SmackDown Results: Rhodes/Owens Brawl, Green/Michin Advance to U.S. Final

December 13, 2024 John Kleinchester NEWS, Show Reports
Photo Courtesy: WWE

December 13, 2024
XL Center – Hartford, CT

By: John Kleinchester

WWE Smackdown Results

  • U.S. Women’s Championship Tournament: Michin over Tiffany Stratton via Eat Defeat in 8:23
  • Braun Strowman over Carmelo Hayes via Running Powerslam in 1:31
  • LA Knight over Solo Sikoa via DQ in 11:19
  • US Women’s Championship Tournament: Chelsea Green over Bayley via Unpretty-her in 12:12

 

What’s Next For Big Jim?

The Go-Home Smackdown heading into Saturday Night’s Main Event kicked off with Jimmy Uso coming down to the ring on a crutch as footage was shown of his toe break injury at War Games. Jimmy recounted the events of the OG Bloodline coming out on top at War Games, but that was now behind them. Jimmy talked about how proud he was of Roman and Jey and all their accomplishments. He said that he was proud of Solo Sikoa even though he didn’t like how he did it. Jimmy then wondered what was next for “Big Jim” and considered the possibilities of winning the Royal Rumble, going after the United States Championship, or perhaps even the Undisputed Championship. Drew McIntyre then appeared out of nowhere and hit Uso with the Claymore. Nick Aldis escorted McIntyre to the back, complaining about what he did.

Aldis directed McIntyre to his office as Bianca Belair and Naomi approached, asking about Jade Cargill. Aldis said that there was no new information on the attacker but they were going to have to relinquish the Tag Team titles. Naomi offered to step in to help Belair defend the titles and Aldis said he’d “run it up the flagpole” but they would have to defend the titles next week. 

 

Tiffy Time or Michin Time?

Tiffany Stratton was in the back, donned in Christmas-themed attire as Nia Jax and Candice LeRae appeared and said that once she wins the Women’s United States Championship, she won’t need her briefcase anymore. 

This led directly to the United States Championship Tournament match between Tiffany Stratton and Michin. The crowd was decidedly behind Stratton as they chanted “Tiffy Time” and “let’s go Tiffy” early on. Michael Cole noted that Michin was a former TNA Knockouts Champion. 

Suddenly, Stratton went for the Prettiest Moonsault Ever with Michin attempting to roll out of the way but Stratton still completely nailing her. They played it off as if Michin wasn’t affected by the move as Michin quickly got up and hit Eat Defeat for the win. Michin goes on to face either Bayley or Chelsea Green tomorrow night at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

The New Tag Champs

A recap of last week’s DIY tag title victory was shown. This led directly into a black-and-white promo package with DIY talking about being screwed out of their titles back in August in Gargano’s home city of Cleveland and how that kicked off their long-term plan to get the titles back which they executed last week.

 

The OTC Has Spoken

Next was another promo package featuring Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman. Reigns talked about how he was riding high until the Spring/Summer of this past year when he lost his title, his Bloodline, and “most importantly” his ulafala. Reigns then brought up January 6th on Netflix. He then challenged Solo Sikoa to Tribal Combat and said he would take back his ulafala and his respect. 

Legado / Carmelo

Santos Escobar and Legado del Fantasma were backstage complaining to Nick Aldis about all the backstage attacks lately and said that they were going to call Adam Pearce about going to Raw. Carmelo Hayes then appeared and said he was going to make “light work” of his mystery opponent.

 

Carmelo Hayes vs. Braun Strowman

Carmelo Hayes’ opponent was revealed to be Braun Strowman, making his transfer from Raw.

Hayes started off the match attempting some of his patented high-flying moves but Strowman largely shrugged them off. Strowman then caught Hayes and hit the Running Powerslam for a quick victory.

LA Knight vs. Solo Sikoa

Before the match, Byron Saxton interviewed LA Knight who insulted the ula fala calling it a “red necklace” and an “ufalafa”. The New Bloodline came down to the ring and started to address Roman Reigns when he was interrupted by LA Knight’s music. Michael Cole noted that The New Bloodline was missing Tonga Loa who tore his bicep at WarGames. 

 

Knight and Sikoa went back and forth until Knight was able to counter a Superman Punch, gaining the advantage. Knight then went for the BFT but Sikoa reversed it. Knight then attacked Fatu and Tama Tonga, throwing Fatu onto the announce table.

Knight got a big near fall with a sidewalk slam but then Fatu recovered at ringside and attacked LA Knight in plain view of the referee, causing the disqualification. The New Bloodline beat down Knight until Apollo Crews and Andrade ran down attempting to help, only to be laid out as well. The segment ended with The New Bloodline standing tall. 

Pretty Deadly, Strowman, and A-Town Down Under

Pretty Deadly approached Braun Strowman backstage asking him to be in their musical. Strowman pushed them away and then was approached by A-Town Down Under. Grayson Waller invited Strowman on The Waller Effect next week and he accepted. 

 

Bayley vs. Chelsea Green

The next match of the night was the second of two Semifinal matches in the United States Women’s Championship tournament. The crowd didn’t seem very invested as the match began. It quickly went to commercial and upon returning, Corey Graves threw to another commercial for the new Lion King movie that aired picture-in-picture. This match was clunky. Chelsea Green finally hit the Rough Rider on Bayley for a two-count. Bayley then responded with a Zig Zag as Piper Niven pulled Chelsea Green out of harm’s way. Bayley then attacked Niven and nearly got counted out in the process. Green then hit the Unpretty-her on Bayley to score the win. Chelsea Green goes on to face Michin at Saturday Night’s Main Event for the United States Women’s Championship. 

Black and White Reply

Not to be outdone, Motor City Machine Guns responded to DIY’s black-and-white promo with one of their own. This ended with Alex Shelley challenging Johnny Gargano to a match next week.

 

Nakamura Promo

Next was yet another pretaped promo, this time with Shinsuke Nakamura claiming that LA Knight should have never held the United States title. 

 

Sad Tiffy

Backstage, Tiffany Stratton was approached by Nia Jax who said not everyone is meant to be a singles champ like her. Candice LeRae said that she and Jax have a tag title match against Bianca Belair and Naomi next week. LeRae said that maybe singles wrestling was not Stratton’s speed.

 

The Final Word

The main event segment was “The Final Word” aka face-to-face between Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens. Michael Cole introduced both competitors but Kevin Owens no-showed. Cole asked Rhodes what Triple H would be allowing Rhodes to use tomorrow night at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Suddenly, Kevin Owens appeared via his car and said that Rhodes spit in his and all his friends’ faces by teaming with Roman Reigns. Owens called Rhodes a bad friend, a bad son, and a bad brother and that he was way more interesting as Stardust. This prompted Rhodes to throw down the title and head to try to find Owens. The camera followed Rhodes through the back but Kevin Owens jumped him (Whilst wearing a Stardust shirt no less) and walked and brawled with him back out to the arena. Security attempted to break it up but Owens nailed Rhodes in the face with the belt.

 

Final Thoughts

Despite the large number of pretaped packages, this episode flew by rather quickly. Going with Michin vs. Chelsea Green as the US Title final was surprising with Stratton and Bayley getting beat. Hopefully, they can put together a good match tomorrow night as Bayley/Green was not very good. 

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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