Winners, News And Notes On January 20, 2023

WWE SmackDown advertised a contract signing between Roman Reigns and Kevin Owens, and The Banger Bros took on The Viking Raiders in first-round action of SmackDown’s tag team tournament. The tournament also pit The Brawlin’ Brutes against IMPERIUM in first-round action.

Last week’s broadcast of SmackDown stayed hot this WrestleMania season with 2.326 million viewers.

WWE SmackDown Results | January 20, 2023

• Banger Bros def. The Viking Raiders
• LA Knight def. Ren Jones
• Hit Row def. Los Lotharios
• IMPERIUM def. Brawlin’ Brutes
• Legado Del Fantasma def. Maximum Male Models

WWE SmackDown Ratings

• January 13, 2023 | 2.326 million
• January 6, 2023 | 2.257 million
• December 30, 2022 | 2.679 million
• December 23, 2022 | 2.376 million
• December 16. 2022 | 2.191 million

• WWE SmackDown Venue: Little Caesars Arena (Detroit, Mich.)
• WWE SmackDown Tickets Distributed: 11,777
• Available Tickets: 381

WWE SmackDown Winners and Match Card

Banger Bros def. Viking Raiders

As this match was getting underway, Michael Cole paid his respects to Jay Briscoe and his family. Cole even referred to the Briscoe Brothers as one of wrestling’s great tag teams.

This was every bit as physical as it should have been on paper. The Viking Raiders are great hands, and Sheamus and Drew McIntyre make an awesome tag team.

I like Sarah Logan much more as the barefoot Valhalla than in her previous incarnation.

I feel like WWE split the Raw and SmackDown titles so they can give one pair to Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn and the other to either The Banger Bros or FTR.

Firefly Fun House Returns; LA Knight def. Ren Jones

LA Knight continues to be pushed, even if he is a pig to slaughter. Knight picked up a victory over an enhancement talent before WWE threw to the Fire Fly Fun House return.

Ramlin’ Rabbit compared LA Knight to The Miz (”he’s like The Miz with muscles!”) Knight is just the latest wrestler to be compared to The Miz along with Grayson Waller and MJF. Miz’s influence on this business is undeniable.

It was great seeing Bray Wyatt back in the Firefly Fun House. Seeing him in his old red sweater also made me realize how much wider he’s gotten since the last time we saw him.

Hit Row def. Los Lotharios

This match lasted long enough for Michael Cole to once again remind everybody that Top Dolla slipped while trying to do a dive. It’s going to take a herculean effort for Top Dolla to overcome that botch in WWE.

Hit Row’s victory is an encouraging sign, but I don’t see them advancing past the second round where they have to take on The Banger Bros.

Charlotte Flair Confronts Sonya Deville

Charlotte Flair’s new theme song sucks.

Sonya Deville received massive heat before taking a cheap shot at Charlotte and running off. It seems WWE is going to go with Sonya Deville vs. Charlotte Flair for the Royal Rumble, which is a come-up for Sonya after disappearing from television for months.

IMPERIUM def. The Brawlin’ Brutes

Ridge Holland looked more like a young Brock Lesnar than ever throughout this match.

Michael Cole repeatedly announced a live attendance of 14,239 in Detroit. WrestleTix would beg to differ.

Butch fell forward off the apron into an impressive-looking brainbuster from Giovani Vinci.

I was actually looking forward to the possibility of The Brawlin’ Brutes vs. The Banger Bros, but IMPERIUM, the 2% milk of tag team wrestling, advanced.

Legado Del Fantasma def. Maximum Male Models

Karrion Kross cut his best promo to date prior to this match. Hopefully he keeps this momentum going and beats Rey Mysterio.

Legado Del Fantasma was immediately established as a favorite after Maximum Male Models didn’t receive an entrance.

Comparing this tag team tournament to the NFL Playoffs (on FOX) was a nice touch.

Mace’s booty shorts were certainly a choice.

This was nothing more than a showcase for Legado Del Fantasma’s double-team attack.

Kevin Owens vs. Roman Reigns Contract Signing

Fans popped huge when Roman Reigns fist-pounded Sami Zayn after snubbing him earlier in the night. Both Reigns, Zayn and Reigns were once again impeccable in their roles. Heyman convinced Reigns to warm up to Sami Zayn after Reigns teased kicking Zayn out. Reigns cut an awesome promo about how he was wrong, and needed The Wiseman to reign him in. And Zayn was the icing on the cake as he continues to yearn for Reigns’ approval.

WWE gave Kevin Owens everything as he fought off the Usos and laid Reigns out with a Stunner and a pop-up power bomb.