The Royal Rumble go-home edition of WWE Friday Night SmackDown is live from the Sames Auto Arena in Laredo, TX. We’re now live from the back parking lot of the Sames Auto Arena in Laredo, Texas as a black SUV pulls up. Out hops Solo Sikoa and Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos – Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso. The Usos say tonight is all about Solo Sikoa as he faces Kevin Owens in the main event.
Jimmy and Solo walk ahead and Jey follows but here comes Sami Zayn from the side, dressed in all black. Sami just wanted to catch Jey before he goes in the arena and tell him how much he appreciates what he did for him in Tribal Court on Monday. Sami says it meant the world to him and he will never forget it. Sami and Jey have each other’s backs. They embrace and Sami runs off, pulling his hood back up over his head.
We go to commentary table, Michael Cole welcomes us and he’s joined at ringside by Wade Barrett. They hype tonight’s show.
Here The WWE Friday Night SmackDown Full Results
– Rey Mysterio defeated Karrion Kross via pinfall. After the bell, Rey Mysterio quickly exits the ring to celebrate while shocked Karrion Kross immediately jumps up and he’s not happy. Scarlett stands with Kross and they look on as Rey stands tall on the entrance-way.
– Tonight’s Progressive Match Flo video looks back at how Brock Lesnar returned at Raw 30 to help WWE United States Champion Austin Theory retain over Bobby Lashley in the main event.
– We got a pre-recorded promo from Damage CTRL. WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Dakota Kai and IYO SKY announce their Women’s Royal Rumble spots. Bayley says they are as confident as ever about being in The Rumble after what happened on Raw 30. Kai feels bad for the other entrants because once these three work together it will be impossible for anyone else to win. SKY says everyone will finally realize who runs WWE.
– We go back to the ring and here comes WWE United States Champion Austin Theory, mostly to boos. Theory hits the ring and poses in the corner. Theory has a mic, announcing that The Champ is here. Theory says not only did he retain his title at the Raw 30th Anniversary show, but now he is going straight to the Royal Rumble and he will win. Fans boo. Theory goes to speak but the music interrupts and here come WWE NXT Tag Team Champions The New Day – Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods. Kofi only respects three Austins – Austin Creed (Woods), Steve Austin, and the city he lives in.
Woods says they know Theory is from the three-hour Raw, so he’s used to running his mouth to fill time, but this is SmackDown, the efficient show, and they get right down to business. The New Day is in the ring now. They laugh at the idea of Theory winning Royal Rumble. The New Day predicts one of them will win, and when they win, we all win. Theory isn’t happy with being interrupted. He says he is the biggest star in all of WWE. Fans boo.
The music interrupts and here comes The Miz. Miz takes issue with what Theory just said about being the biggest star. Miz says he’s been working Royal Rumble matches since before Theory hit puberty. Theory says that just makes Miz old. Miz says that makes him older, wiser, smarter than Theory will ever be. Miz says he will throw Theory and 28 others over the top rope tomorrow, and win the one thing he’s never won in this industry – the Royal Rumble Match.
The New Day laughs and Miz says the most dangerous thing is him with something on his shoulder. Miz goes on but he and Theory suddenly attack Kingston and Woods. The music hits and herecomes Bobby Lashley. Miz charges but Lashley clotheslines him. Lashley drops Theory now. The New Day look to be on the same page as Lashley but he levels Woods, then spikes Kofi into the mat. Miz is also driven into the mat, and Theory gets hit with a Spear.
Fans chant “Bobby!” as Lashley takes the mic. He says since Brock Lesnar interrupted his title shot at Raw 30, he’s going to terrorize everyone until he gets what he wants. Brock Lesnar suddenly hops over the barrier and rushes the ring, attacking Lashley from behind. Lesnar lays Lashley out with the F5 to a pop. Lesnar says he will see Lashley tomorrow, buddy. Lesnar puts his cowboy hat back on and poses for the crowd.
– We see Kevin Owens backstage warming up for the main event. Solo Sikoa is also getting ready for match.
– We get a pre-recorded promo from Rhea Ripley, who is confident about how she will win the Women’s Royal Rumble.
– Brock Lesnar is confirmed for the Men’s Royal Rumble.
– Lacey Evans defeated Jazmin Allure via submission. After the match, Lacey Evans stands tall. Now, Evans takes the mic an says Little Miss Loser Laredo just learned that the Cobra Clutch is unbreakable. Evans taunts the fans and says they sound mad, but they will be really mad when she wins the Royal Rumble tomorrow. Evans tells the losers to get off their feet and salute their soon-to-be Royal Rumble winner. Evans ropes the mic and tosses Allure over the top rope to the floor and Evans stood tall.
– Kayla Braxton at backstage with Drew McIntyre and Sheamus. They are looking forward to tonight being a huge night, and the same goes for tomorrow. Drew says since tomorrow is Sheamus’ birthday, he believes Sheamus will win Royal Rumble. Sheamus appreciates that but he thinks Drew McIntyre will win because he’s been on a hell of a roll since coming back to WWE, and if he were a betting man, he’d put his money on Drew.
They keep slapping each other with friendly chops while going back and forth about why the think the other will win at Royal Rumble. Kayla asks about tonight’s tournament match against Hit Row. They say they will send Hit Row straight back to Skid Row, because when they are together they put on nothing but banger after banger after banger. Sheamus and Drew walk off as the announcers hype the tournament match.
– Sheamus and Drew McIntyre makes their way to the ring to face Hit Row in tag team tournament semi finals but Erik and Ivar of The Viking Raiders suddenly attack Sheamus and McIntyre during their entrances. The Vikings destroy Sheamus and McIntyre at ringside as Valhalla looks on and fans boo. Erik with big knee strikes to each man. Ivar with a flying crossbody to smash Sheamus into the barrier while he’s down, then one to McIntyre. Officials come own now to try and restore order. Adam Pearce checks on McIntyre and orders The Viking Raiders to the back.
– Hit Row – Ashante “Thee” Adonis and “Top Dolla” AJ Francis with “B-Fab” Briana Brandy makes their way to the ring. We see how Sheamus and McIntyre went to the back to look for The Viking Raiders during the break. Pearce is in the ring with Hit Row now. They want him to raise their arms in victory but he says no one is getting a free pass to the finals. Pearce introduces the replacement for Sheamus and McIntyre. The music hits and out comes Braun Strowman and Ricochet.
– Braun Strowman and Ricochet defeated Hit Row via pinfall and advances to tag team tournament finals. After the match, Braun Strowman and Ricochet stand tall and announcers confirm Ricochet and Strowman vs. Imperium or Legado del Fantasma in the finals next Friday. Strowman and Ricochet pose in the corners as fans cheer them on.
– Kayla Braxton at backstage with Kevin Owens, asking why would he face Solo Sikoa tonight when he’s facing Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Title tomorrow night. Owens is doing this tonight because tomorrow he wants to become champion, and right a wrong that happened two years ago at The Rumble because that night the title was his, but Reigns and The Bloodline did everything they could to stop it.
Kevin Owens says tomorrow night is no different as RomanReigns hasn’t won anything by himself in recent years. Owens says he will take out members of The Bloodline before then, and that’s what tonight is about. The Usos appear backstage now. Owens charges them and they start brawling. Adam Pearce shows up with security and officials. Pearce says he will not lose another match tonight. He orders The Usos out of the building, and tells Owens to go get ready for his match.
– The Usos are going to their SUV in the back. Jey Uso stops to call someone, apparently Sami Zayn, and ask if he’s still in town. Jey says he needs a favor tonight. Jey hangs up and hops in the SUV.
– We go back to the ring and the old Bray Wyatt music hits but out comes LA Knight instead. Knight is wearing Wyatt’s Hawaiian shirt and hat. Knight says he might as well take this stupid crap off. He removes the Wyatt shirt and hat. Now let me talk to ya. Knight says the biggest Raw moment in history happened at Raw 30 when he walked in the ring to “talk to us!” chants from the crowd. Knight gave the fans what they wanted, even though they don’t deserve it. He mentions WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker coming out to help Wyatt. Knight says Wyatt has 24 hours until their Pitch Black match at the Royal Rumble.
LA tells Wyatt to bring every bit of advice Undertaker whispered into his ear, come to the ring as whatever version of yourself that makes you tingle in your loins, because this right here… Knight points down at the shirt and hat on the mat… Knight says this right here is Wyatt’s future, torn up and laid out. LA says when The Alamodome goes pitch black, Wyatt’s dumpy ass isn’t coming back, and that’s not an insult, it’s just a fact of life. Yeah.
The Wyatt graphics flash and the lights go low. Fireflies light the arena up now. Wyatt is sitting on the stage in his rocking chair. Wyatt sees LA making jokes but he says they both know LA isn’t smiling inside. Wyatt says it doesn’t even matter anymore because the time for talking has come and gone, and LA will finally meet the man he’s been looking for. Fans pop. Wyatt tells LA to take out some time tonight and have a great night, sweetheart… laugh and joke all you want because tomorrow night when the lights go out, you’ll see. Wyatt laughs and fans pop.
A light suddenly shines from the concourse area up higher in the arena. Uncle Howdy is there. Howdy steps out of the shadows to the railing, and looks down. He smiles and motions his fingers in the air as Wyatt looks back at him, and then back at Knight in the ring.
– IMPERIUM defeated Legado Del Fantasma via pinfall and advances to finals of tag team tournament. After the match, IMPERIUM stands tall and Michael Cole confirms the finals for next Friday – Braun Strowman and Ricochet vs. IMPERIUM.
– The announcers send us to the Royal Rumble By The Numbers video.
– Kevin Owens is shown walking backstage for the main event.
– We get a pre-recorded promo from Xia Li, who announces her spot in the Women’s Royal Rumble. Li says she has more skills than any other woman in the Rumble match. She says this will be not only dangerous but painful.
– We see how Sonya Deville interrupted SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair earlier today during filming of the “Out of Character” podcast with Ryan Satin from FOX Sports. Charlotte Flair at backstage in Adam Pearce’s office now. Adam Pearce says FOX is upset at Sonya Deville’s little stunt. Charlotte Flair comments on how Sonya Deville is annoying and everything, but she’s persistent.
Adam Pearce says that’s not the word he’d use to describe her. Charlotte Flair says she’s trying to be positive so if Sonya Deville wants a match, she will give her a title shot. Adm Pearce asks if she’s sure. Charlotte Flair says yes, go ahead and put an exclamation point on it once and for all. Adam Pearce books Sonya Deville vs. Charlotte Flair for the title on next week’s show. Charlotte Flair agrees and thanks him. Flair high-fives Adam Pearce to end the segment.
– Kevin Owens vs. Solo Sikoa match ended in no contest after Sami Zayn interference. At the closing moments, Kevin Owens climbs to the top for the Swanton Bomb and he nails it. Owens covers but someone in all black pulls Sikoa to the floor to break the pin up. It’s Sami Zayn.
After the match, Kevin Owens is furious at Sami Zayn. Owens goes to the floor and stalks Sami. Sikoa goes to superkick Owens from behind but Owens moves and the superkick drops Sami with a shot to the jaw. Owens rocks Sikoa and sends him into the steel ring steps. Owens clears off the top of the announce table now. Owens grabs Sikoa but Sikoa sends him face-first into the ring post. Sikoa with a steel chair shot to Owens’ jaw, putting Owens out on the announce table.
Sikoa climbs on top of the barrier and goes to splash Owens through the table but Owens hops up and rocks him. Sikoa headbutts Owens back. Sikoa leaps off the barrier but Owens superkicks him in mid-air. Sikoa charges anyway but Owens puts him through the table with a Pop-Up Powerbomb. Owens grabs the chair again, and turns his attention to Zayn. Zayn is still down, and now pleading with Owens. Owens threatens to use the chair on him, but instead he smacks Sikoa in the back to send him over the barrier into the crowd. Owens turns back to Sami and throws the chair down in front of him.
Owens steps up onto the ringside steps and yells out about how this is his show. Owens walks to the back and talks some trash to Reigns in the camera. We go to replays as Owens’ music starts up. The announcers hype the Royal Rumble now. Owens is on the stage now as he says he will see Sami Zayn, Roman and everyone else tomorrow night. Sami looks on and the final Friday Night SmackDown before Royal Rumble goes off the air.
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