Our WWE SmackDown results for tonight include the Outlaw Bloodline battling LA Knight, Andrade & Apollo Crews in a six-man tag match, Brawn Strowman taking on Carmelo Hayes in a rematch from last week’s show, Alex Shelley seeking vengeance against one-half of the WWE Tag Team Champions, Johnny Gargano, Bianca Belair and Naomi defending the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships against WWE Women’s Champion Nia Jax and WWE Women’s Speed Champion Candice LeRae. Here’s our review and grades for tonight’s show, live from XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut.
WWE SmackDown Card:
- LA Knight, Andrade & Apollo Crews vs. The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga)
- Braun Strowman vs. Carmelo Hayes
- Johnny Gargano vs. Alex Shelley
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Bianca Belair & Naomi (c) vs Nia Jax & Candice LeRae
WWE SmackDown Results:
Solo Sikoa leads Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu to the ring. Sikoa has something to say.
In-Ring Segment: The Bloodline
Sikoa tells the crowd to acknowledge him. They don’t. Sikoa agrees to Roman Reigns‘ challenge to a Tribal Combat Match. Sikoa says he’ll leave his Bloodline behind, as long a Reigns does the same. On Januray 6th, Sikoa promises to walk out of Raw on Nextflix as the Tribal Chief, the Head of the Table, and owner of the ‘Ula Fala. Drew McIntyre inturupts. Sikoa tells McIntyre that he’s happy that McIntyre took out Sami Zayn and Jimmy Uso, but he shouldn’t be here if he doesn’t want to get destroyed.
McIntyre asks Sikoa if he lays awake at night wondering when McIntyre is going come for him next. McIntyre tells Sikoa to take out Reigns for good, and when that’s over, they will settle their business. Someone pulls McIntyre out of the ring. It’s Jimmy Uso, who is hopping around on one leg with a crutch. Jimmy wacks McIntyre with the crutch. Jimmy chases McIntyre off. LA Knight, Andrade & Apollo Crews rush the ring and start a brawl with the Bloodline.
Grade: C +
Sikoa has great heat with the crowd, but there wasn’t much to this opening promo. The inclusion of McIntyre was potentially interesting, but he added little to the proceedings. Great. You two will fight when Sikoa’s done with Reigns. Why did that need to be said? Would it not have been more effective for McIntyre to just attack Sikoa at some point? Also, should Jimmy be hopping around the ring with his broken toe? Seems like a risk for no real reward.
LA Knight, Andrade & Apollo Crews vs. The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga)
LA Knight, Andrade & Apollo Crews start off hot, working over Tonga. Crew and Andrade land stereo dives. After the break, The Bloodline is working over Crews. Crews tags in Andrade, who lands a double jump moonsault. Andrade gets hotshoted on the top by Fatu and Tonga.
The Bloodline takes over and work over Andrade. Andrade manages to tag in Knight. Knight clears the ring. Knight tags in Crews and they get a near fall after a rocket launcher on Tonga. While the referee is distracted, Shinsuke Nakamura attacks Knight from behind. Back in the ring, Sikoa hip attacks Crews, hits Spinning Solo, and a Samoan Spike for the win.
Winners- The Bloodline
Grade: C+
Average thrown-together six-man tag match. The one bright spot here is we got to see Apollo Crews on TV. Not sure why that’s such a rare occurrence these days. Andrade could have eaten that pin. Just saying.
Grayson Waller Effect
Waller and Theory introduce their guest, Braun Strowman. Strowman comes to the ring dressed as Santa Claus. Waller tries to get Strowman to join them. Strowman isn’t interested. Carmelo Hayes interrupts. Hayes complains about not being ready for Strowman. SmackDown GM Nick Aldis tried to humble Hayes last week, but you can’t humble greatness. Hayes want’s Strowman right now. Strowman throws pieces of the set at Hayes.
Grade: C
…. Not even Carmelo Hayes presence could save this. Its… I mean… Strowman is dressed as Santa. What is this…
Braun Strowman vs. Carmelo Hayes
Hayes uses is speed to make Strowman chase him around. Strowman is clearly frustrated. Hayes lands a flurry of offense. Hayes pulls the rope down, sending Storwman out to the floor. As Strowman slowly get to his feet. Hayes mockingly tries to frieght train Strowman outside the ring. Strowman boots Hayes into oblivion. Hayes slaps Strowman in the face. Strowman tosses Hayes back into the ring as the referee counts to 10. Strowman has been counted out!
Winner- Carmelo Hayes
Grade: B
This was a fun, short contest. Hayes winning matches by outsmarting a silly babyface is a nice twist. Hayes seems to be one of the few actual heels on the roster.
Johnny Gargano vs. Alex Shelley
As soon as the bell rings, Shelley is all over Gargano, landing a flurry of strikes and working over Gargano’s arm. Gargano goes low and lands a roll through kick. After the break, Ciampa shows up at ringside and distracts Shelley. Gargano crotches Shelley on the top rope. Chris Sabin runs down to ringside. Inthe confusion. Shelley tries a crossbody. Gargano reverses it into a pin for the win.
Winner- Johnny Gargano
Grade: B
Shelly and Gargano had a solid match. They have known each other for years, and it shows as it’s clear that they have good in-ring chemistry. This #DIY MCMG fued is going to give us great matches, it remains to see if they can carry an angle beyond just solid graps.
Backstage, Bianca Belair tries to hand Naomi Jade Cargill‘s tag title, but Naomi says she has to earn it first.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Bianca Belair & Naomi (c) vs Nia Jax & Candice LeRae
Belair tosses LeRae all over the ring. LeRae tag in Jax. Jax runs over Belair. Jax misses an elbow drop. Belair and Naomi lands a combo superstar press/split leg drop. Naomi slides under a clothesline from Jax. Jax flattens Naomi with a spinebuster. After the break, Naomi manages to tag in Belair. Belair runs into a code breaker from LeRae. Jax immidatly lands a Samoan drop. Belair kicks out. Jax accidentally hits LeRae. Belair tags in Naomi, who clears the ring. Naomi misses a split-legged moonsault. Jax tries her finish, but Naomi crotches her on the top.
Naomi powerbomb Jax off the second rope. Belair dives halfway across the ring and lands a 450 splash. LeRae breaks up the pin. Miss Money in the Bank Tiffany Stratton walks down to ringside. Jax, who is busted open, yells at Stratton to give her the MITB briefcase so she can use it as a weapon. Stratton hesitates, but hands it to Jax. The referee catches Jax. While Jax argues with the referee. Belair knocks Jax off the apron and lands a dive. Back in the ring, Naomi hits the split-legged moonsault for the win.
Winners- Bianca Belair and Naomi
Grade: B
This was the match of the night. For whatever reason, Jax works well with Belair and Naomi. They always have good matches. LeRae is underrated at this point, but as a sniveling heel, she just works. Belair clearing what seemed to be three quarters of the ring for a 450 splash was insane. The tease with Stratton and the briefcase are starting to wear a bit thin. If this plays out pass the Royal Rumble without something major changing, it may not have the impact it would have had a month ago.
WWE SmackDown Review:
While this episode had its highlights, such as the Women’s Tag Title match and the Gargano vs. Shelley bout, the lackluster opening segment and uneven mid-card moments held it back from being a memorable show. The Bloodline’s storyline moved forward but lacked impact, and some segments felt more like filler than anything else. As we march towards the Royal Rumble and with this show moving to three hours, they need to focus more on meaningful action than segments that mean nothing in the grand scheme.
Rating: B-
This event is ongoing. This information will be updated as the event progresses.
Read More: WWE SmackDown Expanding To Three Hours In 2025
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