 Drew McIntyre Attacked Jimmy UsoI didn't think we'd see Uso back on WWE TV until he was cleared to compete again after suffering a broken toe during WarGames at Survivor Series, but it was nice to hear from him here. He teased what was next for him and it's safe to say none of those things, especially winning the Royal Rumble and chasing the Undisputed WWE Championship, will actually happen. McIntyre showing up to attack him was a pleasant surprise and a logical development given his history with The O.G. Bloodline. Michin def. Tiffany Stratton in a Women's United States Championship Tournament Semifinal MatchStratton could've easily advanced given how over she is with the audience at the moment, but it would've made the finals predictable since she's already Ms. Money in the Bank and doesn't need to be holding a midcard title, too. Other than the unfortunately botched finish, this was a well-worked match from these two. I'm especially glad to see Michin advance to the finals at Saturday Night's Main Event after the year she's had. Braun Strowman def. Carmelo HayesHayes was advertised as facing the newest member of the SmackDown roster coming into this show. Selfishly, I hoped it would be current free agent Pentagon Jr./Penta El Zero Miedo, but I knew the chances of that would be slim to none. I had no issues with Hayes' surprise opponent being Strowman, though. Strowman got hurt in his Last Monster Standing match with Bronson Reed back in September and had been out of action until now. He's a welcome addition to the SmackDown roster and this was a pretty straightforward squash for him (poor Hayes). LA Knight def. Solo Sikoa by DisqualificationAs Michael Cole mentioned on commentary, Knight and Sikoa are no strangers to each other and had multiple matches between late 2023 and early 2024 during Knight's lengthy feud with The Bloodline. Roman Reigns challenging Sikoa to a match on the first Raw show on Netflix during his pre-taped promo on this show made me worried Knight would lose here, but I was perfectly content with the disqualification finish. The match itself was decent. Andrade and Apollo Crews attempted to make the save afterward but were also laid out by The Bloodline. Chelsea Green def. Bayley in a Women's United States Championship Tournament Semifinal MatchThis was along the same lines as the other semifinal match in that it was solid yet nothing out of the ordinary. The crowd being quiet for Bayley was extremely noticeable. Surely she's headed to Raw during WWE's trade window, right? That would also explain why she lost clean to Green here, but it was a great endorsement of Green, regardless. Green vs. Michin is the perfect matchup for the finals of the tourney, but Green is my pick to win the whole thing. Kevin Owens Attacked Undisputed WWE Champion Cody RhodesOf all the segments these two have had in recent months, this was one of their weaker ones. Owens' verbal shots toward Rhodes were funny, but the rest of their exchange was brief and the brawl left something to be desired. Nonetheless, this served as fine final hype for their match at Saturday Night's Main Event. A shock title change would be wonderful, but I'm not holding my breath. Overall ShowSmackDown has been on a hot streak for the better part of the past few months, but this wasn't one of the stronger editions the blue brand produced. All eyes are on Saturday Night's Main Event and I'm excited for that event, but this wasn't exactly an amazing go-home episode. Along with the Women's United States Championship Tournament semifinals and Strowman's return, the most notable thing on the entire show was Reigns challenging Sikoa to a Tribal Combat match on Raw's Netflix premiere. Note that next week's SmackDown was taped immediately after that one, so don't expect that to be a newsworthy episode.
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