It's Friday. You know what that means.
Welcome back, folks, it's time for Rajah.com's Friday Night Smackdown! Here to entertain the masses is the Imperator of improv, Caesar the results pleaser, the Legatus without a clue, your Praefectus of Perfectus, Mike "Hulk" Hogan!
Our reporter David hooked us up with the preview for tonight so let's quickly go over it. Rey Mysteiro is in action otnight against none other than Smackdown Royalty as he takes on King Corbin. Will the Knights of the Lone Wolfe play a factor into this? Will we see more hot and cringe-steamy Murphy/Aaliyah Mysterio moments, or has that all (hopefully) ended? We'll also have everyone's favorite segment, a contract signing between Roman Reigns and Adam Pearce. Say what you will, but at least Pearce can say he got a title shot in the WWE at a PPV. Also, we've learned that "Main Event" Jey Uso faces an 'irate' Shinsuke Nakamura tonight as well.
So with all that said, let's get things started! For those of you who want just the quick results and not the novella, click here!
WWE Friday Night Smackdown Live Results (1/15/2020) - ThunderDome II (Tropicana Field), St. Petersburg, FL
Video Package: Roman Reigns & Adam Pearce
We open our show with a recap of the last two weeks when Roman Reigns went to war with Kevin Owens. Reigns took exception to the fact that WWE Producer Adam Pearce gave Owens another match, as well as when Adam Pearce made the gauntlet match last week. Reigns had his advocate, Paul Heyman, pull strings to add Adam Pearce to the gauntlet match. Shinsuke Nakamura had the match won, essentially, with only Adam Pearce standing in his way. Unfortunately, Jey Uso and Roman Reigns destroyed Nakamura, then slammed Pearce down on top of Shinsuke after eating a superkick from Uso, allowing Pearce to win the gauntlet. Adam Pearce will face Roman Reigns at the Royal Rumble. Yep.
Backstage: Roman Reigns with Paul Heyman
Roman is sitting in a plus chair, looking over a contract. Heyman informs us, by way of talking to Roman, that the contract was given to Roman just two minutes before our show went on the air. Heyman tries to tell Roman that it's just a regular contract, all that is ever done is the competitor and pay-per-view names changed out. Roman says nothing but is obviously not happy. Heyman pivots, then stating that the contract is not good enough and needs a stipulation--something to help remind Adam Pearce to show respect and fear to Roman Reigns. Heyman promises to fix this and heads off, off camera. We cut to the ThunderDome.
Match: "Main Event" Jey Uso vs Shinsuke Nakamura
Corey Graves and Michael Cole welcome us to the ThunderDome as Jey Uso makes his way out. Uso gets on the mic before his competitor can come out. He says "welcome to Friday Night Smackdown," then corrects it and says "welcome to the Bloodline Show!" He cuts a quick promo, telling everyone that his family is the one calling the shots--not Adam Pearce, not Kevin Owens, not anyone else. Jey promises that Pearce is going to learn the hard way at Royal Rumble, and he'll regret taking off that suit. Jey goes on to tell us that everyone needs to thank Roman for everything at Smackdown--fresh towels in the back, the food in catering, all of it: "You need to say, 'Thank you, Roman!'" Jey then goes on to declare himself as entrant into the Royal Rumble, states he's going to win it, and he's going to go to Monday Night Raw and whoop Drew McIntyre and anyone else at WrestleMania because their family is the WWE. He now moves on to address Shinsuke Nakamura's gauntlet performance. He praises Nakamura for defeating all his prior competitors in the gauntlet before they knocked him out. Jey says that Shinsuke should thank them for going easy on him. He says that Shinsuke may be the king of strong style, and promises to beat Nakamura. Shinsuke Nakamura makes his way out to the ring to his original theme as well as cheers from the digital crowd. Shinsuke gets on the mic now. "If your cousin Roman Reigns is a big dog, that makes you his little puppy!" He laughs at this; Jey Uso tries to charge him and Nakamura drops him with a right kick to the side of his head. We go to break, with this match up next!
Back from the break and the bell rings. Both men start off by throwing fists. Nakamura backs Uso up to the ropes. Uso shoves Nakamura, who rebounds off the opposite ropes and takes Uso down. Nakamura with strong strikes and a pin attempt, followed by a side headlock. Nakamura wrenches the neck until Uso sends him into the ropes. This time, Uso catches Nakamura with a clothesline. Uso stomp kicks Nakamura's head, then pulls him up and hits a textbook scoop slam. Uso covers for barely a one. Uso pulls Nakamura to his feet and slugs him. Nakamura fires back, with three big rights that push Uso into the corner. Jey counters out of the corner by hitting a Strong Irish Whip that sends Nakamura into and bouncing off of the corner turnbuckles. Uso wastes a little time, and Nakamura uses it to his advantage to take control. Nakamura with a series of hard kicks and knee strikes, followed by knee drops on a grounded Uso. Lil' Naitch, referee Charles Robison for you youngin's, warns Nakamura back from the corner. Nakamura takes a quick breather then engages uso, using another neck wrench. Nakamura sends Uso into the corner and starts to foot-choke him...until Cesaro comes out! Cesaro marches down to the ring. Uso rolls out the ring, but Nakamura follows and slams him into the announce table. We go to break.
We're back and Nakamura is still in control. We're informed that Cesaro is on commentary, and Cesaro faces Daniel Bryan later on. They ask him why he's there as Nakamura and Jey fight outside, with Jey taking the upper hand. Cesaro tells us that he's there to support his partner, and Michael Cole asks where Cesaro was last week when Nakamura was being double-teamed. In the ring, Jey Uso stomps away at a downed Nakamura. Nakamura sits in the corner, and Cesaro officially enters the Rumble. Uso stomps and strikes Nakamura in the corner as Lil' Naitch warns him. Uso backs up and goes in, again stomping away at Shinsuke in the corner and again, the ref warns him off. He does this twice more as Cesaro is asked which title he would pursue, if he won the men's Royal Rumble match. Cesaro states he wants a shot at Roman Reigns for what they did to his partner last week. In the ring, Nakamura takes control off of a counter kick to Uso. Nakamura with a suplex. Nakamura with the sliding knee but doesn't cover. Nakamura strikes Uso back, across the ring, then hits a slidiing Snap German Suplex. He fails to get the cover, though, and Uso drops Nakamura with a Samoan Drop. Uso attempts a cover, getting only a two. Uso pulls Nakamura to his feet. Nakamura throws two strikes but misses with a third right, and Uso counters with a big upper cut followed by a belly-to-back suplex converted into a neckbreaker and a pin attempt, getting only a two. Uso threatens to go up for the Frog Splash but Nakamura is up too soon, so he aborts. Nakamura quickly leaps off the middle turnbuckle to hit Jey with a flying knee, followed up with a two count. Nakamura posts up in a corner, calling for the Kinshasa! Nakamura streaks across the ring but Uso catches him with a superkick! Uso goes up top and soars through the air, going for that Frog Splash yet again--but Nakamura gets the knees up! Uso attempts to take control and win with a dirty pin, rolling Nakamura up and using the middle rope to get leverage as the ref counts...and catches him right at three! Referee Charles Robinson yells at Uso for trying to cheat. Nakamura recovers, hits the Kinshasa on an unsuspecting Uso and rolls him up for the win! After the match, Cesaro stands behind his partner in the ring and applauds him.
Your Winner, Shinsuke Nakamura!
Backstage w/ Adam Pearce, Sonya Deville and Paul Heyman
Sonya and Adam are going over notes for the show when Heyman walks up. Heyman offers them the new, revised contract from the Tribal Chief Roman Reigns. He hands it to Adam, and goes on to tell Pearce that he has an opportunity at the Royal Rumble for the Universal championship. Heyman says that this match has a special stipulation--not only is it a match for the title, it's also a no disqualification match. Adam Pearce calls the whole thing ridiculous but signs it anyways. He points out that the whole point of the stipulation was so that they could hurt Pearce at the Rumble, and it's ridiculous but he signed it despite how ridiculous it is. We go to break.
Backstage w/ Jey Uso and Referee Charles Robinson
Jey yells at Little Naitch, claiming that he didn't do his job. Charles tells Uso that his feet were on the ropes, and reminds the professional wrestler from a legendary wrestling family that feet on the ropes = no count. Uso insinuates that Robison needs to do his job or else he might lose his job. Robinson asks him what he means, and all Uso responds with is that he needs to do his job.
Previously on Smackdown: Ziggler & Roode vs the Street Profits
We get the Progressive Match Flow video package showing us the match from last week in which Ziggler & Roode defeated the Profits for the tag team championships.
Backstage w/ Kayla Braxton and the Street Profits
Kayla talks to the Profits about last week's title loss and asks if it was wise for them to put the titles on the line. The Profits tell us that for 312 historic days, every tag team "that stepped up got dealt with"; they praise their status as two "vikings" and their accolades so far. Montez Ford says that they're gonna run it back, and Angelo Dawkins says "there ain't gonna be no rerun, fam," and says that when "the sequel happens we're gonna be dropping bodies like we're a Blumhouse (film)". Ford ends it by telling us they want the smoke.
Backstage w/ Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman, and Apollo Crews
Crews and Roman are talking when Heyman walks in. Heyman offers Roman the contract, saying it's signed, sealed and now delivered. Roman says that he doesn't want a no DQ match, he wants a Last Man Standing match. Heyman tells Roman that there's no way Adam Pearce will go along with that kind of match. Reigns states that Pearce has no choice, and not only wants him to sign the contract but also in the ring later tonight. Our commentary team question when Apollo and Roman became friends, and then question the change of stipulation to Last Man Standing.
Match: Liv Morgan w/ the Riott Squad vs Natalya w/ Tamina
When we return from the break, Nattie Neidhart is already in the ring and ready to go. Liv Morgan comes out next, and Billie Kay is dressed semi-punk and comes out. The Riott Squad tolerate her, and even pose with her on the apron. Cole asks Graves, as a punk kind of guy, his thoughts on Kay. Kay joins the commentary and is asked if she's officially in the Riott Squad. She says she's unofficially official and is in a "try out." Her commentary is better than this match. In the ring, Nattie and Morgan lock up. Both women grapple with neither establishing control early on. Liv Morgan with a strong whip into the corner. Natalya finally starts to take control. Suplex, followed by pummeling blows in the corner. The ref warns her and she yells for him to shut up. Natalya with a suplex, then a kick to Morgan's smaller back. Kay says shes unofficially an official friend of Natalya, as well as the Riott Squad. Nattie covers but only gets a two. Natalya pulls Liv up and hits a clothesline, covering again for only a two, again. Natalya lifts Moran up over her shoulder in a back submission, standing tall and occasionally hopping up and down to put pressure on the back and wrench it. Natalya paces too close to the ropes and Morgan slides out and onto the apron. Morgan with a fist over the ropes. Morgan comes in, getting her second wind, and hits an Enziguri. Morgan with a running kick to Natalya's face, followed by standing on her and bouncing in the corner until the ref warns her back. Natalya uses the break to drive Morgan's face into the second turnbuckle. Natalya goes to cover but Morgan kicks out. Billie Kay drops her headset and joins Ruby Riott at ringside to cheer on her 'partner.' Morgan rolls up Natalya but Natalya escapes. Kay enthusiastically shakes and yells at Ruby as Morgan tries to take control. Kay moves around to the opposite side, and Tamina--who's been off camera and quiet--then asks Kay what she's doing on that side. Kay freaks out and says she wasn't doing anything, then heads into the ring. She comes between Natalya and Morgan just as Morgan's running in to attack. Morgan hits the brakes and Kay quickly exits the ring, but Natalya uses the distraction to roll up Morgan for the win!
Your Winner, Natalya!
Match: Rey Myserio w/ Dominick & Murphy vs King Corbin
We head on into our next match, and Rey Mysterio makes his way out with Dominick Mysterio. We head to break! When we return, King Corbin has reached the ring and enters. They do a nifty, royal-themed 3D graphic over his entrance. Dominick Mysterio joins commentary. Corbin takes control initially. Corbin throws Mysterio into a corner and claps his hands loudly, yelling at Dominick, "enjoying the show?" Corbin throws Mysterio across the ring into another corner. Dominick says one of his goals for 2021 as a Superstar is to win the tag titles with his dad. Corbin with an easy suplex on the smaller Mysterio. Corbin whips Mysterio outside the ring, slides out another side and runs around, hitting a modified version of his Misdirection Clothesline. He then stands in front of Dominick and yells at him, taunting him as the ref counts to eight. Corbin takes it into the ring and attempts a cover, getting only a two. Repeatedly Dominick is asked about his father's ability to win this match, and repeatedly Dominick tells them that his dad is a legend and he respects his ability. In the ring, Corbin runs against the ropes and comes in with a big right fist that levels Mysterio. He then yells at Dominick, telling him that the only thing he's good for is being a cheerleader. Mysterio uses this to fire up. Mysterio heads up top and hits a standing senton on Corbin! Mysterio springboards off the ropes but Corbin catches him. Mysterio punches Corbin in the head and flips Corbin to the middle rope. Mysterio runs off the opposite ropes and goes for the 619 but Corbin reverses it into a Deep Six! Corbin covers but only gets a two! Mysterio manages to get Corbin outside the ring and goes for the Baseball Slide but Corbin counters it. Corbin taunt Dominick yet again, and Dominick rises to his feet--but Corbin takes him down with a big right, a cheap shot he never saw coming! Corbin and Mysterio take it back inside. Dominick tries to come in but Rey prevents him from entering the ring, trying to prevent the DQ. Corbin uses the family drama to his advantage and shoves Rey from behind; Rey runs into Dominick, dropping him to the floor, and as Rey rebounds off the ropes he's caught by Corbin for another 619. Corbin covers for the win. After the match, Rey and Dominick talk in the ring but we can't hear them, so we'll assume it was some fatherly advice.
Your Winner, King Corbin!
Backstage w/ Adam Pearce and Paul Heyman
Pearce is walking down a long hall when Heyman walks up, contract in hand. Pearce asks if Roman signed the contract. Heyman informs him that he didn't, and goes on to play it up as Adam Pearce's 'return to the ring' at the Royal Rumble PPV needs to be greater than a no DQ match...it needs to be a Last Man Standing match. Pearce asks Heyman, "what's wrong with you people?" He looks over the contract and Heyman tells him to look it over, and informs him that he can sign it tonight in the ring, face to face with Roman Reigns. Heyman says he'll consider this "handled" and walks off.
Backstage w/ the Mysterios
Dominick is upset, and calls his father the giant slayer. He's upset that his father lost to Corbin, and it wasn't his fault. Mysterio cautions Dominick about Corbin, and praises Corbin's few accolades. Rey tells Dom that if Dom wants to get back at Corbin, Rey knows who they can talk to.
Ding Dong, Hello w/ Special Guest Bianca Belair
We cut to the ThunderDome where Bayley is dressed like...I don't even know. She's got a big door set up on a blue shag carpet with a cream chair and some other props. Bayley welcomes us to the first ever Ding Dong, Hello. She says that the E-S-T of W-W-E is her first G-U-E-S-T and calls out Belair. Bianca makes her way out as Bayley sits in her chair and moves her head to Bianca's theme. There's a small wooden stool set up with a mic for Bianca. She starts to sit when Bayley asks her to go to the other side of the door, set up in the ring, and says "dude ring the doorbell!" Bianca complies, and Bayley exclaims "I wonder who that could be!" She gets up and lets Bianca in. Bianca plops down in Bayley's chair. Bayley tells her that's her seat, and Bianca praises how comfortable it is. Bayley wants to compliment Bianca Belair on her upcoming special on the WWE Network. She wants to thank Belair for being on her show tonight, and has a special sneak preview. She yells "Play it! Play it!" We get a quick clip of Bayley pinning Bianca Belair last month on Smackdown. Bayley claims that's not what she meant to show, and says she wants to get to the hard questions.
Bayley asks Bianca why she calls her self the E-S-T. Bianca starts to state that it started with her accolades outside of the WWE and-- And Bayley interrupts her, emphasizing that her accomplishments were outside the WWE. She then says that she (Bayley) is the best, and asks Cole for confirmation (he stays silent). Bianca challenges Bayley to a match here and now; Bayley states that she's already beaten Bianca and has nothing to prove. Bianca tells Bayley she can take this little show and shove it. Bayley says that they should do an obstacle course next week, and Bianca agreed to that. So next week...Bayley vs Bianca Belair in an Obstacle Course?
Earlier Tonight: the Alpha Academy, Kayla Braxton, Etc
Chad Gable is coaching as Otis and Daniel Bryan are doing exercises. Kayla Braxton comes up and asks Daniel about the Rumble, and Shinsuke defeating him last week. First, Daniel praises the Alpha Academy as he feels their training can help him win the Rumble. In regards to Shinsuke, he has a lot of respect for Shinsuke and says that Nakamura shook his hand out of respect last week. Up walks Cesaro who tells Bryan that Nakamura, his partner, only shook Bryan's hand out of pity. This led to both men exchanging words, and Bryan challenging Cesaro to a match.
Match: Daniel Bryan vs Cesaro
And, thanks to the magic of production crews, we cut to the ring where Daniel Bryan is already en route to the ring. He leads the digital audience in a loud "Yes" chant as we go to break. This match is up next! When we return from the break, Cesaro's already in the ring and ready. The bell rings immediately and both men lock up. Cesaro takes it down to the mat and locks in a headlock. Bryan forces them to their feet and sends Cesaro off and into the ropes. Cesaro rebound and clubs Bryan down. Again, Cesaro locks in the side headlock. Again, Bryan sends Cesaro into the ropes. This time, Bryan drops down as Cesaro rebounds, hops up and takes him down with a modified arm drag/hip toss. Bryan takes control, locking Cesaro's left arm behind his back. Cesaro backs them up into the corner and the ref forces Bryan to break the hold. Cesaro punches Bryan right away, then sends him into the opposite corner. Cesaro whips Bryan back into the corenr and charges it, leaping for a diving shoulder thrust. Bryan dodges then runs across the ring and back, hitting his running corner dragon kick. Bryan grabs Cesaro and comes out the corner with a bulldog. Bryan locks in a left arm hold and resumes working over Cesaro's left shoulder while hyper-extending his wrist. Cesaro uses his raw power to get to his feet and drops Bryan down hard.
Cesaro with a kick to Bryan's back. Cesaro takes his time. Cesaro drops Bryan down hard and attempts a cover but Bryan kicks out. Cesaro pulls Bryan up, possibly going for the rope-assisted Powerbomb but Bryan flips him off and out the ring. Cesaro hits his neck awkwardly on the apron as he spills to the outside. Bryan runs up the turnbuckles and flies out of the ring onto Cesaro! Bryan starts a series of Yes Kicks but Cesaro ducks and Bryan's foot connects with the ring post! We go to break with Cole exclaiming Bryan's hurt while he holds his ankle. When we return we find Cesaro targeting Bryan's left leg. He swings Bryan by the leg then kicks it hard. Bryan counters a whip and attacks the left arm he'd been working on. Bryan out of the corner and goes for the Yes Lock. Cesaro screams in pain but manages to break. Cesaro performs the King of Swing, putting the force on Bryan's injured leg as he spins him! Cesaro converts it into a crab leg lock. Bryan manages to drag himself over to the rope to force the break. Bryan is quick to recover and lock a submission on Cesaro. Again, Cesaro screams in pain and barely gets a foot onto the rope. Bryan breaks it, then places Cesaro on the top rope. Bryan leaps up, looking for a Hurricanrana off the top. Cesaro catches him, using his core and sheer power, and stops Bryan's momentum. Cesar hoists Bryan up and dives off the top, twisting his body to hit a vertical suplex! Cesaro looks for the Neutralizer but Bryan flips out of it. Cesaro goes for an upper cut but Bryan ducks, grabs the arm and goes for a back slide! Cesaro kicks out. Bryan sets up Cesaro, and starts a Yes chant before running at the Swiss Cyborg. Cesaro pops Bryan up in the air and hits a wicked European Uppercut! Cesaro then follows it up immediately with a Neutralizer and covers for the win!
Your Winner, Cesaro!
Backstage w/ Carmella, the Sommelier, Sasha Banks
Carmella comments that she's doing just fine, and hasn't seen Sasha Banks since she beat her two weeks ago. Banks shows up and the Sommelier, Reginald, gets between them. Banks offers Carmella a deal: Carmella can have a title shot if Banks gets a match with Reginald. We go to break with Apollo Crews coming out next for our main event!
Main Event Match: Apollo Crews vs Sami Zayn
When we return to break, Crews is set up in the ring. We see a clip of Heyman talking to Crews on Talking Smack recently, and Heyman gives Crews advice to take what he wants. Out next comes Sami Zayn with his documentary crew, who are documenting the conspiracy theories Zayn insists are legit. We're told that this match has big implications as the winner may get a match with Big E for the Intercontinental Title. We see Big E stretched out on a big white sofa outside the ring, joining the commentary comfortably. The bell rings and we start things off fast. Crews is aggressive and takes Zayn down. Crews with hard strikes and forces Zayn against the ropes. Sami goes for the eyes, then clotheslines Crews out of the ring. Zayn heads outside after him and jabs at Big E, and calls him 'brother.' Big E, aware that brother is my catchphrase, tells Zayn not to call him 'brother.' Zayn with a face slam to the announce table before taking Crews back into the ring. Zayn off the top and covers, getting a two. Zayn covers twice more, attempting to wear Crews out but Crews continuously kicks out at two. Corey Graves claims that if Big E hadn't made the Lumberjack Match against Zayn, then maybe Zayn wouldn't have a conspiracy theory about being screwed out of the title. Big E reminds him that he didn't make the match. In the ring, Zayn goes for a suplex. Crews tries to stop Zayn's momentum with a step-up Enziguri. Zayn keeps control and slams Crews. Zayn attempts to roll Crews up with a hand on the tights but the ref catches it. Zayn briefly argues with the ref. Crews comes out of the corner and catches Zayn in a roll up, holding Zayn's tights but the ref doesn't see it!
Your Winner, Apollo Crews!
After the Match
Zayn keeps telling the ref that Crews had his tights. Big E even comments that Crews was "knuckle-deep" in the tights. Crews exits the ring and grabs Big E's title. E snatches it back and they bicker, with Big E telling Crews he'll fight him in the ring, outside, anywhere. We head to break with our contract signing up next!
Contract Signing: WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns and Adam Pearce
Roman Reigns comes out first, escorted by Paul Heyman and Jey Uso. Michael Cole is sure to remind us of all ten of Roman Reigns' nicknames. After an eternity has passed, they reach the ring. Adam Pearce quietly makes his way out with no music or flair. A desk is set up in the ring with two chairs. Pearce apprehensively enters the ring and sits at the table. Roman paces around the desk. Heyman offers to move the chair two feet to the right, so Reigns is at the head of the table, but Roman says not to worry about that--he wants Pearce's chair. Heyman tells Pearce to get up, and Jey Uso screams at Pearce to get his ass up. Pearce does, and Roman takes Pearce's chair and sits at the head of the table. Pearce moves around to the other chair and signs the contract, then slaps it on the table in front of Roman. Heyman calls him passive aggressive. Roman signs the contract. Pearce nods and grins, standing and stating "I've been waiting all night for you to do that." He leaves the ring with a grin, and Roman looks perplexed. Pearce stops halfway up the ramp, and begins to limp up the ramp, pretending his right knee is injured. He even fake-stumbles a couple of times, then gets on the mic. He points out his knee is bad, and its one of those injuries that sneaks up on you at the worst possible time--but Roman shouldn't worry as WWE has a standard practice for ensuring a title match goes on. His mic cuts out. They're having audio difficulties. Pearce says something about his knee, and then states that as a WWE official he needs to find a suitable replacement and has one in mind. Out comes Kevin Owens! We're told its official--Kevin Owens versus Roman Reigns at the Rumble for the Universal Championship in a Last Man Standing match!
In Closing
And that does it for tonight's Smackdown! An entertaining show in its own rights, but lacking a little on the quantity of matches. Don't forget the NFL Playoffs continue tomorrow and Sunday! Stay warm, stay frosty, and stay safe out there. See y'all Monday. Have a great weekend!
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