January 12, 2024 – Pinnacle Bank Arena – Lincoln, NE

WWE Friday Night Smackdown at the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska, on January 12, 2024, delivered an action-packed evening filled with thrilling matches and memorable moments on the road to the Royal Rumble!

The night kicked off with a dark match between Gable Steveson and Cedric Alexander. Steveson received a lot of boos, but looked impressive. The two set the tone for the night, showcasing intense athleticism and in ring skills.

The interference of Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso during the opening of the Grayson Waller vs. Cameron Grimes match added an element of chaos and unpredictability, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. This lead to Smackdown General Manager Nick Aldis coming out and setting up a match with Sikoa and Uso vs. Randy Orton, LA Knight and AJ Styles in the main event later in the evening.

Next was a tag team match featuring Angel & Humberto accompanied by Santos Escobar, against Cruz Del Toro & Joaquin Wilde. This was an awesome match that provided a mix of high-flying maneuvers and strategic teamwork from both teams. Angel & Humberto came out on top after Carlito jumped the barricade and ambushed Escobar on the outside.

Bianca Belair’s victory over Bayley was a standout moment, highlighting Belair’s strength and determination in the ring. Bayley was accompanied to the ring by the other members of Damage Control, who surprisingly didn’t interfere in the match. In my opinion, this was the match of the night with both women going back and forth and telling a great story in the ring. The fans absolutely love Belair.

The Carmelo Hayes vs. Austin Theory bout ending in a no-contest left fans stunned after both men were injured and the referee stopped the match. Before the abrupt ending, both men put on a wildly entertaining match with exciting maneuvers and numerous near falls. Grayson Walker accompanied Theory to the ring and the two’s chemistry added an extra layer of entertainment to the match.

The main event, with Randy Orton, LA Knight, and AJ Styles teaming up against Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa, delivered a thrilling conclusion to the night, showcasing the star power and in-ring prowess of these WWE superstars. After the match, Orton, Knight, and Styles hoisted Sikoa up in the air and smashed him through the announce table as the fans went crazy and Smackdown went off the air.

The dark matches featuring Jey Uso vs. Damian Priest and Cody Rhodes vs. Shinsuke Nakamura added an extra layer of excitement for the live audience, providing additional entertainment beyond the televised portion of the show. Uso received a huge ovation and after his match, Rhodes made sure to take photos, sign autographs, and talk with fans.  If this guy isn’t Heavyweight Champion by the end of the year, it’ll be a travesty!

Overall, this episode of Smackdown was a well-rounded show that delivered a mix of compelling storylines, impressive in-ring action, and unexpected surprises, leaving fans eager for the coming weeks leading to the Royal Rumble!

Match Results

Dark Match:

• Gable Steveson def. Cedric Alexander

Smackdown:

• Grayson Waller vs. Cameron Grimes – no-contest (Solo Sikoa & Jimmy Uso interfered)
• Angel & Humberto def. Cruz Del Toro & Joaquin Wilde
• Bianca Belair def. Bayley
• Carmelo Hayes vs. Austin Theory ended in a no-contest (both injured)
• Randy Orton, LA Knight & AJ Styles def. Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa

Dark Matches:

• Jey Uso def. Damian Priest
• Cody Rhodes def. Shinsuke Nakamura