WWE SmackDown Live Results (December 15, 2023): Surprising assault, Roman Reigns is back, former champion returns!

Check out the results for WWE SmackDown right here.

Top star who Bobby Lashley defeated after 4-month absence vows to bring a major change to SmackDown

Randy Orton sends a clear message to 41-year-old star on WWE SmackDown

Roman Reigns makes urgent request of Bloodline member

Former champion defeats Grayson Waller in SmackDown debut

WWE officially confirms serious Charlotte Flair injury; will miss most of next year

That's a wrap for our coverage of WWE Friday Night SmackDown. Be sure to return for Sportskeeda's live coverage of Monday Night RAW.

The commentary goes over everything that just went down. AJ seems to have issues with The Bloodline, but he also seemingly turned heel. What does this mean? And what will happen with The O.C.?

Orton and Knight look mad, and The Bloodline seems shocked.

The commentary then previews next week's show.

Commentary notes how The Bloodline has wronged LA Knight, Randy Orton, and AJ Styles, but there's tension between the babyfaces. LA Knight pushes AJ, and AJ shockingly clotheslines Knight! What?!

AJ then exits the ring after glaring at Orton and walks past The Bloodline and Roman looks confused. AJ Styles is seemingly a heel!

LA Knight rushes back into the ring and fights off Jimmy and Roman, but Solo gets into the ring now, and The Bloodline is beating up both LA and Orton. When all hope was seemingly lost, AJ Styles' music hits! The Phenomenal One is back!

AJ hit a springboard forearm out of nowhere, sending Roman and The Bloodline packing!

LA Knight and Orton have a bit of a staredown when Roman jumps LA Knight out of nowhere. The fans boo as Reigns and Orton now have a staredown of their own. Roman goes in and the two stars begin brawling! Orton has the upper hand when Jimmy cuts Orton off. Together, Jimmy and Roman stomp away at Orton.

From the break, Orton and Jimmy are going back and forth, exchanging blows. Jimmy throws up the one only to get hit by two clotheslines. He goes for a powerslam, but Jimmy holds on to the ropes. Jimmy then charges, only to be hit by it anyway. Orton then is ready; he starts to get ready for the RKO when Solo Sikoa's music interrupts!

Before he can come out, LA Knight rushes out and stops the interference! In the ring, Orton hits the RKO on Jimmy for the win!

Randy Orton defeats Jimmy Uso by pinfall.

Jimmy begins to hit his corner punches, but am eye poke from Orton cuts it off. He then goes for the rope draping DDT, only to be tossed to the floor! We go to break with Orton in trouble.

Back from break, Randy is in control. He drops Jimmy Uso hard on the announcer's table and did it during the commercial break, too. Jimmy gets the upper hand and hits a headbutt, followed by a charge in the corner, only to eat a back elbow. Randy then hits corner punches as the crowd counts along. Next, Orton starts to hit the Garvin stomps.

Jimmy gets out of it with a big kick, but the crowd boos him. Uso then clubs away at Orton in the corner. He goes for the Uso charging hip attack and hits it for a two-count.

Randy Orton goes to the ring. Jimmy Uso is out next. His theme is still so good. Notably, he comes out alone without Roman, Solo, or Heyman.

Jimmy Uso vs. Randy Orton

This one starts hot, with Orton nearly hitting his big DDT almost immediately. Uso rolls out of the ring and asks for a time-out as we go to break.

Next week on SmackDown:

- Kevin Owens vs. Carmelo Hayes.
- Bobby Lashley vs. Santos Escobar.
- Dragon Lee vs. Butch in a North American Championship match!
- Bianca Belair, Shotzi, Michin, and Zelina Vega vs. Damage CTRL in a Holiday Havoc match.

Back from break, a video package featuring Santos Escobar airs. He talks about how Rey Mysterio ripped away his last chance at the United States Championship. He then makes it clear he'll beat Lashley.

From there, Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits cut a promo on Logan Paul and Santos Escobar. He notes Santos is standing in his way.

Backstage, Jimmy Uso is talking to Solo. He tells Sikoa that Roman and Heyman having Jimmy going after Orton felt like a setup. Jimmy asks Solo if he knew if there was a setup, Solo would tell him, right?

Solo says he's his brother. That wasn't much of an answer.

The main event is promoted as being up next!

Michin tags in and hits a big strike, then a cool sit-out spine-damaging move. Mia gets the nearfall, but Kairi breaks up the fall. Sane and Zelina fight outside the ring and Kairi hits an Alabama Slam on Vega onto the announce table! Michin kicks Kairi, and then she and Asuka trade kicks. Michin fires up.

Unfortunately, Dakota causes a distraction, allowing Asuka to hit Michin. An Insane Elbow from Kairi next seals the deal!

The Kabuki Warriors defeat Michin and Zelina Vega.

Bayley and Dakota Kai were pleased with the win.

Asuka goes for the pin but only gets two. She then hits several big strikes on Michin, but Mia counters into a pin. Only a two, but she hits a second pin only to be hit by a clothesline. Eventually, Michin fights out enough to tag in Zelina, who gets cheers from the crowd.

Vega hits a few big strikes on Kairi for the nearfall. Kairi attempts to fight back only to be hit by a hammerlock DDT! Zelina then hits a 619 but gets a backfist from Kairi immediately after. Sane tags in Asuka, who puts Zelina in the Asuka Lock. Michin teaches for a tag, and Zelina counters the submission and gets the tag!

Back from the break, the action is already underway. Dakota Kai is ringside and even puts her foot on a downed Michin, showing she's getting closer to being physical.

The Kabuki Warriors are hitting excellent double-team offense on Michin in the ring. They keep the upper hand and make frequent tags, continuing to hit double-strikes combos. They're still having a lot of fun together!

The Kabuki Warriors are out next to their entrance, not using the Damage CTRL theme. The ring announcer even referred to them as The Kabuki Warriors. As the two made their way to the ring, Zelina Vega and Michin attacked!

The Kabuki Warriors vs. Michin & Zelina Vega

This one will start after the break!

A video package for Damage CTRL is shown next. Bayley, IYO SKY, Kairi Sane, Asuka, and Dakota Kai want to win all the gold. Bayley says the Kabuki Warriors of Asuka and Kairi Sane intend to win the WWE Women's Tag Team Titles, and Bayley will win the Women's Royal Rumble to challenge Rhea Ripley, thus bringing all the gold to the stable.

Backstage, Cameron Grimes congratulates Kevin Owens on his win. Kayla Braxton then asks about his match with Carmelo Hayes next week. Hayes shows up and says Kevin has done it all and won it all, but he wants to win it more. Carmelo says Owens isn't going to punch him in the face or "little bro" him. Kevin seemed confused about what that meant.

We then talk to the commentary team who reveals Charlotte Flair will be out of action for nine months following the major injury last week. That is so sad.

Back from break, WWE showcases the Green Bay Packers in the crowd.

From there, a WrestleMania graphic shows with SmackDown, the 2024 Hall of Fame, NXT Stand & Deliver, and RAW tickets are all on sale.

After that a video package aired for Karrion Kross and Scarlett! He promises a new beginning and says everything is about to crumble. It was an excellent video.

Backstage, The Bloodline is venting about Randy Orton. Roman says somebody has to handle Randy Orton. A disgruntled Jimmy says the "Tribal Heir" could do it, meaning Solo. Roman says it is promotion season, and if Jimmy takes care of Orton, who knows what could happen. Jimmy says yeet, and Roman looks mad before Jimmy says, "no yeet." I'm glad yeet is unbanned!

Owens goes for a stunner, but Theory stops it by attacking Kevin's hand. This leads them outside the ring, and Austin slams Kevin's bad hand against the ring post and steps. They return to the ring, and Kevin Owens smashes Theory in the face with the cast. The referee doesn't disqualify him and Kevin gets the pin!

Kevin Owens defeats Austin Theory by pinfall.

Owens now advances in the tournament.

Austin Theory rolls out of the ring to avoid being pinned, only to push Kevin into the ring post. He then drops Owens onto the barricade crotch first. Theory enters the ring and tries to get the referee to count Owens out. Kevin gets in at 9, almost losing, only to be hit by a beautiful blockbuster for the nearfall.

Back on the ropes, Theory goes for a superplex again, but Kevin slides under. Austin is hanging up in the tree of woe, and Kevin hits his cannonball! That was cool. From there, Kevin climbs to the top and hits a beautiful Swanton! But Austin Theory kicked out AGAIN! Wow!

Kevin Owens goes for a pop-up powerbomb, but it hurts his hand. He then hits a superkick on Austin for a two-count. The crowd is firmly behind Kevin, as one would expect. Owens charges at Theory but eats a big boot. The same happens to Kevin. Austin then hits an excellent move on the top rope, jumping up and hitting a seated springboard Spanish fly for the two-count!

Austin lifts Owens and puts him on the top rope. He climbs for a superplex, but Kevin reverses it into a beautiful twisting superplex of his own!

Back from break and both Theory and Owens are fighting on the ropes. Kevin knocks Austin down and hits a frog splash, but pain in his hand causes the pin to be delayed and thus Kevin only gets a two-count. He goes for a huge Swanton next but Austin gets his knees up and almost pins the former Universal Champion.

Owens starts firing up and hits repeated stomps which the crowd explodes for. He irish whips Austin but it ends up getting reversed only for Theory to be kicked. Soon he is hit with an inverted atomic drop and a DDT. Owens nearly won!

Owens maintains the upper hand, and both men fight on the apron. Austin goes for a suplex on the apron, but Owens avoids it. He knocks Theory to the floor and then hits a cannonball off the apron to a big pop from the crowd.

Owens tries to grab Theory, but Austin uses the ropes to hurt Owens' hand. He then hits his rolling dropkick. From there, Austin Theory hits a NASTY suplex onto the apron. Kevin Owens is in severe pain as we go to break. That was a brutal bump!

Austin Theory makes his way out following a video package highlighting Logan Paul and Kevin Owens. Then another Logan Paul promo is shown as he praises Austin Theory, just like he did Waller earlier, and tears down Kevin Owens, just like he did Carmelo Hayes. This includes calling Kevin Owens embarrassing.

The bell sounds, and Theory attempts to get Owens' broken hand immediately but is put into a headlock instead. Owens hits a shoulder block and an arm drag despite being one-handed.

As we return from break, the next United States Championship Tournament match is set to take place. The commentary emphasizes Owens' broken hand.

Kevin Owens vs. Austin Theory

Carmelo Hayes will now face the winner of Austin Theory vs. Kevin Owens, which is next tonight. As a reminder, both Santos Escobar and Bobby Lashley have also advanced.

Backstage, Randy Orton is walking and LA Knight approaches him. They talk about their issues with The Bloodline, but there's a little tension. Orton told Knight to stay out of his way. LA then says he's the one looking to take Roman out.

Kevin Owens' music hits next!

Waller hits an arm wringer on Hayes and tries to hit his finisher, but it is reversed into the First 48. From there, Carmelo hits the Nothing but Net and wins!!

Carmelo Hayes defeats Grayson Waller by pinfall.

Wow, Carmelo advances in the United States Championship Tournament!

Carmelo begins fighting back now, with commentary speculating that the teased knee injury could've been a temporary tweak. Carmelo then hits a cool tilt-a-whirl facebuster. Grayson then regains control and hits an incredible-looking flipping Fameasser in the corner.

Hayes somehow kicks out, but Grayson puts him on his shoulder. Carmelo reverses into a victory roll for the two-count. From there, Carmelo hits a springboard DDT for the nearfall!

Back from break, Waller has Hayes in a cravat, but Carmelo is fighting back. He hits several big punches but tweaks his knee on a dive attempt. Grayson takes advantage of it with a rolling flat liner. Is Carmelo injured??

Waller goes for a big chop in the corner, but Hayes ducks and chops Waller instead. Loud "Woo" chants for a second chop, too. Grayson goes for a suplex, but Carmelo turns it into a pinfall attempt. Grayson gets out and levels Hayes with a kick. Grayson gets caught with a rana and then a big kick. Carmelo then hits The Fade Away!

Waller rolls out of the ring, and they keep avoiding each other before Hayes hits a beautiful springboard in the ring. Waller is sent to the floor as we once again go to break.

Back from break, Carmelo Hayes makes his big entrance. While he makes his way out, Logan Paul is shown talking smack in a lower third video, disrespecting HIM.

Corey Graves is putting over Carmelo very firmly as the bell rings. The two men exchange headlocks, but Hayes' athleticism leaves Waller running all over. Waller fights out of an arm wringer, doing excessive kip-ups, only to be pulled back to the mat. From there, Grayson finally escapes it, thanks to hitting Hayes in the face.

Up next, Grayson Waller will battle NXT's Carmelo Hayes as part of the United States Championship Tournament! A video package then airs, highlighting the former A-Champion of NXT.

Carmelo Hayes vs. Grayson Waller

After the video package, Waller's music hits, and he makes his way to the ring. This one will begin NEXT.

Roman says it won't be an 18-month absence if they compete again. Orton will never come back. Randy says Roman has evolved and is no longer just a historical champion but a legend. Orton then says he has grown, too, but he will forever be a Legend Killer.

He then goes for the RKO, but Roman slides away and looks on in fear. He says Roman hasn't thought of him, but maybe he should. Orton then claims that Roman might've cr**ped his pants. Randy then says, "Daddy's back," and walks away.

Roman says the fans want it. He then says that while Orton has been thinking about this for 18 months, Roman hasn't thought about Randy. Reigns said Orton hasn't done anything to earn the opportunity to go to the back of the line. Roman says it isn't 2007 anymore, and he's level above Randy and everybody else.

Back from break, Randy Orton still hadn't made it to the ring. He finally steps between the ropes, and the crowd loudly cheers for him. He takes the mic and says he's been waiting for this moment for 18 months. He says the only thing he needs to speak to Roman is Orton is coming for Roman.

Orton says Roman took 18 months from him, so Randy is going to take everything from The Big Dog. Randy then challenges Roman Reigns to a title match at the 2024 Royal Rumble!

Randy Orton's music interrupts Roman Reigns before he can go further! We go to break as The Viper makes his way to the ring.

Roman told the audience to keep the boos down, and they boo more. Reigns says he's here to celebrate, and it's promotion season. He says this man is next in line if anything ever happens to Roman. A mix of chants interrupts, "Randy" being the loudest. Roman says it isn't Randy and that the next Tribal Heir and Tribal Chief is... Solo Sikoa!

Jimmy Uso thought it was him and seems disappointed.

Roman Reigns makes his way out alongside Paul Heyman, Solo Sikoa, and Jimmy Uso. While they enter, a video package highlights Randy Orton and LA Knight's issues with The Bloodline from last week. The crowd gives a mixed response to the champion, mostly boos with a lot of "the ones" thrown up.

The Tribal Chief then demands Green Bay to acknowledge him.

Friday Night SmackDown begins with the standard opening package. From there, Kevin Patrick welcomes the WWE Universe to the show. Roman Reigns' music hits! The Tribal Chief is back!

Hey everyone, welcome to the live coverage of WWE Friday Night SmackDown on FOX. The following has been promoted for tonight's show:

- Roman Reigns will return.
- Randy Orton vs. Jimmy Uso.
- Michin & Zelina Vega vs. Damage CTRL.
- Carmelo Hayes vs. Grayson Waller.
- Austin Theory vs. Kevin Owens.