WWE SmackDown live results: Roman Reigns returns

For the first time since Crown Jewel, Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns returns for an appearance on tonight’s SmackDown from the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Reigns last beat LA Knight to retain his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship in Saudi Arabia. Reigns’ Bloodline stablemates Solo Sikoa & Jimmy Uso were defeated by Randy Orton & LA Knight in a tag team match on last week’s SmackDown.

Orton and Jimmy are facing off in a singles match tonight.

Also on tap for tonight are two United States title contender’s tournament first-round matches. Grayson Waller will square off against NXT star Carmelo Hayes, who was picked last week by Shawn Michaels to represent NXT in the tournament. Kevin Owens vs. Austin Theory is also set.

Plus, Michin & Zelina Vega will team up against the Damage CTRL duo of Asuka & Kairi Sane. Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

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– Kevin Patrick welcomed everyone into the show and Roman Reigns’s music hit right away. Reigns walked out with Paul Heyman, Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso by his side. 

The Bloodline segment

A lot of not much. This was fairly standard stuff, though it did feel bigger than normal for Reigns because of Randy’s star power. There isn’t much surprise in that Randy Orton came back to immediately challenge Reigns for his coveted title, but it could be pretty fun getting there, assuming we do get Reigns vs. Orton at Royal Rumble. Is it me, or is it starting to feel not as special when Roman makes his supposed returns every few weeks? Yes, I know he’s been gone for about a month and a half, but the act never really changes, so when he finally does wander back into a SmackDown episode, it feels more and more meh. Either way, it’s Randy vs. a frustrated Jimmy later in the show. It should be interesting to see how things play out, should Jimmy lose, which we all probably think he will.

Reigns soaked in the fans because shouting, “Green Bay, acknowledge me!” The crowd complied. Reigns then told everyone to shut their mouths. Reigns said he wouldn’t have done that if the crowd would have just kept the boos down. Reigns said it’s the Christmas season and he’s ready to celebrate. Reigns said it’s promotion season because he’s a good boss and a fair Tribal Chief. 

He followed that up by saying tonight is about one man – a man who has bent over backwards and sacrificed everything and known what representing the family means. Reigns said if anything happened to him, this is the guy who would step up. It looked like Jimmy was preparing to be crowned as Reigns said this will be the Tribal Heir, but wouldn’t you know it, Roman asked Jimmy to join him in congratulating Sikoa. Jimmy looked disappointed as Roman and Solo hugged. Roman began to talk from there and he was interrupted by Randy Orton’s entrance. From there, the show went to a commercial break.

When the show returned, Orton was climbing up the ring steps to get into the ring. Orton took a few seconds to speak as the crowd chanted his name. Orton said for 18 months, he had been thinking this moment and what he’d do and say. Orton said the only thing he really needed to say to Roman is that he’s coming for Roman. Orton said he didn’t care which one of his family members he had to go through to get the job done. Orton challenged Reigns for the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship at Royal Rumble. The crowd chanted Randy’s name again. 

Reigns smiled. The crowd then broke into an “RKO!” chant. Reigns said by the sound of the fans, Orton deserved the title shot. Reigns said while Orton has been thinking of Reigns, Reigns hasn’t thought of Orton at all. Reigns said Orton can “go to the back of the line, where you belong.” Roman told Randy to listen to his voices because it isn’t 2007 anymore and Roman is on a different level. Roman said Randy’s voices were telling Randy that Randy should get out of the ring and run away. Reigns said Orton will never come back after he faces Roman. 

Orton said Reigns has changed for the better and that Reigns is a legend. Orton said that he, himself, changed, too, but “the one thing Randy Orton will always and forever be is a legend killer.” Orton went for an RKO on Reigns and Reigns moved away. Orton said maybe Reigns should start thinking about Orton. Orton said he was getting something from the voices in his head and they were telling him that Roman “might have just crapped his pants.” Randy left after saying “Daddy’s back,” and that ended the segment. 

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Carmelo Hayes defeated Grayson Waller to advance in the U.S. title tournament [10:22]

Good for Hayes. Who knows how all that Trick Williams stuff is going to play out on Tuesdays, but Hayes was presented as a Real Guy here and he came through with a Real Guy Performance. Waller played his part well, too. I thought this when they worked together back in NXT and I think it now: Hayes and Waller are going to have many a main roster feud once both are up there and I’ll even go as far to say that the heel/babyface roles should have no problem switching back and forth between the two. But that’s for a later date. For now, this was a good match with a mildly surprising outcome. Hayes and Waller work well together and there’s a lot to be said for two guys who have this level of chemistry this early into their WWE runs. This was a fine WWE TV match and that’s not meant to be backhanded in any way.

Logan Paul did a picture-in-picture promo before the match as Hayes made his way to the ring. Paul mocked Hayes and said this would be the only time he’ll be in a SmackDown ring. Paul concluded by calling Hayes “random guy.” As for the match, Hayes and Waller locked up to begin things. Hayes landed a nice-looking dropkick to get an early edge. As Hayes was working Waller’s arm, Waller spun around and hit a right jab to Hayes’s head to try and gain control, but Hayes came right back with some strong chops. Waller slowed things down with a side-kick. Before long, Hayes worked his way back with a kick and a Fadeaway. Waller rolled to the outside, rolled back in and Hayes clotheslined Waller over the top to the outside right as the show went to a commercial break. 

As the show returned, Waller was working a head-lock on Hayes in the middle of the ring. Turns out, Waller landed a double stomp during the break to take control. Waller hit a rolling Flatliner for a two-count after Hayes tweaked his knee. Hayes fought back a bit and hit a bunch of punches, kicks and finally a Facebuster for a two-count. Hayes went to the top, but Waller cut him off and landed some type of weird, flipping face-plant thing and I do believe that’s a scientific term. Hayes fought back with a kick and a springboard DDT for a good near-fall. Waller went for another rolling move, but Hayes countered with the First 48. Hayes then went to the top and landed Nothing But Net for the win.

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– Randy Orton was walking backstage and ran into LA Knight, who noted how the Bloodline numbers can work against Orton later. Orton said he and Knight are good and to keep it that way, Knight should stay out of Orton’s way. Knight reminded Orton that if there’s one man to take everything away from Roman Reigns, it’s going to be LA Knight and then Knight walked away. Kevin Owens’s music then hit and Owens began his walk to the ring for the next match. 

Kevin Owens defeated Austin Theory to advance in the U.S. title tournament [13:58]

If the first match was a good WWE TV match, this was a great WWE TV match. This was some of the best stuff Theory has put on television in a while when it comes to in-ring work. As this crept toward the 9 p.m. turnover, I wondered if they’d let it ride through the top of the hour and they did and it worked. It appears as though this tournament might be defined by Owens’s hand being in a cast – and then perhaps squaring off with Paul, who won the U.S. title via brass knuckles and the two can have a “who will be more effective with their cheat punches” title match. I won’t complain (maybe). This was a really good match, though, and while Theory and Waller both lost in their tournament matches tonight, I don’t know that either really lost much in defeat. Actually, I’d argue both came away looking better somehow. 

Logan Paul cut another PIP promo during Theory’s entrance. Paul said Owens dresses like a fifth-grader and Owens should stitch sleeves back onto his shirt because he essentially looks stupid. As for the match (again), Owens took control early with a head-lock and an arm-drag, which turned into Owens working Theory’s arm. The two traded blows until Owens landed a Senton and sold his broken hand. Theory rolled to the outside and the two fought on the apron until Owens kicked Theory to the floor. Owens then hit a Cannonball and rolled Theory back into the ring. 

Theory was on the apron and Theory hit a neck-breaker over the top rope. The two then fought on the apron and Theory suplexed Owens on the apron and jawed at him as the show went to a commercial break. The show returned and the two were battling on the top until Owens headbutted Theory to the mat. Owens then landed a frogsplash and stalled before a pin attempt to sell his hand. The eventual pin resulted in a two-count. Owens went back to the top and tried a Senton, but Theory got his knees up for a two-count. 

Theory fired up and stomped on Owens. Theory ran at Owens and Owens got a boot up. From there, Owens stomped a mudhole in Theory. Owens landed a shoulder-block and a DDT, which was good enough for a two-count. Owens hit a super-kick for a two-count. Owens went to the top and Theory cut Owens off with a springboard Spanish Fly. Theory went for a super-plex, but Owens countered into a package suplex of his own, but Theory rolled to the outside. 

Once the two got out there, Theory punched Owens over the guardrail and Theory returned to the ring as the ref counted. Owens barely beat the count to keep the match going, but Owens ran into a punch and a rolling Blockbuster for a good near-fall. The went to the top again and Owens pushed Theory, which put Theory in a Tree of Woe. Owens followed up with a Cannonball and a Swanton Bomb from the top, but only got another good near-fall out of it. 

Owens went for a Stunner, but Theory caught Owens and kicked Owens’s hand. The two went to the outside and Theory rammed Owens’s hand into the ring post before stomping on Owens’s hand on the ring steps. Ultimately, though, Theory ran at Owens and Owens responded with a punch on his cast-hand and that cast punch was enough get Owens the win.

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– Roman Reigns was shown backstage and Roman was angry that Randy Orton broke up a celebration. Jimmy mocked Solo Sikoa for being the Tribal Heir. Roman said if Jimmy can handle Orton alone later, Jimmy can have anything. Jimmy responded with “Yeet,” and, of course, Roman didn’t like that. As a result, Jimmy said, “No yeet.” 

– A Karrion Kross vignette aired, so perhaps that push will begin. 

– Kevin Owens was walking backstage and walked into Cameron Grimes, who said he always wanted to punch Austin Theory the way Owens did. Owens ran into Kayla Braxton and she asked Owens about facing Hayes in the net round of the tournament. Hayes walked into the frame and Hayes said he has a ton of respect for Owens. Hayes said he needs this tournament and walked away. 

– Back at the desk, Kevin Patrick announced that Charlotte will be out for at least nine months due to the knee injury she sustained on last week’s episode. 

– A Damage CTRL vignette aired. Bayley said she knew IYO SKY was special from day one. IYO said it’s IYO’s era and she is the most dangerous champion in WWE. Bayley said with Asuka and Kairi Sane, they are the strongest ever. Dakota Kai stepped in and Bayley called Kai a true mastermind. Bayley said Asuka and Sane will win the women’s tag titles and Bayley will enter and win the Royal Rumble to take Rhea Ripley’s championship. 

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The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane) defeated Michin & Zelina Vega [6:11 of TV time]

I was beyond pleasantly surprised to see Michin and Vega get as much offense as they got here. The bump Vega took on the commentary table looked gnarly and she looked fine after it, but man. That was tough. If anything, this served as a reminder to constantly ask this question: Why don’t Michin and Vega get more in-ring time on TV, either as singles competitors or as a team, more often? Michin, especially, looked good here and the callback between her and Asuka was a lot of fun for those who’ve followed them both before their WWE days. The outcome wasn’t really ever in doubt, but all four women worked hard and this exceeded expectations. The only issue? Put it all on TV! I hate those commercial break match starts. 

Michin and Vegan attacked Sane and Asuka from behind as they made their way to the ring. Quickly, the show went to a commercial break. When the show returned, Sane and Asuka had control, working over Michin on the outside. Back in the ring Sane hit a running elbow on Michin before following that up with a flying forearm and a two-count. Asuka tagged in and she, along with Sane landed a double-team kick for a two-count. Asuka worked Michin’s arm. Asuka slapped Michin and went for a back fist, but Michin countered into a rollup for a two-count. Michin hit a suplex and even though Sane tagged in, got the hot tag to Vega. 

Vega ran in and worked over Sane before landing a running knee for a two-count. Vega then hit a Hammerlock DDT and fired up the crowd. Vega set up for a 619, but Sane came back with a back first. Asuka tagged in and worked the Asuka Lock, but Vega countered into a pin. Vega tagged in Michin and Michin hit a headbutt and what I assume is her finisher, but Sane broke things up. On the outside, Sane slammed Vega onto the announce desk. Inside the ring, Michin fired up, but Kai distracted the referee and Bayley ran down to push Michin off the top rope. Sane tagged in to hit the In-Sane Elbow and that was enough for the win. 

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– Jimmy Uso was shown backstage talking to Solo Sikoa. Jimmy said something didn’t feel right and things felt like a setup. Jimmy asked Solo if he would Jimmy that something was going to happen to him. Solo said only, “I’m your brother,” and that was the end of that. 

– A Santos Escobar vignette aired. Escobar talked about how Rey Mysterio ripped away Escobar’s chance to be U.S. Champion. It then set up his match between he and Bobby Lashley for next week. A backstage Lashley promo aired. Lashley was flanked by the Street Profits. Lashley talked about facing Escobar and Montez Ford chimed in saying Escobar has no chance against Lashley. Lashley then said Escobar is just standing in Lashley’s way. 

– Next week, Hayes vs. Owens will happen and Lashley vs. Escobar will happen in terms of U.S. title tournament developments. Dragon Lee will also face Butch for the NXT North American Championship. And Damage CTRL will square off against Michin, Vega, Shotzi and Bianca Belair. Randy Orton then made his entrance for the main event. 

Randy Orton defeated Jimmy Uso [14:26]

Orton hit his greatest hits and Jimmy put up a fight and the predictable brawl broke out and … and … and … yeah, this AJ Styles thing has me intrigued and being intrigued with a WWE story isn’t something that happens every day. Styles hates Knight that much? Styles is dressed in all black? What does it mean? I almost thought he was about to actually join the Bloodline for a hot second there, which was quite the surprise for me. The match started with nearly 25 minutes left in the show, so my Angle Alert was up – and correctly so, it turned out – but that angle was more than I thought it’d be. The match was just kind of there. Not much to seek out, but a fine-enough match especially if you’re into Randy Orton. Color me compelled by the post-match stuff. 

Orton worked over Jimmy with some kicks and punches to begin the match. Jimmy then went outside and signaled for a time out as the show went to a commercial break. Back from that break, Orton had the upper hand after he slammed Jimmy on the commentary table twice. Orton rolled Jimmy back in the ring for a two-count and worked Jimmy’s arm. Orton got Jimmy in a corner and landed a series of punches on Jimmy’s head. Eventually, Jimmy took control with an enziguri and a hip attack on Orton in a corner. Jimmy returned the punches-in-corner favor … until Orton cut him off with a thumb to the eye. 

Orton then set up for the draping DDT, but Jimmy instead body-dropped Orton to the outside, where Orton sold knee pain. From there, the show went to its final commercial break. The show returned and Uso still had control … until he ran into a series of clotheslines. Orton landed a snap powerslam, and Uso found himself on the apron, only for Orton to finally hit the draping DDT. Orton set up for the RKO, but Solo Sikoa’s music hit and Sikoa walked to the ring. But then LA Knight’s music hit and Knight ran out to attack Sikoa. While Jimmy looked on, Orton hit the RKO for the win.

After the match, Knight walked to the ring, but Roman Reigns attacked Knight from behind. Orton hyped himself up while Roman stood in the entry way. Roman got into the ring and Reigns and Orton brawled until Jimmy helped Roman … and then Knight helped Orton. Sikoa then turned back up and the Bloodline had the upper hand in the brawl. But alas, AJ Styles’s music hit and Styles appeared out of nowhere to hit the Phenomenal Forearm on Roman to give the babyfaces the upper hand. Styles’s music played and Styles, in a twist, attacked Knight. Styles then walked past the Bloodline on his way to the back. The Bloodline jawed at Orton and Knight and the commentary team ran down next week’s card to close the show.