Just days after warning The Bloodline that he would avenge the attack that cost him 18 months of his career, Randy Orton returned to SmackDown on Fox on Friday night.
Would the Apex Predator get his hands on Jimmy Uso, Solo Sikoa or even Paul Heyman? Maybe they got him first.
Elsewhere on the show, United States Champion Logan Paul returned to the show and Kevin Owens fought Grayson Waller.
Find out what these Superstars were up to, how it impacted WWE heading into the final month of 2023 and how each segment performed with this recap of the Dec. 1 broadcast from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
In the run-up to Friday’s show, the following were announced:
- The return of Randy Orton
- An appearance by US champion Logan Paul
- Kevin Owens vs. Grayson Waller
- Damage appearance of CTRL key
- Butch vs. Bobby Lashley
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During the opening segment of Friday’s show, Bianca Belair called out Iyo Sky and Damage CTRL, telling the heel faction that the issues between them have not yet been resolved.
This brought out the heels, followed by Charlotte Flair and Shotzi before a predictable brawl that ended with the babyfaces heading into the break standing tall.
However, Bayley was nowhere to be found, reinforcing the belief that her days with the faction are numbered.
It was a paint-by-numbers segment that didn’t advance anything and added little substance to the ongoing story.
Bayley’s revelation after the commercial break that no one told her they were going to the ring should make things very interesting when Kairi Sane takes on Belair later tonight.
Degree
C
Top moments and takeaways
- “My war with Damage CTRL…it is not over yet, for Iyo Sky, I am coming for you. I want my title back,” Belair set the stage for a championship showdown with the woman who made her money in the bank briefcase and stole the gold from her at SummerSlam.
- Bayley was nowhere to be seen with Damage CTRL and both Corey Graves and Michael Cole noted their absence in the comments.
Photo credit: WWE.com
Butch is a man on an island, his partnership with Ridge Holland in tatters as the Brawling Brutes seemingly no longer exist.
The former Bruiserweight fought Bobby Lashley, who was accompanied to the squared circle by The Street Profits and recovered as expected.
He was stubborn, resilient and tough, but the Almighty overwhelmed him with his strength and explosive attack, achieving victory with a spear that turned him inside out.
Butch looked strong here despite the loss, and the potential for a character change back to the Pete Dunne persona is certainly there.
For Lashley, this was a good win in his first singles match on Friday night, even if it didn’t mean much to him in the eyes of fans who already know he’s a top player.
Result
Lashley defeated Butch
Degree
b
Top moments and takeaways
- Brooklyn was red hot for Lashley, calling his name even though he was the heel.
- Butch was heavily cautioned here and rallied late before being knocked down by a bigger, stronger opponent.
Photo credit: WWE.com
Santos Escobar was looking to follow up his victory over Dragon Lee at Survivor Series with another big win, this time against his former LWO teammate Joaquin Wilde.
In a competitive game, Escobar’s rising star and Wilde’s underrated abilities were highlighted. Ultimately, Escobar scored the winner with his Phantom Driver, but a post-play attack thwarted Lee, who parried the ball and scurried back on his heel.
This was a good way to further showcase Escobar as he becomes one of the most despised competitors on SmackDown, and a way to keep the feud with Lee alive.
The most dynamic segment based on what we’ve seen from Escobar in recent weeks? No, but it was still effective.
Result
Escobar defeated Wilde
Degree
C+
Top moments and takeaways
- There was no sign of Carlito this week, but it was great to see Lee make the save and stay relevant in this feud. Keep him on TV and in front of the fans and you will make him a star.
- Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis have started a bidding war for Randy Orton, who is currently a free agent.
Photo credit: WWE.com
Logan Paul returned to SmackDown as United States Champion and wasted no time in revealing that there will be a tournament to determine his next challenger. Kevin Owens interrupted, followed by Grayson Waller, and the announced match between the latter two began.
Waller took advantage of Austin Theory’s interference and tended to injured hands for most of the fight. However, it wasn’t enough as Owens, despite the pain, scored the win out of nowhere, much to the Heels’ chagrin.
When you look at Paul a year ago and see what he did here tonight, you see a megastar in two different states of comfort. At this point he is much more comfortable and knows who he is. He’s great on the mic, the most natural rookie in years and can win the US title.
Owens was great here, going head to head with Paul on the mic and wowing the crowd.
Good stuff from everyone involved.
Result
Owens defeated Waller
Degree
b
Top moments and takeaways
- Santos Escobar, Dragon Lee, Karrion Kross, Bobby Lashley, Grayson Waller, Austin, Theory, an unnamed NXT star and Kevin Owens were all announced for the tournament to crown the next No. 1 contender to Paul’s title.
- KO with the Vine reference. “It only took me six seconds to figure out you were an insufferable idiot,” he told Paul.
- “Six seconds is five more than it takes me to knock you out,” Paul replied.
- The theory stepped on Owens’ hand and set up Waller to take advantage.
Bayley continued to dig a hole for herself on Friday, interfering late in Kairi Sane’s match with Bianca Belair and inadvertently distracting her long enough for The EST to recover and take the win.
It wasn’t the first time Belair and Sane competed against each other, having competed against each other at the inaugural Mae Young Classic, and they showed solid chemistry in the ring.
Unfortunately, the game was marred by an inappropriate commercial break that resulted in most of the combat taking place during the game.
However, the development of the story that sees Bayley cost her teammate victory will be hugely important going forward, as the final will ultimately mark the end of Bayley’s role as leader of Damage CTRL.
Result
Belair pinned Sane
Degree
b
Top moments and takeaways
- Bayley was denied the opportunity to accompany Sane to the ring with the rest of his teammates.
- Ryan Tran, the referee, ordered all parties out of the ring area.
- Bayley interfered and pulled Belair to the mat by her braid. The momentary distraction took away Sane’s concentration, allowing The EST to recover and then deliver the KOD for the win. Uh oh, Bayley.
Photo credit: WWE.com
Randy Orton returned to SmackDown on Friday night and was faced with the question of whether he should sign a contract with the blue brand or go to the flagship show Raw.
After getting his hands on Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso with support from LA Knight, he chose SmackDown.
He then dispatched general manager Nick Aldis with RKO to wrap things up.
This was a fast-paced segment that saw Orton perform with great energy, a red-hot crowd and a moment that could have repercussions for the third-generation superstar for weeks and months to come.
Especially if Aldis takes the RKO personally, which he almost certainly will.
How this impacts Orton’s ability to get his hands on The Bloodline is something to keep an eye on.
Degree
A
Top moments and takeaways
- The only person in the building higher up than Orton may have been Heyman, who caused a big bang. From there, the Brooklyn fans recited Heyman’s entire introduction in a cool moment.
- “The bloodline will make your decision for you.”
- The crowd roared for Knight, so deal with him for the “most over-the-top” argument.
- Orton signed with SmackDown and told Heyman, “You can call Roman Reigns and tell him, ‘Daddy’s back’.”
- Orton wiped out Aldis with the RKO to put an exclamation point on the segment.
The impact of Survivor Series was felt throughout the show, which featured high-profile developments such as Orton’s signing to SmackDown, Bayley’s further fall from grace at Damage CTRL, and Paul’s US Title tournament announcement.
While there may not have been as much excitement for CM Punk’s return at Survivor Series as there was at Raw, there was a consistent focus on storylines and stars that will play a major role in the coming weeks and months.
At least it was a better follow-up show than the one we got on Monday night.
Degree: b