WWE SmackDown Live Results (December 16, 2022): Roman Reigns returns

WWE SmackDown Results: John Cena announces historic return match, big twist in Bray Wyatt storyline - Winners, Recap, Grades, and Highlights

SURPRISE! @FightOwensFight has found a tag team partner for his match against @WWERomanReigns and @SamiZayn for the DEC. 30th episode of #SmackDown....

and his name is @JohnCena! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/sYclbnE5cW
— WWE (@WWE) December 17, 2022

Cena's ready to bring the fight to the Bloodline again. "Check your list, check it twice. The Bloodline's been naughty, and won't it be nice when Cena-Claus comes to town?!"

"WE dominated #WarGames!"@WWERomanReigns @WWEUsos @WWESoloSikoa @SamiZayn #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/1YbmuT5tLO
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) December 17, 2022

John Cena interrupts on screen! The 16-time World Champion says that he's received a text from his good friend Kevin Owens. His "match every year" streak is about end if he doesn't wrestle in December, so he's gonna wrestle with Kevin Owens on December 30th!

Good news for Sami, though. Roman Reigns has a solution. They'll team up, and they'll run through KO and his partner. They'll smash em, stack em, and never see them again. Sami agrees, but trips over himself, claiming that KO is just stressed because "he is his only friend."

Roman Reigns brags about their dominant performance at War Games, but they're here for tonight. Every night's a good night for the Tribal Chief. "Tonight...was gonna be a good night for you, but we got a problem. A KO problem!" Uh-oh.

"Ucey" chants rain down on Reigns and the Bloodline as he takes in this crowd.

#TheBloodline has arrived. ☝️#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/7EPUQHiG1X
— WWE (@WWE) December 17, 2022

Miracle on 34th Street Fight NEXT WEEK on #SmackDown! https://t.co/C5xdii6Zt5
— WWE (@WWE) December 17, 2022

Roman Reigns and the Bloodline are here! It's time. Will Sami Zayn become a full Uce?

NEXT WEEK on #SmackDown:#HitRow is comin' for @WWEUsos' Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles! pic.twitter.com/yyvIkm1hiM
— WWE (@WWE) December 17, 2022

Totally uncalled for. @RondaRousey and @QoSBaszler just attacked an already injured @RaquelWWE. #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/aaJMp6qJzr
— WWE (@WWE) December 17, 2022

EVERYBODY DOWN! 😲

Which team will earn the right to challenge @WWEUsos for their Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles? #HitRow #VikingRaiders #LegadoDelFantasma #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/U1h5bLIrwn
— WWE (@WWE) December 17, 2022

Raquel Rodriguez is interviewed backstage about her injury. She claims she's close to returning, but is attacked by Shayna Baszler and Ronda Rousey, re-injuring her arm.

Zelina Vega runs in and takes down Ashante with a tilt-a-whirl head scissor. B-Fab lays her out, only to be met with a knee from Valhalla. On the floor, the managers continue to brawl. Back in the ring, Hit Row hit the Heavy Hitter for the win!

Hit Row defeat Legado Del Fantasma via pinfall.

Hit Row have now earned a shot at the Usos and their WWE Tag Team Titles next week.

Top Dollah goes for a dive but hits the top rope, still bowling over the competition.

Wild spikes Ivar with a springboard tornado DDT and tags Del Toro, who hits Top Dollah with a springboard dropkick. A phoenix splash crashes onto Top Dollah, who barely kicks out.

Top Dollah has Ivar on his shoulders, but is met with a knee by Erik.

Ivar rocks Joaquin Wilde with a spinning roundhouse, and squares up with Ashante "Thee" Adonis. Wade Barrett makes sure to mention his time in the US military. Erik and Ivar take him to the floor, while Top Dollah launches LDF onto the other side. Erik rocks him, but his hit by a pair of springboard dropkicks from Del Toro and Wilde.

Next up is a triple-threat tag team match. Legado Del Fantasma are accompanied to the ring by Zelina Vega and Santos Escobar. LDF will face the Viking Raiders and Hit Row for a shot at The Usos Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles next week.

☝️ Roman Reigns & Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens & Unknown Superstar Dec. 30th on @FOXTV!@WWERomanReigns @SamiZayn @FightOwensFight #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/mFgCjidqoP
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) December 17, 2022

"Wiseman... @ScrapDaddyAP!"@WWERomanReigns @WWEUsos @HeymanHustle #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/EGUBy2PZCS
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) December 17, 2022

#BraunStrowman rushes to the aid of @KingRicochet as #Imperium looks to brutalize him after his #ICTitle match. 😤#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/Cd7qbmn1d1
— WWE (@WWE) December 17, 2022

We see a video narrated by John Cena highlighting the many years of Tribute to the Troops shows.

Adam Pearce is summoned by Paul Heyman to meet with Roman Reigns. Heyman has a great opportunity for Pearce. Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn vs Kevin Owens and a partner of his choosing. December 30th in Tampa, Florida. Reigns says that sounds a lot better than Chicago.

This also means, hopefully, that Sami is safe.

Rate this match on a scale of 1-5.#SmackDown #WWE pic.twitter.com/ThxT2zbfYO
— Sportskeeda Wrestling (@SKWrestling_) December 17, 2022

GUNTHER RETAINS!@Gunther_AUT #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/2YlQzZdzjl
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) December 17, 2022

Ricochet is still in it!@KingRicochet #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/8Wer318Iia
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) December 17, 2022

How did @Gunther_AUT kick out?!@KingRicochet #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/behEqxglIt
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) December 17, 2022

Jimmy meets with Roman Reigns backstage. He says he likes Sami Zayn. He likes Sami Uso. But he loves the Bloodline, and is with Roman no matter what he does tonight.

Imperium is about to lay into Ricochet when Braun Strowman's music hits. The Monster Among Men chases off the group, though Gunther still has his arm held high with the belt in hand.

Gunther hits the Last Symphony, an Emerald Flowsion, to put Ricochet away.

Gunther defeats Ricochet via pinfall.

.@KingRicochet giving it everything he's got tonight as he clashes with @Gunther_AUT for the Intercontinental Championship! 👏👏👏#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/UyvyYkJ5uj
— WWE (@WWE) December 17, 2022

A powerbomb plants Ricochet, but again he kicks out.

Ricochet pelts Gunther with chops and kicks. Two thrust kicks catch Gunther on the jaw, but he counters a dropkick with a chop out of the air.

A devastating lariat folds Ricochet, but he's able to kick-out. After countering a dive from Gunther, he hits a Curtain Call. The Shooting Star connects!

1-2-no! Gunther somehow kicks out!

PAIN.f@Gunther_AUT #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/fhYCe7BLCC
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) December 17, 2022

🤕 @KingRicochet was just picking up steam. @Gunther_AUT #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/5re2S3D221
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) December 17, 2022

Ricochet rocks Gunther in the corner, but a suplex attempt is blocked. A running dropkick sends Ricochet to the corner. The challenger counters a powerbomb, though, with a hurricanrana over the ropes. A running dropkick off the apron sends Gunther into the barricade.

Ricochet sets up for a dive on Gunther, hitting a beautiful springboard moonsault on the floor.

Ricochet's back is COVERED in blisters and welts.

Ricochet somehow gets Gunther on his shoulders, but the champ catches him with a kidney shot and a double underhook suplex. Ricochet kicks out.

Gunther breaks the hold and cracks the spine with a backbreaker, just to go back to the Boston Crab. Ricochet can barely get to the ropes as Gunther transitions to an STF.

Gunther has dominated Ricochet throughout the break and continues to hammer the challenger with heavy blows to the spine and chest. The high flyer can't get off the ground as he's locked in a Boston Crab.

.@KingRicochet battles @Gunther_AUT for the #ICTitle RIGHT NOW on #SmackDown! 🌐 pic.twitter.com/gAMqHueXHy
— WWE (@WWE) December 17, 2022

Ricochet moves for a springboard maneuver but is caught by Gunther. He lands on his feet off a release German suplex and rocks Gunther with an enzuigiri. Gunther weathers the flurry of kicks and knocks him to the floor, following with a release back suplex onto the apron!

Gunther immediately zeroes in on the legs of the challenger. Ricochet makes it to the ropes to avoid early damage. A hip toss takedown grounds Ricochet in the middle of the ring, and Gunther wrenches the arm of the former champ.

Adam Pearce makes sure to have the rest of Imperium barred from ringside for this match. Tonight, Gunther and Ricochet battle in true one-on-one fashion.

EXCLUSIVE: After a mysterious stagehand costs @YaOnlyLivvOnce and @NixonNewell their WWE Women’s Tag Team Title match against #DamageCTRL, she reveals herself to be none other than @XiaWWE backstage before heading into @ScrapDaddyAP’s office. #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/pgo7aRBUAh
— WWE (@WWE) December 17, 2022

Turns out the woman that attacked Tegan is Xia Li.

WWE SmackDown Live Results (December 16, 2022): Roman Reigns returns

Check out the live results for WWE SmackDown right here.