When Kevin Owens defeated Jey Uso in the SmackDown main event and set out to punish him, Universal Champion Roman Reigns ambushed his adversary with a mesmerizing assault.
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Kevin Owens interrupts Roman Reigns and sets his sights on Jey Uso
After scoring another controversial victory over Kevin Owens inside the Steel Cage on the Christmas edition of SmackDown last week, Roman Reigns came to the squared circle to look back on the year 2020 and praise those near him, including Paul Heyman and especially Jey Uso.
KO soon interrupted, however, insulting The Head of the Table before informing Reigns and Uso that he would be going to WWE Official Adam Pierce in order to secure a match of redemption against Reigns’ unhinged cousin.
Intercontinental Champion Big E & Apollo Crews def. Sami Zayn & King Corbin
After beating Sami Zayn to recapture the Intercontinental Title in one of the biggest wins of his career on Christmas Day, Big E battled the intolerable King Corbin in their scheduled one-on-one matchup - with the self-proclaimed "Master Strategist" joining the SmackDown announce team.
However, when it looked like Big E was about to close the door on Corbin, Zayn suddenly attacked and brought an end to the match by disqualification. The Powerhouse of Positivity soon found himself suffering a 3-on-1 assault at the hands of Zayn and The Knights of the Lone Wolf. Until, all of a sudden, Apollo Crews emerged to clear the ring of all opposition.
As a result, Big E joined together with Crews to take on Sami Zayn & King Corbin. When The Lone Wolf grew frustrated with Zayn trying to run the show and nearly hitting him, King Corbin and his minions decided to take a walk and leave Sami out to dry. This opened the door for Crews to close the door for his team with the Spinning Sit-out Powerbomb.
The Riott Squad def. Tamina & Natalya
Although Billie Kay thought she might get a partner to team with her once again against The Riott Squad, she instead unintentionally inspired an unlikely alliance between Natalya and Tamina, as they emerged together for a match against Liv Morgan and Ruby Riott.
During the match, Billie stayed at ringside, although it was unclear at times which team she was supporting. Then, Kay got up on the ring steps. This distracted Tamina long enough for Morgan to roll her up for the quick three-count. However, when Billie tried to celebrate with The Riott Squad, they opted to leave without her.
Bayley & Carmella def. Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair
In an explosive tag team showdown, SmackDown Women’s Champion Sasha Banks once again joined forces with Bianca Belair against Bayley & Carmella.
When Bianca and Bayley battled outside the ring, Reginald got himself involved in the action. Moments after The Boss delivered a slap to Reginald on the apron, Carmella used the distraction to plant Banks face-first into the canvas and pin the SmackDown Women's Champion!
Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode attacked The Street Profits during their New Year’s Day Smoke-Tacular
The Street Profits’ “New Year’s Day Smoke-Tacular” included a drum solo accompaniment by Angelo Dawkins and 2021 predictions, including Dolph Ziggler getting the nickname "The Heartache Kid" and their “I WAS Intercontinental Champion” shirt will start selling on WWE Shop and become the No. 1 T-Shirt of 2021.
But the celebration was cut short with an absolutely brutal sneak attack by Ziggler and Robert Roode, including a chair assault that appeared to cause a serious injury to Montez Ford's knee.
Daniel Bryan & Otis def. Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura
One week after Daniel Bryan declared his entry into the Royal Rumble Match, The Leader of the “Yes!” Movement prepared for the huge match by teaming with the Alpha Academy’s “Blue-Collar Solid” against Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura.
The Artist and The Swiss Cyborg knocked Otis from the ring. However, when they turned their attention to Bryan, Cesaro was knocked from the ring with Bryan's Running Knee. And with his partner gone, Nakamura was forced to tap out to the "Yes!" Lock.
Kevin Owens def. Jey Uso; Reigns unleashed a massive beatdown on Owens
After Roman Reigns retained his Universal Championship against Kevin Owens in controversial fashion last week, KO claimed The Head of the Table needs Jey Uso to keep the title and challenged "Main Event" Jey Uso to a match.
After defeating Uso with the Stunner, Owens handcuffed his defeated opponent to the ring ropes and proceeded to punish him in an effort to get Reigns to come to him.
But when he handcuffed Uso's hands together and looked to continue the onslaught out in the ThumderDome, Roman Reigns ambushed him. Together, Reigns and Uso absolutely destroyed KO, slamming him into the LED screens before The Big Dog hurled his adversary off a ledge, sending him crashing down through a table.
Roman Reigns makes special request of WWE Management in the wake of his Universal Title win over Kevin Owens
After Roman Reigns retained his Universal Championship by defeating Kevin Owens last week in a brutal Steel Cage Match, sources have now informed WWE.com that The “Head of the Table” has made a special request of WWE Management ahead of this week’s SmackDown.
The specifics of the request have not yet been disclosed. Details to follow. Don’t miss SmackDown, Friday night at 8/7 C on FOX.
Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair battle Bayley & Carmella
Although the tag teams of SmackDown Women’s Champion Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair and Bayley & Carmella both came up short against WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Charlotte Flair & Asuka last week, the loss did nothing to quell the respective rivalries.
Find out what will happen when The Boss and the EST of WWE once again join forces to take on the dangerous pair of the Role Model and her “untouchable” cohort, Friday night at 8/7 C on SmackDown.
Intercontinental Champion Big E goes head-to-head with King Corbin
One week after winning the illustrious workhorse title from Sami Zayn in an explosive Lumberjack Match, the triumphant Big E will battle King Corbin in non-title action.
Considering King Corbin’s propensity for doing anything to win, and the certainty that his loyal The Knights Of The Lone Wolf will be at ringside to tip the scales in his favor, is the new titleholder Big E destined to celebrate the New Year (and his new title reign) with a lost? Don’t miss Friday Night SmackDown at 8/7 C on FOX.
