WWE SmackDown results and recap: The Tribal Chief is outdone for once

WWE SmackDown returned to our TV screens while eminating live from Nashville, Tennessee. The show featured some build towards the Royal Rumble event, which is now a week away.

However, the main focus was on the main event side of things. Universal champion Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins ended up sparring on the mic during Reigns’ celebration for becoming the longest-reigning champion to hold the blue belt.

The segment was standard back-and-forth although Rollins did refer to former Shield member Dean Ambrose – now AEW’s Jon Moxley – as “Mox”. Make of that what you will.

It ended with Rollins challenging The Usos to a tag team match with a simple stipulation – if he wins, they’re barred from ringside at the Royal Rumble.

Reigns accepted, but added a caveat – lose and he foregoes the right to challenge the Tribal Chief at the Rumble. Rollins, of course, accepted and even had Kevin Owens around to help him out.

The match was good but ended in a DQ – yes, again – due to Reigns interfering and hitting Rollins. Of course that means Rollins won, which means it will be a straight up one-on-one match at the Rumble.

The @WWEUsos are barred from ringside at #RoyalRumble! #SmackDown @WWERomanReigns @WWERollins pic.twitter.com/HtgppUGTut

— WWE (@WWE) January 22, 2022

Reigns, for once, let his temper get the better of him and got outplayed by Rollins. How will this affect him going into the match? We’ll find out soon enough.

WWE SmackDown full results

• Kofi Kingston beat Madcap Moss after getting Big E to help him neutralise the numbers game against Happy Corbin. This was fun to watch for what it was.
• Aliyah beat Natalya again, this time due to disqualification – again. What was notable was that Summar Rae, who’s set to return at the Rumble, was ringside to further her Twitter feud with Natalya. Oh, and Xia Li returned to save Aliyah from a beatdown.
• The Viking Raiders, who became #1 contenders to the tag titles last week, beat Los Lotharios this week. Good match which served its purpose – building up Erik and Ivar.
• Naomi lost to Charlotte Flair because Sonya Deville rehashed the Montreal Screwjob. Again. A match between her and Naomi is official for next week. But – stop me if you’ve heard this before – we still don’t know why Deville hates Naomi? Why is this feud even happening? Answers on a postcard.
• Sami Zayn was involved in yet another failed stunt alongside Jonny Knoxville. Entertaining fare for what it was.
• Ricochet lost to Sheamus, who had Ridge Holland by his side.

?#SmackDown @WWESheamus @KingRicochet pic.twitter.com/7Y8UoDprmM

— WWE (@WWE) January 22, 2022

This episode wasn’t bad, but nothing particularly stood out.

Grade: C+