SmackDown preview, Dec. 15, 2023: AJ Styles returns to SmackDown to battle The Bloodline
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SmackDown Results : Quick Hits
SmackDown Results : Full Details
SmackDown results: Dec. 15, 2023
Roman Reigns anoints Solo Sikoa the Tribal Prince
Randy Orton declares Roman Reigns a legend and that The Legend Killer is back
Carmelo Hayes def. Grayson Waller - United States Championship Tournament
NXT Superstar has come to SmackDown and stunned Grayson Waller to advance in the United States Championship Tournament.
The brash Waller used his size advantage to down the athletic Hayes, but it would only take mere moments for Melo to prove that he is HIM.
One quick counter led to a First 48, and the WWE Universe was treated to a Nothing But Net leg drop from the top rope that saw Hayes punch his ticket to the semi-finals.
Kevin Owens def. Austin Theory - United States Championship Tournament
Despite a broken hand, Kevin Owens made good on his word to punch Austin Theory and he did that and more as he advanced in the United States Championship Tournament.
Theory, a former two-time United States Champion, was on a mission to reclaim what he believes is his title, but Owens had other ideas.
The vicious Theory brutalized the injured hand of Owens, but a heads up Owens cracked Theory with the cast and knocked him clean out, earning the victory.
The Kabuki Warriors def. Zelina Vega & Michin
With some help from their Damage CTRL allies, Asuka and Kairi Sane took down the team of Zelina Vega and Michin in tag team action.
Vega and Michin attacked The Kabuki Warriors before the match even began, but their momentum was short lived due in part to the numbers game of Damage CTRL.
Michin looked poised to hit a top maneuver, but a distraction from Dakota Kai and a sneak attack by Bayley lifted The Kabuki Warriors to a win.
Randy Orton def. Jimmy Uso
"The Viper" Randy Orton is hunting down The Bloodline and in his first act, he defeated Jimmy Uso in a thrilling SmackDown main event.
Orton was his vintage self, but Uso was determined to prove himself to "The Tribal Chief" Roman Reigns, but in the end, he couldn't deliver.
Solo Sikoa arrived at ringside, but LA Knight neutralized the threat, allowing Orton to nail an RKO for the win.
After the match, a beatdown by the hands of Reigns and The Bloodline ensued, but a returning AJ Styles shocked both Reigns and the WWE Universe as The Phenomenal One inserted himself right into the title picture.