WWE SmackDown Results (09/23) - Roman Reigns Returns, Undisputed Tag Team Title Match, Braun Strowman Makes In-Ring Return
Welcome to Wrestling Inc.'s results for "WWE SmackDown" on September 23, 2022, coming to you live from Salt Lake City, Utah!
"The Head of the Table" Roman Reigns makes his return to "SmackDown" as he is set to address the WWE Universe ahead of his match with Logan Paul at Crown Jewel on November 5. The opening of last week's show saw Paul announce a press conference for the following day, during which he officially challenged Reigns for his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. What will Reigns have to say?
The Undisputed Tag Team Champions, The Usos, will be putting their titles on the line as they face off against the number one contenders, Butch and Ridge Holland of The Brawling Brutes. The Brawling Brutes earned their spot last week after beating Hit Row, Imperium and New Day in a Fatal Four-Way Number One Contender's Match. Will fans see new champions tonight, or will The Usos continue to dominate?
"The Monster Among Men" Braun Strowman will be participating in his first match since making his return to the company as he takes on Alpha Academy's Otis in what promises to be a hard-hitting bout. Strowman shocked the world when he made his return on the September 5 edition of "Raw" amidst a Fatal Four-Way Number One Contenders Match, during which he shoulder tackled Otis through the barricade. Since then, Alpha Academy has had their sights set on exacting their revenge on him. Will Otis be able to conquer the 6'8" giant?
We are live! Michael Cole and Corey Graves greet audiences at home as The Bloodline heads to the ring. We then head to a short video of the press conference between Roman Reigns and Logan Paul.
We hear from Roman Reigns
Paul Heyman hands Reigns a mic. Reigns tells Salt Lake City to acknowledge him before handing the mic back to Heyman. Heyman introduces himself, then asks what to call people from Salt Lake City. He settles on Salt Lake Ci-diots, then addresses Reign's win over Drew McIntyre at Clash at the Castle, saying that Cardiff was never McIntyre's home turf, as the world is Reign's turf. He then addresses Solo Sikoa, stating that the idea for him is that he was "sent by the elders of the Samoan Dynasty" to take out Brock Lesnar. He says that someone had to stop the conspiracies involving Roman Reigns, then calls him the enforcer of the group. Heyman then addresses The Usos, saying that they can now focus on greatness "in their pursuit of immorality." Jimmy says that by the end of the night, they will still be the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions. Reigns then calls on Sikoa, saying that while the elders may have sent him, he answers to Reigns. He tells Sikoa to acknowledge him and Sikoa obliges. The pair then hug.
Reign's music plays, but Zayn tells audio to cut the music. He says that he wanted to show The Bloodline gratitude and acknowledge Reigns. Reigns says that he likes him, but asks why he's saying anything. Zayn is taken aback as Reigns asks why he has their shirt on and why he's tagging along. He asks Zayn what he wants before saying that he wants him to take the shirt off. Zayn says he can explain what happened with Logan Paul, but Reigns cuts him off and says he won't tell him again as the crowd boos. Zayn refuses to listen, leading to Jey ripping it off. Reigns tells him he never wants to see him in a Bloodline shirt again, then says that he got him a new one. He tosses him a shirt that says "Honorary Uce" on it. Zayn puts it on and celebrates. Zayn then acknowledges Reigns before hugging him.
Liv Morgan vs. Lacey Evans
Back from the break, Lacey Evans waits in the ring as Liv Morgan heads down. The bell rings and the two lock up. Morgan slaps Evans before Evans fires back with a right hand and a bog boot. She sends her face first into the top turnbuckle before Morgan fires back with a drop kick and a knee. Evans hits a leg sweep and gloats. She delivers a snapmare, then hits a knee and a forearm. Evans then sends Morgan face first into the ring post.
Back from the break, Evans delivers a double knee to Morgan. She continues to beat down Morgan before Morgan delivers several boots to her face. Evans rolls out of the ring and looks under the ring. She grabs a kendo stick and looks to hit Morgan with it. Morgan manages to hit a Code Breaker, followed by The Oblivion for the win.
Winner: Liv Morgan
After the match, Morgan grabs the kendo stick and repeatedly hits Evans several times. She then uses it to send Evans back and neck first into the barricade. Morgan then heads under the ring and pulls out a table. She places Evans on top of it, then ascends to the top of the ringpost. She delivers a senton to Evans, then tells Ronda Rousey she's "ready to get extreme."
We then head backstage to Hit Row. They say they have a VIP Party to watch The Brawling Brutes and The Usos later tonight. They say that they're coming after whichever team wins. The Street Profits walk in with their solo cups. Montez Ford asks who they have in the match between Braun Strowman and Otis. Shinsuke Nakamura then appears and the six toast to one another.
Back from the break, we head backstage to Sami Zayn. Ricochet and Madcap Moss approach him, saying he's changed. They call him "obnoxious and unbearable." Zayn says if you disrespect him, you disrespect The Bloodline. Ricochet tells him off before Solo Sikoa comes out of nowhere and sends the two men into the garage door.
We then head to a video hyping up The Usos and their title reign.
New Day vs. Maximum Male Models
Back from the break, New Day heads to the ring, with Maximum Male Models already waiting inside. Mån.sôör and Woods begin the action. The bell rings and the two lock up. Ma.çé tags in and beats Woods down. Mån.sôör tags back in and Woods sends him out of the ring to the outside. Ma.çé tags back in and hits Woods with a bodyslam. He hits an elbow off the middle rope, then goes for a pin but Woods kicks out. Mån.sôör tags back in as Maxxine Dupri takes pictures of them. Woods then manages to roll him up for the win.
Winner: New Day
After the match, Max Dupri yells at Maximum Male Models. He then throws off his jacket and storms away.
We then see the ring crew re-enforcing the ring ahead of the match between Braun Strowman and Otis.
Back from the break, Braun Strowman heads to the ring, followed by Alpha Academy.
Braun Strowman vs. Otis
The bell rings and the two lock up. Strowman delivers a right hand, then tosses Otis across the ring. He hits a drop kick that sends Otis out of the ring, then looks for his signature running shoulder tackle. Gable distracts him, allowing Otis to gain the upper hand and send him into the barricade and ring post.he tosses Strowman back in and delivers a discus clothesline. He goes for a pin, but Strowman kicks out at one.
Otis hits a splash in the corner, followed by several right hands. Strowman fires back with a spine buster, then sends Otis onto the commentary desk. He tosses him back into the ring before Gable tries to prevent him from getting in the ring. Strowman tosses him into the timekeeper's area, then gets back in the ring. Otis hits a World's Strongest Slam, then goes for a pin but Strowman kicks out. He then hits a Vader Bomb off the middle rope, then goes for another pin. Strowman kicks out yet again before Otis looks for a diving head butt. Strowman moves out of the way and hits a powerbomb for the win.
Winner: Braun Strowman
We then head backstage to Kayla Braxton and The Brawling Brutes. Butch says it's fight night before Rigde Holland says they will batter The Usos to win the titles. Sheamus says that they love a good fight, then says he will beat Gunther two weeks from now. He says that they will get banger after banger after banger.
We then head to a promotional video for Connor's Cure.
Drew McIntyre Reveals He Will Face Karrion Kross In A Strap Match At Extreme Rules
Back from the break, Drew McIntyre heads to the ring.
McIntyre says that he doesn't like to play games and if anyone has an issue with him, then they can step in the ring with him. McIntyre says that if Karrion Kross keeps jumping him from behind, then he'll go straight to the top. He then says that he'll be facing Kross at Extreme Rules in a Strap Match.
Kross' music hits and Scarlett heads to the ring. Kross tries attacking him from behind, but McIntyre sends him shoulder first into the ring post. He then uses the strap he brought with him to the ring to tie Kross to him. He delivers a big boot, then whips him twice. Kross tries to run away, but McIntyre pulls him back in and whips him once more with the strap. He delivers a lariat, then looks to whip him again but Scarlett inserts herself between the two men. McIntyre charges at him, but Scarlett hits him with a fireball. This doesn't keep McIntyre down for long, as he delivers a spine buster to Kross. Scarlett then hits McIntyre with a low blow. Kross locks in the Kross Jacket, saying that he will see him at Extreme Rules. He says that this is what they wanted before telling him to "let it go."
Back from the break, Damage CTRL heads to the ring, followed by Raquel Rodriguez.
Dakota Kai vs. Raquel Rodriguez
The bell rings and Rodriguez sends Kai straight into the corner. Kai looks for a Scorpion Kick, but Rodriguez blocks it. Bayley and IYO SKY cause a distraction, allowing Kai to deliver a running kick to Rodriguez in the corner. Bayley tries to interfere, but Shotzi runs to the ring and levels her. This allows Rodriguez to roll up Kai for the win.
Winner: Raquel Rodriguez
After the match, Damage CTRL beat down Rodriguez and Shotzi. Shotzi gets the upper hand as the two women stand tall in the ring.
Back from the break, commentary then runs down the card for next week's show.
The Brawling Brutes then head to the ring, followed by The Usos, Solo Sikoa and Sami Zayn.
The Usos (c) vs. The Brawling Brutes for the WWE Undisputed Tag Team Championships
Jey and Butch begin the action. The bell rings and Butch unloads on Jey. He delivers his signature finger breaks to Jey before tagging in Holland. Jey delivers a right hand, then tags in Jimmy. Jimmy delivers a few chops to Holland's chest, then tags Jey back in. He delivers a forearm before Butch tags in and the pair deliver The Ten Beats. Butch tags Holland back in and Jey tosses him out of the ring. He then sends Butch face first into the barricade before tossing him back in the ring and tagging in Jimmy.
Back from the break, Butch delivers a boot and a forearm to Jimmy. Jimmy delivers a step-up enziguri, then goes for a pin but Butch kicks out. Jey tags back in and gets into a heated verbal exchange with Zayn on the outside. This allows Butch to deliver an enziguri and make the tag to Holland. Holland beats Jimmy down, then hits a tilt-a-whirl slam. He goes for a pin, but Jimmy kicks out. Jimmy delivers a right hand, followed by a Samoan Drop. Butch tags in and beats Jimmy down. He sends him out of the ring, but Jey makes the blind tag. Butch delivers a German Suplex, followed by a double stomp. He goes for a pin, but Jey kicks out. Jimmy tags in and Butch looks for a moonsault on the brothers. The pair deliver a super kick, then Jimmy goes for a pin but Butch kicks out.
Jey tags back in and the pair look for 1-D, but Butch counters it into a DDT. he snaps Jey's fingers and tags in Holland. Jimmy makes the blind tag and hits the brothers with an Alabama Slam. Butch tags back in and the two deliver a combo move. He goes for a pin, but Jey breaks it up. Zayn grabs a chair from the audience, but Sheamus grabs it from him. He looks to beat Zayn down, but Imperium comes out of nowhere and beats him down. Butch and Holland look to help, but The Usos catch them with superkicks before hitting Butch with 1-D in the ring for the win.
Winners: The Usos