December 8, 2023
Amica Mutual Pavilion – Providence, RI
Tribute to the Troops
The Tribute to the Troops edition of SmackDown kicked off with The War and Treaty singing “God Bless America”. Michael Cole welcomed us to SmackDown and introduced their special guest commentator JBL, John “Bradshaw” Layfield.
2x Grammy Winners, The War And Treaty! 🇺🇸@warandtreaty #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/G7qDxSJUWo
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) December 9, 2023
US Title Tournament: Santos Escobar vs. Dragon Lee
The first match of the night was the first match in the United States Championship Tournament with the overall winner getting a shot at Logan Paul’s US Championship. Before the match began, Dominik Mysterio came out and Santos had a huge smirk on his face. Dominik will be defending his NXT North American Championship tomorrow night at NXT Deadline against Dragon Lee.
The Greatest Mysterio of All-Time!@DomMysterio35 #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/U94Eiy6Hsd
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) December 9, 2023
Santos Escobar picked up the win with the Phantom Driver in just over nine minutes. After the match, Dominik spat on Dragon Lee and held his NA title high.
🏆 @EscobarWWE advances in the #USTitle Tournament on #SmackDown! pic.twitter.com/25jHSonJLh
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) December 9, 2023
$100K
Randy Orton complained to Nick Aldis that he doesn’t know who LA Knight is. Randy gave Aldis a check for his fine for RKO’ing him last week but Aldis noted it was for $100,000 instead of $50,000. Randy said the other 50 was for next time.
"I don't even know who LA Knight is until last week." 👀@RandyOrton @RealNickAldis #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/9QsR8nuSGe
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) December 9, 2023
Cody and the Army Drill Team
Cody came out and thanked the troops and then threw to a video package of the history of Tribute to the Troops narrated by John Cena. Cody then welcomed the United States Army Drill Team who came out onto the stage and spun guns around impressively. Michael Cole then welcomed CBS Sports’ Brad Nessler to the commentary team.
Thank you! 🇺🇸@CodyRhodes #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/LfcnFyuQkT
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) December 9, 2023
US Title Tournament: Bobby Lashley vs. Karrion Kross
Bobby Lashley was announced as an army vet and was clearly the face going into his Tournament match against Karrion Kross. Lashley won with the spear in under seven minutes and will go on to face Santos Escobar in the next round of the tournament.
Two MASSIVE men. One MISSION.
Both want to move one step closer to challenging @LoganPaul for the #USTitle! 💪😤🇺🇸
Who will advance in the #USTitle Tournament tonight? @FightBobby or @realKILLERkross? #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/O6tUJll9Zj
— WWE (@WWE) December 9, 2023
Damaged CTRL
Backstage, Bayley apologized to the other members of Damage CTRL and volunteered to stay in the back tonight.
awkward…#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/Bni2Ggq03a
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) December 9, 2023
CM Punk, Mania Main Eventer?
Punk started his segment off by saying he wasn’t going to get his time cut and encouraged the crowd to chant as much as they wanted. Punk teased that he could enter the Royal Rumble and main event WrestleMania. Punk asked the crowd who they wanted him to talk about and he “acknowledged” Roman Reigns but said, “Don’t forget who the OG Paul Heyman guy is”. Then Punk brought up Kevin Owens and wondered aloud if he could work with someone who “randomly punches people in the face backstage” and said it’s 2023 and that’s not acceptable. Finally, Punk landed on ripping into Seth Rollins and said all he has is his song. CM Punk then said he had a call scheduled with Shawn Michaels this weekend and would make a final decision this Monday on Raw but he is back to finish what he started and would main event WrestleMania.
"I don't know who would feel comfortable working with somebody who randomly just punches people in the face back stage."@CMPunk #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/NaNSsWP1I1
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) December 9, 2023
Charlotte vs. Asuka
As Damage CTRL came out, Michin, Zelina Vega, Shotzi, and Bianca Belair came out and fought off IYO Sky and Kairi Sane to ensure that Asuka and Flair would have a fair one-on-one match. Flair seemed to injure her leg during the commercial break and Bayley showed up ringside to distract Charlotte enough to allow Asuka to pick up the win.
Punk & Cody
Cody said, “It sounds like to finish your story you have to win the Royal Rumble”.
Who will finish their story first? 👀@CMPunk @CodyRhodes#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/W7ZMkZIL7s
— WWE (@WWE) December 9, 2023
Orton, Knight, and Punk
CM Punk wished Randy Orton and LA Knight luck.
.@RandyOrton 👀 @realLAKnight 👀 @CMPunk#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/OURSw6GP32
— WWE (@WWE) December 9, 2023
Main Event: Solo Sikoa & Jimmy Uso vs. Randy Orton & LA Knight
Knight and Orton worked through some miscommunication to pick up the win.
teamwork#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/IDeCsrkpMc
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) December 9, 2023
Announced for SmackDown Next Friday in Green Bay, WI:
- Roman Reigns Returns
- US Championship Tournament: Grayson Waller vs. Mystery NXT Superstar
- US Championship Tournament: Kevin Owens vs. Austin Theory
Friday Night SmackDown Results:
- Santos Escobar over Dragon Lee in 9:07
- Bobby Lashley over Karrion Kross in 6:46
- Asuka over Charlotte Flair in 6:20
- Randy Orton & LA Knight over Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa in 12:13
