WWE Smackdown Results – January 8, 2021

WWE Smackdown Results – January 8, 2021 – We are live from the ThunderDome at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida as WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, Jey Uso and Paul Heyman make their way to the ring. Reigns stops on the ramp and raises the title as the pyro goes off. Greg Hamilton does the introductions as they march to the ring while fans boo.

Finally, Roman takes the mic from Paul Heyman.  Roman says he wants to talk about last week.  A lot of discussion about what we did to KO.  I want to start by saying that I like Kevin Owens.  He is a pain in my ass, but i respect someone as ambitious as Kevin Owens.  Someone who won’t lay down but gets back up.  He is like a cockroach.  I didn’t want anything bad to happen to him.  Kevin backed me against the wall and I did what I had to do.  Roman says he loves the entire roster.  Being on top, you have to care about everyone.  I care about their well-being and their families.  That is why I do what I do.  I put food on everyone’s table.  Kevin isn’t able to come to work now, but it isn’t my fault.  There is somebody to blame and if you are going to point fingers, it should be pointed at Adam Pearce.

Roman calls for Adam Pearce to come out.  Paul tells the production assistant at ringside to bring out Adam Pearce and Paul says this is making for some bad TV.

Adam Pearce finally comes out because he forgot that he does not have any entrance music. Adam wants to know what can he do for Roman. Roman has Adam watch a video package.

The video shows recent events between Reign and Owens, with Pearce allowing KO to have matches after matches against “The Head of The Table”.

Roman asks Adam what does he have to say for himself.  Adam asks Roman what does he want him to say?  Roman says he wants Adam to be a man.  He says he has witnesses here and he said that he was done with Kevin Owens.  We were moving on.  Who did KO go to?  He went to his friend Adam Pearce to ask for a favor.  You would think that if you have a friend for that long, you would look out for their well-being.  What do you do around here?  Roman says he knows because of who he is.  Check the stats.  We do our job.  You are supposed to be managing the talent and making the right decisions, but you put Kevin back in the deep end in the shark tank. What happened?  Now he isn’t here and cannot provide for his family.  You did that.  You are the blame.  Because I am a good guy and a gentleman, I give you the chance to redeem yourself.  What do you do?  You book a gauntlet match?  Adam Pearce makes the choice for the Head of the Table like he cannot make his own choice?  I have been doing this for years.

Adam says he is trying to put the best challengers in front of you.  That is part of my job. Roman wants everyone to give Adam a round of applause for doing a good job.  He asks if Adam will put himself in the Gauntlet Match. Adam says that is a conflict of interest.

Roman says it sounds like Adam thinks he is stupid. Adam says Roman is not stupid. Roman asks Adam if he is stupid or a fool. Adam never said Roman was stupid. Roman asks if Vince McMahon is stupid. Adam asks what are they doing out here.

If Adam Pearce and Roman Reigns is not stupid, then that means Roman Reigns is stupid.  That is where the problem lies.  If you think I am stupid, you are insulting me.  If you are insulting me, you are not respecting my family.  When that happens, there are consquences.  

Adam says he has total respect… Roman steps back and he smiles at Adam and says ‘my mistake’.  Nobody in this ring is stupid.  Maybe right now, you’re perfectly safe. Pearce looks confused as Reigns hands the mic back to Heyman, pats Pearce on the arm and then walks out of the ring as his music hits.

– Still to come, Big E defends against Apollo Crews. We go to commercial.

Apollo Crews vs. Big E for the Intercontinental Championship

Crews with a drop kick and a kick to the head for a near fall.  Crews pulls Big E into the corner and Crews goes up top for a splash but Big E moves and Crews rolls through.  Big E with a back elbow.  Big E with a splash on the apron.  Crews lands on his feet on a belly-to-back suplex.  Crews with forearms and shoulders in the corner.  Crews with a splash into the corner and he follows with a German suplex.  Crews holds on and hits a second and third German suplex for a near fall.  Big E rolls to the floor and Crews kicks Big E from the apron and Crews with a moonsault.  

They return to the ring and Crews gets a near fall.  Crews backs Big E into the corner and puts him on the turnbuckles.  Crews nails the superplex and looks like he’s going to hold it for another suplex but it also looks like Big E tries to turn it into a pin attempt. The referee makes the 3 count and Crews immediately starts celebrating, going to the corner to pose. The referee looks a bit confused as does Big E. Big E approaches the referee and they’re talking as SmackDown goes to commercial with no winner announced.

We are back with a look at the end of the Intercontinental Title Match when there was a double pin.  The referee says that it was a double pin and therefore a draw so the title stays with Big E. Crews argues with the referee and Big E wants Crews to shake his hand. Crews slaps Big E and demands the match be restarted.

Big E with two belly-to-belly suplexes and a Warrior Splash.  Crews goes to the apron and Big E goes for the spear but Crews gets his knee up.  Crews goes up top and hits a frog splash for a near fall.  Big E misses a clothesline and Crews with a rollup for a near fall.  Crews with a kick and boot to the temple followed by a spinebuster and standing moonsault for a near fall.  Big E with a rollup for a near fall and then Big E turns it into a Stretch Muffler.  Crews kicks Big E.  Crews escapes a Big Ending and hits an enzuigiri.  Big E with a side head lock take down to counter the Toss Power Bomb.   Big E with a UranagE followed by the Big Ending for the three count.

Winner:  Big E

Backstage:

Adam Cole is on the phone and Sonya Deville shows up.  Adam thanks Sonya for helping him and he is surprised that she accepted the job.  Sonya says a lot has happened over the last year and she wants to start things over.  She is not bitter over losing a Loser Leaves WWE match.  Sonya says that Pearce has Raw and Smackdown to deal with and he is going to be in a match tonight.  Adam says that he is not wrestling tonight because he hasn’t wrestled in six years and he doesn’t know if he could beat the referee.

We go to commercial.

Backstage:

Alyse Ashton is in the back with the newest entrant in the Women’s Royal Rumble, Bianca Belair. Bayley shows up and she asks Bianca how many people did she eliminate last year.  Bianca says eight.  Bayley says Bianca did not eliminate her but Bianca points out that Bayley wasn’t in the match.  Bayley says she will be in the Royal Rumble Match.  Bianca will squander her chance.  Bianca says if she won last year, she would have been honored to challenge Bayley but Bayley does not have the title now.  Bianca says Bayley has squandered her title.

— We go back to the ring and out first are SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Street Profits – Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins. Back to commercial.

Backstage:

We are back and Carmella is sipping some champagne and she talks about pinning Sasha last week.  Carmella commends Sasha on her hustle to be the top superstar of 2020.  Carmella says she took some time off last year so that is why Sasha won.  Carmella says things come naturally to her.  When it comes to talent, you can’t touch me Sasha.

SmackDown Tag Team Titles Match: Robert Roode and Dolph Ziggler vs. The Street Profits

Dawkins and Ziggler start things off and Ziggler goes for the leg but Dawkins blocks it and Dawkins with a waist lock.  Ziggler with a side head lock but Dawkins with a top wrist lock and side head lock.  Dawkins with a shoulder tackle and drop kick.  Dawkins gets a near fall.  Dawkins with an arm bar and Ford tags in and they hit a double shoulder tackle.  Dawkins flips Ford onto Ziggler with a moonsault but Ford holds his knee before getting a near fall.

Roode tags in and they kick Ford in the corner.  Roode with a forearm to the back and he chokes Ford in the ropes.  Roode sends Ford into the turnbuckles.  Ford with punches and kicks.  Roode with a kick to the injured leg.  Roode is sent to the apron and Ford with a punch to send Roode to the floor.  Ziggler is sent to the apron and Ford with an elbow.  Ford with a plancha onto Ziggler and Roode but Ford collapses when he tries to get back to his feet.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Dawkins kicks Roode while Ford is trying to work out his injured leg.  Dawkins with a suplex and exploder.  Dawkins with a spinning splash into the corner and a bulldog for a near fall.  Dawkins cheks on Ford and Roode with a punch while Dawkins waits for Ford to get back on the apron.  Ziggler tags in and hits a drop kick.  Ziggler gets a near fall.  Ziggler chokes Dawkins in the ropes.  Roode punches Dawkins while the referee deals with Ziggler.  Ziggler with a front face lock into a Gator Roll.  Ziggler rakes the eyes and Roode tags in.  Roode kicks Dawkins. 

Roode kicks Dawkins in the ribs.  Roode with punches and an Irish whip.  Ziggler tags in and Ziggler goes into the turnbuckles when Dawkins moves.  Roode is sent to the floor by Dawkins.  Dawkins crawls across the ring to try to make the tag but Roode pulls Ford off the apron to stop the tag.  Ford with punches and he sends Roode into the ringside barrier.  Ford returns to the apron and Dawkins kicks Ziggler away and tags in Ford.  Ford with punches and chops to Ziggler.  Roode tries to attack but Ford with a back body drop.  Ziggler lands on his feet on a belly-to-back suplex attempt.  Ford with a discus clothesline for a near fall. 

Ford goes up top and Roode distracts Ford long enough to allow Ziggler to hit a super X Factor but Ford kicks out at two.  Ford with a super kick on Ziggler but Roode makes the save.  Roode kicks Dawkins and Dawkins sends Roode to the floor.  Dawkins is sent to the apron by the referee.   Dawkins punches Roode on the apron and Ziggler knocks Dawkins off the apron.  Ford with a sunset flip for a near fall.  Ziggler kicks Ford in the leg and Roode with a fisherman’s suplex for a near fall.  Roode sets for the GLORIOUS DDT but Ford counters with an enzuigiri.  Ziggler tags in and they hit a spinebuster and Zig Zag combination for the three count.

Winners and NEW Smackdown Tag Team Champions:  Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode

After the match, Roode and Ziggler push Ford and Dawkins to the floor.

Backstage:

After the match, Sonya and Adam discuss the next challengers for the tag champs. Paul Heyman shows up and says hello to Sonya and she leaves.  

Adam tells Paul not to talk about the Gauntlet Match.  Paul says he does not dislike Adam.  Paul says he holds Adam in the greatest respect and admiration.  Paul asks who knows about the legacy of Scrap Daddy Adam Pearce?  What if he was managed by Paul E Dangerously.  You didn’t dream about this job.  You wanted to be THE champion in WWE.  When my boss . . . and your tribal chief, told me to pull the strings.  The Gauntlet Match tonight, I pulled a few string.  You are in the gauntlet.  You have the opportunity to pursue the dream since you were a little baby.  It is all thanks to Roman Reigns. Paul says he is so happy for and proud of Adam. Back to commercial.

Backstage:

Back from the break and we see how Billie Kay’s antics led to a win for The Riott Squad last week. Kay is backstage with Liv Morgan and Ruby Riott now, and wants them to add her to the group. They’re not interested. She starts crying. Liv begins to speak up and Billie takes that as them wanting her in the group. She says she can be “punk” like them, and has even added “mosh pit” to her resume. She is happy as she walks away. The Riott Squad is annoyed and looking to fix the situation.

#1 Contender’s Gauntlet Match: Rey Mysterio vs. Sami Zayn vs. King Baron Corbin vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Adam Pearce

We go to the ring for tonight’s Gauntlet Match main event and out comes Rey Mysterio with Dominik Mysterio. The winner will become the new #1 contender to challenge WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns at the Royal Rumble. Sami Zayn is out next. Sami starts ranting about a conspiracy against him. He has a film crew with him and says they are here to document and uncover the conspiracy against him, which led to him losing the Intercontinental Title. He goes on and says when the documentary comes out, it will prove he’s the rightful champion. Fans boo as Sami continues ranting. He enters the ring and goes on about beating Rey, then everyone else who comes down to the ring because he is undeniable.

The bell rings and Sami is still ranting to his film crew. He turns around to a dropkick from Rey. Rey knocks Sami into the ropes and then hits 619. Rey goes to the top and hits the big Frogsplash for the easy pin. Sami has been eliminated. Sami, still wearing his coat, rolls to the floor as Rey’s music hits. Sami storms away as his film crew follows. The music hits and out next comes Shinsuke Nakamura. Rey looks on as we go back to commercial.

Back from the break and the bell rings as they lock up and go at it. Nakamura with a headlock before running the ropes and dropping Rey with a shoulder. Rey counters a move and they tangle. Rey rolls through and hits a kick to the face for a quick pin attempt as Dominik looks on.

More back and forth now. Rey sends Nakamura to the floor with a hurricanrana. Rey with the baseball slide but Nakamura catches him and drives a knee to the chin on the apron. Nakamura leaps off the apron but misses a knee as Rey dodges it. Rey slides under the bottom rope with the Sunset Bomb on the floor. Nakamura ends up coming right back up and nailing a sliding knee on the outside. Nakamura brings it back in but Rey kicks out at 2 by grabbing the rope.

Nakamura controls Rey in the corner and drops him again for a 2 count. Nakamura with another takedown and a double knee drop for a 2 count. Nakamura with kicks while Rey is down. Nakamura takes Rey to the top and works him over. Nakamura climbs up for a superplex but Rey resists and fights back. Rey headbutts Nakamura to the mat. Rey nails the flying senton as Nakamura gets up. Rey with more offense and a roll-up for a close 2 count. Rey gets dumped to the apron and then stunned with a kick to the face. Rey blocks a shot into the top turnbuckle. Rey fights back from the apron and flies in but Nakamura catches him. Rey blocks a powerbomb attempt and sends Nakamura into position for 619. Rey nails it. Rey goes back to the top for the splash but Nakamura gets his knees up. Nakamura goes right into the arm bar but Rey tries to fight it off. Nakamura fights back and tightens it to make Rey tap out. Rey has been eliminated.

Nakamura’s music starts to play but King Baron Corbin runs down and attacks Dominik from behind, laying him out at ringside. Corbin rushes the ring and unloads on Rey in the corner. Corbin drives Rey into the mat with a big chokeslam as fans boo. Corbin stands over Rey and talks some trash as we go back to commercial.

Back from the break and Corbin is going at it with Nakamura. They trade shots in the middle of the ring. Corbin hits a big clothesline for a 2 count. Corbin with body strikes in the corner now. Corbin takes Nakamura to another corner and unloads with more body strikes. Corbin charges but Nakamura moves and Corbin hits the ring post shoulder-first. Nakamura drops Corbin with a kick. Corbin rolls to the floor to regroup.

Nakamura leaps off the apron but Corbin catches him and rams him into the post. Corbin brings it back in for a 2 count. Corbin continues to work Nakamura around the ring. Corbin drives Nakamura back into the mat for another close pin attempt. Nakamura counters a move and nails a leaping kick to the face to drop Corbin. Nakamura unloads with kicks now. Corbin catches one leg but Nakamura drops him with the other. Nakamura moves out of the corner and Corbin hits hard. Nakamura drops Corbin with a kick to the head. Nakamura leaps off the second rope with a flying kick for a close 2 count.

Nakamura waits in the corner for Corbin to get up now. Corbin dodges the Kinshasa and nails the Deep Six for a close 2 count. Nakamura immediately pulls Corbin into a Triangle submission. Corbin powers up and breaks it with a powerbomb. Corbin runs out and back in but Nakamura levels him with a Kinshasa to the face for the pin to get the elimination. Nakamura’s music hits as he recovers. We get a replay of the Kinshasa. The music interrupts and out next comes Daniel Bryan as a “yes!” chant breaks out. Nakamura stands tall in the ring and tells Bryan to bring it. Bryan hits the ring and poses in the corner as the “yes!” chant gets louder. We go to commercial.

We are back and Bryan with a running drop kick as the bell rings and Bryan with European uppercuts and kicks.  Nakamura with a kick and then he goes to the floor when Bryan moves.  Bryan with a suicide dive to send Nakamura into the announce table.  Bryan goes up top but Nakamura with a kick as Bryan comes off.  Nakamura with a reverse exploder.  Nakamura goes for Kinshasa but Bryan blocks it and applies a single leg crab.  Bryan with an ankle lock and then Bryan with a German suplex for a near fall.

Bryan with kicks.  Bryan with more kicks to Nakamura and then he misses the round kick.  Nakamura with a kick and a float over into a cross arm breaker but Bryan blocks it and Bryan with a cross arm breaker of his own.  Nakamura blocks it and Bryan turns it into the LeBell Lock.  Bryan turns it into a cross face and then Nakamura gets to the ropes.  Bryan works on the shoulder.  Bryan with kicks in the corner and he puts Nakamura on the turnbuckles.  Bryan sets for a Frankensteiner but Nakamura holds on to the ropes and Nakamura with a jumping side kick.

Nakamura gets a near fall.  Nakamura with knees to the ribs.  Nakamura misses a round kick but Bryan kicks Nakamura in the leg.  Bryan misses a kick and Nakamura goes for the arm bar submission but Bryan with a rollup for a near fall.  Bryan and Nakamura with kicks to the leg and ribs.  Bryan wiht punches and he sends Nakamura into the corner.  Bryan with kicks in the corner.  Bryan with a round kick to the temple.  Bryan with a running drop kick into the corner and he htis a second one. Bryan goes for a third one and Nakamura with a running knee for the three count.

Shinsuke Nakamura advances. Bryan shakes Nakamura’s hand after the segment as Roman Reigns’ music plays and the table and chairs make their way to the stage. We go to commercial.

Back from the break and Nakamura is still waiting in the ring while Reigns and his crew look on from the stage. Heyman motions to the back and out comes WWE official Adam Pearce. Pearce looks like he wants no part of this. He walks past Reigns and crew, down the ramp to the ringside area. Reigns, Uso and Heyman follow him. Pearce is wearing a pair of pants, no shirt on and a WWE jacket. Pearce looks like he doesn’t know what to do. Uso enters the ring and gets in Nakamura’s face, talking trash. Uso with a cheap shot to Nakamura in the face. Uso beats Nakamura down and Reigns joins him. They double team Nakamura now as fans boo. Pearce watches from ringside. Heyman watches from the other side, clutching the title.

Uso delivers a big superkick to Nakamura, then Reigns finishes him off with a Superman Punch. Uso goes to the top and delivers the big Uso Splash. Nakamura is laid out. Reigns goes out and tells Pearce that this is his show and he does what he wants to do. Reigns aggressively rolls Pearce into the ring. Pearce says some words to Reigns but turns around to a big superkick from Uso. Pearce goes down. Reigns signals for the timekeeper to ring the bell for Pearce vs. Nakamura.

Fans continue booing as Uso pulls Pearce on top of Nakamura. They are both laid out. The referee gets down and counts the pin for Pearce to win.

Winner and New #1 Contender: Adam Pearce

After the bell, Reigns’ music hits as he stands tall and raises the title. Pearce starts to recover as the boos get louder. Cole and Graves wonder if this means Pearce will challenge Reigns for the title at the Royal Rumble. Reigns raises the Universal Title in the air and looks down at Pearce as SmackDown goes off the air.