WWE Friday Night SmackDown Results January 5, 2024: Highlights, Commentary, Live Update, Winners
Here are the full results for this Friday's SmackDown which is scheduled to air live on January 5, 2024, at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC. ## Friday Night SmackDown currently airs live every Friday on Fox from 8:00 ET–10:00 PM ET in the United States. WWE SmackDown starts live at 1 am in the UK on BT Sport 1 on Saturday mornings. ## WWE SmackDown Time In Australia: It airs live on at 10 am (AEST) on Fox8 ## WWE SmackDown Time In Canada: It airs live every Friday at 8 Am on Sportsnet 360 ## WWE SmackDown Time In South Africa: The show also airs live on Supersport in South Africa on Saturday at 02:00 am CAT ## SmackDown Time In Italy: In Italy, SmackDown airs on DMAX at 2:00 pm with the international version of one-hour shows airing on Cielo in Italian ## SmackDown airs live on Sony Ten 1 HD and Sony Ten 1 in India at 6:30 am. While SmackDown airs live on Fox Sports in Mexico and across Central and South America since 2014. ## WWE Friday Night SmackDown, January 5, 2024 Play-By-Play Results ## Commencing the evening, attention is drawn to the significant comebacks of Jinder Mahal and Dwayne Johnson on Raw. Dwayne Johnson, also known as The Rock, seizes the spotlight with his remarks to the enthusiastic crowd.## A vehicle pulls up at the arena, and Roman Reigns, accompanied by Paul Heyman, emerges. When queried by Kayla Braxton about The Rock's comments, Roman responds with a hearty laugh before strolling away. Paul Heyman smirks in agreement and follows suit.## Prior to the commencement of the opening match, Logan Paul strides into the ring, poised to observe the bout and determine his future opponent. ## Finals of the Number One Contender Tournament: Kevin Owens vs. Santos Escobar (with Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo) ## The bell rings, and Wilde and Cruz launch an assault on Angel and Humberto, leading to a brawl that extends backstage.## Owens executes a super kick followed by a cannonball. Climbing to the top turnbuckle, Owens delivers a frog splash, securing a near fall. A commercial break interrupts the action.## Upon return, Owens performs a back senton, casting a gaze towards Logan at the announce table. Santos interrupts Owens' ascent with a forearm, proceeding to slam Owens' broken hand into the ring post and apron. A near fall ensues after Santos' aggressive maneuvers. Santos locks in a double wrist lock, Owens retaliates with a punch, and Santos responds with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, leaving both competitors grounded. Santos transitions into an armbar, adding insult to injury by targeting Owens' injured hand.## Santos slams Owens' hand into the apron and posts before earning another near fall. Employing a double wrist lock once more, Santos inflicts further damage to Owens' compromised hand. A running knee into the corner, followed by a head scissors takedown, sends Owens sprawling to the outside.## Executing a suicide dive, Santos continues his assault by stomping on Owens' injured hand and slamming it into the apron. Owens retaliates with kicks upon reentry, adding headbutts to his offensive arsenal. Santos ascends the turnbuckles, but Owens halts his progress with well-timed punches. Setting up for a superplex, Owens faces resistance but eventually lands a reverse atomic drop as Santos descends from the turnbuckles. Owens capitalizes with a DDT, showcasing resilience.## Santos prevents Owens from executing a superplex and delivers a headbutt, temporarily sending Owens reeling. Owens counters with a reverse atomic drop, and Santos retaliates by headbutting the injured hand. Owens responds with a super fisherman's buster, leading to a commercial break.## Upon return, Owens attempts to position Santos on his shoulders on the turnbuckles. Santos manages to escape to the apron and sends Owens to the mat. Owens counters by delivering a super kick, followed by a swanton off the apron onto Santos. Climbing to the top turnbuckle again, Owens aims for a swanton, but Santos counters with raised knees. Santos executes a running double knee strike and a super rana, securing a near fall.## Santos follows up with a frog splash for another near fall, displaying frustration. A running boot in the corner sets Owens up on the turnbuckles. Owens retaliates with a headbutt, sending Santos to the mat. Santos counters an enzuigiri, and Owens places Santos on his shoulders for a Super Finlay Slam, nearly securing the victory. Owens continues the assault with a kick, setting up for the stunner, and ultimately secures the three-count after connecting with the stunner. ## WINNER: Kevin Owens ## Following the match, Logan seizes the microphone to share his thoughts. He extends congratulations to Kevin for his victory and then asserts himself as the greatest US Champion in history. Logan emphasizes his 62-day title retention without breaking a sweat, adding that it's inconceivable for a Canadian to hold the United States Championship. Drawing a colorful analogy, Logan compares Kevin beating him for the title to the likelihood of the Canucks winning a Stanley Cup, stating it will never happen. Logan begins to declare the reason behind this impossibility when Owens interrupts with a punch, sending Logan to the canvas.## The focus shifts to Randy Orton.## Bobby Lashley, along with Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins, enters the ring.## After a commercial break, Logan Paul is seen being escorted backstage with an ice pack on his head.## Cathy Kelley inquires about the punch from Kevin, and Austin Theory and Grayson Waller intervene to assist Logan. Cameron Grimes makes a humorous comment about Logan meeting Kevin.## Bobby Lashley addresses the audience, describing 2023 as the toughest year of his WWE career. He highlights teaming up with The Street Profits as a positive, declaring their resolution to fight for and claim everything they deserve in 2024.## Montez emphasizes the importance of everyone listening to Bobby and mentions their commitment to seizing opportunities to capture championship gold. Angelo warns THE Judgment Day to be vigilant.## Bobby announces his goal of reclaiming his status as The Almighty and declares himself a participant in the Royal Rumble.## Karrion Kross' graphic appears on the Tron, and he, along with Scarlett and Paul Ellering, makes an entrance. Rezar and Akam attack Montez and Angelo, sending Bobby to the floor. Kross propels Bobby into the ring steps, and Rezar and Akam execute a Super Collider on Montez and Angelo. Kross finishes the assault with a pump handle swinging DDT.## The focus shifts to AJ Styles. ## Michin vs. Iyo Sky for the Women's Championship ## Engaging in a lock-up, Iyo maneuvers Mia into the turnbuckles, executing a clean break. Following this, Mia pushes Iyo away, attempting a series of punches that miss their mark, but she compensates with a well-placed kick. Iyo manages to block a punch, but Mia responds with another effective kick. Mia surprises Iyo with a monkey flip, and Iyo counters with a cartwheel, narrowly evading Mia's position. A backslide from Mia results in a near fall, followed by another close two-count with a roll-up.## Mia maintains her offensive momentum with a dropkick, succeeding in landing a forearm and a series of kicks. Iyo counters with a victory roll, seamlessly transitioning into a double stomp. Mia strategically hangs in the ropes, evading Iyo's charge, causing Iyo to tumble to the outside. Capitalizing on the opportunity, Mia executes a well-executed suicide dive.## The action pauses as we head into a commercial break. ## As we return, Iyo attempts a kick, but Mia expertly blocks it, countering with a barrage of forearms and chops. A back heel kick from Mia is followed by an unsuccessful power bomb attempt, as Iyo manages to escape. Mia retaliates with a round kick and executes a gutwrench suplex, sending Iyo into the corner. Mia follows up with a cannonball, securing a near fall.## Attempting Eat Defeat, Mia is thwarted by Iyo. The tables turn when Iyo misses a charge into the corner, allowing Mia to deliver a kick to the back. Mia slaps Iyo and executes a Codebreaker on Iyo, who is hanging in the corner, earning another near fall. Mia then goes for a single-leg crab, but Iyo reaches the ropes, forcing a break. Iyo retaliates with a forearm from the apron and counters a kick. She sends Mia's leg into the ropes, but Mia responds with a forearm.## Moving to the apron, Mia sets up for a DDT, but Iyo escapes and delivers a German suplex on the apron. Springboarding back into the ring, Iyo hits a dropkick and ascends to the top turnbuckle for a moonsault. However, Mia anticipates the move and raises her knees, countering the attack. Mia follows up with a Dragon suplex, securing a near fall. Attempting a power bomb, Mia faces resistance, but Iyo counters with a sunset flip for a near fall.## Mia prevents Iyo's ascent to the turnbuckles, delivering punches to send her to the mat. Undeterred, Mia goes to the turnbuckles, but Iyo responds with a Shotei. Iyo attempts a Frankensteiner, but Mia blocks it and goes for a Super Styles Clash, successfully hitting the move. However, Iyo manages to get her hand on the rope, breaking the count. Taking the action to the outside, Mia misses a suicide dive as Iyo cleverly moves out of the way.## Iyo capitalizes with a running double knee strike against the ringside barrier. Transitioning back into the ring, Iyo delivers another running double knee strike and ascends to the top turnbuckle for a picture-perfect moonsault, securing the three-count for the victory. ## WINNER: Iyo Sky and Still ## In the backstage area, Paul Heyman paces nervously as Kevin approaches him, seeking insights into The Rock's recent comments on Raw.## Paul responds with his trademark confidence, asserting that The Rock drops Roman Reigns' name because he aspires to sit at the head of the table. To occupy that position of significance, one must receive an invitation to a dinner of relevance. According to Paul, The Rock has not been invited, and he won't be. Paul dismisses The Rock as just another individual seeking a shortcut to the headlines, emphasizing that there are only two ways to reach the top: either date Taylor Swift or challenge Roman Reigns.## Highlighting Roman's formidable position, Paul notes that the Head of the Table has faced formidable challenges from the likes of John Cena, Brock Lesnar, Cody Rhodes, and the return of CM Punk after a decade-long absence. Tonight, Randy Orton, AJ Styles, and LA Knight vie for the privilege of facing Roman Reigns, with the winner destined to be "smashed" at the Royal Rumble, just like the individual who challenges Roman at Wrestlemania.## In a bold statement, Paul concludes by proclaiming that there is not a single man on the face of the planet capable of defeating Roman Reigns. ## Elton Prince and Kit Wilson vs Butch and Tyler Bate ## Bate and Kit initiate the action, engaging in a lock-up. Bate takes control with a wrist lock takedown, but Kit responds with a head scissors. Tyler showcases agility with a headstand, swiftly transitioning into a side headlock. A well-placed kick to Kit's head is followed by Kit sending Tyler into the turnbuckles. Tyler counters with a leapfrog and skillfully goes through the legs of Kit. A roll-up earns Tyler a near fall, succeeded by a dropkick and a triumphant pose.## Elton tags in, and Tyler delivers a kick before Butch enters the fray. Butch receives a senton from Tyler, and Elton retaliates with forearms and a side headlock. Butch interrupts the proceedings with a clothesline to Elton, demonstrating their tag team synergy. Butch proceeds to pull at Kit's fingers and stomps on his back. Tyler reenters the match, and while Butch executes a moonsault onto Kit, Tyler hits a plancha onto Elton.## As the action unfolds, we head into a commercial break. ## As we return from the break, Elton applies a reverse chin lock on Butch, attempting to wear him down. The broadcast includes footage of Kit assisting Elton in escaping a submission hold. Butch, resilient, fights out of the corner, but Elton halts him with a well-timed kick, preventing Butch from making the crucial tag.## In a sudden turn of events, Butch executes an X Plex, creating an opening for a potential turnaround. Tyler and Kit then enter the fray, with Tyler unleashing a flurry of forearms and elbows on both opponents. Demonstrating agility, Tyler delivers a head scissors to Kit and follows it up with a powerful uppercut to Elton. Tyler showcases his high-flying prowess with a knee lift to Kit and a corkscrew uppercut off the turnbuckles. Continuing the assault, Tyler performs an exploder on Elton, concluding with an impressive shooting star press.## Tyler isn't finished yet, launching into an airplane spin on Kit and slamming him to the canvas. Butch tags back in, delivering a kick to the back of Kit's head while Tyler lands a kick of his own. The duo executes a perfectly synchronized double power bomb on Kit, securing the three-count for the victory. The coordination and teamwork between Butch and Tyler prove to be the deciding factor in this tag team matchup. ## WINNER: Butch and Tyler Bate ## Number One Contender Match for the Universal Championship at Royal Rumble: AJ Styles vs. LA Knight vs. Randy Orton ## The ongoing match sees AJ landing a solid punch on Orton, but Knight intervenes with a punch of his own. The trio engages in a series of chops, with AJ delivering a kick to Orton in the corner, only for Knight to then send AJ into the turnbuckles and follow up with chops. Knight Irish whips AJ into the turnbuckles, causing AJ to collide with the ring post. Attempting a clothesline over the top rope, Knight fails to eject AJ, who manages to stay in the ring. However, Knight succeeds in sending AJ to the floor. Orton takes advantage by dispatching Knight to the outside and following him.## Knight counters with a back elbow, slamming Orton's head into the announce table, repeating the move with AJ. Orton retaliates with a back drop driver onto the announce table for Knight, then repeats the move on AJ. Orton decides to dish out another back drop driver on Knight, who ends up on the announce table again. However, AJ escapes being dropped on the table once more and turns the tables, giving Orton a back drop driver onto the announce table. AJ then directs Knight into the ring steps before sending Orton back into the ring.## As AJ readies himself for a Phenomenal Forearm, Orton swats at his legs, forcing AJ to the apron. Orton, seizing the opportunity, executes the IEDDT. Afterward, he kicks AJ aside and prepares for the RKO with a set of push-ups. However, Knight intervenes by pulling Orton to the floor, slamming him into the ring steps. Taking advantage of the chaos, AJ delivers a drop kick to Knight through the ropes.## The action takes a break as we head into a commercial. ## Resuming the action, AJ executes a snap mare on Knight, followed by a sliding forearm. He then delivers punches to Orton on the apron, causing Orton to roll to the outside. AJ follows up with a knee to Knight's midsection, followed by a belly-to-back suplex that results in a near fall. AJ kicks Orton out of the ring, and he pursues, delivering a barrage of punches and chops before hurling Orton into the ringside barrier. AJ proceeds to send Orton crashing into the ring steps.## Attempting a sunset flip on Knight, AJ finds himself countered as Knight drops down for a near fall. Knight retaliates with a jawbreaker to AJ, while Orton, back in the ring, drops AJ on the top rope. Knight continues the offense with jabs and kicks on AJ, then shifts focus to Orton with more jabs and a side Russian leg sweep. Knight follows up with a running hip to AJ in the corner and a back body drop, adding to the intensity of the match. ## Orton unleashes two impactful clotheslines and adeptly evades a retaliatory clothesline from Knight. Displaying his strength, Orton executes a power slam on Knight, followed by another on AJ. However, Knight responds with a punishing BFT (Big F'N T) to Orton, prompting AJ to intervene by halting the referee's count. AJ and Knight engage in a heated exchange of punches, with AJ eventually gaining the upper hand. Knight, resilient, counters with a well-placed kick and a knee lift. ## AJ retaliates with a Pele Kick to Knight, followed by a backbreaker. Shifting to the apron, AJ executes a sensational springboard 450 splash on Knight, securing a near fall. The intensity of the match is evident as Knight starts bleeding, prompting AJ to deliver a series of punches to the forehead. With the momentum in his favor, AJ sets up for the Styles Clash. However, upon spotting Orton in the ring, AJ adjusts his strategy and sends Knight to the floor.## Orton sends AJ into the corner. Undeterred, AJ counters with a forearm and positions himself for the Phenomenal Forearm. In a surprising twist, Orton counters with an RKO, but Knight intervenes by pulling the referee out of the ring, thwarting the pin attempt. ## The arena resonates with Roman Reigns' entrance music, heralding his arrival along with Paul Heyman, Jimmy, and Solo. As they make their way to the ring, Solo immediately takes the offensive, attacking Knight and swiftly sending him to the floor. In a coordinated assault, Jimmy and Roman focus their aggression on Orton, with Roman delivering a forceful kick to AJ.## Solo seizes the opportunity, wielding the ring steps to strike Orton when Jimmy directs him towards Solo. Jimmy removes the hood from the announce table, setting the stage for Roman's power bomb on AJ. After Solo sends Knight back into the ring, Roman prepares for a Superman punch, connecting solidly with Knight before delivering a spear, punctuating the assault.## Orton is ushered back into the ring, where Roman executes another spear while Solo adds a Samoan Spike to the mix. The collective dominance of Roman and his allies leaves a trail of mayhem in the ring.## Nick steps forward, instructing Paul to extend congratulations to Roman as the turn of events secures him a spot in the Fatal Four-Way at the Rumble. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...
