SmackDown opens up with a graphic in memory of WWE Hall of Famer Rocky Johnson, who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 75.
– We’re live from the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina as the pyro goes off. Michael Cole welcomes us. He’s joined at ringside by Corey Graves. They hype tonight’s show.
– We go right to the ring and out comes Kane for his special appearance. Kane marches to the ring as Greg Hamilton does the introduction.
Kane made his return to Smackdown and said that its his favorite time of the year, the Royal Rumble. It is the match where you go through hell. He has the record for the most eliminations, so he gets to watch his opponents’ hopes drain from their eyes as their feet his the ground and their Wrestlemania dreams turn into a nightmare because of him. He has to admit it was a lot of fun.
The Firefly Funhouse theme plays and Bray Wyatt welcomes him. He says it’s not nice to brag and take joy in others’ misery. He asks Kane to apologize, but he didn’t. He said that he assures everyone that Ramblin’ Rabbit is alive and well and recovering. He said he wants to play Devil’s Advocate. He doesnt think winning is a fine idea since it means the winner has to face Bray at Wrestlemania. He points out Kane’s picture on the wall of the Funhouse and if it’s there, he and The Fiend got it on. He said he’ll never forget Kane and showed footage of their previous battles.
The lights start going down in the arena as Kane looks all around. The arena goes black. The red lights comes on and we hear the familiar sounds echo over the arena. Kane is now standing on the outside of the ring now, looking up the ramp. The Fiend suddenly appears from a hole in the ring. The Fiend crawls out and crawls to the ropes. Kane turns around and stares at him. Kane asks what took him so long. The Fiend seems to pause and step back a bit. Daniel Bryan hits the ring out of nowhere and levels The Fiend with a running knee as he turns around. The Fiend tries to escape back through the hole in the ring but Bryan is still trying to fight him, crawling at him. Bryan comes back up from the hole with a handful of The Fiend’s dreadlocks, as The Fiend did with him several weeks ago.
Bryan stands tall under the red light as a “yes!” chant starts up. Bryan looks around and joins in on the chant as the lights come back up. Kane enters the ring and gets another “yes!” chant going. Team Hell No does the chant together as Bryan’s music hits.
– Still to come, John Morrison returns to the ring. Back to commercial.
Backstage:
Back from the break and Kayla Braxton stops Daniel Bryan backstage. Bryan says a lot of people think The Fiend is good at mind games and getting the best of people, but he’s really the best at running away. Bryan asks how you beat someone who disappears every time they’re in trouble? He’s got an idea. It’s not a good idea and really not a smart idea, but he challenges The Fiend to a Strap Match at the Royal Rumble. Bryan says they will each have one end of the strap and will go to war until one man wins. Bryan talks about how he understands what could happen to him, but he’s done with the games and The Fiend escaping down the hole every time he gets in trouble. Bryan says The Fiend changed him but at the Rumble, he will change The Fiend and win the Universal Title.
Big E vs. John Morrison
We go back to the ring and out comes SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day – Big E with Kofi Kingston. Out next comes John Morrison for his WWE in-ring return. The Miz accompanies Morrison to the ring.
They noted this is Morrison’s first match in years. Same ring music. They noted he and Big E have never met. They pushed the recent issues with the Miz on commentary. Morrison gained control early and nailed a neckbreaker off the apron to the floor Just like that, they went to commercial.
Back from the break and Morrison has Big E grounded in the ring. Kofi tries to rally fans for Big E. We see how Morrison nailed a big kick during the break. Big E powers up and launches Morrison but he comes right back with another kick. Morrison poses for a mixed reaction but mostly boos. Miz isn’t happy. Morrison with a standing Shooting Star Press for a 2 count. Big E powers up and goes for the Big Ending but it’s blocked. More back and forth now. Morrison comes off the top but misses as Big E lands several belly-to-belly suplexes.
Morrison turns it around with a cheap shot to the eyes as the referee is unable to see. Fans boo. Big E drops Morrison and runs the ropes for a big splash in the middle of the ring. Fans chant “New Day rocks!” now. Morrison shuts the momentum down and kicks Big E again. Morrison nails another neckbreaker for a 2 count as Miz cheers him on.
Miz gets on the apron and distracts the referee but Kofi comes over and pulls him off. They argue and Kofi shoves Miz into the steel ring steps. Morrison goes to the top and leaps out, taking Kofi down on the floor with a big move. Morrison is all smiles as Big E recovers in the ring. Morrison poses on the apron but Miz pushes him out of the way into safety as Big E charges. Big E reaches for Miz but gets dropped with a kick from the side by Morrison. Morrison comes back in and drops Big E with a knee. Morrison goes up top in the corner and hits Starship Pain for the pin to win.
Winner: John Morrison
– The announcers talk about how King Baron Corbin will pick the stipulation for his Rumble match with Roman Reigns if Robert Roode can win tonight’s Tables Match over Reigns. Reigns will pick the stipulation for Corbin if he wins tonight. Cole sends us to a video package on the Reigns vs. Corbin feud.
Backstage:
The Usos are backstage with Roman Reigns. They ask what his stipulation for the Rumble will be but he says they will find out when everyone else does. Reigns says he’s been training in the yard but he wonders if The Usos are ready for what they have in store. They are hyped up for The Revival and walk off for a match it appears. The Usos and Reigns welcome The Revival to The Uso Penitentiary. We go to commercial.
The Usos vs. The Revival
We go back to the ring and out come The Usos – Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso. Out next comes The Revival – Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder.
The bell rings and Dawson starts off with Jimmy. Dawson beats him into the corner and then backs off. Jimmy charges and they go at it. They run the ropes and Jimmy drops Dawson with a big chop. More back and forth until Jimmy nails a big right hand to the mouth. Jey tags in for the double team on Dawson, into the corner for a 2 count.
Dawson turns it around on Jey and in comes Dash off the tag. The Revival with quick tags and Dawson hits a slingshot suplex for a 2 count as Dash launches himself in from the apron for the pin attempt. The Revival unloads on Jey in their corner now, beating him down as the referee warns them. The Revival plays to the crowd for some boos. Dawson beats Jey while he’s down and drops a leg, then an elbow, then a headbutt. Dawson covers for a 2 count. Dawson grounds Jey on the mat now, working him over and going into another hold. Jimmy waits for the tag and Dash taunts him from the opposite corner. Fans start rallying for Jey now.
Jey breaks free but Dawson kicks him. Jey counters a suplex and they tangle. Jey drops Dawson with a big jumping kick to the head. Jimmy and Dash tag in at the same time. Dunloads with shots to both opponents. Jimmy ducks a shot from Dash and catches him with a Samoan Drop. Fans pop for Jimmy as he charges but gets sent to the apron by Dash. Jimmy fights back and goes to the top for a big crossbody. Dash kicks out at 2 and Jimmy is surprised. Jimmy goes for a superkick but it’s blocked. The Revival with a double team counter, leading to Dash rolling Jimmy up for a 2 count. Jey tags back in and they hit a double superkick to Dash, then to Dawson as he runs in. Fans cheer for The Usos.
Jimmy tags back in. Jey runs the ropes and nails a suicide dive to Dawson on the floor. Jimmy stands up on the top rope and nails the big Uso splash on Dash for the pin to win.
Winners: The Usos
After the match, The Usos stand tall as their music hits. The announcers comment on how The Revival continues to slide down the ladder. We go to replays. The Revival looks on from the stage as The Usos celebrate.
– Still to come, Reigns vs. Roode in a Tables Match with big Royal Rumble implications. Back to commercial.
– Back from the break and WWE touts the social media milestone of 20 million Instagram followers.
Backstage:
We see The Revival walking backstage when Kayla stops them and asks if they’re frustrated with another loss. Dawson says if the company won’t make a change, then The Revival will have to make some kind of change. Dash says something similar. We hear a fight happening in the backstage area and the camera jumps to Lacey Evans beating on Sasha Banks. Banks is down and looks to have a hurt leg. SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley makes the save and tends to Banks while screaming at officials to get Evans away from them. The announcers also tease Banks possibly being injured.
– The announcers look at the recent happenings between Mandy Rose and Otis.
Backstage:
We see Rose and Sonya Deville backstage. Rose is excited about Deville’s match tonight and says Rose was right last week, this is the year of Fire & Desire. Sonya asks if Rose thinks Otis might want to be at ringside for her match tonight. Rose asks why because Rose will be at ringside. Sonya says she didn’t get the Otis thing before but after seeing him out there helping Rose win last week, she gets it. Rose isn’t seeing “the Otis thing” how Deville is and seems confused. Deville just wants Rose to ask Otis if he will be at ringside.
Backstage:
Bayley and Sasha Banks are in the trainer’s room. Banks has a hurt ankle. Bayley is furious and threatens to turn Lacey Evans into a stay-at-home mom. WWE Producer Adam Pearce shows up and comments on Banks failing to deliver on the match once again. He makes Bayley vs. Evans official and says it will be non-title, but it is happening. Bayley and Banks aren’t happy with the ruling. Pearce walks off and we go to commercial.
Bayley vs. Lacey Evans
Back from the break and out comes SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley for this non-title match. Bayley is furious and ready to fight. Lacey Evans is out next and she’s all smiles.
The bell rings and Evans charges but Bayley goes right to the floor for boos. Evans follows and talks trash. Evans chases her back in but Bayley stomps away and unloads. Evans ends up fighting back and sending Bayley to the floor after a head scissors. Evans leaps out and takes Bayley down on the floor. Evans works Bayley around the ringside area as the referee counts. Evans brings it back in and fights from the apron for a roll-up and a 2 count.
Evans with another roll-up for a quick pin attempt. Bayley takes Evans down and uses the second rope for the pin but the referee catches her. The referee has words with Bayley. Evans tries to capitalize but Bayley keeps her down and works her over. Bayley with several forearm shots now. Bayley with a handful of hair now. Bayley puts Evans back down for another quick pin attempt. Bayley grounds Evans by her arm now.
Evans looks to mount a comeback but Bayley drops her again. Bayley mounts Evans and keeps her down as fans try to rally with a chant for Lacey. Bayley plays to the crowd and gets rolled up for a 2 count. Bayley sends Evans to the apron and taunts the crowd some more. Evans fights back and sends Bayley into the turnbuckles. Evans with more offense now as fans start to cheer her on. Evans tosses Bayley across the ring and nails a big kick to send her into the corner. Evans charges in the corner with another big boot thrust. Evans goes back to the second rope, stands and salutes, then jumps to the top rope for the springboard moonsault. Bayley gets her knees up. Evans rolls to the floor in pain and Bayley follows. Bayley charges with a big running knee to the head against the barrier. We go to commercial.
Back from the break and Bayley is dominating Evans in the corner. Bayley taunts the crowd but wastes time and gets dropped face-first into the middle turnbuckle. Evans blocks a shot from the floor and kicks Bayley back. Evans brings Bayley back in but Bayley drops her over the middle rope with a Stunner. Bayley covers for a 2 count. Bayley mounts Evans and unloads with a bunch of strikes now.
Bayley with another big suplex but Evans continues to kick out. Bayley with more of her signature offense int he corner. Bayley with the flying elbow from the second rope. Evans still kicks out at 2. Bayley shows more frustration now. Fans start chanting for Evans but Bayley nails a knee to the face. Bayley goes to the top but lands hard on a crossbody attempt as Evans moves. Evans charges in the corner but Bayley drops her face-first into the turnbuckle. Bayley looks to capitalize but Evans drops her out of nowhere with a big Woman’s Right for the pin to get the non-title win.
Winner: Lacey Evans
After the match, Evans stands tall and has her arm raised. The music hits as we go to replays. Evans sells the match to end the segment.
Backstage:
Alyse Ashton is backstage with Shorty G. She asked why Sheamus returned and singled him out last week. G says Sheamus’ games won’t work on him, and the same goes with attacking him while he’s down. G goes on about embracing yourself. He knows Sheamus is big and decorated, but… Sheamus walks in and acts like he can’t see G because of his height. Sheamus faces off with G now, talking more trash. Sheamus threatens to knock G’s head off again, and then pats him on the head, calling him “little fella.” G attacks and they start brawling. The brawl is broken up but Sheamus is fuming as he destroys some more stuff. Back to commercial.
– Braun Strowman declares himself for the 30-Man Royal Rumble Match. Braun says that is next week and now he wants to talk about WWE Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura. Braun goes on about Nakamura and Sami Zayn, and says he just wants his shot. Braun doesn’t care if it’s this week or next, he wants his shot at Nakamura. Braun storms off.
In the Arena:
Elias, in the ring, says that while he is the walking embodiment of WWE, he cannot do it all alone. He needs the people. They all know WWE stands for Walk with Elias. He sang a song about Greensboro and wants everyone to clap along. He srarts to sing but out come Sami Zayn, Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro. They are dealing with serious business – Braun Strowman talking about how he wants a shot at the IC title. He said that he wants to tell everyone about Nakamura. This great man does not back down from a fight. Braun doesn’t have to wait for an answer – it is absolutely not. He said that stupid oaf doesn’t get to dictate anything, they do. Nothing is happening with the Rumble just nine days away. Nakamura is someone who actually won a Rumble match. He said that everyone in the roster is being put on notice. He said he made his point and told Elias to go back to doing whatever he was doing.
Elias said he was listening and multitalked by writing a song at the same time. He said the song is about Sami needing to shut his mouth. He started to play but Sami stopped him and sent Cesaro to take hm out. They brawled with Elias getting the beller of the exchange. Nakamura and Sami hit the ring and thet worked him over until Braun hit the ring and made the save. He wiped everyone out and ran them from the ring.
– The company paid tribute to the late, great Rocky Johnson and aired a great video tribute to him. Big “Rocky” chant from the crowd.
Sonya Deville vs. Alexa Bliss
Back from the break and we go to the ring and Sonya Deville is already out with Mandy Rose. Out next comes Alexa Bliss with Nikki Cross.
The match is about to begin but the music interrupts and out comes Heavy Machinery – Otis and Tucker. They watch from the bottom of the ramp as the bell rings. Deville takes control early on and nails a big running kick for a 2 count in the middle of the ring. Deville grounds Bliss on the mat now.
Bliss fights out and arm drags Deville. Deville comes back but Bliss fights her off and slaps her, then drops her with another strike. Bliss with a basement dropkick and then kicks in the corner as the referee counts. Bliss with a big kick. Bliss goes to grab Deville but Rose comes to the top to interfere. Cross runs over and knocks Rose off the top but Otis catches her on the floor.
Deville and everyone looks at Otis holding Rose. They are all smiles. Bliss takes advantage of the distraction and rolls Deville up for the pin to win.
Winner: Alexa Bliss
After the match, Bliss and Cross head to the stage as the music hits. Rose joins Deville in the ring to apologize for the distraction. Otis is on cloud nine.
Backstage:
Robert Roode is backstage when King Corbin and Dolph Ziggler walk in. They hype him up and say they will get payback on Roman Reigns tonight for what he did to Roode several weeks ago. They go on about tonight’s match and Corbin talks about the stipulation he will choose for Reigns at the Royal Rumble, one where he will humiliate Reigns, take Reigns out of the Rumble Match, and make him bow down to the King. Corbin says none of that can happen unless Roode wins tonight, so when Roode puts Reigns through that table, it will be absolutely glorious. Back to commercial.
– Back from the break and the Strap Match stipulation is confirmed for Bryan vs. The Fiend at The Rumble. Shorty G vs. Sheamus and Lacey Evans vs. SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley is also confirmed.
Tables Match: Robert Roode vs. Roman Reigns
We go to the ring for tonight’s main event and out comes Roman Reigns as the pyro goes off. Reigns will get to choose the stipulation for his match with King Baron Corbin at the Rumble, but Corbin will choose if Roode wins. Reigns is walking down the ramp when Robert Roode runs down and attacks him from behind to start the match.
They take it into the ring as the brawl continues. Reigns takes control and drops Roode on the floor again. Reigns goes to stand a table up on the floor but Roode cuts him off and sends him into the steel steps. Reigns turns it back around and the announce table is cleared off. Roode rocks Reigns and sends him into the steel steps shoulder-first to turn it back around. Roode slides a table in the ring but Reigns drops him with a Drive By. Fans chant for Reigns as he waits for Roode to get up.
Reigns plays to the crowd and then runs around the ring. Reigns goes for a big Spear into the barrier but Roode moves. Reigns crashes through into the timekeeper’s area. Reigns clutches his arm as the music hits and out comes King Baron Corbin, carried to the ring on his caravan by the servants. Back to commercial with Reigns down at ringside as Roode gets up.
Back from the break and Roode has a table standing in the ring. He also has Reigns up top for a superplex through that table. Corbin is at ringside. Reigns fights back and headbutts Roode. Reigns slides down and goes for a powerbomb through the table as fans pop. Roode fights out and rocks Reigns. Roode goes for the Glorious DDT through the table. It’s blocked. Roode blocks a Samoan Drop and knocks the table over.
Reigns counters and sends Roode out to the floor. Reign grabs a table and tries to lean it in the corner but he’s struggling with it. He finally props the table up and goes back out to Roode. Reigns charges and hits a Superman Punch on the floor. Reigns brings Roode back in and waits to deliver a Spear through the table in the corner when Roode stands up. Corbin hits the apron and Reigns swings but he jumps off. Dolph Ziggler hits the ring and Reigns turns around to a big superkick out of nowhere.
Corbin enters the ring and mounts Reigns now, pounding on him as the referee just watches. Ziggler goes out and clears off what’s still on the announce table. Reigns gets sent into the ring post. Corbin and Ziggler lay Reigns on the announce table as Roode goes to the top. The Usos run into the ring. Roode leaps at them but they nail a double superkick. The Usos take out Ziggler and Corbin, then nail double dives to them on the floor. Fans pop big for The Usos making the save. They help Reigns up and lay Ziggler on the announce table now.
The Usos walk the top of the barrier and hit a double Uso splash on Ziggler through the announce table for another big pop. Reigns powers up in the ring and then nails a big Spear on Roode, putting him through the table in the corner. The bell rings and Reigns gets the win for putting Roode through the table.
Winner: Roman Reigns
After the bell, we see Corbin throwing a tantrum at ringside. We go to replays. The music stops and Reigns says the Royal Rumble is in a baseball stadium, Minute Maid Park, and he’s going to beat Corbin all over it. Reigns announces that their match will now be a Falls Count Anywhere match. Corbin continues to rant and complain at ringside as Reigns celebrates with The Usos in the ring. SmackDown on FOX goes off the air.
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