO, but Knight countered into the BFT. The ref was going to count to three, but Styles stopped the referee’s count. From there, Knight and Styles traded blows. Styles landed the Pele Kick on Knight to slow things down. 

Styles planted Knight and went to the apron, where he set up for the springboard 450 Splash and he actually hit it. Even so, Knight kicked out at 2.8. Knight was bleeding from his forehead. Styles set up for a Styles Clash, but Orton broke things up. Knight went to the outside and Styles set up for the Phenomenal Forearm on Orton and Styles actually hit it. But as the pin attempt went down, Knight pulled the referee to the outside to break it all up. 

Roman Reigns’s music hit and Reigns walked out with the rest of the Bloodline. The faction walked to the ring with purpose. Solo Sikoa attacked LA Knight, who really was busted up. Jimmy Uso and Reigns attacked Orton and Styles. Sikoa rammed the ring steps into Orton’s head. Inside the ring, Reigns powerbombed Styles. Nick Aldis appeared as Reigns threw Styles out of the ring. Reigns hit a Superman Punch on Knight. Reigns followed that up with a spear on Knight. 

Next up was Orton, who was out on the ring canvas. Reigns hit a spear on Orton as Sikoa hit a Samoan Spike on Orton as well. Aldis confronted Heyman at ringside and said off mic that Reigns just got himself a fatal four-way with the other three wrestlers at the Royal Rumble. Heyman looked concerned as the show went off the air.