WWE: Branded by Pipers Pit & Kimberly

Soft · December 28, 2021

I haven't been so invested in WWE in a decade! You guys are doing a great job! One of the most visually pleasing diaries I've ever read.

RAW: I'm still a little unsure about Trinity, not in terms of how you've been presenting them but rather the grouped up talent. Feels a little bit of a waste for Rollins to be honest but I have faith and hopefully ends in a power struggle between Bray and Seth with Kross coming out as a solid upper midcarder. Note: Big Hammerstone guy, seems like the absolute perfect fit for WWE if that company would make any sense in the real world. Thankfully, we got you guys.

SD: RKBro is SD and I like it. I really enjoyed the Drew/Finn story play out, but I still think we will have something big happening at the Rumble and Roman will go into WM as the champ. And I LOVED the Adam Cole - Jeff Hardy match from Judgement day!

Keep it up guys!

Pipers Pit · December 29, 2021

Thank you so much for the kind words. We're glad you're enjoying it. Here's to 2022!

Pipers Pit · December 29, 2021

Pipers Pit · December 29, 2021

Taylor2020 · December 29, 2021

Damn. Not even TEW-dynasty versions of WWE can escape from Johnny Ace's pink-slip tidal-wave.

Pipers Pit · December 29, 2021

Ry guy 64 · December 30, 2021

WWE going big game hunting I see.

Kimberly · December 30, 2021

Damn. Not even TEW-dynasty versions of WWE can escape from Johnny Ace's pink-slip tidal-wave.

Don’t give him any ideas - we’ll see people power on Raw 😂😂

Pipers Pit · December 30, 2021

Kimberly · December 30, 2021

Scheduling update: due to the New Years holiday, SmackDown will air sometime this weekend (likely Sunday)

Kimberly · January 2, 2022

SmackDown Week 1, January 2022 - Episode #1165

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SmackDown opens with a recap of last week where Drew McIntyre threatened Roman Reigns and promised to make the Tribal Chief acknowledge him before their SmackDown Title match at the Royal Rumble. The recap then shows the SmackDown Tag Team Titles match between Ciampa/Thatcher and The Uso’s where Jimmy and Jey intentionally caused a double countout before the debut of RKBro shocked everyone. We are told that Randy Orton and Riddle will make their SmackDown in ring debuts tonight - welcome to the first SmackDown of 2022!!

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<div style="color:rgb(0, 0, 255);font-family:Roboto;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;text-align:center;"><div style="font:44px Roboto;">FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN

JANUARY WEEK 1, 2022

SPECTRUM CENTER

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA</div>

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The Spectrum Center comes alive as Michael Cole & Pat McAfee welcome us to the first SmackDown of the new year. Happy New Year from all of us at SmackDown as we are on the road to the Royal Rumble in just over four weeks on Peacock. Later tonight, Randy Orton & Riddle - RKBro - make their SmackDown in-ring debut and we will see Toni Storm & Bianca Belair team up against Melina & Mia Yim. But we kick things off with a word from the #1 contender to the SmackDown Championship, Drew McIntyre who is already in the ring.

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Drew cuts a promo talking about the journey that he has been on really ever since his return to WWE five years ago, a journey that has seen highs and lows. Drew says that his journey has made him uniquely qualified for this place and this time.

Roman Reigns believes that he is without equal. Roman believes that he owns this franchise and that no one can topple his empire. Roman Reigns is wrong. At the Royal Rumble, Drew McIntyre will be the one to dethrone the Tribal Chief. Because Drew McIntyre has won the battles and has the experience to do just that.

And last week Drew made a promise to Roman, a promise that will be kept. Before we get to the Royal Rumble, Roman Reigns will acknowledge Drew McIntyre. But that is down the road, tonight - Drew is here to issue an open challenge to anyone on SmackDown to come out and tonight, fight Drew McIntyre in this ring.

Dolph comes out and says that for all their differences, Drew McIntyre and Roman Reigns have one thing in common: they’re both ego maniacs. Drew is out here acting like he is some mythical hero when he is just an overly confident man. A man who needs to be knocked down a few pegs.

So Dolph says that he is out here to do just that….Dolph accepts the challenge. Drew says he likes it and tonight, Drew will shut that big mouth up…with a Claymore Kick.

The match is made for our main event.

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We go back to last week and see the arrival of RKBro to SmackDown. The camera then cuts live to the hallway where Randy Orton and Riddle are walking down to Gorilla. RKBro makes their SmackDown in-ring debut…next.

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Commercial Break

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RKBRO VS ANDREW EVERETT & DARIUS LOCKHART

This match is all about highlighting SmackDown’s newest stars and also how well Randy and Riddle work together. They both do quick tag outs and each man gets their stuff in but it ends with a Bro-Kick to the face on Lockhart and a RKO on Everett for the pinfall.

WINNERS BY PINFALL: RKBRO

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After their win, Randy Orton and Riddle do a promo announcing that they are indeed full time members of the SmackDown roster after being free agents and sitting back and biding their time. They say that the reason they signed with SmackDown instead of Raw is because The Uso’s have been sitting on a perch thinking that they’re God’s and it is high time for someone to knock them off their thrones. That is where RKBro comes in - they signed SmackDown contracts with the understanding that they would receive the next tag team title shot and that will happen at the Royal Rumble.

This brings out Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher who say that they respect Randy and Riddle, but the Uso’s have screwed them twice now and they have unfinished business with the champs. So, it doesn’t matter what was promised to Randy and Riddle - that title match belongs to Ciampa & Thatcher. Both teams then get into each other’s faces and a shoving match ensues. While officials rush in to break up the skirmish.

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We go back to last week where Piper Niven and Paige set a trap and laid out Rhea Ripley. When SmackDown returns, Piper will be in action… next.

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Commercial Break

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When SmackDown returns, we are in a locker room area and there is more pushing and shoving between RKBro and Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher. Eventually Sonya Deville rushes in and tells RKBro that she knows that she promised them a title match at the Rumble, but Ciampa & Thatcher were also screwed over last week. She asks both teams to give her one week to decide how to handle this. Reluctantly, both teams agree and peace is restored for now.

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PIPER NIVEN W/PAIGE VS TEAGAN NOX

Tegan survives the offensive barrage from Piper for a decent portion of this match, showing heart. But in the end, the size and simple brutality of Piper is too much to handle. Piper splashes Tegan in the corner before nailing a Vader Bomb and then the Avalanche for the 3 count.

WINNER BY PINFALL: PIPER NIVEN

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As Piper and Paige celebrate Niven’s victory, Rhea Ripley sneaks in from behind and blasts Piper from behind. Paige sees her and bails from the ring and pulls Piper back as well. The heels are in retreat but Ripley grabs a mic and says that she will accept the challenge for another match with Piper Niven. But when Rhea Ripley agrees….she wants Paige alone for five minutes. Niven screams “you’re on!” while Paige looks at her like she’s lost her mind.

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In the back, United States Champion Cesaro is warming up. He will defend his US title next on FOX.

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Commercial Break

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SmackDown returns to a commercial for the Royal Rumble. Who will be victorious as the road to Wrestlemania continues? Find out at the Royal Rumble - four weeks from Sunday on Peacock.

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SAMI ZAYN VS CESARO © 

This is a fantastic back and forth encounter and both men get near falls. Eventually Cesaro starts beating Sami around the ring and the conspiracy theorist tries to run away from the champion. When Cesaro gives chase, it is clear that Sami just suckered him in and runs the champion’s shoulder into the ring post before rolling him back into the ring.

Sami starts to dominate the match with a Powerbomb right onto Cesaro’s shoulder and starts trying to rip the champ’s shoulder from its socket. Cesaro is able to battle back into the match but when he goes for the European Uppercut onto Sami, Sami hooks the Arm into an Armbreaker submission. Cesaro gets to the ropes as Mustafa Ali comes out to the ring. Sami sees Ali but focuses on winning the US Title and goes for the Helluva Kick - but Ali grabs Sami’s foot out of view from the ref.

Sami starts yelling at Ali who acts like nothing happened and Sami demands that the ref admonishes Ali, all of this is enough to allow Cesaro to get up and when Sami turns around he is tripped, lifted into the Big Swing for 8 rotations. Cesaro then nails the Neutralizer for the successful title defense.

WINNER BY PINFALL AND STILL SMACKDOWN UNITED STATES CHAMPION: CESARO

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We go back to last week where Bianca helped save Toni Storm - when we come back, Bianca Belair teams with Toni Storm against Melina & Mia Yim on SmackDown.

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Commercial Break

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SmackDown returns to a recap from earlier tonight where Dolph Ziggler decided to answer Drew McIntyre’s open challenge. The main event: Dolph vs Drew is still to come tonight.

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BIANCA BELAIR AND TONI STORM VS MIA YIM AND MELINA

The match starts as a normal team match but it quickly devolves into a brawl. After order is restored, the heels take control and keep Toni from her partner and score some near falls before another brawl happens. Eventually Bianca is tagged in and starts to clean house and after Bianca nails the Kiss of Death on Mia, Melina comes in from behind and she has brass knucks In full view of the ref, Melina nails Bianca from behind and the ref has no choice but to disqualify the heels.

WINNERS BY DISQUALIFICATION: BIANCA BELAIR AND TONI STORM

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After the match, the heels bail from the ring and both Melia and Mia Yim yell that they’re entering the Royal Rumble and will make sure that Toni, Bianca and Liv will not win the Rumble.

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Michael Cole and Pat McAfee take us back to earlier tonight where Rhea Ripley challenged Piper Niven with Paige on the line. Cole and Pat tell us that the match has indeed been booked. Two weeks from tonight, Piper Niven and Rhea Ripley will headline SmackDown. But stick around, when we come back it’s main event time: Drew McIntyre vs Dolph Ziggler…next on SmackDown.

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Commercial Break

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DREW MCINTYRE VS DOLPH ZIGLER

The two lock up into a test of strength that sees Drew lift Dolph up into a released German Suplex. Dolph bails to the floor and gets a breather, rushes back into the ring and charges Drew who grabs the Show Off into a Spinebuster. Drew covers but Dolph is out at two.

When Drew goes for the Claymore, Dolph is able to dropkick Drew into the knee and then the former World Champion starts to take over the match. Dolph scores with a Jumping DDT and then a Figure Four that has the #1 Contender in jeopardy.

Drew refuses to surrender and goes to grab the ropes but Dolph pulls him into the center of the ring and that causes McIntyre to reach and grab Dolph by the hair. A quick yank and Dolph lets go of the hold. The two start laying haymakers at each other until Drew clubs Dolph in the chest and then launches him over the ropes.

On the floor, Drew stops playing around and slams Dolph’s head onto the steps and shows an aggressive side as Dolph scrambles back into the ring for a break. As soon as Drew slides in Dolph nails ZigZag!

1…

2…..

Drew kicks out. And the fun for Dolph is over as Drew decks Dolph when he charges and Powerbombs Dolph. Finally Drew signals that it is over, goes to the corner, charges out - CLAYMORE!!

1….2…..3.

WINNER BY PINFALL: DREW MCINTYRE

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While Drew is celebrating, Paul Heyman comes out and it is the first time that we’ve seen a member of the bloodline tonight. Drew sees the counsel for the Tribal Chief and searches around for an ambush.

An ambush does not come and Heyman smiles at Roman Reigns opponent - the mind games clearly are on. Goodnight from Charlotte.

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Pipers Pit · January 3, 2022

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<div style="color:rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:Roboto;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;text-align:center;"><div style="font:44px Roboto;">MONDAY NIGHT RAW

JANUARY WEEK 2

WELLS FARGO CENTER

PHILADELPHIA, PA</div>

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THE NEW DAY VS THE GRIZZLED YOUNG VETERANS AND LOGAN SHULO

As the show begins we’re already underway and Big E is in the ring with Shulo. The match trends back and forth as all six men get in a good share of the offense but when the New Day begin building momentum no one is going to stop them. The crowd pops when Big E and Woods hit the Midnight Hour on Drake for the win.

WINNERS BY PINFALL: THE NEW DAY

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We’re shown a replay of the finish of the match.

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Backstage Becky Lynch is minding her own business when Alexa Bliss and Carmella walk past and roll their eyes at her. This brings the Man to her feet.

“Do either of you have somethin’ to say?”

Carmella gives her a smile. “We were just commenting that since you came back you’re just not….the same.”

Alexa nods. “I mean you looked good with Nia but now you think you’re going to win the Rumble?”

Becky stews for a moment. “Well, that’s because I am. I’m going to throw twenty-nine women over that top rope if I need to. But since you don’t feel like I’ve got what it takes anymore, how about we get it done in the ring next week?”

Carmella thinks this is hilarious. “Which of us?”

Becky isn’t smiling. “Both.” She walks off as the Women’s Tag Team Champions exchange nervous looks.

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In the Hurt Business’ locker room MVP watches an angry Lashley pace the floor as Omos stands against the wall.

“AJ Styles, you think you did something last week don’t you? Well let me tell you exactly what you did. You made the Almighty angry. You made him remember that it’s punks like you that make him show the world what he can do. I won’t say that you should be careful what you ask for, but when it’s all over, I’m definitely going to say, I told you so!”

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Corey Graves breaks the news that he has just learned. Monday Night Raw’s first two announced Superstars in their respective Royal Rumbles are King Nakamura and Ember Moon. Graves puts them both over as definite threats to win their events.

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NIA JAX VS NEVEAH

Nia is dominant in this from the early bell, using her size and power to throw Raw newcomer Neveah around. For her part Neveah gets in a little offense before Nia shuts it down and drags her to the corner before climbing up for her version of the Banzai Drop which Jimmy Smith refers to as the Irresistible Drop but when she begins to bounce she loses her footing and falls backwards. Neveah luckily moves out of the way and quickly gets on top of Nia for the three count.

WINNER BY PINFALL: NEVEAH

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As Neveah smartly gets out of the ring and gets her hand raised in the aisle, Nia has cleared the cobwebs and looks part shocked and part angry but as the crowd jeers her, she’s mostly embarrassed and quickly heads to the back.

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Backstage, Samoa Joe stares into a camera in silence. Finally he speaks.

“Last week everyone seemed happy that someone finally told that windbag Keith Lee to shut up. Everyone but Keith I suppose. You see when I show up, I’m not here to talk and talk and talk. I let my hands and my feet do the talking for me. I think it’s long overdue that you and I get in that ring. So how about nex…..”

Lee, showing how fast he can be for a man his size, blasts Joe into the wall before stunning him with a big right hand. Dazed, Joe is easy pickings for Lee to hoist up and then spinebuster through a nearby table. Lee is virtually panting as he stares down at Joe and we go to break.

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Velvet Sky is backstage with Alexander Hammerstone.

“With me at this time is Alexander Hammerstone. Alexander you’re new to Raw so why don’t you let the people know what you’re all about?”

“Thanks Velvet. I’ve watched the WWE since I was a kid sitting on the couch watching all the greats but one of them stood out. Hulk Hogan. I believed in the training and the prayers and the vitamins and I’ve tried to be for today’s kids what he was for me. That’s why I wear the red and yellow and it's why no matter what, I’ll never let them down.

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A video is shown splicing together all the weird and creepy videos of the past months which have been shown. Then the screen turns black until a match is lit and a face is illuminated.

She smiles with blackened teeth and blows out the match.

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OMOS W/MVP VS LINCE DORADO

MVP is out there with Omos but it’s a formality as soon as the bell rings. Omos swats Dorado down and brutalizes him for a few minutes before hitting the double handed chokeslam and pinning him with his boot on his chest.

WINNER BY PINFALL: OMOS

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We see a promotional vignette of the Raw Women’s Champion, Charlotte Flair.

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Kimber Leigh is in the ring but takes the microphone from the ring announcer.

“Nattie, I hope you’re watching because to me, this scared little girl has your face and I’m going to wipe this mat with it. You think your family’s dungeon scares me? Sweetie, this Princess owns the castle.”

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KIMBER LEIGH VS ASHLEY VOX

True to her word Kimber demolishes her opponent quick and calculating before ending it with the Alligator Clutch.

WINNER BY PINFALL: KIMBER LEIGH

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The Announcers hype the upcoming Royal Rumble Premier Event. They again hype the Raw World Title match between the Almighty Bobby Lashley and AJ Styles as well as Corey Graves’ earlier announcement of the first two declared Superstars.

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Backstage we see the members of the Trinity leave their locker room. They’ll be here next!

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The members of the Trinity make their way down to the ring and its Wyatt with the microphone.

“The good book tells us to remove the beam from our own eye before removing the splinter in our neighbor’s. That’s a nice way of saying mind your own business. Street Profits, that is a lesson you will need to learn. Last week you interrupted our business with Damian Priest. You interrupted the will of the Trinity and for that you will most assuredly pay.” He hands the microphone to Rollins.

“Bray, as always, is correct. You think you saved him but the truth is you only delayed the inevitable and what’s more you put yourself on our radar. Guys, as decisions go that was really stupid and although it doesn’t matter which two of us decide to do it, we’re ready to take those tag team titles off of you and since we have the Royal Rumble coming up it’s as good a time as any.”

Kross takes the microphone and gives a sly smile. “Get ready for the Rapture.”

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As they leave the ring we’re shown a replay of what the Trinity had to say.

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KEVIN OWENS VS OTIS W/CHAD GABLE

Owens is not the quickest guy but compared to Otis he’s a cruiserweight and he uses that advantage to hit and move while Otis keeps barely missing him. This frustrates Otis who goes to the outside to consult with Gable. Their plan begins to work once Gable takes a swipe at Owens and distracts him, allowing Otis to crush Owens in the corner. Owens is barely standing when Gable gets on the apron and holds both his arms as Otis hits avalanches over and over as the referee rings the bell. Gable enters the ring and helps pull Owens to the middle where Otis delivers a big Alphalanche.

WINNER BY DISQUALIFICATION: KEVIN OWENS

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The Alpha Academy seems proud of what it’s done as medical officials tend to Owens and waste no time in bringing out a stretcher for him. He seems to be having trouble breathing as they wheel him out.

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We see AJ Styles backstage, warming up. He faces Keith Lee in our main event!

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Damian Priest is in his locker room.

“Trinity, or whatever you wanna call yourselves,it’d be too easy to just call you loco. I know all of you better than that. You’re not crazy, you know exactly what you’re doing and what you tried to do to me last week. You want a piece of me? Fine, I'm right here. And now you want a piece of the Street Profits, well I don’t speak for them but I’m willing to say they’ll give you everything you can handle and more. You vatos are going to learn what happens when you cross the line with me. I never miss my mark.” He draws his arm back as if shooting a bow at the camera.

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AJ STYLES VS KEITH LEE

A great match between these two. Lee uses his power and strength early on and seems to be in a very jovial mood after what he did to Samoa Joe earlier. That mood evaporates when Styles makes his comeback and Lee is on the defensive, covering up from a flurry of strikes. Lee flattens Styles with a running charge and then throws him out of the ring. He attempts to powerbomb AJ through the announcer’s desk but Styles punches him a few times until Lee turns and Styles hits a hurricanrana. With both men worn out, they crawl and claw their way to the apron but neither man gets there before the ten count.

NO CONTEST: DOUBLE COUNT OUT

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No sooner than the bell rings, Samoa Joe, his ribs taped, hurries down to ringside and begins brawling with Lee. Officials try to separate then as AJ, who had rolled into the ring just a second late, watches but he doesn’t see Lashley come into the ring from behind him.

Lashley gets him in the Hurt Lock and as AJ struggles he can’t get out. MVP mocks him as Lashley keeps the hold on even after AJ has passed out from the pain and officials try and separate them as well as the show goes off the air.

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Pipers Pit · January 3, 2022

Pipers Pit · January 4, 2022

Pipers Pit · January 6, 2022

Kimberly · January 7, 2022

Scheduling update: SmackDown will air sometime this weekend (likely Sunday)

Kimberly · January 9, 2022

SmackDown Week 2, January 2022 - Episode #1166

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<div style="color:rgb(0, 0, 255);font-family:Roboto;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;text-align:center;"><div style="font:44px Roboto;">FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN

JANUARY WEEK 2

MOHEGAN SUN ARENA

UNCASVILLE, CT</div>

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Instead of a recap from last week, SmackDown opens inside the arena where the Mohegan Sun Arena comes alive for the second episode of SmackDown in the year 2022. The Royal Rumble is three weeks away as the road to Wrestlemania winds on. Later tonight, SmackDown World Champion, the Head of the Table, Roman Reigns will sit down with Michael Cole in a rare one on one interview. An….

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The Miz comes out to a chorus of boos and gets into the ring. He grabs a microphone and looks at the crowd and says that the most must see champion in history has come back home to the SmackDown franchise! The Miz is back and better than ever!!!

But whyyyy has the Miz left his palatial Hollywood home to fly to Connecticut in January and have to look at the Los Angeles wannabees that live here? One word…..Cesaro. You see, Cesaro has been making title defense after title defense of one of the most prestigious prizes in wrestling history. And he’s been doing an adequate job but the competition hasn’t been good enough. So the Miz is here to up the competition here on Smackdown and take aim at the United States Title.

“Cesaro, if you’re back there - you claim to want to defend your title all the time…how about defend it tonight…against me?”

This brings out Cesaro who says that last week it was Cesaro who made the challenge and Dolph answered. Tonight, a Monday Night Raw castoff is here to make a challenge to Cesaro? Cesaro says that he is gonna get real with Miz - the only reason that Mike Mizanin has hung around here for as long as he has is because he sucks up to the right people but is a coward when it counts.

Everybody back in that locker room knows that when push comes to shove, the Miz never backs up his tough talk. So….if he wants a match tonight for this title? Sure….let’s see if the Miz actually has a set of balls this time and actually fights like a man.

Cesaro walks away with Miz seething. Apparently The Miz is on SmackDown and apparently The Miz will face Cesaro for the United States Championship here tonight.

Stick around, when SmackDown comes back we will kick off the show with The Mysterios in action…next.

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Commercial Break

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THE MYSTERIOS VS JINDER MAHAL AND VEER

This match is all about showing how strong the Mysterios are as a tandem and to that end they pretty much control this match yet again. Jinder and Veer try but it is clear that they are here to put over the Mysterios and they do. Dominik hits a 619 and his dad hits a splash for the pinfall.

WINNERS BY PINFALL: THE MYSTERIOS

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After the match, Rey and Dominik hug while Cole and Pat remind us that both men are in the Royal Rumble and wonder if one of them will win?

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We go back to last week where RKBro/ThatcherCiampa got into a shoving match about both teams wanting to be the SmackDown Tag Team Champions. We see SmackDown Managing Director Sonya Deville ask for one week to decide what to do. Sonya Deville is here and will tell us what the choice is for The Uso’s next opponents….next .

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Commercial Break

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Kayla Braxton is backstage with SmackDown Managing Director Sonya Deville and she is asked about the situation between RKBro and Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher. Sonya admits that she did sign RKBro with the opportunity for a SmackDown Tag Team Titles match at the Royal Rumble and that can’t change. While Sonya cannot subtract from that match, she can add to it and that is what she will do. At the Royal Rumble The Usos will defend their SmackDown Tag Team Titles against RKBro….as well as Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher in a no disqualification Three Way Dance.

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Rhea RIpley comes out and before the match, she grabs a microphone. Rhea says Piper Niven should watch this match, but most importantly Paige should because next week, it's going to be the end of both of them.

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RHEA RIPLEY VS ZELINA VEGA

Zelina plays the chicken sh*t heel and tries to run from Rhea but soon Ripley grabs her and then it’s all over. Vega is thrown around the ring and soon is hit by a RipTide for the pinfall.

WINNER BY PINFALL: RHEA RIPLEY

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After the match, Rhea Ripley celebrates as the announcers remind us that Piper Nevin will face Rhea Ripley next week one final time. And if Ripley wins, she gets five minutes alone with Paige. Will Paige face a Riptide? Find out next week.

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We get a video package for WWE legend, Victoria. We see her feud with Trish Stratus, Molly Holly, her various wins of the old WWE Women’s Championship and last year’s Royal Rumble appearance. We are told that the lady you don’t want to mess with, Victoria, will return one more time at the Royal Rumble.

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Commercial Break

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SmackDown returns to a commercial celebrating the history of the Royal Rumble. The road to Wrestlemania has begun and there can only be one. Who will climb the mountain top and become the Men’s and Women’s Royal Rumble Winners? Find out at the Royal Rumble in just over three weeks on Peacock.

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WAR RAIDERS VS CEDRIC ALEXANDER AND SHELTON BENJAMIN

These two teams are trying to get their records back as both still want a shot at the SmackDown Tag Team Titles. This match is back and forth with Shelton being able to survive the brute force of War Raiders and even take some offense for a bit but he is too cocky and that allows Erik & Ivar to battle back. Shelton tags in his partner to save his own skin, much to the surprise of Cedric, and War Raiders punish Cedric before nailing Fallout for the victory.

WINNERS BY PINFALL: WAR RAIDERS

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Michael Cole takes off his headset and gets up to walk to the back. When we come back, Michael Cole will sit down with the SmackDown World Champion, Roman Reigns LIVE….next.

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Commercial Break

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Michael Cole is with SmackDown World Champion Roman Reigns who tells Cole that he is welcome for being granted the honor of having this interview. Michael tries to talk about Drew McIntyre but that just annoys the world champion because Cole doesn’t want to talk about Roman and now he is not acknowledging the Tribal Chief. How about we talk about the sixteen months of dominance of Roman Reigns?

How about we talk about how the Head of the Table put his family back together and formed the Bloodline? How about we talk about defeating not one but two legends at Wrestlemania? Or defeating John Cena at SummerSlam? Or Finn Balor at Halloween Havoc. But, no - Michael Cole wants to talk about the next new thing around here instead of the reason that this franchise is the success that it is.

So, Drew McIntyre thinks he is the next guy. He thinks he is somehow the one to stop this empire, but he’s wrong. And in three weeks at the Royal Rumble, Roman will take great delight in walking that slow, long walk down to the ring where the lights will be on bright and do what he has done since Roman decided that SmackDown is his kingdom…dominate and own Drew McIntyre.

But Drew wants Roman to respect him? He wants Roman to acknowledge him as some equal? Then how about next week - Drew McIntyre walks down the aisle and steps in the ring with Roman and his cousins and take the ass beating he knows is coming for him. No games, no deceptions - Drew will know what is coming. And Drew will get his ass beat down by The Bloodline….and if he does that and he takes what’s coming to him?

Maybe, just maybe, Drew McIntyre will earn the respect of the World Champion..Roman Reigns. With that Roman gets up and drops his mic and walks away.

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We go back to earlier tonight and see the Miz debut and the challenge for the US Title. Pat tells us that the match is made tonight and will be our main event. Who will walk out of SmackDown as the United States Champion? Stick around and find out in just a little bit.

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Commercial Break

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SmackDown returns to remind us that next week Piper Niven faces Rhea Ripley with the opportunity to get 5 minutes with Paige on the line for Rhea. Cole and Pat speculate about whether Drew will accept Roman’s challenge to stand before The Bloodline next week and prove his worth to the Tribal Chief. Do not mis next week’s SmackDown on FOX.

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FINN BALOR VS BRIAN KENDRICK

The man who will enter #1 at the Royal Rumble and hopes to run the gambit, actually has a struggle in this match with the veteran Kendrick. Brian scores a couple of near falls and this match goes through a time-out and when the show returns, Balor does a flying dropkick onto Kendrick to take over control. Before long, Balor hits Slingblade and the Coup De Gras and scores the pinfall.

WINNER BY PINFALL: FINN BALOR

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Shayna Baszler is in the back and does a promo about the Royal Rumble. She says that as the champion of SmackDown, she has dominated this division. And no one can touch her. So perhaps the Women’s Royal Rumble match will bring a returning veteran or a debuting star to the forefront and that woman may just win the match. And if that happens, Shayna Baszler personally invites the winner of the Rumble match to pick Shayna and challenge her for the SmackDown Women’s Title at Wrestlemania. Shayna says that she is so excited about this, that she will personally be at ringside for this match. And Shayna challenges Raw Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair to do the same…if “the Queen” is woman enough that is.

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In the back we see both The Miz & Cesaro warming up. When we come back, it’s main event time. Cesaro vs Miz for the SmackDown United States Title…on FOX.

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Commercial Break

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THE MIZ VS CESARO ©

Early on the two trade blows and near falls before Miz side steps Cesaro and then slams the champion’s head into the turnbuckle pad which knocks Cesaro down and makes him loopy. Miz is on the attack with high impact moves to the head including the Ric Flair knee drop all to try to knock out the champ. Miz does a Brainbuster for a near fall.

Cesaro tries to fight back into it but Miz bails to the floor and Cesaro gives chase. Miz jumps into the audience but Cesaro realizes what he is doing and goes back into the ring and tells the ref to count. Miz, realizing that Cesaro will allow a count out, angrily has to get back to ringside and does so, making it into the ring just before the ten count.

When Miz slides in, he stands up right into a European Uppercut! Cover…1…..2….kick out by the former WWE Champion. Cesaro proceeds to fling Miz around the ring before setting up for the big swing but Miz holds onto the ropes. The champ lets go and Miz charges but Cesaro ducks a clothesline and does another European Uppercut.

Cesaro then throws Miz into the corner and goes to do a running Uppercut but Miz pulls the ref in and Cesaro sandwiches Miz. The ref goes down in a heap as the champion grabs his challenger and nails the Neutralizer. Cesaro covers….but there is no ref.

Just then someone in a hoodie jumps from the crowd and grabs the US Title. This person slips inside the ring and nails Cesaro from behind but it doesn’t faze the champ. Cesaro grabs the person but when he does, that person throws the US title to the Miz and Cesaro doesn’t see it. The hoodie is pulled back….

It’s Maryse!!! Realizing the set up, Cesaro turns around…*CRACK*. Miz decks the champ and then throws the title to his wife who bails from the ring and starts waking up the ref. Miz nails the Skull Crushing Finale and covers…

1….

2….

3!!!! New Champion!!!

WINNER BY PINFALL AND NEW SMACKDOWN UNITED STATES CHAMPION: THE MIZ

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Pat McAfee screams that SmackDown is now must-see once more. Maryse hands the title belt to her husband who celebrates like he just won the World Title.

The “IT Couple” hug and kiss all the while boos reign down. Replays are aired showing Maryse’s interference and how that led to the Skull Crushing Finale for the 3 count. Cesaro has been robbed and we have a new SmackDown United States Champion! What does this mean for the rest of SmackDown?

Good night from the Mohegan Sun Arena!

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Pipers Pit · January 10, 2022

Pipers Pit · January 10, 2022

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<div style="color:rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:Roboto;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;text-align:center;"><div style="font:44px Roboto;">MONDAY NIGHT RAW

JANUARY WEEK 3

BOK CENTER

TULSA, OK</div>

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The Hurt Business walks down to the ring to open the show. MVP does the talking.

“Welcome to Monday Night Raw! In two weeks the Almighty Raw World Champion Bobby Lashley will defend his title but we know it’s all just a formality. I mean, look at him. Who’s going to beat this man? So later tonight you are all invited back to the VIP Lounge for a pre-victory party. It will be one that you do not want to miss!”

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A replay is shown of the Hurt Business announcing their celebration slated for later tonight.

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ALPHA ACADEMY VS THE STREET PROFITS ©

Otis’ sheer size and strength have the challengers on the verge of winning the titles early and often as he throws both members of the Street Profits around while Gable jumps in to pick the bones and then quickly tagging out. In one such instance Gable is working over Angelo Dawkins when……

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Kevin Owens comes walking down the aisle, moving very slowly which catches both Gable and Otis’ eye. This gives the champions an opening as Montez gets the tag and they deliver a double dropkick to Otis, sending him off the apron to the floor. Gable sees what’s happening but it's too late as he’s overwhelmed by fast paced offense from Ford. Dawkins gets a momentary tag, planting Gable with a spinebuster before tagging out and letting Ford hit his sky-high frog splash for the win.

WINNERS BY PINFALL: THE STREET PROFITS

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The Street Profits and Kevin Owens, who gets in the ring and still is moving gingerly favoring his ribs, celebrate in the ring.

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“I’m here with the Queen of Harts, Natalya. Two weeks ago at Day 1 we saw KImber Leigh attack you after your victory over Tamina and last week she had some cutting words for you. Your response?

“Velvet, Kimber is like most of the girls I’ve seen come into this company and walk right out. I could say she’s all talk but I’ll be honest, I think she’s a good wrestler. But she’s not like me. She hasn’t been trained like me. She doesn’t have the success that I’ve had. But sometimes you just have to put that all aside and punch someone in the mouth. See ya soon Kimber.”

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NIKKI A.S.H. VS TAMINA

Nikki fights with heart and determination but Tamina just fights with brutality and eventually she wears Nikki down with enough power moves to hit the Superfly Splash for the win.

WINNER BY PINFALL: TAMINA

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Nikki is obviously disappointed in her loss but suddenly a red spotlight shines down on her. She holds her hand up to shade her vision and looks up and quickly scampers out of the ring, frightened by whatever she saw.

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Velvet Sky is backstage and catches up with AJ Styles.

“AJ, what do you think of the Hurt Business holding a pre-victory party tonight?”

“Pre-victory? You know Velvet….I may just have to crash that party.”

He walks off with a smile.

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Byron Saxon announces the latest participants for the Men’s and Women’s Royal Rumbles….The New Day and the IIconics!

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A vignette of Ember Moon’s career from NXT to WWE is shown.

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ALEXANDER HAMMERSTONE VS DAIVARI

Dairvari starts off fast with some offense but Hammerstone fends him off with pure strength and then takes over. We see some familiar movies such as a running clothesline into the corner, a big boot to the face, and yes, a leg drop to get the 123.

WINNER BY PINFALL: ALEXANDER HAMMERSTONE

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“My guest at this time is Nia Jax. Nia last week didn’t go as you would have liked….”

“Velvet I know you’re new around here so I’m going to give that stupid ass statement a pass. Last week I dominated Neveah and due to the poor craftsmanship of the Raw ring crew I slipped and nearly injured myself with a concussion and she took advantage. Good for her. At some point I’m going to catch up with her and squash her like a bug. But for anyone thinking that this is funny, we’ll see how funny it is when I win the Royal Rumble.”

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A video package highlighting Apollo Crews best moves is shown.

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SAMOA JOE VS TONY DEPPEN

Joe is angry even before the bell rings and Deppen pays the price for it. Joe does whatever he wants, however he wants. Using strikes and suplexes he wears down Deppen quickly before locking in the Kokina Clutch for the win.

WINNER BY SUBMISSION: SAMOA JOE

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The Announcers hype up the next Premier Event happening in two weeks, the 2022 Royal Rumble.

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The Man is walking backstage with a purpose. She takes on the Raw Women’s Tag Team Champions…next!

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BECKY LYNCH VS ALEXA BLISS AND CARMELLA

The Man handles her business through the first half of the match, fighting through double teams and dirty tricks. She especially begins to take control while in the ring with Carmella and will not let her tag out to Bliss. Becky works the arm over and over setting her up for the Disarmher when someone comes walking down the air, holding her Raw Women’s Championship in the air for all to see.

Charlotte stands at ringside and begins to climb the stairs which brings Becky over and the two begin arguing. Alexa takes this chance to come into the ring and begins dragging Carmella back to their corner for a tag but the referee intercepts Alexa. Becky turns to see what’s happening and Charlotte clocks her in the back of the head with the belt before getting off the apron. Becky is out and Carmella is smart enough to make the cover and score the win.

WINNERS BY PINFALL: ALEXA BLISS AND CARMELLA

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A quick replay is shown of Charlotte’s interference in the match.

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As Becky gets to a sitting position and holds the back of her head, Charlotte is walking backwards up the aisle with a big smile, loudly asking her former friend “And you think you can beat me?”

Becky’s cold stare is her answer.

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The Trinity is on it’s way to the ring. Our main event, Seth Rollins versus King Nakamura is next!

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SETH ROLLINS W/THE TRINITY VS KING NAKAMURA

An absolutely fantastic match as these two go toe to toe for over twenty minutes. Near falls and great drama during the match. The Trinity do not interfere except to shield Rollins when he’s on the outside recovering from a stiff looking running knee. As Nakamura builds momentum the Trinity begin to fan out around the ring causing enough distraction for Rollins to hit a sudden DDT and swing the advantage. From there Rollins has the match in hand and ends it with a curbstomp.

WINNER BY PINFALL: SETH ROLLINS

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The Trinity enter the ring and it looks like they’re not done as they begin to pick Nakamura apart. The King is helpless but the sides quickly even up.

Damian Priest and the Street Profits run down to the ring and a quick brawl ensues before the Trinity regroup on the outside. For the second time they’ve been shown up by the Raw Intercontinental and Tag Team Champions and it obviously doesn’t sit well with them.

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We see the Hurt Business leaving their locker room dressed to the nines. The pre-victory party in the VIP Lounge is next!

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The Hurt Business comes back down to the ring and they’re in party mode.

“Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to the VIP Lounge and welcome to the Almighty’s Pre-Victory party! In two weeks, Bobby Lashley will defend his title at the Royal Rumble against AJ Styles and once he puts that redneck down, it’ll be on to WrestleMania and the poor schlub who is lucky enough to win the Royal Rumble and dumb enough to challenge the Almighty. But all that aside I want to toast the most dominant Raw World Champion in history.”

MVP begins to pour and hand out champagne glasses when……

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AJ Styles comes halfway down the ramp.

“I heard there was a party tonight and I love a good party. But seeing you guys up there in your nice expensive suits and your expensive champagne it reminds me just how different you and I are Bobby. I mean I don’t have a suit in my closet at home that costs as much as yours. I know what kind of car you drive and I’ll admit it’s way nicer than mine. But it goes to show the differences between us. You go to fancy restaurants…me and my family don’t. To steal a line from the GOAT, you style and profile….I don’t. I mean Bobby, I bet you don’t know how to change your own oil…..but I do.”

Styles smiles as the Hurt Business waits for the punchline. It comes as gallons of black goo falls from the ceiling, drenching them in an oil bath. MVP looks shocked, slipping and falling to the mat comically. Omos tries to help him get up as Lashley stays stoic and just stares a hole through Styles as the muck drips off him.

Jimmy Smith reminds us that yet again anything can happen on Monday Night Raw!

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Pipers Pit · January 14, 2022

Kimberly · January 16, 2022

SmackDown Week 3, January 2022 - Episode #1167

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SmackDown opens with a recap of Roman Reigns' interview from last week threatening Drew to show up tonight even though it's an ambush. Will Drew take the bait?

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The video then cuts to earlier today, where Drew McIntyre is seen walking into the building. The #1 contender is here but will he walk into a trap tonight? SmackDown is live…now.

<div style="color:rgb(0, 0, 255);font-family:Roboto;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;text-align:center;"><div style="font:44px Roboto;">FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN

JANUARY WEEK 3

CHI HEALTH CENTER

OMAHA, NE</div>

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Michael Cole and Pat McAfee welcome us to Friday Night SmackDown presented by Progressive. The Royal Rumble is nine days away from the sold out Tropicana Field in Tampa, Florida. Last week on SmackDown Roman Reigns laid down a challenge for Drew McIntyre here tonight that amounts to a guaranteed ambush here tonight. They then hype up Rhea Ripley vs Piper Niven tonight where, if Rhea wins, she gets Paige for five minutes. Cole and Pat then take us back to last week and we see The Miz return to SmackDown, challenge Cesaro for the US Title, and Maryse costs Cesaro the title.

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The new SmackDown United States Champion The Miz along with his wife Maryse come out to a symphony of boos. They get into the ring and Miz raises the title up in the air like it’s the world title and pyro explodes around the staging area.

The Miz mocks the fans who are furious that the IT Couple of all forms of entertainment are once again on top of the world. He asks the fans “are you sad?” and then mockingly pretends to cry for poor Cesaro who was outclassed and outsmarted last week. All of this was planned for weeks. When The Miz started rehabbing his knee, he reached out to both JBL and Sonya Deville and he listened to offers. And Sonya made the right offer…the chance to come back to SmackDown and take over.

And when that contract was signed, Cesaro’s time as SmackDown United States Champion was up. Because The Miz and Maryse are not just the most beautiful couple in entertainment, they’re not just the classiest, they’re not just high rollers….they’re also the smartest. So when they knew that they were coming to SmackDown, all they had to do was lure Cesaro into their trap….and he never saw it coming.

So now this title, this legacy will now truly be “must see” because The Miz is the champ…and….

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SmackDown Managing Director Sonya Deville comes out before The Miz can do his “I’m Awesome” schtick and she congratulates The Miz and Maryse on last week. Sonya says that she did indeed offer The Miz the opportunity to make an impact and he did just that. The Miz is the holder of one of the most storied prizes in the history of this business. The Miz is now a three time United States Champion but Cesaro made that title the fighting champion’s title. And that will continue because next week on SmackDown, the Miz will make his first title defense…

….against Cesaro. Sonya congratulates Miz once again while Miz and Maryse are anything but happy. Next week on the final episode of SmackDown before the Royal Rumble, Cesaro will get his United States Title rematch with the Miz!!

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We go back to Judgment Day last month and see still photos from the war featuring Jeff Hardy and Adam Cole. After a month away, Adam Cole has returned to SmackDown. When we come back, Adam Cole is in action…next.

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ADAM COLE VS DREW GULAK

Cole and Gulak trade blows and initially AC leads this match but his cockiness gets the better of him when Cole leans into a cover after hitting a DDT and Gulak reverses Cole into a roll up…1…2….AC kicks out just at the right moment. Gulak gets a strong showing, using some strong mat-based wrestling to score several near falls but the tide turns when Gulak flies off the top rope for a knee drop but Cole rolls out of the way and Gulak wrenches his knee. From there, AC dominates the remainder of the match and after nailing the Panama Sunrise, Cole hits Lights Out (running knee to the back of Gulak’s head) for the pin.

WINNER BY PINFALL: ADAM COLE

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After his win, Adam Cole grabs a microphone and says its time for Storytime with Adam Cole Bay Bay. Cole gloats about the fact that yes, he lost to the human stuntman Jeff Hardy last month at Judgment Day. But who is back on SmackDown? It sure as hell isn’t Jeffrey Nero. It’s Adam Cole Bay Bay!!!

The truth is that Jeff Hardy isn’t coming back to SmackDown because though he got the win, he didn’t get the job done and Jeff’s old ass went to the hospital and home to his old lady and kids and that’s where he will stay. Because Jeff Hardy knows that if he comes back here, Adam Cole will end him once and for all. So that means AC is now looking forward to the future and to greater and bigger things….and that means the opportunity to main event Wrestlemania. Which means Adam Cole is in the Royal Rumble Bay Bay….and he’s winning the entire thing. Because that’s…undisputed.

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In the back Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher are seen shadow boxing as they warm up. The former Tag Team Champions are in action next, on SmackDown.

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Commercial Break

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SmackDown returns to a Royal Rumble commercial featuring Finn Balor as he promises to do what a select few men have done…enter number one in the Royal Rumble match and win the match. Finn Balor will go to Wrestlemania…because he is the one. The Royal Rumble is two weeks from Sunday and only on Peacock.

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TOMAMASO CIAMPA AND TIMOTHY THATCHER VS JINDER MAHAL AND VEER

This is essentially a squash match for poor Jinder and Veer as they meet a pissed off team in the former tag team champions. Ciampa, in particular, is pretty brutal in his chops and throws to both Jinder and Veer and the result is never really in doubt. Thatcher dispatches Jinder to the floor and Tommaso nails Project Ciampa on Veer for the emphatic pinfall.

WINNERS BY PINFALL: TOMAMASO CIAMPA AND TIMOTHY THATCHER

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After the match, Ciampa & Thatcher get on the mic and say that Randy Orton and Riddle can come here being promised big things, but none of that matters. The Uso’s screwed Thatcher and Ciampa out of their titles and that means The Uso’s will have their asses handed to them at the Royal Rumble. And if Riddle and Orton get in the way? Their run on SmackDown will be very short-lived.

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We go back to the recent history between Mustafa Ali and Sami Zayn. We are told that they will meet one more time…next on FOX.

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Commercial Break

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SmackDown returns with Cole and Pat hyping up the two big moments still to come: Piper Niven vs Rhea Ripley & will Drew McIntyre walk into Roman Reigns’ trap? Stick around - those are still to come.

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MUSTAFA ALI VS SAMI ZAYN

The two have a fantastic back and forth match that goes through a commercial break with Sami playing the dastardly coward who tries to sneak a victory while Ali is the never say die hero of this match. Ali misses with a Screwdriver Plancha from the top which allows Sami time to nail an assortment of slams, a sit-out Powerbomb but Ali won’t give up. Eventually Sami nails the Helluva Kick…cover

1…..

2….

Ali kicks out. Sami is pissed and goes out to grab a chair and prepares to nail Mustafa but the ref grabs the chair out of Zayn’s hands. Sami yells at the ref and that allows Ali to get back up and when Sami turns around, he eats a Superkick. Ali covers….1….2…..3.

WINNER BY PINFALL: MUSTAFA ALI

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After the match, Sami storms off screaming about a conspiracy against him. While Mustafa Ali celebrates, ready to put this chapter behind him.

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Commercial Break

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CEDRIC ALEXANDER VS RICOCHET

This match is an aerial showcase where both men hit some terrific flips and death defying moves. But each also showed their ability to do some mat wrestling. Ultimately this match is a showcase for Ricochet, who nails a spectacular 630 for the pinfall.

WINNER BY PINFALL: RICOCHET

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We get a replay of the fantastic 630 of Ricochet, who beats Cedric Alexander with it. Ricochet is starting off the new year with a win as he tries to win SmackDown gold in 2022.

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A video montage of their issues is shown. When we come back - Rhea Ripley & Piper Niven collide with Paige on the line….next.

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Commercial Break

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RHEA RIPLEY VS PIPER NIVEN W/PAIGE

As soon as the match begins, Paige grabs Rhea by the leg, distracting Ripley and that allows Piper to nail Rhea from behind. Niven slams Rhea and then picks her up and runs Rhea into the corner in a side-ways splash. Niven drops a leg drop and goes for a cover but Rhea kicks out at the last moment.

After a few more near falls, Piper signals that it is over and prepares to do the Vader Bomb but Rhea gets up and kicks the ropes and Niven falls to the mat. Rhea is on Piper nailing her with stiff elbow shots to the head while down on the mat and then, incredibly, does a T-Bone Taz-Plex onto the mammoth lady. Rhea then scored with a knee to the head and a Powerslam for a near fall.

Momentum is clearly in the corner of Ripley and soon she is calling for the RipTide. Rhea lifts Piper up into the move and nails it but Paige is on the apron distracting the ref. Rhea sees this but is intercepted by………

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Kay Lee Ray!!! The former NXT UK Women’s Champion has entered the ring and blasts Rhea from behind. The ref doesn’t see it as Kay Lee hands Ripley right into the arms of Niven who slams Rhea down with the Avalanche. Paige drops off the apron as Niven covers…

1…

2…

3.

WINNER BY PINFALL: PIPER NIVEN

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Aftermath, Paige and Kay Lee Ray grab Rhea and throw her into the corner and hold her there so that Piper can charge and squash Rhea Ripley in the corner. Piper nails the Avalanche once again. And then Paige celebrates with Niven and Kay Lee Ray. Rhea Ripley has fallen and apparently Niven and Paige have backup in the former NXT UK Women’s champion.

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Drew McIntyre is walking to the ring and the camera shows that he is coming alone. Apparently the number one contender will walk into an ambush that he knows is coming…come back and see what happens, next.

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Commercial Break

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As we return from break, the music of Smackdown Universal Champion Roman Reigns hits.

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He and his Special Counsel walk down to the ring while Reigns, of course, demands that the audience acknowledge him. Reigns goes on to say that he laid out a challenge to the so-called Scottish Warrior. So come on Drew, come on down and let’s get this over with. He doesn’t have to wait for long.

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Drew McIntyre shows no fear as he walks down to ringside but as soon as he gets there the Usos jump him from both sides. McIntyre fights them off and gives them both Glasgow Kisses. Now he stares at Reigns and continues into the ring. The two of them circle each other in the ring before McIntyre collects a microphone of his own.

McIntyre calls Reigns Cinderella and tells him his 500-day fantasy is about to strike midnight. Because at the Royal Rumble Drew McIntyre will do what no one has been able. He’ll turn a rat back into a walrus, he’ll turn a pack of hyenas back into a pair of puppies and he’ll kick Reigns’ head clean off his shoulders.

Reigns seems unimpressed but Heyman looks worried. Before McIntyre can say more, Jey Uso swipes at McIntyre’s leg. This distraction allows Reigns to close the gap and Superman Punch McIntyre through the ropes in front of the announcers. The Usos slide into the ring to celebrate but it’s Heyman who’s eyes widen to alert Reigns to what he’s seeing.

McIntyre is standing but he’s not alone. In his hand is his family legacy, Angela, which McAfee tells us he pulled from under the ring. Reigns’ expression changes to a hint of concern. McIntyre gets back in the ring as the Usos quickly ditch, unseen by Roman. Reigns orders them to attack but when they don’t he looks around, seeing he’s alone. Now he holds up a hand, telling McIntyre to keep his distance. McIntyre charges him, slicing downward and narrowly misses Reigns, who has rolled out of the ring. In the process McIntyre slices through the top rope and we’re reminded by Cole that it could have been Roman Reigns cut in half.

Reigns and the Bloodline are backing up keeping eyes on McIntyre with Roman looking concerned as Drew stands in the ring, with the sword held high. It appears that Drew McIntyre has made good on his promise to make Roman Reigns acknowledge him. Roman’s World Title reign is definitively in danger.

Good night from Omaha!

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Pipers Pit · January 17, 2022

<div style="text-align:center;"><iframe width="300" height="150" src="<a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NyAFua9eJOI" rel="external nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/embed/NyAFua9eJOI"</a> title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<div style="color:rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:Roboto;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;text-align:center;"><div style="font:44px Roboto;">MONDAY NIGHT RAW

JANUARY WEEK 4

HUNTINGTON CENTER

TOLEDO, OH</div>

We’re shown a video labeled “Earlier Tonight”.

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Becky Lynch is walking towards the arena door when she’s met by JBL and several security guards. He tells her that she’s not medically clear. Becky obviously does not take this news well but JBL reminds her of the big prize. Would she rather get her bell rung again and miss this Sunday’s Royal Rumble? Becky still doesn’t like it but she backs off a few steps and tells JBL she’ll see him on Sunday when she wins it all.

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We see a replay of last week with AJ Styles’ surprise for the Hurt Business and their pre-victory party.

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JBL is standing outside his office with Velvet Sky.

“Tonight we are going to have the official contract signing between Bobby Lashley and AJ Styles. I know these things have a history of getting out of control and that’s why I am making a direct no-contact order. If AJ gets physical he loses his match. If Bobby gets physical…hell, if anyone touches AJ, Bobby Lashley wll be stripped of his title on the spot!”

He goes back into his office as Velvet throws it to the ring.

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ANGEL GARZA VS DAMIAN PRIEST © MATCH

Priest is keeping his eyes peeled for any sight of the Trinity but they don’t show. Garza tries to use the would-be distraction to his advantage but once Priest focuses on his opponent he takes over the match and its not long before Garza falls victim to the Reckoning.

WINNER BY PINFALL AND STILL RAW INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: DAMIAN PRIEST

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After the match, Damian Priest accepts his title from the referee and is still guarded against an attack, but it doesn’t come. Graves asks if the Trinity is in his head.

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Velvet Sky is with the Street Profits.

“Gentlemen, in six days you will defend your Raw Tag Team Championship against the Trinity but you don’t know which two members you’ll be facing. How do you prepare?

Montez is all smiles. “Bray, Seth, Kross….it really doesn’t matter, does it Velvet? They’re all gonna be there, they’re all gonna take their shots. But me and Dawkins are just gonna do what we do. That’s why we have these titles around our waists, So come on boys, give us whoever you want, because me and fam….we want that smoke.”

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JAXSON RYKER VS GRAN METALIK W/LINCE DORADO

Metalik uses his speed advantage to keep Ryker unsteady and it works for a few minutes until Ryker catches him with a short clothesline. He punishes Metalik but the Luchas aren’t done yet. Metalik hits his second wind and looks like he may score a win when suddenly ….

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Logan Shulo hops the barrier and blasts Lince from behind. Metalik is distracted by this attack on his brother and that allows Ryker to approach from behind and apply the Cobra Clutch.

WINNER BY SUBMISSION: JAXSON RYKER

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Ryker ditches to the outside and is face to face with Shulo. Shulo tells him ‘man to man’ he’s sorry for what went down and the two shake hands as they walk to the back.

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Elsewhere in the back Damian Priest enters the Street Profits locker room. He tells them that this Sunday he’s in the Royal Rumble, but first he’s going to be in their corner to make sure their title defense is fair and square. They are all on the same page and it won’t be good news for the Trinity.

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Speaking of the Trinity a dark vignette is shown in black, white, and red of their union and some of the threats they’ve made.

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BIG E VS LEO BRIEN

Big E comes in with all smiles but as soon as the bell rings he’s all business and he doesn’t waste time in dispatching Leo Brien, ending the match early on with a Big Ending.

WINNER BY PINFALL: BIG E

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Following Big E’s victory, a video package of the New Day is shown.

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Velvet Sky is with Keith Lee.

“Keith, lately it seems you and Samoa Joe can’t help but collide.”

“Collide? Velvet that’s because Samoa Joe is incapable of staying out of my way. And why would he continue to interject himself in my business? Jealousy. Samoa Joe sees me and he sees himself, if he hadn’t spent his entire career being a hasbeen. And I am a magnanimous individual but I have lengths to my patience. So Joe, consider this a final warning. Stay out of my way or else I’ll have to end your do-nothing career for good.”

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NATALYA VS STEPH DELANDER

Natalya is all business and though DeLander puts up a good fight early on, Natalya’s expertise pays off and once she works on the left leg long enough it’s only a matter of time before the Sharpshooter arrives and so does a tap out.

WINNER BY SUBMISSION: NATALYA

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The New Day are backstage all talking about if each of them wins the Royal Rumble but they agree on one thing. If one of them wins….they all win.

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JBL is in his office when there is a knock.

“Come in”

R-Truth comes in looking a little nervous. “Mr. JBL, I was wondering if I could ask a favor?”

“What kind of favor?”

“Well, I’ve been here a long long time and I was hoping maybe I could be given a guaranteed spot in the Royal Rumble?”

“You have been here a long time and I think you do deserve something. How about…the 31st spot?”

Truth looks like he won the lottery. “Are you serious?”

“Truth, you deserve it.”

Truth runs out completely thrilled as JBL shakes his head.

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A replay is shown of Charlotte Flair’s attack on Becky Lynch last week during her match.

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The Raw Women’s Champion comes down to the ring.

“This Sunday at the Royal Rumble all of you get to see someone earn the right to make the biggest mistake of their lives. Whoever wins gets to choose which Champion they want to fight. Now, they can choose me and they can lose in an embarrassing manner or they can choose a failed ultimate fighter and have a 50/50 chance but the point is, we all know that this title is not going anywhere.

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Naomi comes down wagging her finger.

“Well, if you’re so sure of nobody wanting to challenge you, how about you accept my challenge right here tonight?”

“You….want to challenge me?”

“Yea, and I’m gonna take that title too.”

Charlotte seems entertained. “You’re on.”

Jimmy Smith excitedly tells us we have our main event of the evening. Naomi challenges Charlotte Flair for the Raw Women’s Championship!

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BARON CORBIN VS HUMBERTO CARILLO

A back and forth match with both men getting in some offense until Corbin drops him with a big right hand and then End of Days.

WINNER BY PINFALL: BARON CORBIN

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Kevin Owens is pacing backstage. “Every time I walk in the door I can’t help but feel disrespected. Nobody remembers me as a former Universal Champion. Nobody thinks I have a chance in hell of main eventing WrestleMania. But What they think doesn’t matter a damn to me! I am going to win the Royal Rumble and I will do whatever it takes to get my hand raised. There are no friends, there are no enemies. It’s only me….and I’m all I need.”

A commercial is shown hyping this Sunday’s Royal Rumble.

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NAOMI VS CHARLOTTE FLAIR ©

The match is mainly even with both women taking large chunks on the offense. Naomi even scores a close two count when Charlotte gets overly cocky but she settles down and begins focusing on the right knee. Charlotte stalks Naomi like a shark before applying the Figure Eight. Naomi fights like crazy to get to the ropes but she just can’t make it and has to submit.

WINNER BY PINFALL AND STILL RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPION: CHARLOTTE FLAIR

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AJ and Bobby Lashley are seen in split screen both walking backstage. They’re face to face….next!

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JBL is already in the ring as he introduces AJ Styles first as the challenger and then Bobby Lashley as the Champion. MVP and Omos accompany him down but JBL reminds everyone what is at stake.

AJ signs first and wants Lashley to know that he doesn’t fear him. He’s seen guys like Lashley come and go in this business but you know who’s still here? The Phenomenal One. At the Royal Rumble that title is coming with him and there isn’t a damn thing any of the three of them can do about it.

Now it’s Lashley’s turn and he signs. When he finishes he just stares at AJ before getting up from his seat and walking around the table. AJ stands as well and now JBL is nervous. Lashley and Styles are nose to nose. Lashley holds up the title belt and AJ just looks at it before nodding.

As the Hurt Business stands by, challenger and champion are ready for battle, this Sunday!

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Kimberly · January 20, 2022

Scheduling update: Real life caught up this week on my end, so the go home edition of SmackDown and the Rumble will be delayed until next week sometime.

Kimberly · January 28, 2022

SmackDown Week 4, January 2022 - Episode #1168

<div style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Roboto Slab;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;"><iframe width="300" height="150" src="

https://www.youtube.com/embed/NyAFua9eJOI" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

SmackDown opens with the Bloodline in the ring. Roman Reigns does a promo denying that he was scared of Drew McIntyre last week. Roman says that this Sunday at the Royal Rumble, the Bloodline will stand as dominant as they have for the last year.

To all the haters and to all the doubters who refuse to acknowledge the Roman Empire and all of those who are tuning into the Rumble hoping to see a new era around this place, don’t do it. When SmackDown kicks off next week, The Bloodline will still be standing strong. Because this franchise belongs to Roman….Reigns.

Welcome to the Bloodline’s show.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HvTaj8RVDEs" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<div style="color:rgb(0, 0, 255);font-family:Roboto;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;text-align:center;"><div style="font:44px Roboto;">FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN

JANUARY WEEK 4

BRIDGESTONE ARENA

NASHVILLE, TN</div>

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Michael Cole and Pat McAfee welcome us to the final SmackDown before the Royal Rumble. As always, we are presented by Progressive Insurance. And we just saw perhaps the strongest, yet simplest message of dominance by the SmackDown World Champion Roman Reigns and his Bloodline that we’ve seen since their inception. The Bloodline claims that they are the dominant force on SmackDown and even went so far to say that they own this franchise. That declaration will be challenged in two days at the Royal Rum….

Michael and Pat are suddenly interrupted by a furious and borderline psychotic Sami Zayn who goes on a rant about the deep conspiracy against him that lies in SmackDown. And Sami promises to win the Royal Rumble as the only way to overcome this conspiracy. An exasperated Cole throws us to our opening match here on the final edition of SmackDown before the Royal Rumble this Sunday.

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WAR RAIDERS VS AIDEN ENGLISH & BO DALLAS

This match is pretty much a squash match as War Raiders are men on a mission and toss English and Dallas (who Cole explains are getting a SmackDown tryout) all over the ring before nailing Fallout for the pinfall.

WINNERS BY PINFALL: WAR RAIDERS

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After the match, War Raiders say that they are starting anew here on SmackDown on their quest to bring war to this franchise. Three of SmackDown’s finest teams will battle this Sunday for the Tag Team Titles and when that is decided, the Raid will be on.

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In the back we see Cesaro warming up and getting ready. Tonight Cesaro will get his rematch with The Miz for the SmackDown United States Title. We’ll be back after this time out.

==========

Commercial Break

==========

SmackDown returns with Paige midway through a promo featuring Piper Niven and Kay Lee Ray. Paige mocks Rhea Ripley for thinking that there was *any* scenario where Rhea Ripley would get her hands on Paige. Ripley is an idiot and got fooled and taken advantage of. And now Piper and Paige present to SmackDown a new force to SmackDown - the former NXT UK Women’s Champion no less - Kay Lee Ray. And soon, SmackDown will be dominated by Paige’s Invasion.

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KAY LEE RAY W/PAIGE AND PIPER NIVEN VS SHOTZI BLACKHEART

Shotzi tries to overcome the power and experience advantage of the former NXT UK Women’s Champion but Shotzi cannot overcome the numbers game. Every time that Shotzi mounts a comeback, Paige or Piper trip her or distract the ref and that allows KLR to take over. After a side kick to the head, the tide never returns back to Shotzi who eats a Gory Bomb (Reverse Powerbomb) for the 1..2..3.

WINNER BY PINFALL: KAY LEE RAY

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We go to a special look at the feud between Roman Reigns and Drew McIntyre that will culminate this Sunday at the Royal Rumble. When SmackDown returns, a special interview with Drew McIntyre will take place conducted by our own Michael Cole. That’s next on FOX.

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Commercial Break

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SmackDown returns with Michael Cole who is backstage with Drew McIntyre. Cole says that we are just two nights away from Drew McIntyre’s chance to head to SmackDown’s Wrestlemania as the SmackDown World Champion when he faces Roman Reigns at the Royal Rumble. With just forty-eight hours left, how is Drew feeling?

Drew says that he is feeling ready for the challenge this Sunday at the Royal Rumble. Drew knows that Roman Reigns is not easy to beat and that is when you face him alone. But with the Bloodline always hanging about ready to save Roman’s ass because he is not man enough to get the job done on his own…it usually is not enough to overcome. And most people would have no chance heading into this match on Sunday against Roman Reigns…

But Drew McIntyre is not most people. Roman Reigns is terrified of Drew McIntyre, that’s what the ambush was about, that’s the reason that Roman tried to prevent Drew from winning at Judgment Day. And the reason that Roman Reigns is scared of Drew McIntyre is because he knows that Drew is the one man on earth that can take all that Roman Reigns brings, that can withstand Heyman and The Uso’s and end it all with one simple Claymore Kick.

And Roman Reigns should be scared because this Sunday that is exactly what Drew McIntyre will do. Drew McIntyre will kick Roman Reigns in the face and then that empire…will come crumbling down.

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We go back to two weeks ago where The Miz won the SmackDown United States Championship. When SmackDown returns, Cesaro gets his rematch…next.

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Commercial Break

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Miz comes out with an exaggerated limp posing with his title but before the bell can sound, Miz apologizes but says that due to injury he cannot compete tonight. Miz says that he injured his ankle over the weekend on a movie set and as much as he would love to do this title defense, he just can’t.

SmackDown’s medical doctor comes out and after conferring with The Miz, rules that the match cannot happen until Miz can be further evaluated.

NO CONTEST - MATCH NEVER BEGINS

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After the “match” Cesaro is furious and doesn’t buy this for one second. Cesaro charges over to The Miz but the refs back him off. Cesaro loses his cool and shoves officials aside and prepares to pummel the champion who pulls his own wife in his way and thankfully Cesaro does not nail Maryse.

After using Maryse as a human shield, The Miz slides out of the ring and hobbles as fast as possible up the ramp. SmackDown goes to commercial with Cesaro demanding that The Miz comes back to this ring and fights like a man.

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Commercial Break

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SmackDown returns with a replay of what just happened where The Miz claimed to be injured and then used his own wife as a human shield against Cesaro. Michael Cole sides with Cesaro saying that he does not believe for a second that the Miz is really injured.

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RIDDLE W/RANDY ORTON VS TOMMASO CIAMPA W/TIMOTHY THATCHER

Riddle and Ciampa have a fantastic back and forth encounter that sees both men showcasing their abilities and scoring near falls. The finish comes when Riddle sets up Ciampa for the Bro Derek but Ciampa is able to reverse out of it into Project Ciampa for the 1..2..3.

WINNER BY PINFALL: TOMMASO CIAMPA

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After the match, RKBro and Ciampa/Thatcher begin having a shoving match and before long the SmackDown Tag Team Champions, The Uso’s run out and join in. All 6 men begin brawling before The Uso’s slide out of the ring leaving their challengers in the ring glaring at the champions. At The Royal Rumble, will the Uso’s walk out as SmackDown Tag Team Champions?

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In the back Toni Storm is stretching. Toni Storm is in action against Zelina Vega….Next.

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Commercial Break

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TONI STORM VS ZELINA VEGA

Zelina fares pretty well here early on in this match and dominates a big portion of it when Zelina moves out of the way of a charging Toni who cracks her sternum into the corner. After scoring with a Belly to Belly Suplex and a DDT, Zelina goes for a Top Rope Splash but Toni is up and catches her mid air into a Facebuster. From there it Toni Time and soon Zelina falls victim to Storm Zero for the pinfall.

WINNER BY PINFALL: TONI STORM

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Backstage Kayla Braxton is with Paul Heyman and she tells Heyman that this Sunday there will be no running for Roman Reigns and the biggest threat to his reign as Head of the Table will meet him face to face. How scared is Paul Heyman that his meal ticket could lose this Sunday?

Paul looks at Kayla with disdain and asks her if she is this frigid when she’s out on dates? Before Kayla can answer, Paul moves on to Drew McIntyre. Heyman says that no, this weekend will not spell the end of the Roman Empire. No, this weekend will not end the greatest dynasty in SmackDown history. Because no, this weekend Drew McIntyre will not walk out of the Royal Rumble as the SmackDown World Champion and Heyman doesn’t give a damn if Drew brings out a sword or an entire army - it will not be enough to dethrone the Tribal Chief.

This Sunday at the Royal Rumble, Roman Reigns will walk into that match as the SmackDown Heavyweight Champion of the World and Roman Reigns - the Head of the Table, the Emperor of the Roman Empire and the Tribal Chief will walk out of the Royal Rumble as YOUR SmackDown Heavyweight Champion of the World………

Believe that.

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We see Finn Balor putting on his leather jacket. It’s main event time as the #1 entrant into the Men’s Royal Rumble match this Sunday will take on Adam Cole Bay Bay….next on FOX.

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Commercial Break

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ADAM COLE VS FINN BALOR

As expected, Cole and Balor have a fantastic match that spawns two commercial breaks. Cole starts out early with the advantage scoring with the Panama Sunrise but the momentum causes Balor to roll out to the floor. On the floor, the two brawl into the crowd before getting back to ringside and Balor slams Cole hard on the announce table.

Balor rolls AC back into the ring and dominates this next portion delivering stiff kicks and a Sling Blade before going up for the Coup De Gras. Cole kips up though and shakes the ropes and Balor crotches himself on the top rope which allows Cole to go up to the top and do a Top Rope Frankensteiner. Cover…

1…..

2…..

Balor kicks out. AC nails the Lights Out knee to the head before going for the Panama Sunrise again and this time nails it with Balor in the ring. Cole covers but at the last second, Finn Balor kicks out.

This enrages Adam Cole who goes and grabs a chair and gets into the ring. The ref cautions Cole not to nail Balor but Cole pushes the ref away and hits Balor right in the back with the chair causing the intentional disqualification.

WINNER BY DISQUALIFICATION: FINN BALOR

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As soon as the match is over Cole goes to nail Finn with the chair a second time but the ref does get the chair out of his hands and it allows Balor to low blow Cole. With Cole down and grimacing, Finn Balor celebrates but then Sheamus runs out and nails Balor from behind. This brings out the Mysterios who save Balor but then get attacked from behind by Adam Cole and Sami Zayn who has run down to the ring. Before long every man that is in the Royal Rumble for SmackDown has entered the ring and they’re all brawling back and forth. Some are being thrown over the ropes and as Cole and Pat talk about that, we cut to the back….

….and see the women of SmackDown are throwing each other around in the locker room area and into the hallways. A split screen is shown just as Piper Niven picks up Liv Morgan and runs toward a wall crashing through it.

Officials rush down toward the ring to try to stop the men and officials rush to the back to try to stop the women who are all brawling. Sonya Deville is seen giving marching orders to officials on where to go to try to break up this chaos.

The men and women are fighting for supremacy, will either of them be the one this Sunday at the Royal Rumble? The road to SmackDown’s Wrestlemania has begun. Who will take the reins and steer us to Dallas? Find out this Sunday in Tampa.

Good night from Nashville.

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Pipers Pit · January 30, 2022

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JANUARY WEEK 4

TROPICANA FIELD

TAMPA, FL</div>

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We get a welcome from both sets of announcers before the Raw and Smackdown Women’s Champions are announced and take a seat at ringside. The Women’s Royal Rumble will kick off the show.

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The 2022 Women’s Royal Rumble kicks off with NXT’s Dakota Kai and Smackdown’s newest Superstar Kay Lee Ray.

They almost come to blows but begin having a conversation. Soon it’s apparent that they’ve formed a truce to have an automatic advantage against the third entrant and soon we find out who that is.

The Man has arrived in Tampa and she confidently strides down to the ring. She’s immediately attacked by Ray and Kai and for two minutes she begins taking a beating as Charlotte Flair at ringside cheers it on. As the clock ticks down the crowd comes to their feet.

Toni Storm runs down to the ring and evens the odds. She pairs off with Kai as Lee and Lynch fight in the other corner. The clock ticks down.

Tamina comes to the ring and makes her presence immediately felt by blasting Storm from behind and both she and Kai try to eliminate Storm. Meanwhile Lynch has taken control in her brawl and is trying to eliminate Ray.

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The crowd pops as Victoria comes out and runs down to the ring. The legend goes right for Tamina and the two pair off as all six women are fighting.

Kimber Leigh is next and she immediately attacks Lynch. After a few moments of double teams, Ray holds Lynch and Leigh runs in for a clothesline but Lynch ducks and Leigh clotheslines Ray over the top for our first elimination. Leigh doesn’t appear too upset by it and continues fighting with Lynch.

The crowd is happy to see Liv Morgan as the next competitor and she begins helping Victoria versus Tamina but both are quickly flattened by headbutts. Tamina then turns on Storm and flings her over the top rope to the floor. Kai and Tamina begin working over Victoria and Morgan as the clock ticks down.

It’s the Goddess and she goes for Lynch as Charlotte Flair continues to badmouth her. Leigh and Bliss double team Lynch and nearly have her out but she aternates elbows to both of them and gets her feet back on the map. After banging their heads together she knocks them both down with right hands and the Man is starting to feel it. A few seconds later an old frenemy appears.

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Michael Cole screams “It’s BOSS Time!” as Sasha Banks makes her return to the WWE at #10 and she makes her presence felt by quickly eliminating Kai and Leigh. Now along with Lynch, Morgan, and Victoria they target Tamina and Bliss, who quickly slides out of the ring under the bottom rope. Left by herself, Tamina is attacked by all four women and through a group effort they dump her over the top. Bliss refuses to get back in and it’s not long before Banks attacks Morgan and Victoria begins brawling with Lynch.

Melina is next and she slides in to attack Morgan. Bliss also rejoins the match and attacks Lynch again. With the Man down, she and Victoria enjoy a momentary alliance, until the legend is dumped by Bliss who smirks and shrugs.

Shotzi Blackheart is next and immediately tackles Melina as the two brawl around. This allows Morgan to fight back against Banks.

The crowd pops when Bianca Belair hits the ring and she begins cleaning house. First Melina, then Morgan, then Blackheart. It’s down to Belair, Banks, Bliss, and Lynch. There is a four corner staredown but then another newcomer makes her debut.

Raquel Gonzales walks down to the ring, stepping over the ropes. One by one they rush her and one by one she knocks them down with right hands, clotheslines, and in Banks’ case, a boot to the face. Gonzalez holds the ring and has made a very impressive showing for herself.

Peyton Royce is next to hit the ring and smartly puts on the brakes until the other women are up and focused on Gonzalez. Royce slides in and attacks Belair as Lynch works with Gonzalez and Banks and Bliss fight in the corner.

One of the toughest women in history, Jazz enters the ring and shows she’s still got the power and she comes up behind Belair and Bianca is hanging on for dear life as she’s teetering on elimination. Gonzalez flattens Lynch with a big boot and enjoys her work which draws Charlotte’s ire. She begins screamin at Raquel which distracts her. Next thing you know, Lynch dumps her over the top. Shayna Baszler thinks this is the funniest thing she’s seen all night.

It’s time to feel the glow as Naomi runs down and helps Belair by pulling her back down. Bianca launches herself as soon as she’s safe and clotheslines Royce over the top. Meanwhile Jazz and Naomi are going at it and Banks is hanging on by a thread until Lynch saves her. Now the former friends stand together against Bliss. Alexa is backing up, pleading her case but they’ve heard enough and each of them grab a ponytail and fling her over the top. Banks and Lynch look at each other with a nod of grudging respect and turn to the others in the ring. They allow Naomi and Jazz to brawl and set their sights on Belair as the clock ticks down.

Mia Yim is next and tackles Lynch from behind leaving Belair and Banks to rehash their WrestleMania match. All six women trade the momentum in their pairings as the clock ticks down.

The Queen of Harts enters the match and seeing everyone busy does the smart thing letting them beat the hell out of each other. Only when Jazz has her back turned does Natalya attack and soon she and Naomi have Jazz on the brink of elimination.

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The crowd comes alive when the Empress of Tomorrow saunters down in her robe and mask before she enters the ring at #20. Everyone recognizes the threat she poses and they all focus on her but she knocks every one of them down with kicks and strikes. Jazz is the last one and she begins trading shots with Asuka. For a moment Jazz gets the best but Belair comes from behind and hits the KOD. Lynch and Banks pick up Jazz and toss her out. Now Asuka, Belair, Natalya, Naomi, Lynch, Yim and Banks all stand in the ring watching each other before all seven rush to the middle of the ring and a septuple brawl breaks out as they flail on anyone they can hit.

Ember Moon is next and makes it an eight woman fight. It doesn’t take long for alliances to be made, the strongest being Lynch and Banks. Together they eliminate Naomi and then Yim. They were about to target Belair when Lynch quickly turns on Banks and throws her over the top. Banks is furious on the outside but The Man just shrugs. Asuka and Lynch come face to face in the middle of the ring as the clock ticks down.

Billie Kay is next and when she enters she comes up to the pair in the middle of the ring trying to explain to them that they should form an alliance. Asuka and Becky look at her then each other, then quickly eliminate her before they begin brawling for the next two minutes. On the other side of the ring, Belair military presses Natalya and slams her down.

Tegan Nox is out next and when she gets to the ring she draws the attention of Belair who has moved on from Natalya. Asuka and Lynch continue to tee off on each other.

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The Hall of Famer comes down to the ring and goes for Natalya, hitting Stratusfaction quickly. She then tries to help Lynch eliminate Asuka but Nox breaks that up.

Piper Niven is next and when she enters the ring she makes her claim by going on an elimination streak. First Nox, then Natalya then Ember. She delivers a World's Strongest Slam to Belair and then comes face to face with Stratus, Asuka, and Lynch. She shoulder blocks all of them down and is the only woman standing tall as the clock counts down.

Carmella is next but seeing the lay of the land she refuses to go into the ring. Piper casts an eye on her suspiciously but she moves onto Stratus and whips her into the corner but when she charges Trish moves and Piper crashes into the corner. Everyone in the ring gangs up on her. Carmella jumps in now and is the finishing touch in eliminating Niven. Everyone turns and looks at her as she celebrates as if she did it herself. It’s almost like they’re asking ‘who’s going to do it?’ Bianca takes the lead and grabs Carmella by her hair and flings her over. The war between Asuka and Becky resumes as Bianca and Trish square off.

NXT’s Bea Priestly comes down and targets Lynch as the person who has been in the longest. By now she’s really starting to show how exhausted she is and Priestly hits a series of snap suplexes but Asuka stops Priestly and stuns her with a spinning backhand. Lynch pulls herself to the corner for a breather but that doesn’t stop Charlotte Flair from leaving her seat at ringside and attacking Becky with a few right hands. The announcers decry such interference as Baszler makes a quip about someone being nervous.

WWE’s resident almost a superhero runs down to the ring and intercepts Belair trying to eliminate Stratus. Amazingly they begin trading right hands and Nikki seems to gain in strength as she takes each blow, staggering Bianca. Nikki backs up and runs at Belair but gets backdropped over the top. Trish who has caught her second wind jumps on Belair’s back but she’s snapmared over. Nikki is picking herself up on the outside when below the ring begins to pulse red. She carefully peeks under and looks terrified, running to the back. Priestly leaves Asuka and runs over, picking up Trish and dumping her over to the boos of the crowd. But when she turns around, Bianca and Asuka double clothesline her over. They turn and face Becky who pulls herself up to her feet, wiping what appears to be blood from the corner of her mouth.

Rhea Ripley brings her brutality the ring at #29 and joins those two in opposition to Lynch. The Man sees the odds against her and charges the three of them, laying into the trio before the numbers take their toll. They each take turns teeing off on her but she keeps getting up. It’s Rhea’s turn and she moves in but suddenly turns and boots Asuka in the face then hits the Riptide. Bianca is distracted by this and makes the key mistake of turning her back to Becky who moves in with everything she has left and grabs Bianca by her tights and ponytail and tosses her out before collapsing in the corner as the clock ticks.

#30 is the Irresistible Force and she looks like a hungry shark as she walks around the ring, taking her time before getting in and dropping a huge leg on Asuka who’s on her back. Nia directs Rhea to take care of Becky as she keeps working over Asuka but when Nia drops an elbow, Asuka rolls out of the way and begins laying in heavy kicks. Rhea, who finished second last year has that WrestleMania main event in her sights as she picks up Becky and puts her on the top rope. She punches her one and then twice. Becky is rocked and almost ready to fall off as Charlotte cheers. Rhea takes her eye off the ball and Becky suddenly grabs her and delivers a tornado DDT.

Asuka is the only one still standing and looks at the crowd. With a big smile she picks up Nia by her hair, delivering more kicks before bouncing off the ropes with a cross body but Nia catches her and slams her over the top to the floor. Nia then picks up Rhea and whips her to the corner, hitting an Avalanche, crumpling her to the mat. Becky gets to her feet, swaying as she stands and holding onto the top rope for balance. Nia charges but Becky low bridges and Nia goes toppling over the top. Charlotte sees what’s happening and leaves the announcer’s table again, climbing onto the apron. Becky and she begin arguing which allows Rhea to get to her feet. Rhea lines Becky up and charges with a big boot but Becky moves and she kicks Charlotte in the face, knocking her off. Becky dumps Rhea over the top but Rhea lands on the apron and scoots under the bottom rope but when she gets to her feet Becky clotheslines her over to the floor before dropping to her knees in exhaustion as the bell rings.

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A replay is shown of Charlotte Flair’s attempted interference and how it backfired.

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As Charlotte stares up from the ringside floor at her nemesis, Becky locks eyes with her and points directly at her. It’s clear the Man has made her decisions already!

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A hype video airs featuring the long domination of the Uso’s and their feud with various SmackDown tag teams including Ciampa & Thatcher and the arrival of RKBro. The most serious threat to the SmackDown Tag Team Champions is next as The Uso’s will defend against Tommaso Ciampa/Timothy Thatcher and RKBro.

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Early into this match, the champs are thrown to the floor as the former champs and RKBro start battling. After a bit of back and forth, Randy nails an RKO on Ciampa and covers but Jey and Jimmy rush in and break up the pinfall attempt.

From there the tag team champs start dissecting both teams and using their tag team experience to put Riddle on the ropes. Riddle kicks out of a Super Kick by Jey and tries to make it to Randy but the champs drop Riddle on his head. Jimmy jumps off the top rope for a Superfly Leap and covers while Jey punches Randy in the face but that leaves Ciampa and Tommaso to break up the pin.

The former champs start beating the hell out of the Uso’s who try to bail to the floor but run right into RKBro. After some back and forth the challengers take control and begin to set up to end this match but then RKBro breaks things up and throws the other challengers out of the ring.

The Usos and RKBro start brawling before Ciampa & Thatcher get in and now we have a three way brawl. Randy and Riddle end up on the floor with Jey Uso and Timothy Thatcher and that leaves Jimmy Uso with Tommaso.

Ciampa beats the hell out of Jimmy with the four on the floor brawl. After hitting a release German Suplex, Tommaso says it’s over. Ciampa nails Project Ciampa onto Jimmy Uso but Riddle and Randy sneak in and double team Tommaso, sending him over the ropes. Riddle lifts Jimmy up while Randy strikes….RKO. 1…2….3.

WINNERS BY PINFALL AND NEW SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: RKBRO

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After the win, Randy and Riddle celebrate with their titles and high five while the fans cheer. Ciampa and Thatcher are not pleased but there is nothing that they can do about it. The Uso’s have fallen and we have new SmackDown Tag Team Champions.

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SmackDown Managing Director Sonya Deville is backstage with Kayla Braxton who takes Sonya back to last Friday on SmackDown and we see the Miz claim that he is injured to avoid a US Title match with Cesaro. Deville says The Miz has been checked out by SmackDown Medical and he has been declared cleared for action. This Friday on SmackDown, The Miz will defend his United States Title against Cesaro…no excuses.

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A video is shown recapping the history between AJ Styles and Bobby Lashley since the night after Survivor Series when Omos turned on him and joined the Hurt Business.

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Styles uses his agility to dodge Lashley in the early going, striking and moving away as Lashley tries to corner him. It works well for the challenger until Omos swipes Styles’ leg causing a momentary distraction which Lashley pounces on. He batters Styles for several minutes but he can’t get more than a two count. Lashley tosses Styles to the outside and as the referee admonishes the Hurt Business to get away he throws Styles towards the stairs but AJ reverses it and sends Lashley shoulder first into the stairs and it appears the champion has hurt his shoulder.

Styles goes on the offensive working on the arm and keeping Lashley playing defense as MVP protests on the outside. Styles hits a knee drop from the second rope and gets a close two count. Lashley is in major trouble as Styles perches on the apron intent on delivering the Phenomenal Forearm when MVP gets on the apron across the ring. The referee goes to deal with him and when AJ hops up onto the rope, Omos shoves him forward. Styles lands on his feet just in time to almost be speared out of his shoes by Lashley using his uninjured shoulder. MVP hops down and we get a three count.

WINNER BY PINFALL AND STILL RAW WORLD CHAMPION: BOBBY LASHLEY

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Lashley climbs the ropes and holds his belt up to a mixture of boos and cheers. MVP and Omos enter the ring and begin picking the bones of Styles. Adding insult to injury, Omos stands on AJ’s back, taking pleasure in flattening his former partner. The Hurt Business leaves the ring victorious.

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Becky Lynch is backstage when Sasha Banks approaches her.

“Look, I think I should have won and I think I’m the best woman in the WWE but, I wanted to tell you congratulations.”

Becky nods. “I appreciate that Sasha.”

“One more thing.”

“What’s that?”

“Kick. Her. Ass.”

Becky grins. “I plan on it.”

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A video package is shown reminding the audience of how the Street Profits got themselves involved with the Trinity and Damian Priest

.

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Rollins and Kross are chosen to represent their faction and the match is a mix of skill between Ford and Rollins and power between Dawkins and Kross. The match teeters back and forth until Dawkins misses a running clothesline in the corner and Kross gets the tag. He bludgeons Dawkins with forearms before delivering a vicious side suplex but it only gets a two count. Dawkins eventually makes the hot tag to Ford and he cleans house, nailing Rollins and Kross with right hands. Wyatt gets up on the apron but Priest runs around the ring and yanks him down as the two begin to brawl at ring side, fighting into the crowd.. With attention on them, Ford goes to the top to hit his frog splash but Kross crotches him. Rollins takes the opportunity to hit the superplex, then rolls through with the Falcon Arrow.

1

2

Kickout!

Ford is still alive but barely. Rollins lines him up for the curbstomp but when he goes for it Ford rolls and dives for his partner for the hot tag but Kross is in the ring and runs at Dawkins, forearming him off the apron. Ford looks up at Kross who is menacingly staring down at him. He gets to his feet ready to fight but Kross ducks out of the ring and when Ford turns around he eats not one superkick but a second one when he’s on his knees. He falls forward onto his hands and this time the curb stomp doesn’t miss. 1 2 3.

WINNERS BY PINFALL AND NEW RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: THE TRINITY

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As they’re handed the belts by the referee, the Trinity pose in the ring. Graves quips that an era of darkness may be upon us.

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We go to the back where Drew McIntyre is warming up in the Gorilla Position. The camera then cuts to Roman Reigns & Paul Heyman exiting the Tribal Chief’s locker room. Cole and Pat throw us to the video feature for the SmackDown World Championship match which is coming up next.

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A video package airs to highlight the issues between Drew McIntyre and Roman Reigns leading to the match tonight. From Drew’s arrival to his costing Finn Balor the title to Drew and Roman’s interaction at Survivor Series and Drew winning the #1 contender’s shot to Drew, cutting the SmackDown ropes to prevent a Bloodline ambush. The SmackDown World Title match is now.

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Drew and Roman square up and trade haymakers and some vicious slams before Drew throws Roman into the ropes ducks under a clothesline and bounces off…CLAYMORE KICK!

But Roman rolls to the floor. Drew doesn’t play that game though and allows Roman to showboat but won’t give chase and the ref refuses to count Roman down saying there will be a winner and not by countout. Roman is incensed and actually loses his cool and charges Drew back in the ring right into a Belly To Belly. Drew throws Roman into the corner and clubs the champion over and over again letting months of frustration take over. Drew grabs Roman by the head and flings the champ into the middle of the ring and then does a charging Big Boot. Cover…

1….

2…

Roman is out at 2. Drew grabs Roman by the throat and gouges the champion’s eyes and then throws Roman to the ground and screams “you acknowledge ME”. Roman flips Drew off in defiance and swings at the challenger who ducks and does a SPEAR of his own. Drew calls for the end and goes for the Claymore again but Roman does a Lariat at Drew as he charges and the challenger goes down.

Roman takes control and slams Drew with several Suplexes before dumping Drew to the floor. Roman sets Drew up into an announce table and climbs the top rope and flies off with a SPLASH through the table!!! Roman puts Drew onto the ring apron and does Drive By when Drew tries to stand. Back in the ring it is Roman’s turn to talk trash and thrash Drew and throw the challenger around the ring.

Roman looks bored after hitting a Powerslam of his own and covers…

1…

2…

This time Drew is out at 2. Roman does the Superman Punch and then calls for the end. Roman charges out of the corner for the Spear but Drew leapfrogs Roman and does the Claymore!!! Drew covers….1…..2…Roman kicks out once more. Drew charges Roman but the ref gets crunched in the middle of the two gladiators going down hard. Roman goes for a Spear but Drew hits the Claymore one more time…..

*the lights go out*

When they come back on….

Rikishi is in the ring. Drew sees Roman’s Uncle and says “really?” before charging Rikishi but the Hall of Famer catches McIntyre and nails a Samoan Drop. Rikishi gets out of the ring while Drew gets up slowly….SUPERMAN PUNCH. Roman locks in the Guillotine Choke while Heyman wakes the ref up.

Drew tries to fight but eventually he passes out and the ref rings the bell.

WINNER BY KNOCKOUT AND STILL SMACKDOWN WORLD CHAMPION: ROMAN REIGNS

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Post match, Roman Reigns grabs his title and leaves the ring celebrating his win with Heyman and Rikishi. The Tribal Chief, the Head of the Table has conquered Drew McIntyre and Roman Reigns will main event SmackDown’s Wrestlemania!!!

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As we knew, Finn Balor comes out in the #1 spot and we then find out his first opponent, NXT Champion Pete Dunne. The two of them waste no time laying into each other with stiff and snug offense and brutal strikes. If you thought the match couldn’t get any more hard hitting the third man proved you wrong.

The King of Strong Style runs down to the ring and jumps right into the frey, hitting both Dunne and Balor and getting some in return. They take turns lighting each other up with stiff chops as the clock clicks down.

The New Day gets their first entry with Xavier Woods. Now with four men in the ring they pair off with Woods-Dunne and Balor-Nakamura. They trade the advantage in both pairs with no one able to eliminate the others.

Apollo Crews is out at #5 and he immediately goes for Woods. He and Dunne get close a few times trying to put Woods over but he keeps hanging on. Meanwhile across the ring, Balor is stomping away on Nakamura in the corner.

Rey Mysterio is here and he quickly pulls Crews off of Woods and staggers Apollo into the corner. Dunne is still working on Woods but Nakamura has made a comeback against Balor and now has Finn on the ropes, literally.

The Archer of Infamy and the Raw Intercontinental Champion runs down and makes his impact known quickly by heaving both Balor and Woods over the top. Nakamura and Dunne resume their battle. Mysterio now stands off with Priest for a moment before Crews blasts Priest from behind.

Drew Gulak is next and he ensures Mysterio has a dancing partner. As each pairing takes a different corner Mysterio and Priest catch each other’s eyes and whip Gulak and Crews into each other. They stagger back and fall and this leaves Mysterio and Priest again looking each other down.

Elia…er….Logan Shulo comes out and blasts Mysterio from behind. Before Priest can react he’s drop kicked in the back by Dunne. Nakamura closes the gap and goes to throw Dunne over the top but Dunne reverses it and slings the King to the floor. Now Crews and Gulak double team Priest, leaving Dunne by himself, but he’s not alone for long.

Samoa Joe saunters down to the ring as #10 and immediately goes nose to nose with Dunne. They trash talk each other quietly before they begin trading shots. Priest is whipped into the ropes and Crews and Gulak try to double clothesline him but he ducks it and returns the favor sending them both over to the floor. Shulo almost has Rey out as the clock clicks down.

Dominik Mysterio runs down to the ring as if shot out of a cannon and he immediately saves his father from elimination. As Joe and Dunne brawl in the corner and Dominik begins teeing off on Shulo, Priest stays in the corner alone and recuperates.

Keith Lee wants all to bask in his glory but his sights are set on Samoa Joe. He and Dunne pummel the Samoan Submission Machine as Priest looks on. By now the Mysterios are also double teaming Shulo and have him almost over the top as the crowd counts down.

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The audience pops for the first real surprise of the match. The World’s Most Dangerous Man looks to be in fantastic shape as he runs up the ring steps and grabs Dunne from behind delivering a release german suplex. Now Priest bolts out of the corner with a big boot but Shamrock ducks it and hits his patented belly to belly on Priest. Shamrock is in the zone, screaming out as he punches himself. Joe and Lee are grappling in one corner as Rey and Dominik finally get Shulo over the top.

NXT’s Kyle O’Reilly runs down and tackles Dunne, raining punches down on him. Shamrock picks up Priest and slings him into the corner, peppering him with body shots and knees. Now it’s the Mysterios who are staying apart taking strategy. Rey is pointing over to each of the pairings telling his son what to do. Dominik nods and begins walking towards Joe and Lee when Rey suddenly grabs him and throws him over the top. Dominik is hot but Rey gives a half apology saying it’s every man for himself.

The former WWE Champion hits the ring hoping to reignite KofiMania. He forms a quick partnership with Rey and they run over to the corner trying to eliminate both Lee and Joe. Priest is on the ropes and Dunne has recovered and does a little joint manipulation to O’Reilly.

The Hurt Business’ colossus is next and immediately clearing the ring, Omos steps over the ropes and heads directly for the corner where Rey and Kofi are trying to do a double elimination and grabs Joe and Lee’s leg and flips everyone over the ropes but Kofi barely hangs onto the apron. Omos takes notice and swings with a left and a right but Kofi keeps ducking. He shoulder blocks Omos which backs him up before Kofi springboards to the top rope and flies off but Omos catches him with the two handed chokeslam and drops Kofi to the floor.

NXT’s Austin Theory is next at #17 but locks eyes with Omos as he’s running down the aisle and skids to a halt. Theory is in no hurry to get in. Omos then approaches Shamrock from behind and delivers a headbutt to the back of his head. Stunned, Shamrock is an easy elimination and then Omos begins choking Priest. In the other corner, O’Reilly has Dunne nearly eliminated when Theory slides in and stops it.

Dolph Ziggler comes out and goes right to Priest helping Omos, who doesn’t look like he needs it but he backs off letting Ziggler work over the Intercontinental Champion. Theory and Dunne deliver a double suplex to Kyle.

Mr. Money in the Bank himself, Big E sprints down the aisle and runs around, clubbing everyone he can see with a forearm, knocking Dunne, Theory, and Ziggler down before turning on Omos. They slowly begin walking towards each other and begin trading punches, with each man staggering back and coming forward again. Priest grabs Ziggler and gives him a little payback as Kyle has payback on his mind as well as he delivers sharp kicks to both Theory and Dunne. The NXT Champion who began the match in the #2 spot is sucking wind and rolls out of the ring.

Cesaro, still angry about his non-match with the Miz, runs down to the ring, then around it, lighting up Dunne with a running uppercut. He rolls Dunne back in, then clotheslines Theory and O’Reilly in order. Priest almost has Ziggler out and Cesaro comes from behind and dumps them both over. Priest stares up at Cesaro but the Swiss Superman has already moved back to Dunne. Meanwhile, Big E is being smothered in the corner by Omos who just presses his forearm down into E’s throat.

Shelton Benjamin is #20 and enters the match, picking at O’Reilly but he’s quickly eliminated with a backdrop over the top. Theory returns to his partnership with Dunne but Cesaro is ready for them and begins firing shots at both of them. Big E is in trouble and Omos is slowly lifting him over the top rope. O’Reilly grabs Theory and sling him into the corner, nailing him with a jumping forearm.

NXT’s powerhouse Bronson Reed enters the match and makes the brawl between Dunne and Cesaro a three person affair. Big E is barely hanging on until O’Reilly whips Theory into Omos’ back. Omos lets go of E and turns to look down at Theory who puts his hands up in innocence trying to explain but Omos grabs him by the head and launches him over the top to the floor. Kyle takes the chance to charge Omos from behind and together with Big E they each take a leg but they’re not making much progress. Reed drops Cesaro with a clothesline, then scoops up Dunne and delivers a big poweslam.

Adam Cole, Bay Bay, is out next and peels away Kyle from Omos, firing up their previous feud. Big E is still trying with one of Omos’ legs until the big man fights him off. Cesaro and Reed trade heavy strikes as Dunne collects himself in the corner before charging Cesaro and Reed but they backdrop him over the top to the floor. Cesaro quickly turns and clotheslines Reed over the top but he catches himself on the apron. He seems safe until Omos runs over and boots him to the floor. Cole and O’Reilly roll to the outside and continue their brawl. Big E clubs Omos from behind and Cesaro joins in.

Sheamus is our next competitor and evens things up picking off his old partner Cesaro. Cole whips Kyle into the stairs and grabs a chair, whacking him over the back. Omos is down to a knee as Big E pounds him over the back Demolition-style. E bounds off the ropes right into a HUGE spear. Omos stands tall and lets out a roar as he picks up Big E and throws him over the top to the floor. Omos walks over and grabs both Cesaro and Sheamus by the throat and runs them towards the ropes shoving them both over. The clock ticks down.

Alexander Hammerstone runs down to the ring and stops, locking eyes with Omos. Slowly they approach each other. Hammerstone bounds of the ropes with a shoulder block but Omos doesn’t even take a step back. He tries it again with no success. Third time's a try but Omos throws a right hand which Hammerstone blocks, then he rocks the Colossus with three right hands of his own before scooping him up and slamming him over the top rope. On the other side of the ring, still at ringside, Cole is putting the chair around O’Reilly’s head.

Ricochet is next at #25 and he runs down but instead of sliding in the ring he makes the save on O’Reilly. Stunning Cole with a series of kicks and strikes, he throws Cole into the ring and then checks on Kyle. Cole rolls in and is focused on Ricochet as Hammerstone approaches him. Cole backs up into him and slowly turns around and receives a punch in the face. Now Ricochet and O’Reilly are in the ring and they’re all hitting Cole with right hands, pinballing him between one another. Cole staggers away and ‘Flair-flops’ on his face. Hammerstone then turns to the other two. While he and O-Reilly struggle, Ricochet goes to the top and flies off with dropkick in Hamemrstone’s back, sending him halfway over the top. O’Reilly and Ricochet both grab a leg and almost have him eliminated when Cole rushes over and dumps them all over. Cole falls on his back with the biggest smile as the only man left standing…but that smile fades a moment later.

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The Rated-R Superstar is next and Cole looks like he saw a ghost. Edge hits the ring and the two go at each other for the next two minutes with Edge getting the better of that time.

Kevin Owens is out at #28 and he hits Edge from behind, then Cole from the front. KO is fighting them both but then focuses on Edge, backing him up into the corner and kicking him to a seated position before hitting a cannonball. Cole had slumped in the opposite corner and he gets a cannonball too. KO is feeling it but then some familiar music hits.

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The Hall of Famer stomps down to the ring. Owens hasn’t forgotten how Goldberg ended his Universal Championship run a few years ago and they begin brawling. Goldberg is a machine, picking up KO and driving him into the corner. Edge and Cold have recovered and go at each other again. As both pairs struggle for control the clock ticks down.

Sonya Deville comes out to announce #30 is the newest wrestler on the SmackDown Franchise…

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The Rock!!! The owner of SmackDown is apparently signed as a wrestler and is #30!

The Rock runs down to the ring and he’s laying the smackdown on everyone. A punch that knocks the taste out of Cole’s mouth. A spinebuster on Edge. A DDT on KO. And now the Rock and Goldberg slowly walk towards each other, trash talking. They too have a long history. Goldberg lunges with a clothesline but the Rock ducks and counters with a Rock Bottom. Goldberg is laid out and the Rock steps over him, and kicks the arm in. Slowly pulling off his elbow pad the Rock hits the ropes, jumps over Golderg and hits the other ropes but as he is ready to hit the People’s Elbow, Edge spears him almost out of his shoes. Edge turns around into a stunner from KO. KO gets up and eats a superkick from Cole. Goldberg is up spears Cole. The Hall of Famer roars as the lone man standing and then picks up Edge by his hair, and picks him up into a Jackhammer, holding him up, but KO hits a low blow and Goldberg is doubled over. KO moves in and throws him over the top.

Cole scrambles over and he and Owens try to eliminate Edge but before they can the Rock kips up and saves Edge before double clotheslining Owens and Cole over. It’s down to Edge and the Rock and they circle each other for a moment, as the crowd goes crazy. They go back and forth for a few more minutes before Edge does for another spear. The Rock kicks him and stuns him into rearing back and the Rock finishes it with a clothesline over the top.

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A replay is shown of the Rock and Edge being the final two before the Rock stuns the WWE Universe by winning.

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The Rock has won the Royal Rumble!!!! The future hall of famer celebrates his win while pyro shoots out and confetting rains down on the audience but then….

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SmackDown World Champion Roman Reigns, flanked by his family, comes out to the ringside area. The Rock is ready for battle but the Uso’s and Paul merely surround the ring. Roman gets into the ring and goes face to face with The People’s Champion.

The two smile at each other before Roman raises his title high in the air and The Rock no longer is smiling. The Rock responds by pointing to the Wrestlemania sign.

The Rock has won the Royal Rumble. Will The Great One be the next challenger to the Roman Empire at Wrestlemania?

The Road to Wrestlemania for both franchises has begun! Good night from The Royal Rumble!

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