Sports
WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from January 17
0 of 7Credit: WWE.comThe January 17 edition of Friday Night SmackDown promised two things: big returns to the ring and rivals finally clashing.Robert Roode fought Roman Reigns in a table match to determine the stipulation in The Big Dog’s Royal Rumble showdown with King Corbin.John Morrison competed in his first WWE match in years against…
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Credit: WWE.com
The January 17 edition of Friday Night SmackDown promised two things: big returns to the ring and rivals finally clashing.
Robert Roode fought Roman Reigns in a table match to determine the stipulation in The Big Dog's Royal Rumble showdown with King Corbin.
John Morrison competed in his first WWE match in years against Big E as a part of the growing rivalry between The Miz and The New Day.
Kane made a return to WWE with an eye on WWE Royal Rumble 2020. One of the Rumble's greatest competitors had a chance to write a new chapter in his legacy.
Sasha Banks finally promised to be in the same ring with Lacey Evans as The Sassy Southern Belle got her grudge match against The Legit Boss.
With Royal Rumble approaching, matches and moments like this defined the blue brand.
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Kane announced he would compete in the Royal Rumble match. Bray Wyatt appeared from The Firefly Fun House to remind The Big Red Machine of what he did to The Eater of Worlds.
The Fiend appeared to attack Kane, but the veteran turned around and smiled. Daniel Bryan appeared and hit Wyatt's monstrous alter ego with a running knee and pulled out his dreadlocks before The Fiend retreated.
The Planet's Champion backstage challenged Wyatt to a strap match.
Grade
B
Analysis
WWE does not need Kane right now. So many stars could have taken spots in the Rumble match. The Big Red Machine has a massive legacy in the match, but he's far past his prime at this point.
It was nice to see Team Hell No together again though. Bryan was able to use his old friend to get the edge on The Fiend again. Kane has no energy for this anymore, but he still works well off of Bryan.
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Credit: WWE.com
The Miz and Kofi Kingston played a big role in this match as John Morrison needed a few key distractions to take over. His athleticism was impressive, and after The A-Lister saved him from Big E, The Shaman of Sexy hit Starship Pain for the win.
Result
Morrison def. Big E by pinfall.
Grade
B-
Analysis
Morrison looked good in his return to action though it was not surprising. He has been competing in various promotions in his time away and knows exactly what WWE wants. As long as he's fast and athletic, he will thrive.
Miz and Morrison continue to get the upper hand on New Day. This will probably lead to a tag team title match sooner rather than later, which should be good fun.
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Credit: WWE.com
The Usos looked as good as they ever have and dominated The Revival in an action-heavy clash. Jimmy and Jey ran over Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder, and a Uso splash won the match.
In an interview backstage, Revival stated they would need to make a change since WWE would not change for them.
Result
Usos def. Revival by pinfall.
Grade
B-
Analysis
Jimmy and Jey are still an incredible tag team after their time off. While this match could have been much stronger with more time, it was still a solid sprint that reintroduced everyone to The Usos.
While The Usos rise though, The Revival fall. Wilder and Dawson promising a change could be interesting. The old school tag wrestler gimmick is good for them but not in WWE. They feel out of place right now.
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In a brawl backstage, Lacey Evans injured the ankle of Sasha Banks. Adam Pearce found The Legit Boss and Bayley in the trainer's room and told them that The Role Model would fight The Sassy Southern Belle instead.
While the SmackDown women's champion pushed Evans and punished her repeatedly, Evans caught her with the Woman's Right to take a huge non-title win.
Result
Evans def. Bayley by pinfall.
Grade
B
Analysis
WWE continues to protect the match between Evans vs. Banks far more than protecting the actual champion. The SmackDown women's champion has been treated like the lesser competitor throughout this feud with The Sassy Southern Belle.
At Royal Rumble, Evans will win the title so that she can feud with The Boss all the way to WrestleMania. At least this first match was good enough to hint that the Rumble title clash will also be good.
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Credit: WWE.com
Braun Strowman demanded his WWE Intercontinental Championship opportunity from Shinsuke Nakamura next week at Royal Rumble backstage.
Sami Zayn interrupted Elias to firmly deny The Monster Among Men his request. The Drifter made fun of Zayn, Nakamura and Cesaro until the heel stormed the ring. Strowman had to come out to save Elias, sending The Critic of the Critics and The Artist running.
Grade
C
Analysis
The Monster's journey to the Intercontinental Championship has been a slog despite all the talent involved. Zayn and Elias trading shots on the mic should have mattered more than it did, but it was just a waste of both men.
At this point, Cesaro and Nakamura don't feel like they have any personality left. The Critic of the Critics has become the only thing that matters in the group.
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Sonya Deville told Mandy Rose that she should invite Otis to stand at ringside for this match.
God's Greatest Creation fell off the turnbuckle into Otis' arms, and this distracted Deville enough for The Goddess to catch her with a roll up.
Result
Bliss def. Deville by pinfall.
Grade
D
Analysis
WWE needs to give the women more time in the ring even in these smaller feuds, or these women will remain in smaller roles. This was a bad match. Deville was not into it at all. It barely felt like The Goddess was trying.
The hints of Otis causing Fire and Desire to break up are interesting but disappointing. Rose and Deville keep each other interesting and hide each other's faults.
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Credit: WWE.com
Robert Roode attacked Roman Reigns before the bell. The Glorious One also managed to dodge him charging and send The Big Dog crashing through the steel barricade. King Corbin came out to get a closer look.
Dolph Ziggler caught Reigns with a superkick, and the three men tried to send him through the announce table. Instead, The Usos splashed The Showoff through the table. Reigns speared Roode through a table in the ring to win.
Afterward, The Big Dog announced he wanted to fight The King in a Falls Count Anywhere match.
Result
Reigns def. Roode by sending him through a table.
Grade
C
Analysis
This might as well have been a six-man tag team match given all the expected interference. The same will be true of the Falls Count Anywhere match. That stipulation is inviting interference.
The sooner Reigns vs. Corbin ends, the better. It is time to move onto a better story for The Big Dog. Reigns has spent too much time playing off uninteresting villains since returning.
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