Hello and welcome to WWE Smackdown Results!
This looks like it’s going to be a fun episode with some good looking matches, and we’re curious to see if Vince McMahon’s return will cause him to flex his owner’s muscles into the creative side or continue working toward the sale.
Time to worry about that later; let’s get to the action!
The night started off with the Bloodline taking over Smackdown at ringside yet again, and ten Roman Reigns came out with Paul Heyman flanking him.
Reigns demanded the fans acknowledge him, and then turned it over to Sami Zayn.
Zayn pointed out they sent their messages on Raw as they’ve started the new year off strong.
Reigns agreed and switched gears to talk about last year when they faced Kevin Owens and John Cena and lost.
After a major upset last week, @WWERomanReigns wants to know one thing:
Does @SamiZayn want to be The Tribal Chief? 👀#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/zCMl8nMJYG
— WWE (@WWE) January 7, 2023
He wondered how anyone could think they lost since he doesn’t lose, and he pointed at Zayn for losing. What bothered him was why did Zayn called his shot and guarantee a win.
He ran down Zayn for doing what he does and tried to understand why Zayn tried to act like him and if he wants to replace him as the Tribal Chief.
When he started yelling at Zayn, Owens came out. He instructed Reigns to calm down and pointed out he’s the cause of him losing his cool and he added it’s not Zayn’s fault but his.
He told Reigns to take care of his KO problem at the Royal Rumble with the Undisputed Championship on the line, and Reigns agreed and told Owens he doesn’t care and just wants him to leave forever.
Owens left for now, but he promised he’s not leaving forever.
Kofi Kingston w/Xavier Woods vs. Santos Escobar w/Legado Del Fantasma (Joaquin Wilde, Cruz Del Toro, Zelina Vega)
This should be a good match and we’re excited to see what they come up with.
He's still got it!
Is @TrueKofi giving us a little preview of what's to come at #RoyalRumble?#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/z55fqmLiP6
— WWE (@WWE) January 7, 2023
They started out fast as they traded moves before Escobar sent Kofi to the floor, but he didn’t touch with his feet as he got some Royal Rumble practice in, and then hit a crossbody before sending Escobar over the top rope to “eliminate” him to send a message.
After taking over the match Escobar was backdropped over the ropes but he landed on the ring steps and Woods used his horn to startle him off the steps.
After a back and forth, Kofi hit an SOS for a near pinfall, but Escobar pushed him off. They went back and forth on the top rope with Kofi sending him to the floor, but Escobar countered his leap with a knee for a near pinfall.
Kofi was ready to finish it when the numbers game distracted him and Escobar took advantage and hit a Phantom Driver for the win.
After the match, it was announced that Owens and Reigns championship match at Royal Rumble was made official.
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