After a very successful and heartwarming Tribute to the Troops, WWE SmackDown makes its way to the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It will surely be one of the best episodes of the Blue brand as the WWE Undisputed Universal Champion returns this Friday night.
Plus, the first round of the United States Championship Tournament rolls on with the second half of the bracket. Hold on to your hats because it’s Friday night fight night! Here’s a preview of WWE Friday Night SmackDown. Let’s run it down.
Full WWE SmackDown Match Card:
- United States Championship Tournament – 1st Round: Carmelo Hayes vs. Grayson Waller
- United States Championship Tournament – 1st Round: Kevin Owens vs. Austin Theory
- Roman Reigns Returns
First Round Firefights
EXCLUSIVE: Despite being told he has a broken hand, @FightOwensFight still wants to punch @GraysonWWE and @_Theory1 next week. #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/VHnCoIt9AL
— WWE (@WWE) December 9, 2023
On last week’s show, Santos Escobar and Bobby Lashley punched their ticket to the second round of the United States Championship Tournament, with the winner becoming the number one contender for Logan Paul’s WWE United States Title.
Grayson Waller, Austin Theory, Kevin Owens, NXT Superstar, and former NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes have the chance to do the same.
Waller will have to adjust fast since he only knew of Hayes’ entry into the tournament, much like everyone else, at the start of the week, with the ‘Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels making the monumental announcement. As for Theory, he has the advantage going in, as Owens is still nursing a severe hand injury but refuses to go down without a fight.
This tournament is heating up and will continue to do so until it reaches its fever pitch! Who will qualify for the succeeding round of this exciting tourney?
Reigns Returns With a Vengeance
“Tribal Chief, I acknowledge you. Congratulations on all your success. Don’t forget who the OG @HeymanHustle guy is.”
Oh @CMPunk is cookin’ tonight! 👀👏#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/ShwSH4GRJQ
— WWE (@WWE) December 9, 2023
This Friday night, “The Tribal Chief” and WWE Undisputed Universal Champion Roman Reigns returns to his kingdom. The last time we saw the ruler of SmackDown, he beat red-hot megastar LA Knight at Crown Jewel to keep his historic championship reign intact.
However, a lot has changed since Reigns went on his much-deserved rest from the promotion. Namely, ‘The Viper’ Randy Orton returning and signing an exclusive contract with SmackDown, making it crystal clear that he’s out for the blood of The Bloodline.
And, of course, the unthinkable return of CM Punk, who issued a stern warning to Roman this past episode of SmackDown, back at WWE Survivor Series: WarGames
Read More: CM Punk Feuds WWE Should Pursue If a Return Is Imminent
His ‘Wise Man’ Paul Heyman made the call to his ‘Tribal Chief,’ and that cry has been answered. Roman Reigns makes his way back to WWE SmackDown this Friday night; what does the unbeatable champion have to say to the WWE Universe and for those wishing his downfall?
Find out this Friday night on WWE SmackDown only on Fox!
More From LWOS Pro Wrestling
Header photo – WWE – Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can check out an almost unlimited array of WWE content on the WWE Network and Peacock.
