WWE Friday Night SmackDown Results
September 23, 2022
Salt Lake City, Utah (Vivint Arena)
Commentary: Michael Cole and Corey Graves
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
“Then. Now. Forever. Together.” The WWE video leads us into the show.
As we go into the arena, we hear the music of the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns. Reigns makes his way to the ring alongside The Bloodline, which consists of Paul Heyman, Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos, Sami Zayn, and Solo Sikoa.
Replays are shown from the WWE Crown Jewel press conference last Saturday in Las Vegas. Roman Reigns and Logan Paul had a confrontation. In six weeks, they will fight in Saudi Arabia for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
The Bloodline are all in the ring. Paul Heyman hands Roman Reigns the microphone. The crowd is really buzzing with a mix of cheers and boos. Reigns says, “Salt Lake City… acknowledge me!” The crowd roars.
Heyman takes the microphone back and says, “Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Paul Heyman.” What do you call people from Utah? Heyman calls them “Salt Like C-idiots.” The crowd boos, so he reminds them that you don’t boo the Wise Man. There are a lot of items on The Bloodline’s checklist, so let’s go through them. First, we’ll start with the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion of all sports entertainment, Roman Reigns. Some people are complaining that it was Drew McIntyre’s moment on his home turf. Neither Cardiff, Wales or Scotland nor anyplace on the planet is not Drew McIntyre’s universe. The universe, multiverse, and metaverse are controlled by Roman Reigns. Now that McIntyre has another bridge to “Kross,” let’s talk about Solo. Heyman wishes he could take credit for the coup to bring him in. It wasn’t Roman Reigns’ or The Usos. Solo was sent by the elders of the Samoan dynasty. Solo was sent because Brock Lesnar took out the Wise Man. Someone has to stop the conspiracy against Roman Reigns. If you thought The Bloodline was unstoppable before, now there is an enforcer to ensure Roman’s reigns on the throne of the Island of Relevancy. That enforcer is Solo.
This opens up Jimmy and Jey Uso to concentrate on their pursuit of greatness and history. It opens up The Usos to their pursuit of immortality. Jimmy Uso says it’s The Usos vs. The Brawling Brutes. You’ll hear it again: still Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions. Jey Uso says, “‘Cause you the twos, and we the ones.”
Reigns takes the microphone back and thinks for a few moments. The crowd is buzzing. Reigns calls Sikoa over, who they are only calling “Solo” right now. He may have lost his last name. The elders may have sent him, but he answers to Reigns now. Reigns says, “Acknowledge me.” Solo takes the microphone and says, “I acknowledge you, my Tribal Chief.” They embrace in the ring.
The music plays, and they go to leave, but Sami Zayn stops them. Heyman asks what he’s doing. Zayn says he just wants to say that he’s not technically blood, but the way they have taken him in as a family as of late, he wants to show his gratitude by publicly acknowledging the Tribal Chief. Reigns laughs in disbelief. Zayn stands there, and the crowd chants his name. Reigns says he likes Sami, but what is he talking for right now? Why is he saying anything right now? Zayn looks startled. Reigns says he sees what’s been happening here, but why does he have their shirt on? Reigns wants to know what’s going on. Why is he tagging along? What’s this about? What does he want? Reigns wants Zayn to take their shirt off. Zayn looks nervous and asks if Reigns is kidding. If this is about what happened with Logan Paul last week, he can explain. Reigns says he’s not going to tell Zayn again: take the shirt off, now. Reigns calls for Jey, and Jey Uso rips Zayn’s shirt off.
Reigns says he needs Zayn to listen for once. Reigns doesn’t want to see him in that shirt ever again. Zayn will never wear a Bloodline shirt again. Zayn looks devastated. Zayn won’t wear it again because Reigns got him a new one. Reigns tosses him a shirt that says, “SZ: Honorary Uce.” Zayn is elated, and Jey looks disgusted in the background. A loud “Sami” chant picks up. Zayn dances around the ring in joy. Reigns asks if he has anything to say. Zayn says, “I acknowledge you, Tribal Chief!” Zayn hugs Reigns, and Reigns looks confused before hugging him back. The crowd loudly cheers. Jey looks upset.
The Brawling Brutes are watching backstage with Sheamus.
-Commercial Break-
Later tonight, Braun Strowman will battle Otis.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Liv Morgan is on her way to the ring.
Non-title Match
SmackDown Women’s Champion Liv Morgan vs. Lacey Evans
They lock up, and Evans powers her to the corner before shoving her a few times. Morgan slaps her in the face, so Evans kicks her in the midsection. Morgan reverses a whip and drops down, but Evans rolls over her. Evans takes her down and punches her. Morgan reverses a whip and drops down before going for a leapfrog, but Evans big boots her out of midair. Evans shouts that Morgan isn’t extreme. Evans attacks her in the corner and rakes her on the ropes. Morgan tries to fight back, but Evans cuts her off. Morgan dropkicks her and whips her to the corner before hitting a high knee. Morgan goes for a running back elbow, but Evans moves. Evans takes her down and poses. Evans hits a snapmare and applies a chin lock. Morgan fights up, but Evans knocks her back. Evans goes for a slingshot stomp, but Morgan moves. Evans punches her on the apron and drives her into the ring post.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Evans applying a chin lock. Morgan tries to fight up, so Evans grounds her and punches away at her. Evans throws her down and talks trash before throwing her across the ring. Morgan gets to her knees and tells Evans to bring it on. Evans kicks her in the face for a two-count. Evans takes her down and grapevines the neck. Morgan manages to kick her in the face a few times to get out.
Evans rolls out of the ring to recover. Evans goes under the ring and pulls out a broom, but she tosses that away. Evans then grabs a kendo stick and gets in the ring. Evans swings, but Morgan ducks and hits a codebreaker. Evans follows up with the Ob-Liv-ion for the victory.
Winner by Pinfall: Liv Morgan
Morgan picks up the kendo stick and thinks about it before dropping it down. Morgan then grabs the kendo stick and unloads on Evans with some shots. Morgan knocks her out of the ring and uses the kendo stick to hit a leg sweep into the LED barricade. Morgan goes under the ring and pulls out a table to a big ovation. Morgan sets up the table and puts Evans on it at ringside. Morgan goes into the ring and climbs to the top rope before standing on the ring post. Morgan then hits a picture-perfect senton splash on Evans through the table! Wow! Morgan shouts into the camera to Ronda Rousey that she’s getting extreme.
Hit Row is hanging out backstage. They’re hosting a watch party for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship match. They don’t care who wins because they’re next. The Street Profits walk in and ask if they have some drinks for them. Montez Ford puts over Braun Strowman versus Otis. They ask Shinsuke Nakamura what he thinks. They all toast.
-Commercial Break-
The Usos will defend the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship against The Brawling Brutes later tonight.
Sami Zayn is backstage bossing around a waiter. Madcap Moss and Ricochet come up to Zayn and say he’s changed. He’s still obnoxious and unbearable, but now it’s magnified. That’s what happens when your whole head is up Roman Reigns’ backside. Zayn warns them that if they insult him, they’re not just insulting him. All of a sudden, Solo Sikoa knocks Moss and Ricochet into one another and viciously assaults them. Zayn and Sikoa walk off.
Video Package: The reign of The Usos
-Commercial Break-
A Royal Rumble Classic is shown from the 1995 Royal Rumble. The British Bulldog thought he eliminated Shawn Michaels, but only one of his feet hit the floor. This would become known as “The Shawn Michaels Rule.” HBK would then eliminate the Bulldog to win the match.
Tag Team Match
Maximum Male Models (ma.çé and mån.sôör) vs. The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods)
mån.sôör starts against Xavier Woods. Woods whips him into the ropes, but mån.sôör poses. ma.çé tags in and hits a side-leg kick for a near fall. Maxxine Dupri is at ringside and grabs a camera. ma.çé attacks Woods and tags mån.sôör back in. They send Woods into the ropes for a double-team back elbow before posing. Maxxine takes pictures of Max Dupri at ringside. The crowd chants, “New Day rocks.” Woods knocks ma.çé down before dropping mån.sôör out of the ring. Dupri quickly gets mån.sôör in the ring, and ma.çé makes the tag. ma.çé knocks Kingston off the apron and slams Woods. ma.çé hits an elbow drop off the second rope for a near fall. mån.sôör tags in, and Maxxine takes pictures of them as they pose. Kingston dropkicks ma.çé out of the ring. Woods then rolls mån.sôör up for the victory.
Winners by Pinfall: The New Day
mån.sôör flips out in the ring. Max Dupri looks disgusted and shouts at all of them. Max takes his jacket off (with some difficulty) and whips it on the apron. Max walks off without them.
Video Package: Braun Strowman vs. Otis
Braun Strowman battles Otis next.
-Commercial Break-
Angel and Humberto crash Hit Row’s party and go for B-Fab. Top Dolla kicks them out.
Braun Strowman vs. Otis w/ Chad Gable
The bell rings, and they circle the ring. They lock up before Strowman knees him in the midsection and punches him to the corner. Strowman then throws Otis across the ring. Strowman hits the ropes and dropkicks Otis out of the ring! Master Gable checks on his prized pupil at ringside. Strowman gets out of the ring for a Strowman Express. Gable tries to trip him, but Strowman jumps over him. Otis attacks Strowman from behind before sending him into the barricade. Otis lifts Strowman and drives his spine into the ring post. Otis gets Strowman in the ring. Otis hits the ropes and hits a discus clothesline for a one-count. Otis avalanches Strowman in the corner and clubs him down. Otis continues to punch Strowman down before hitting the ropes. Strowman quickly pops up and hits Otis with a big spinebuster.
Otis rolls out of the ring to recover again. Gable is talking with Otis. Strowman looks at them and exits the ring. Strowman then wipes out Alpha Academy with the Strowman Express! Strowman gets Otis in the ring. Gable grabs Strowman’s ankle, so Strowman throws him into the timekeeper’s area. Strowman gets in the ring and scoops Otis up, but he loses him. Otis quickly drives Strowman into the turnbuckles and hits the World’s Strongest Slam for a near fall. Otis goes to the second rope and connects with a Vader Bomb for another near fall. Otis goes back to the second rope and dives, but Strowman moves. Strowman gets fired up and sets up for a powerbomb. Strowman hits an insane powerbomb for the win!
Winner by Pinfall: Braun Strowman
Kayla Braxton is backstage with The Brawling Brutes. They chant that it’s fight night. Sheamus says they’re made of sterner stuff. Sheamus says in two weeks, on the season premiere of SmackDown, Sheamus will battle Gunther once again and take the Intercontinental Championship. Tonight is about Ridge and Butch winning the titles. They’re going to hit some bangers.
-Commercial Break-
Drew McIntyre makes his way to the ring to a big reception. McIntyre says Karrion Kross likes to play games and attack him from behind, so McIntyre went to the top. Kross is going to have his first big match against McIntyre at Extreme Rules. McIntyre is holding a strap and says this match is designed to inflict the maximum amount of pain. At Extreme Rules, he’ll battle Karrion Kross in a Strap Match.
Karrion Kross’ music hits, and Scarlett makes her way to the ring. McIntyre stares at her before turning around to cut off a Karrion Kross blindside. McIntyre hits a Glasgow Kiss and drives his shoulder into the ring post. McIntyre ties the strap around Kross’ wrist and pulls him into the ring. McIntyre pulls him into a big boot and smacks his back with the leather strap. Kross writhes in pain, so McIntyre smacks him again with it. Kross rolls out of the ring, but McIntyre uses the strap to pull him back in. McIntyre hits him on the back with the strap again before hitting a clothesline. McIntyre goes to hit him again, but Scarlett slides into the ring to stop him. Scarlett then shoots a fireball into his face, but she kind of whiffs on it. Kross attacks, but McIntyre quickly gives him a spinebuster. Scarlett sneaks up from behind and hits a low blow on McIntyre. McIntyre drops to the mat and coughs in pain. Kross throws the strap on top of him and leaves the ring with Scarlett. Kross then turns around and applies a Krossjacket. Kross accepts the match at Extreme Rules as he puts McIntyre to sleep.
-Commercial Break-
Replays are shown of what just happened with Drew McIntyre and Karrion Kross.
Damage CTRL makes their way to the ring.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Dakota Kai w/ Damage CTRL vs. Raquel Rodriguez
The bell rings, and Rodriguez powers her into the corner before hitting a wild snake eyes in the corner. Kai quickly boots her back and goes for a Scorpion Kick, but Rodriguez blocks it. IYO SKY tries for a distraction, but Rodriguez scares her away. Bayley then distracts Rodriguez. Kai hits a Scorpion Kick and hits a running boot in the corner. Bayley then chokes Rodriguez on the bottom rope. Shotzi runs down to the ring and attacks Bayley. Sky runs over, but Shotzi takes her down, too. In the ring, Rodriguez rolls Kai up for the victory.
Winner by Pinfall: Raquel Rodriguez
Bayley and Sky drive Shotzi into the barricade. Damage CTRL double-teams Rodriguez. Shotzi runs in and helps Rodriguez clear the ring of Damage CTRL.
Hit Row’s party is still going on. B-Fab notices Angel and Humberto again. They attack Ashonte “Thee” Adonis and Top Dolla before running off.
-Commercial Break-
In two weeks, Gunther will defend the WWE Intercontinental Championship against Sheamus in a rematch from their epic match at Clash at the Castle. Next week, Bayley will battle Shotzi. We’ll also see Los Lotharios take on Hit Row. Finally, Sami Zayn and Solo Sikoa will fight Ricochet and Madcap Moss.
The main event is next.
-Commercial Break-
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship
The Brawling Brutes (Ridge Holland and Butch) w/ Sheamus vs. The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) (c’s) w/ Sami Zayn and Solo Sikoa
Charles Robinson calls for the bell, and this match begins. Butch attacks Jey and takes him down before snapping his fingers. Ridge Holland tags in, and they drop knees on Jey. Jey reverses a whip, but Holland holds on and boots him back. Jimmy quickly kicks Holland from behind, and Jey takes Holland down. Jimmy tags in and uppercuts Holland before chopping the chest. Jey tags back in and avalanches Holland. Holland quickly knocks Jey down and tags the wild Butch in. Butch attacks Jey before going after Jimmy. The Brawling Brutes hit Jimmy with a double 10 Beats of the Bodhran and knock him off the apron. Sami Zayn and Solo Sikoa check on Jimmy. In the ring, Holland tags in and attacks Jey’s arm. Butch goes to the top rope, but Jey knocks him down. Holland grabs Jey, but Jey drives him out of the ring. The Usos then give Butch a back body drop, and he hits the ropes hard. That was a ridiculous bump.
At ringside, Jey grabs Butch and sends him into the timekeeper’s area. Sami Zayn wildly celebrates, irritating Jey. Jey puts Butch back into the ring and tags Jimmy in. The Usos send him into the ropes for a double-team slam for a near fall.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Butch fighting back, but Jimmy hits him with an enzuigiri. Jey tags in and takes exception with Sami Zayn getting in Butch’s face. Jey gets Butch in the ring, but Butch takes him down.
Holland and Jimmy tag in. Holland runs wild on him and Jey. Holland hits Jimmy with a tilt-a-whirl slam for a near fall. Holland charges, but Jimmy knocks him back. Butch blind tags in. Jimmy hits Holland with a Samoan Drop. Butch runs over Jimmy with a vicious knee for a near fall. Jimmy fights back with a right hand and charges. Butch pulls the top rope down. Jey blind tags in, but Butch knocks him down. Butch hits Jimmy with a moonsault to the floor. In the ring, Butch hits Jey with a German Suplex and a big kick for a near fall. The ring mic was knocked out for a moment. Jimmy blind tags in and kicks Butch back. Jey superkicks Butch. The Usos then double superkick Holland. Butch boots Jey back and comes off the second rope with a moonsault block, but The Usos superkick him out of midair! Wow! Jimmy covers, but Butch kicks out! Sheamus laughs at ringside. Sami Zayn flips out.
Jey tags back in. The Usos go for a double-team, but Butch knocks Jey down and hits Jimmy with a DDT. Jey stops Butch from making a tag, so Butch snaps his fingers. Holland grabs Jey and goes for an Alabama Slam, but Jimmy blind tags in. Jimmy big boots Holland. They go for a double-team superkick, but Holland blocks it and slams both of them! Butch tags in. They hit a slam/superkick combo, but Jey breaks up the pin. Zayn grabs a steel chair, so Sheamus rips it out of his hands. Imperium blindsides Sheamus before Gunther big boots him down! The Usos superkick Holland and Butch. Butch is put in the ring, and The Usos hit the 1D for the victory.