John Cena is a 2022 Winner. Cena returned to WWE SmackDown for his 20th straight year as he teamed with Kevin Owens to defeat Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn.
Reigns and Zayn promised to get The Bloodline out of their Owens problem, but they couldn’t hold their own against the united front of Owens and Cena. Tasked with choosing a partner for Reigns and Zayn, Owens couldn’t have made a more impactful choice than to side with the 16-time world champion.
Charlotte Flair also made a surprise comeback on the final SmackDown of 2022. “The Queen” propelled Rousey into an impromptu SmackDown Women’s Championship match. Rousey, too proud to turn down the request right after a competitive game against Raquel Rodriguez, backed into a corner.
CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of the action from Tampa, Fla.’s Amalie Arena.
Cena makes the difference, Flair shocks Rousey
Heyman congratulated Zayn on the positive impression he made on Reigns. The tone of their interaction changed when Heyman suggested that Zayn’s rising popularity was a problem. Heyman was concerned about how fans were busy chanting “Sami Zayn” while undisputed champion Reigns was in the ring.
Zayn questioned Reigns later that evening about what Heyman had suggested. Reigns took a moment to think before insisting fans singing for Zayn didn’t bother him. In fact, he praised Zayn for being so cooped up when he was on the mic. Zayn promised it was going to be a great night for the entire Bloodline stable.
Cena and Owens defeated. Reigns and Zayn via pinfall after Owens hit Zayn with a stunner. Estranged best friends Owens and Zayn started the match. Owens bled Zayn’s nose early on and teased Zayn for embarrassing himself before “The Tribal Chief.” Reigns demanded a tag from Zayn and invited Cena into the ring. Reigns caught Owens by surprise when he tried to tag in Cena. Owens clotheslined Zayn after an extended spanking. Reigns yanked Cena off the apron before a tag could be made. It was a miscalculation by Reigns that opened the door to the match for Cena. Cena put down both Reigns and Zayn, after which he and Owens delivered a double five knuckle shuffle. Cena hit Reigns with an attitude adjustment, and Owens hit Zayn with a stunner for a pinfall. Owens’ eye was badly blasted during the game.
Charlotte Flair made a surprise return to WWE, her first appearance since losing to Rousey at WrestleMania Backlash in May. Flair pushed Rousey to defend her SmackDown Women’s Title shortly after defeating Raquel Rodriguez.
SmackDown Women’s Championship – Flair def. Rousey via pinfall after curling up Rousey with a schoolboy. It was an extremely short match. Flair countered Rousey’s armbar attempt with a roll up to snatch the title shortly after the match started.
WWE didn’t call it at the last show of 2022. Cena’s return created a huge bang and added weight to an already rich storyline with The Bloodline. Zayn took the pinfall and planted the seeds of a breakup between him and Reigns, but it was actually Reign’s mistake that put Cena in the match. The only criticism of the Main Event is that it was quite short given the names involved. The game lasted about 13 minutes with a commercial break in between. Flair’s return was a pleasant surprise, and winning the title was an unexpected but welcome move. Grade B
What else happened on WWE SmackDown
- Uncle Howdy DJ’ed Bray Wyatt with Sister Abigal after Wyatt accepted LA Knight’s challenge to a match at Royal Rumble.
- Solo Sikoa defeated. Sheamus via pinfall after neutralizing him with a Samoan Spike. Drew McIntyre saved Sheamus from a post-game attack by Sikoa and the Usos.
- SmackDown Women’s Championship – Ronda Rousey (c) def. Raquel Rodriguez via submission after locking in her signature armbar.
- Top Dolla pushed ricochet after Ricochet and various superstars poked fun at Top Dolla for his failed jump over the ring ropes two weeks ago.
- Imperium put Braun Strowman down with a steel chair and armlock. Ricochet, equipped with a steel chair, scattered Empire.