CM Punk also put the entire men’s roster on notice World Wrestling Entertainment, WWE
Then |Now| Forever | Together
WWE Show: Friday Night SmackDown
Date: December 8, 2023
Venue: Amica Mutual Pavilion, Providence, Rhode Island
Commentators: Michael Cole, Kevin Patrick, & John Bradshaw Layfield, JBL (Special Guest)
Main Event: LA Knight & Randy Orton vs. Solo Sikoa & Jimmy Uso
This week’s episode of SmackDown was a special one as it also featured 21st annual Tribute to the Troops.
God Bless America was the first song performed by The War and Treaty, two-time Grammy Award nominees, to kick off this special Friday Night SmackDown.
Dragon Lee faced Santos Escobar in the first match of the United States Championship Tournament 1st Round. Santos Escobar defeated Dragon Lee, thanks to the distraction from Dominik Mysterio, to qualify for the Semi Finals of the United States Championship Tournament.
Cody Rhodes came to the ring and thanked the servicemen and women in attendance on behalf of WWE. He also introduced the United States Army Drill Team to the crowd before he exited the ring.
Bobby Lashley faced Karrion Kross in the second match of the United States Championship Tournament 1st Round. Lashley pinned Kross via a Spear to earn a victory and qualify for the Semi Finals of the United States Championship Tournament where he will contend with Santos Escobar to qualify for the Finals. Brad Nessler from CBS Sports also joined the commentary desk to call this matchup.
In an attempt to decide whether to sign with WWE Monday Night RAW or Friday Night SmackDown, CM Punk made his first appearance on Friday Night SmackDown in over ten years.
He didn’t make his decision yet but promised to make his decision over on Monday Night Raw. CM Punk also put the entire men’s roster on notice and claimed that he is the monkey wrench in their future plans and goals. He capped off his promo by saying: “Everybody wanted to talk about finishing their story. I’m back to finish what I started. “Monday Night, my fingers pirouette across the page, weaving a tale of triumph and tribulation. Wrestle Mania beckons, but first, the final chapter must be written.”
In a one-on-one match, Charlotte Flair faced Auska of the Damage Control; with Bayley’s help, Auska was able to pin Charlotte to win.
CM punk and Cody Rhodes shook hands backstage as Cody welcomed CM Punk back.
Two of the Bloodline’s arch-nemeses, The Megastar LA Knight and the Apex Predator Randy Orton teamed up to take on the Bloodline’s Enforcer Solo Sikoa and the devious Jimmy Uso in a Tag Team matchup in the main event of Friday Night SmackDown. Randy Orton RKO’ed Jimmy Uso to pick a win for his team.
