On the final SmackDown before WWE TLC, Kevin Owens refused to give in to the wrath of Universal Champion Roman Reigns and Jey Uso. Plus, The Street Profits successfully defended the SmackDown Tag Team Titles against Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode, Carmella’s Champagne Toast turned to chaos and Sami Zayn was surprised by Big E at the the first annual Sami Awards.
Full SmackDown results
Kevin Owens called out Roman Reigns before going on the hunt for The Big Dog
One week after Universal Champion Roman Reigns attacked Kevin Owen and taunted his family, KO returned to SmackDown to call out The Big Dog, labeling him a "hypocrite" and a "coward" and showing his determination to punish Reigns at WWE TLC. When Paul Heyman emerged on the TitanTron instead and called him a "martyr," Owens shut him down and opted instead to go find the Universal Champion himself.
This pursuit eventually led to a vicious 2-on-1 mauling at the hands of Reigns & Jey Uso back at ringside.
Later, Reigns instructed his unhinged cousin to "end [Owens]" and "take him out," which promoted Jey Uso to unleash two more vicious attacks on Owens backstage.
The Street Profits def. Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode in a SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match
After scoring a non-title win over SmackDown Tag Team Champions over Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford several weeks ago, Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode were awarded an opportunity at the SmackDown Tag Team Titles.
But in the height of the explosive showdown, Ford's ribs were visibly hurt after he leaped off the top rope to deliver the frog splash on Ziggler. Moments later, Roberts tried to pick up the win using the tights as leverage. But, Ford countered the pin attempt with one of his own, grabbing the tights himself to successfully defend the titles for his team!
The Riott Squad def. Tamina & Billie Kay
Determined to prove she has what it took to beat Liv Morgan & Ruby Riott, Billie Kay announced Tamina as her surprise partner to battle The Riott Squad on for the second week in a row.
But, when Billie Kay tagged herself into the match just as her dominating partner had things in hand, Riott & Morgan turned the tables. After blasting Tamina with a double dropkick on the apron, they combined their efforts yet again to send Billie face first into the canvas for the three-count.
Sasha Banks interrupted Carmella’s Champagne Toast and suffered another bottle attack
After brutally smashing a champagne bottle on Sasha Banks’ back last week, Carmella held a special Champagne Toast ahead the SmackDown Women’s Championship Rematch at WWE TLC in order to belittle the Boss and explain why Banks' mindset will cause her to lose her title at Sunday’s pay-per-view.
But, Banks soon crashed the party, surprising Mella with a sneak attack and locking her in the Bank Statement. Mella’ sommelier managed to break it up and nearly suffered a Backstabber from the irate titleholder. But before she could execute that maneuver, Carmella once again nailed the SmackDown Women’s Champion with a bottle and picked up tremendous momentum heading into WWE TLC.
Otis def Shinsuke Nakamura
Once again looking to prove Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro wrong in their mocking of his recent Alpha Academy training with Chad Gable, Otis battled on The Artist one-on-one.
Unlike last week, however, when Gable instructed his Alpha protégé to not do his Caterpillar finishing maneuver and instead hit a suplex, the advice nearly cost Otis the matchup. Nevertheless, Otis regrouped in a hurry and crashed down on Nakamura from the second rope to secure the big win.
Big E won big at the First Annual Sami Awards
Feeling that the Slammy Awards have lost a step in recent years in order to “highlight corporate favorites,” Sami Zayn brought the first-ever Sami Awards to SmackDown, presenting himself with Sami Awards for "Comeback of the Year" and "Match of the Year."
However, when Zayn reached the category of "Superstar of the Year," he blurted out the name on the card in a confused manner. That name was Big E, who had decided to make his own improvement on the selection process just before the presentation. The “powerhouse of positivity” emerged to make a speech and, when Zayn tried to correct the "mistake," Big E appealed with his own beat down on the reigning Intercontinental Champion.
Bayley def. Bianca Belair
Following weeks of animosity, The Role Model battles the EST of WWE in a one-on-one showdown. But after Belair took the her accomplished opponent to the absolutely limit in an incredible contest, Bayley racked the eyes outside of the official's view in the final moments and hit her with the Rose Plant for the victory.
Kevin Owens refused to stay down after Roman Reigns buried him under tables, ladders and chairs
Although Roman Reigns had Jey Uso attack him all night long, Kevin Owens refused to stay down. So much so that, when he limped to the ring to face Reigns again, The Head of the Table and his cousin unleashed another vicious beat down on KO, striking their adversary with chairs and putting him through two different tables, before burying him under a pile of tables, ladders and chairs.
But as Reigns walked to the back and granting a rare interview backstage, the ultra-resilient Owens again got to his feet and made it clear that they will never keep him down. He pledged that he would take the Universal Championship this Sunday at WWE TLC or die trying.
The Street Profits to battle Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode in SmackDown Tag Team Title Match
Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode scored a non-title victory over SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Street Profits several weeks ago. They then followed up with The Showoff earning a singles victory over Montez Ford.
Tonight, Ziggler & Roode get an opportunity at the SmackDown Tag Team Championships. Will the outspoken tandem seize the titles? Or will their title aspirations go up in smoke? Find out on SmackDown, tonight at 8/7 C on FS1.
Bayley to take on Bianca Belair
With tension rising between former Survivor Series teammates Bayley and Bianca Belair, the two determined Superstars are fixing to square off on SmackDown.
What will happen with The EST of WWE goes one-on-one with “The Role Model”? Don’t miss SmackDown, tonight at 8/7 C on FS1.
SmackDown to host Carmella’s Champagne Toast
Just moments after their impromptu SmackDown Women’s Champion Match ended in a disqualification last week, Carmella brutally smashed a champagne bottle on Sasha Banks’ back.
Now, in the wake of the announcement of a rematch between the two bitter adversaries at WWE TLC, WWE Digital has learned that Mella will host a Champagne Toast ahead of the pay-per-view of WWE Network this Sunday. Don’t miss SmackDown, tonight at 8/7 C on FS1.
Don’t miss The First Annual Sami Awards on SmackDown
Thursday night on Twitter, Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn announced that, because the Dec. 23 Slammy Awards were going to be “clearly very biased to highlight corporate favorites,” he will be hosting the first annual Sami Awards on Friday Night SmackDown.
What will be the result when the self-professed “Champion of the People” presents an awards show that he feels reflects “the true will” of the WWE Universe. Find out tonight on SmackDown on FS1.
