Tonight’s WWE SmackDown will take a place at RUPP ARENA LEXINGTON, KY on 28 December 2017.
– Tonight’s WWE SmackDown opens with a look back at last week’s post-Survivor Series episode.
Out comes SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon.
Shane quickly brings up Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, saying they betrayed the entire SmackDown team. Shane says they have no respect for the office, the roster or the fans. Shane was looking forward to firing them until Daniel Bryan had another idea. Bryan’s idea, the Lumberjack Match, was amazing on paper. Shane knew Bryan would end up firing them both but that didn’t happen. Shane says he and Bryan have had numerous conversations about what happened but instead of hearing it from him, he figured we should hear it from the horse’s mouth. Shane introduces Bryan and out comes the SmackDown General Manager to a pop and a “yes!” chant.
Bryan understands why Shane and others want Owens & Sami fired but as someone who has been fired a few times, Bryan believes in second chances. Bryan says they should not have interfered at Survivor Series but Shane’s temperament also gets the best of him at times. Shane mentions how Owens beat up his father Vince McMahon several weeks back. And how Sami interfered in his match with Owens. And how both of them betrayed the entire SmackDown roster. Bryan says we have to understand why they did those things – in the name of competition trying to grab the brass ring. Bryan sees real talent in Sami & Owens and if they fire them, they will just end up on RAW. Shane says great, they would become his sister’s problem. Bryan goes on about how Shane hired him to do this job and he’s not a yes man, he can genuinely spot talent to keep SmackDown going. Bryan needs Shane to trust him so he can make the decisions when Shane leaves. Shane says he does trust Bryan. Shane announces that Sami will be banned from ringside for tonight’s Owens vs. Randy Orton match and that the match will be held under No DQ rules. Shane’s music hits as he and Bryan discuss what’s going on.
The New Day vs. Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable
Benjamin catapults Kofi out of the corner but he lands on his feet. Kofi drops Shelton with a big shot and gets fired up. Kofi with the Boom Drop. Shelton blocks Trouble In Paradise but Kofi dumps him to the floor. Gable also gets dumped to the floor. Woods runs the ropes and lands on both of his opponents. Shelton goes back in but Kofi superkicks him. Woods tags in for the assisted stomp from the top. Woods covers Shelton for the pin.
Winners: The New Day
– After the match, The New Day dances as The Usos look on.
The Bludgeon Brothers vs. The Hype Bros
Out comes Rowan and Harper as Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley wait in the ring.
Rowan and Harper unload to start the match and quickly win a squash.
Winners: The Bludgeon Brothers
– After the match, Ryder is interviewed in the ring and talks about how something needs to change. Mojo suddenly attacks him from behind and beats him down. Fans chant “this is awesome” as Mojo unloads on Ryder.
2-on-1 Handicap Match: AJ Styles vs. The Singh Brothers
The Singh Brothers keep up the attack on AJ and take turns with pin attempts. AJ finally fights back and drops both of them but the numbers game catches up again as they take his knee out. AJ fights them off again while sitting on the top. Jinder gets on the apron but AJ kicks him in the face. Samir climbs up for a superplex but AJ fights him off. AJ hits a super Styles Clash on top of Sunil for the double pin.
Winner: AJ Styles
– After the match, AJ takes the title and retreats to the floor as a furious Jinder hits the ring. Jinder takes out his frustration on The Singh Brothers as fans chant “you still suck” at him. Jinder hits one of The Singh Brothers again and stands tall as his music hits.
Natalya, Naomi and Charlotte Flair vs. Ruby Riot, Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan
Liv and Logan take apart the steel ring steps and stand half of the steps up on one end. They grab Naomi and launch her into the steps, then stomp on her some more. They take the other half of the steps and lay them over Naomi. Logan catapults Naomi face first into the steps. Ruby is still making Flair watch from the ring.
Ruby and Logan double team Flair in the ring now. Logan drops Flair with a headbutt. Logan slams Flair by her hair and tags Ruby back in. Flair fights them both off as fans cheer. Flair sends Ruby into the turnbuckles and then spears Liv. The numbers game catches back up with Flair, allowing Ruby to drop her for the pin.
Winners: Ruby Riot, Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan
– After the match, The Riot Squad stands tall over Flair as Ruby’s music hits. We see Naomi being stretchered away from ringside.
No DQ Match: Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens
Orton with more kendo stick shots. Orton breaks the stick but grabs another one. Orton unloads with kendo stick shots at ringside as the crowd pops. Orton backdrops Owens over the top of the barrier. Orton grabs the stick as Owens goes into the ring. Owens rolls out the other side of the ring and grabs a kendo stick of his own from under the ring. Owens nails Orton and drives him into the ring post. Owens with a big fall-away slam into the barrier.
Orton keeps control but Owens tries to fight back. Orton catches Owens with a powerslam but Owens kicks out at 2. Owens avoids the second rope draping DDT but Orton brings Owens to the floor and sends him back into the barrier for more uppercuts. Owens sends Orton into the barrier and he goes down. Orton slams Owens on top of the announce table. They come back in the ring and Owens avoids the RKO. Owens tries to leave but Orton fights him through the crowd towards the stage. Orton drops Owens on the ramp. Sami Zayn runs out and nails Orton in the back with steel chair shots. The referee argues with Sami but Sami delivers another chair shot to Orton as fans boo.
Owens gets to his feet before Orton. Owens rolls Orton back into the ring but Owens is slow to get in. Orton grabs Owens and nails the draping DDT. Orton readies for the RKO but Owens blocks it. Owens takes out the leg and drops Orton with a superkick. Owens goes to the top for a Frogsplash. He nails it and covers for the win.
Winner: Kevin Owens
– After the match, Owens stands tall as we go to replays. SmackDown goes off the air as Owens’ music hits.
