SmackDown Results: John Cena Taken Out by Bloodline, IYO Retains

September 22, 2023 John Kleinchester NEWS, Show Reports
Photo Courtesy: WWE

September 22, 2023
Desert Diamond Arena – Glendale, AZ

By: John Kleinchester

 

Cena & Styles Challenge The Bloodline

SmackDown kicked off with John Cena being announced as “The Greatest of All Time” by ring announcer Mike Rome. Cena got in the ring and said that he’s been a host, talk show guest, backstage correspondent, and a referee but tonight was different – he wanted to have a match. Cena said he was angry at The Bloodline and found a partner who was as angry as he was. AJ Styles then came down to the ring and told The Bloodline to come get some. Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa came down to the ring only to back off and walk away.  After the commercial, Styles & Cena were talking to Adam Pearce trying to get their match and Pearce said that he would have to talk to Paul Heyman to make it happen. Later, Pearce approached Heyman, Sikoa, and Jimmy Uso with a contract but said that the match would take place at Fastlane instead of tonight. Jimmy Uso agreed to go to the ring to sign it and Heyman said that usually, decisions like that have to be approved by the Tribal Chief. Solo responded by saying “After tonight there won’t be anyone left to fight us at Fastlane”

LWO vs. Street Profits

Next up was the LWO’s Santos Escobar and Rey Mysterio taking on The Street Profits with their new leader Bobby Lashley. Mysterio worked from underneath for most of the match until he was able to tag in the fresh Escobar which turned the tide. Bobby Lashley then got involved slamming Mysterio on the ring apron behind the referee’s back. Mysterio then reversed a finisher attempt by Angelo Dawkins and picked up the victory. Lashley, clearly upset, left The Street Profits in the ring. After the break, Lashley lambasted the Profits and said that if they couldn’t get it done he would find someone else who could. 

 

Theory Theories

A recap of The Rock’s surprise return last week was shown and as we came back live into the arena, Austin Theory appeared out of nowhere and was screaming at the announce team about The Rock. This continued until referees forced him to the back. After the break, Theory was arguing with Adam Pearce when they ran into The Brawling Brutes. Grayson Waller then appeared and Adam Pearce made a match between the four for later tonight. 

Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn

A vignette aired featuring Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn aired where they seemed to claim they had cursed all of the prior WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.

 

Women’s Championship

Next Iyo Sky would defend her WWE Women’s Championship against Asuka. Just as the match was about to start, Charlotte Flair’s music hit, and the Queen took a seat next to the announce table to keep a close eye on the match. This was a long, back-and-forth match with Iyo Sky surviving through all of Asuka’s submission maneuvers. At one point, Bayley put Sky’s foot on the rope to break a submission and Charlotte got up and knocked out Bayley. This distraction led to Iyo Sky hitting the Over the Moonsault for the win. Michael Cole said that this was a defining moment for Sky. 

 

#EltonStrong

A fantastic vignette aired featuring Pretty Deadly’s Elton Prince on his road to recovery. 

The Mangey Main Event

The main event of the night featured Austin Theory & Grayson Waller teaming up to take on The Brawling Brutes. Michael Cole noted that the winners of this match could be in line for a future Tag Team Championship opportunity. The finish saw Grayson Waller saving Austin Theory from tapping out in a Boston Crab from Ridge Holland. Waller hit a rolling Stunner and Theory hit A-Town Down for the win. 

Note: The definition of Mangey which is how they’re describing Butch now is “in poor condition; shabby.” 

 

Contract Signing

Adam Pearce was in the ring with the traditional contract signing table and said that this match would be “one of” the main events at Fastlane. He then announced “The Greatest of All Time” John Cena. When Pearce introduced, Styles he didn’t come out and cameras cut to Jimmy Uso destroying him in the back. Solo Sikoa appeared standing on some high-up equipment and jumped onto an off-screen Styles as John Cena ran to the back to help.  

After the commercial break, AJ Styles was shown on a gurney being loaded into an ambulance. Michin and Karl Anderson were arguing with Anderson saying that he’d been telling AJ not to get involved with The Bloodline. Heyman, Sikoa, and Jimmy Uso then came down to the ring and Sikoa cleared the ring of all the contract-signing furniture. Heyman got on the mic to raucous boos as he noted that John Cena had no partner for Fastlane. This led to the crowd chanting “Rocky” as John Cena ran back out briefly taking out Sikoa & Jimmy. Sikoa and Jimmy then gained the advantage with Sikoa hitting the Samoan Spike on Cena. Jimmy Uso then hit the Uso Splash on Cena and both he and Solo signed the contract. 

 

Announced for SmackDown Next Week in Sacramento, CA

  • United States Championship: Rey Mysterio vs. Santos Escobar
  • Charlotte Flair vs. Bayley
  • The Grayson Waller Effect with Bobby Lashley

Friday Night SmackDown Results:

  • Rey Mysterio & Santos Escobar over The Street Profits in 10:47
  • WWE Women’s Championship: Iyo Sky over Asuka in 19:31
  • Austin Theory & Grayson Waller over The Brawling Brutes in 10:55
About John Kleinchester 204 Articles
New Jersey born and raised. Wrestling fan since Lex slammed Yokozuna on the deck of the USS Intrepid. Favorite Wrestler of all time is Owen "The Rocket" Hart.
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