WWE SmackDown Live Results (December 29, 2023): Hall of Famer addresses injury, Logan Paul's next appearance revealed!

6'3" WWE Superstar teases adding to 9 championship reigns soon

Kevin Owens provides a 'spoiler' for WWE SmackDown: New Year's Revolution

John Cena opens up on unforgettable WWE SmackDown return

Thanks for hanging out with us for the special episode of SmackDown live coverage here on Sportskeeda. Be sure to check back with us on Monday for RAW Day 1 featuring Drew McIntyre vs. Seth Rollins and more!

After the Cody Rhodes-Roman Reigns flashback, Corey Graves and Jackie Redmond go over the three major shows set to air next week with RAW Day 1, NXT New Year's Evil, and SmackDown New Year's Revolution. It was also noted Logan Paul will be there LIVE next week! And that's the end of the show!

The Disaster Kick into the Superman Punch was a great near fall. Roman is excellent at making them feel special, especially as his long reign continues. If he does face Cody again at WrestleMania 40, the near falls that night will be even more special.

In what will seemingly be the final match highlighted tonight, we join Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns from WrestleMania 39 in progress. While the outcome is quite divisive among fans, it was a fantastic match.

Jackie asks how Jimmy Uso feels about Solo Sikoa being deemed the Tribal Heir. Paul then calls Jimmy Uso who appears on-screen. Heyman then walks out and Jimmy addresses whether or not he's hating on Solo Sikoa or Roman Reigns. He implies everything is all good. Jimmy also notes that Roman isn't concerned about the three possible challengers. If there is animosity in The Bloodline, it isn't evident yet.

Paul Heyman is in studio with Jackie Redmond and Corey Graves. Corey says Roman has switched roles from hunter to hunted, asking if Roman is feeling the heat at all. Heyman says "yes" and nothing else. He then repeats himself, just answering "yes" before noting that Heyman himself is concerned about AJ, Randy, and Knight.

Back from break, Corey and Jackie discuss Roman Reigns' epic title run, Randy Orton and AJ Styles' returns, and LA Knight's pursuit of the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. This includes looking back at Orton and Roman's confrontation and the issues with the top three potential challengers.

Next up, Jackie asks Rey about Logan Paul. Rey gives Logan credit for making himself a superstar. When asked if there is unfinished business between the two, Mysterio clarifies that they're not done. His 2024 list includes Santos, Dominik, and seemingly Logan Paul. Jackie calls it "the naughty list."

Next, Rey is asked about his Hall of Fame induction. He admits it was hard on him when Dominik Mysterio walked out during the ceremony. When asked if Dirty Dom would ever find his way, he seemed unsure but had to admit to feeling proud of Dominik's success.

The discussion then shifts to Dragon Lee. Rey calls him a superstar and endorses Lee as the future of lucha libre. He says he sees a lot of young Rey Mysterio in Dragon Lee. Rey then calls him unique and creative.

Next up, Corey Graves and Jackie Redmond interview Rey Mysterio! He says his recovery is going great and he looks forward to returning and taking care of business.

He admits to picking some of the wrong partners throughout his career and then says he saw Santos uniting with Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo coming once Escobar stabbed him in the back.

After the footage of Logan Paul dethroning Rey Mysterio of the United States Championship at Crown Jewel, Santos Escobar's heel turn and leaving of the Latino World Order are shown.

Santos Escobar leaving the brass knuckles out ahead of his heel turn was fun. Also, the knuckles becoming a common theme in Logan's matches is interesting.

Logan Paul's growth in WWE has really been impressive. For wrestling as few matches as he has, he really adapted well to the industry. Granted, he has fantastic pros behind him.

Next, we see Rey Mysterio vs. Logan Paul from Crown Jewel 2023 in progress. This match saw Logan Paul win the United States Championship in a move that shocked many fans. The Maverick has yet to defend the title, but will do so at the 2024 Royal Rumble.

Nick Aldis is then interrupted by Pretty Deadly's Kit Wilson and Elton Prince. They suggest instead of battling Butch and a mystery partner, they should instead battle the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions.

Aldis shoots them down and says they will still fight Butch and a partner of his choosing. Pretty Deadly says Nick Aldis made a huge mistake and storms out.

Back from the break and the holiday tour is briefly highlighted. WWE has sold a ridiculous number of tickets to these live events, so it makes sense to promote the shows. Corey also touted the Madison Square Garden show breaking records and CM Punk's MSG return.

Nick Aldis now addresses the WWE Universe. He says 2024 is set to be a whole new level. Aldis then runs down some of the matches announced for SmackDown New Year's Revolution, including Michin vs. IYO SKY, Kevin Owens vs. Santos Escobar, and LA Knight vs. Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles.

The Bray Wyatt video package led us to commercial break. If there's one thing nobody can take away from WWE its that their video production is top notch. The video still gives people goosebumps.

Back from break, Corey Graves and WWE honor the life and legacy of Bray Wyatt. His passing earlier this year was one of the saddest things I've experienced as a fan, and many certainly feel similar. The video package is compelling, too.

The next highlight of 2023 came with the Women's WarGames Match at Survivor Series. Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, Bianca Belair, and Shotzi defeated Damage CTRL in an epic match.

This then leads to a Damage CTRL segment. They talk about the good in 2023 such as IYO SKY winning the WWE Women's Championship, Asuka joining the stable, and Kairi Sane's return. The group made it clear 2024 is going to be their year.

Bianca mentions WrestleMania being standout for her this year. Corey then calls Bianca the busi-EST. This then leads to the trio discussing Bianca Belair's upcoming Hulu reality show alongside Montez Ford.

Overall, Belair's goal is to win the WWE Women's Championship and remain undefeated at WrestleMania. When asked about Michin vs. IYO SKY next week, Belair said selfishly she hopes IYO wins so Belair can take the title back from her, but Michin could pull it off.

Back from break, Corey Graves and Jackie Redmon speak with Bianca Belair. She says becoming the longest-reigning RAW Women's Champion was the most exciting part of her year. 44

When asked what's next, Bianca discussed wanting revenge on IYO SKY in 2024 for The Genius Of The Sky cashing in her Money in the Bank briefcase on The EST. Corey asks if Bianca is almost done with Damage CTRL, and Belair implies not yet.

Next up, we take a look back at The Rock's return to WWE on Friday Night SmackDown. It was still such a surreal moment that so many didn't expect to happen at all.

Back from break, WWE briefly recaps CM Punk's return as the most social moment in company history. We then see A-Town Down Under. Austin Theory and Grayson Waller express frustration over Nick Aldis making them do this. Waller then takes over the segment and makes it The Grayson Waller Effect.

They say their goals are to win singles gold, tag team gold, headline WrestleMania, win the Royal Rumble, win Money in the Bank, and headline Elimination Chamber Perth in Australia. They then get mad and claim Kevin Owens changed the ticker, as it suggests they should shut up in a silly segment.

After the recap of Owens and Zayn winning the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles, Cathy Kelley interviews Kevin Owens backstage. He talks about being heartbroken over how his time with Sami Zayn ended.

He then looks ahead to his match with Santos Escobar on WWE SmackDown New Year's Revolution next week. He plans to beat Santos, then Logan Paul. Owens then high-fives Cathy and sold pain in his hand. Cathy Kelley hurt a former Universal Champion! Kevin Owens takes the blame, though, and they laugh it off.

Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens winning the tag team gold together after decades of history is very special, too—just a fantastic match and moment.

The way the crowd erupted for The Usos, Sami Zayn, and Kevin Owens brawling in the ring was such an incredible moment. This tag team match was great.

This match was such a great main event. Who would have thought a tag title match would headline WrestleMania, too? The Triple H era has definitely hit different.

Kevin Owens main eventing WrestleMania two years in a row really is special. He is an absolute legend and not enough people acknowledge it or realize it right now.

Jackie Redmond and Corey Graves highlight the story of Sami Zayn and The Bloodline, including Owens and Zayn reuniting. We then join the main event of WrestleMania Saturday in progress as The Usos battle Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.

Back from break, Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits claim they want more in 2024. They say they will beat Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo after they recently jumped. They then say 2024 will be all good, and Lashley says not all good, All Mighty.

The footage highlights Cena's sad walk to the back, and then we get a promo from Cena filmed on his phone! He says he's all dressed up to celebrate the WWE Universe.

He mentions he has no idea how long he has left, but he appreciates the fans always accepting him and looks forward to the next time he'll be with the fans. He thanks them and cheers the fans, "Until the next round."

The finish of the Crown Jewel match was still unreal. John Cena was destroyed by Samoan Spike after Samoan Spike. What a moment.

If Cena can somehow return for a big show in Australia, WrestleMania, or SummerSlam, a rematch with Solo Sikoa would be brilliant. Solo could afford to lose if the company wanted The Face That Runs The Place to get revenge.

The fact that John Cena returned for a long run this year was truly special, as it was something many feared wouldn't happen again. Hopefully, he isn't done, but if he is, at least fans had an enjoyable run. I mean, he even busted out a chokeslam on Solo Sikoa!

This match was an excellent showcase for Solo Sikoa. While his style is a bit more methodical than many fans may want, he looked like a beast.

After The Rock was front and center in the highlights, Jackie Redmond and Corey Graves welcome us to The Absolute Best Of 2023. They discuss John Cena's major return and how he became a target of Solo Sikoa. This then transitions to John Cena vs. Solo Sikoa from Crown Jewel 2023. However, the whole match isn't being showcased.

SmackDown starts off with the standard "Then. Now. Forever. Together." intro. From there, a video package airs with LA Knight. He is taking The Miz's host role from Monday tonight. He says SmackDown has had a great year, and nobody knows about a great year better than him. Then, the returns of John Cena, Randy Orton, The Rock, and CM Punk are briefly highlighted.

More highlights are then shown, including big betrayals and major title reigns.

Hey everyone, welcome to the live coverage of tonight's special edition of Friday Night SmackDown. The show will look back at the best of 2023, while also featuring exclusive interviews from the top stars of the company.

WWE SmackDown Live Results (December 29, 2023): Hall of Famer addresses injury, Logan Paul's next appearance revealed!

Check out the results for WWE SmackDown right here.