Friday Night SmackDown Notes: Bray Wyatt appears, Rey Mysterio becomes #1 contender for IC Title and joins Smackdown

Photo Courtesy: WWE
Photo Courtesy: WWE

October 14, 2022

Smoothie King Center – New Orleans, LA

By: John Kleinchester

The show began with a cold open of Karrion Kross and Scarlett seemingly involved in a car accident outside of the arena. Drew McIntyre attacked the injured Kross and attempted to slam his head into the door of one of the vehicles involved in the accident before being dragged off by security.

The New Day came to the ring and mentioned that they were still the longest-reigning WWE Tag Team Champions at 483 days. Michael Cole noted that The Usos were only 30 days away from tying The New Day’s record – which works out to be Sunday, November 13th – right after Crown Jewel and just under two weeks before Survivor Series.

In the back, Sami Zayn was telling Solo Sikoa how reliable he was when Jey Uso showed up saying that Jimmy was off handling “real” family business. Zayn told Sikoa to hang back and focus on his #1 Contenders match later in the evening and directed Jey to accompany him to the ring. Sami then received a phone call from Roman Reigns and the two discussed Jey not helping out in his match against Riddle this past Monday on Raw.

Sami Zayn defeated Kofi Kingston with the help of Jey Uso’s interference with Jey kicking Kofi during a pin attempt allowing Zayn to reverse it for the pin.

Backstage Triple H was approached by Rey Mysterio saying that he’s reached a breaking point on Raw and won’t fight his son. Rey tried to quit WWE but Hunter convinced him to come into his office for five minutes to figure out another way.

Roxanne Perez was talking to Shotzi backstage when Raquel Rodriguez entered. Roxanne decided that she wanted to pick Rodriguez as Cora Jade’s opponent for Halloween Havoc especially since the two were former partners. Damage Ctrl entered and Bayley called Roxanne stupid for not picking her. Roxanne rebutted saying that Bayley wasn’t exactly on a winning streak. This lead to a 3-on-3 match being scheduled for later tonight.

Braun Strowman squashed James Maverick and Brian Thomas in a handicap match. Omos and MVP came down through the crowd during the match and Strowman stared down Omos as he Monster-bombed one onto the other to collect the pin. Afterward, MVP got on the mic and said that next to Omos, Braun looks “normal” sized and that some monsters are meant to stay in the shadows.

In the back Jey Uso wanted thanks for his role in Sami Zayn getting the win against Kofi Kingston but Zayn said he did it all on his own. Solo Sikoa agreed with Zayn saying that he could learn a lot from him.

LA Knight defeated mån.sôör with the BFT. After the match, Knight cut a promo turning heel putting the whole roster on notice.

A Viking Raiders promo aired which was nearly identical to last week’s.

Legado Del Fantasma defeated Hit Row in under two minutes after interference by both Santos Escobar and Zelina Vega.

Backstage Sonya Deville was being interviewed and went off about Liv Morgan being destroyed by Ronda Rousey at Extreme Rules. Morgan jumped onto Deville off a piece of scaffolding putting Sonya Deville through a table.

Before the main event, it was announced that Karrion Kross could not compete due to injuries sustained from the car crash at the top of the show. Replacing him was Rey Mysterio who the announcers explained was now officially a member of SmackDown after speaking with Triple H earlier in the night.

During the match, Jey Uso and Sami Zayn attacked Sheamus which led to Butch and Ridge Holland running out to fight them off. Rey Mysterio then pinned Ricochet to become the new #1 contender for the Intercontinental Championship.

Bray Wyatt came down to the ring and cut an emotional promo about being grateful and nervous stating that he was being genuinely himself for the first time. He said he lost his career, his self-confidence, two people that were very close to him, and his way. He said the fans saved his life. Before he could continue the lights went out and the mask he was seen wearing at Extreme Rules appeared on the TitanTron. The mask said, “Forget the future, forget the past. You have no idea who you’re dealing with, do you? Oh but you will”. And the show went off the air immediately.

Announced for SmackDown Next Week in Toledo, OH:

*Logan Paul Returns

*Liv Morgan vs Sonya Deville

*Women’s Tag Team Championship: Damage Ctrl vs. Raquel Rodriguez & Shotzi

 

Friday Night SmackDown Results:

*Sami Zayn over Kofi Kingston in 14:54

*Braun Strowman over James Maverick & Brian Thomas in 1:36

*LA Knight over mån.sôör in 2:54

*Damage Ctrl over Raquel Rodriguez, Shotzi & Roxanne Perez in 6:47

*Legado Del Fantasma over Hit Row in 1:22

*Fatal 4-Way #1 Contender’s Match for the IC Championship: Rey Mysterio over Ricochet, Sheamus and Solo Sikoa in 16:16

About John Kleinchester 185 Articles
New Jersey born and raised. Wrestling fan since Lex slammed Yokozuna on the deck of the USS Intrepid. Favorite Wrestler of all time is Owen "The Rocket" Hart.