WWE SmackDown Score (12/17/21): YOU’RE FIRED!
The “Special Counsel” waited in the parking lot of the Allstate Arena in Chicago, IL for his “Tribal Chief” to arrive. At the 9:00 p.m. EST hour, Heyman thought Reigns was in the back of a vehicle, but it turned out to be the “Beast” in overalls. Approximately a half hour later, the Universal Champion arrived and with his “Wiseman” by his side, they headed out to the squared circle.
The champion — wearing a shirt that tells the WWE Universe he does indeed move the needle — first asked the Allstate Arena to acknowledge him. He then addressed his cousins losing last week in the tag match that determined who the best tag team in WWE is. Losing embarrasses the family after all!
But then, his attention turned solely on Heyman. He asked Heyman again if he knew about Lesnar returning at SummerSlam, if he knew about Lesnar showing up at MSG, if he knew about Lesnar’s suspension getting uplifted, and if he was a Special Counsel or an Advocate. Heyman looked to the skies, prayed God would save him and told the Universal Champion that he was not protecting Brock Lesnar from him, he was protecting him from Lesnar!
Immediately, Heyman knew what that meant; he was disrespecting the family! The “Head of the Table” gave his “Special Counsel” a hug and thanked him for his 40 years of service to the Anoa’i family.
Then, it finally happened… the turn!
Reigns Supermanpunched Heyman right in the temple! He grabbed a chair and attempted to deliver a con-chair-to to his former “Wiseman”, but the “Beast” rushed down to the ring in his oversized overalls, no-sold an Uso Superkick, wiped them out and took out the champion with 2 F-5’s in an absolute BEAST MODE type of way!
Never in a million years did I suspect Heyman to turn on Reigns and back Lesnar! I always thought it would be the other way around! Presumably, it still could by the way because we know Heyman is a sneaky son of a b*tch!
Either way, what a segment! Last week’s recap was titled, “Segment of the Year” because of the interaction between Lesnar and Sami Zayn! This segment topped that.
I. CAN’T. WAIT. FOR. DAY. 1!
It’s anybody’s ballgame for the biggest prize in the industry between the two top superstars in the industry right now, with a curveball to add!
King Woods and Sir Kofi Get The Best of the Usos
Sure, they’re facing each other at Day 1, but before the Usos got involved with the “Tribal Chief”, they lost again to the New Day, this time in regular tag action. This was a fantastic matchup, another banger between these two Hall of Fame bound teams. Sir Kofi was able to nail Jimmy with Trouble in Paradise for the win.
I do find it interesting Jimmy has been the one taking all the L’s lately. Reigns told Jey later in the night to stop losing, not Jimmy.
Hmmmm…
Toni Storm and Sasha Banks Defeat Charlotte Flair and Shotzi
This kicked off the show, and Chi-Town was fully behind the challenger for the SmackDown Women’s Title next week. She executed a beautiful Cross Body on the “Queen” that was Nikki A.S.H. esk, but Flair kicked out at 2.9, and according to Pat McAfee, Brandon Staley’s analytics from the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers wouldn’t have helped on that count! Storm didn’t panic though as she was able to roll up Flair for the win, gaining momentum towards their title match next week.
While Banks and Shotzi got their stuff in, their feud felt filler here. It’s clear Storm is the set up to Banks at the Rumble in my eyes, so as I’ve said previously, I can’t get behind Storm like I can Liv Morgan over on that red show.
Sonya Deville Still Won’t Give Naomi Her Match
Naomi asked Deville for a one-on-one match AGAIN. Deville declined. Shayna Baszler attacked Naomi. Deville demanded a referee ring the bell. Baszler attacked Naomi’s ankle, but Naomi was able to reverse into a rollup for the win. She stared at Deville as she headed towards the back.
At this point, with Naomi not using Jimmy Uso — her FREAKIN’ husband — for help, this story is getting stale until we get that one-on-one true match! Day 1 anyone?
Drew McIntyre Gets His Sword Back
Happy Talk took place. The crowd chanted for that certain Chicago-born superstar who currently wrestles in another promotion. Moss and Corbin made some bad jokes. Drew McIntyre took his sword back. Corbin and Moss hid in a closet later in the show from McIntyre, and Corbin volunteered Moss to face McIntyre in Atlanta at Day 1.
To make a long story short, I miss BUM ASS BARON CORBIN! This Happy Corbin gimmick had potential but said potential is gone, and this is just a filler rivalry for McIntyre before he goes onto the Rumble.
Ridge Holland (W/ Sheamus) Defeats Cesaro
McAfee said the “Fella” tossed the “Swiss Superman” to the curb faster than Shahid Khan tossed Urban Meyer out the door in Jacksonville, and that’s about accurate! Sheamus delivered a blow with his shillelagh to Cesaro’s ribs before the match, opening up the door for Ridge Holland to get his first victory on the main roster.
The Viking Raiders Defeat Jinder Mahal and Shanky
I forgot Mahal and Shanky were on SmackDAHN! They caught VIKING ASS to the face (Thank you McAfee for making mediocre teams like the Viking Raiders feel like a big deal!)
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Next Week
Join the “Tribal Chief”, the “Opportunity”, Shinsuke Nakamura, RICK BOOGSSSSSSS, Michael Cole, McAfee and the rest of the SmackDown crew for a Christmas Eve edition where Flair defends her SmackDown’s Women’s Championship against Storm, a 12 Days of Christmas Gauntlet Match determines the №1 contender for the Intercontinental Championship, and we see what’s next in the Reigns/Heyman/Lesnar story!
Since this is no LIVE or taped episode of SmackDown on New Year’s Eve, and it is just a review of 2021 show due to the ball drop, next week’s episode serves as SmackDown’s Go-Home to Day 1, so it should be a great show!
Last year on Christmas, Reigns successfully defended the Universal Title against Kevin Owens inside of a Steel Cage, and Big E won the IC Title from Zayn in a Lumberjack Match! What festivities will there be this year?!
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Before the main event, this show was a B- at best, with ok wrestling, but a ton of filler! Reigns, Lesnar and Heyman lifted it to a B.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
GRADE: B
