Originally published at Friday Night Smackdown Notes: Ricochet wins SmackDown World Cup, Tegan Nox returns
December 2, 2022
KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY
The show opened with a highlight package of Survivor Series WarGames. Sami Zayn, The Usos and Solo Sikoa came to the ring and cut a promo saying that tonight was all about Sami. Jey Uso admitted that Sami earned his respect after this past Saturday and said that it was because of Sami that they won their WarGames match. Jimmy and Jey then executed a double secret handshake with Sami and embraced. All throughout the segment Solo Sikoa remained stone-faced.
It's all love in #TheBloodline!@SamiZayn @WWEUsos @WWESoloSikoa #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/AjOGQuB28o
— WWE (@WWE) December 3, 2022
Sami Zayn then defeated Sheamus after Jey Uso superkicked Sheamus when the referee was distracted by Jimmy Uso.
Jey @WWEUsos just helped @SamiZayn pick up the win!@WWESoloSikoa #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/hqvAQZmqn9
— WWE (@WWE) December 3, 2022
A promo package on Santos Escobar aired in which he said that he would be bringing home the SmackDown World Cup to Legado del Fantasma.
Kofi Kingston was then interviewed backstage where he announced that he’s officially entering the Royal Rumble. Imperium then interrupted saying that Kofi & Xavier spend more time online than in a ring. Kofi said that Xavier wasn’t there tonight but said he could face any of them in a one on one match. Gunther appeared and accepted the challenge.
Bray Wyatt then appeared backstage and said that he was not the one who hurt LA Knight and if he had been the one, there would have been none of him left.
Backstage, Madcap Moss approached Emma giving her a pep talk before her match with Shayna Baszler. Madcap said that there would have been no women’s revolution without her. Emma gave Madcap a kiss on the cheek and headed to the ring.
Shayna Baszler defeated Emma via Kirifuda Clutch. It was noted that Ronda Rousey was not there tonight and was “off doing PR”. After the match, Baszler continued to attack Emma which led to Shotzi running out to attempt to help, only to be beaten down by Baszler as well. This led to Raquel Rodriguez running down injured arm and all and finally Baszler relented and backed away shouting that “it took three”.
.@QoSBaszler saw she was getting outnumbered and made a business decision. @RaquelWWE @ShotziWWE #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/fFi3idH4FS
— WWE (@WWE) December 3, 2022
A promo package aired of Lacey Evans going “back to basics” which showed her training with the United State Marine Corps. She said she’d found herself lost in the crowd but now something had to change.
Ricochet then was given the promo package treatment talking about how he was representing the USA vs. Santos Escobar’s Mexico.
Gunther versus Kofi Kingston was up next with Imperium getting involved tripping Kofi behind the referee’s back. This led to Braun Strowman coming out and taking out Imperium. Gunther went on to defeat Kingston clean using a new finisher called “The Last Symphony”.
Backstage Sami Zayn said he was going to get food for The Bloodline. The Usos suggested Sami take Solo Sikoa with him as he’s been making a lot of enemies lately and could use the protection. After Sami left, Jimmy asked Jey if he ever got to ask Sami about lying to his face and Jey said no but their WarGames win was proof positive. Suddenly Sheamus attacked both Usos with his shillelagh. Sheamus wished them luck in their match on Monday and that if they survive, him and Drew McIntyre would be waiting for them next.
Damage Ctrl was out next and cut a promo about how no one in the locker room wanted to step up and face them. Liv Morgan interrupted taking all three members of Damage Ctrl out before the numbers game caught up to her. Tegan Nox then made a surprise return coming to Morgan’s aide. Liv Morgan then grabbed a kendo stick to finally chase Damage Ctrl off.
TEGAN NOX IS BACK!!!#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/jgyoY8W3O6
— WWE (@WWE) December 3, 2022
A Karrion Kross promo aired where he set his sights on Rey Mysterio as his next victim.
Tick tock, @reymysterio.@realKILLERkross @Lady_Scarlett13 #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/iN8wqGDYjc
— WWE (@WWE) December 3, 2022
An Uncle Howdy video aired saying “it’s all fiction, trust me” and “revel in what you are”.
Ricochet defeated Santos Escobar to win the SmackDown World Cup. After the match Gunther came out and stared down Ricochet as the show went off the air.
.@Gunther_AUT and @KingRicochet will meet for the #ICTitle in TWO WEEKS!#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/tm6Me52wc8
— WWE (@WWE) December 3, 2022
Announced for SmackDown Next Week from Pittsburgh, PA:
- Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Match: Winners of Elias/Riddle vs. The Usos vs. Drew McIntyre & Sheamus
- Shotzi vs. Shayna Baszler
- Kurt Angle Birthday Celebration
Friday Night SmackDown Results:
- Sami Zayn over Sheamus in 18:27
- Shayna Baszler over Emma in 4:12
- Gunther over Kofi Kingston in 11:29
- Smackdown World Cup Finals Match: Ricochet over Santos Escobar in 21:53