Taped December 29, 2018
To Air January 1, 2019
Pittsburgh, PA
In-Ring: The New Day
The New Day came out for a “New Year’s Celebration” and announced that they were entering the Royal Rumble.
That’s a big baby @WWEBigE #SDLive pic.twitter.com/bXIXooEGVT
— Kim (@kimberlasskick) December 30, 2018
It was announced that there will be a fatal 5-way tonight, with the winner facing the WWE Champion at the Royal Rumble. AJ Styles vs. Mustafa Ali vs. Randy Orton vs. Rey Mysterio vs. the winner of the match below (Samoa Joe vs. Jeff Hardy).
Samoa Joe defeated Jeff Hardy
Joe won via the Coquina Clutch to earn a spot in the fatal 5-way tonight.
Backstage: AJ Styles, Vince McMahon, Shane McMahon
Shane asked AJ Styles to apologize to Vince for punching him last week. Styles refused and said that they would see the real AJ Styles tonight. Shane and AJ got in each other’s faces and AJ left. Shane asked Vince if he really wanted to see the real AJ Styles, Vince laughed and said that he does.
In-Ring: Rusev, Lana, Shinsuke Nakamura
Rusev and Lana came out for a US Championship celebration, but Nakamura came out and attacked Rusev. Lana got on Nakamura’s back, then Rusev kicked Nakamura, knocking Lana down. Rusev went to check on her, then Nakamura him with a Kinshasa.
Shinsuke attacked Rusev – Lana attacked Shinsuke – Rusev hit them both – when Rusev went to check on Lana, Shinsuke hit him pic.twitter.com/hKOCgyZzQU
— – J O R D A N – | SMACKDOWN SPOILERS (@brittsxcoles) December 30, 2018
Sonya Deville defeated Naomi
Naomi was supposed to face Mandy Rose, but Sonya Deville wrestled instead while Mandy Rose was at ringside wearing an Usos shirt. During the match, a photo of Mandy Rose in a towel came up on the big screen and Mandy said that she sent it to Jimmy Uso earlier. This allowed Deville to pick up the win against a distracted Naomi.
So far the women had a 2 minute match which ended with this photo on the screen #SDLive pic.twitter.com/NQKtA1DPqh
— Kim (@kimberlasskick) December 30, 2018
In-Ring: John Cena, Becky Lynch
John Cena came out and issued an open challenge, but was interrupted by Becky Lynch, who said that she was now The Man around here and she was going to take him off of WWE posters just like she took Charlotte off. Then she said, “and if you got a problem with that, Nikki Bella won’t be the only woman to drop you this year.”
Andrade Almas and Zelina Vega then interrupted them, then Cena challenged them to a tag team match.
💀💀 #SDLive pic.twitter.com/MAkU1Vqo9t
— joeIene (@sarayascabello) December 30, 2018
Becky Lynch & John Cena defeated Andrade Almas & Zelina Vega
After Cena hit his moves on Almas, Becky Lynch tossed him out and made Vega tap with the Dis-arm-her. Cena tried to shake her hand after the match, but she gave him the You Can’t See Me gesture.
Becky throws John out, wins by submitting Zelina #SDLive pic.twitter.com/JWqkSObvVJ
— – J O R D A N – | SMACKDOWN SPOILERS (@brittsxcoles) December 30, 2018
#SDLive #WWEPittsburgh #TheMan pic.twitter.com/itH6Glc1DO
— Kim (@kimberlasskick) December 30, 2018
Backstage: Triple H, Asuka, Charlotte, Carmella, Becky Lynch
Backstage, Charlotte, Becky and Carmella tried to convince Triple H that they deserve a title shot. Asuka said that she’ll fight anyone. Triple H said he’ll take it under advisement.
Asuka says she’ll fight anyone because no one is ready for Asuka.
Charlotte says she deserves it.
Mella says she beat both of them and deserves it more.
Becky says she’s the only option.
Triple H says he’s gonna take it under advisement.#SDLive pic.twitter.com/PsZhdwCcZZ
— – J O R D A N – | SMACKDOWN SPOILERS (@brittsxcoles) December 30, 2018
Fatal 5-Way
AJ Styles defeated Mustafa Ali, Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio & Samoa Joe
AJ hit a springboard 450 on Randy Orton to win and he’ll now face Daniel Bryan for the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble.
This is gonna slap! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/OlrlhRoRNj
— joeIene (@sarayascabello) December 30, 2018
End of main event. Styles wins. #SmackdownSpoilers #SDLive #SmackdownLive pic.twitter.com/JKHKL7Yyh2
— John Clark (@johnrclark12) December 30, 2018