Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for December 30, 2022

Bray Wyatt heads to the ring to start tonight's show. Bray introduces himself to everyone and says that deep down, he does not think of himself as a good person even though he tries hard to be one, and when he looks back at the horrible things he has done to get here, he does not regret much. He then says that he did something that he regretted last week - attacking a cameraman in cold blood when he did not deserve it - but when he tries to apologize to the cameraman, L.A. Knight shows up. Knight says that Bray cannot keep his composure or even finish a sentence and that he attacked a cameraman. He says that Bray is "the responsible party" and that it is time to cash the check. L.A. Knight then says that Bray Wyatt used to be something and that he used to a force, but all he has proven is that he is "a broken down loser." He then says he has the medicine, and at Royal Rumble, he will put him out of his misery. Bray calls Knight "a little idiot" and asks him who he thinks he is talking to, then says he has been patient and knew that he could have ended this whenever he wanted. He then says it is time to remind everyone and him how cruel he can be when he feels like it. Bray Wyatt then accepts L.A. Knight's challenge. Afterwards, Uncle Howdy approaches the ring and takes off his hat, then enters the ring. He looks at L.A. Knight, then at Bray, then stands besides Bray. Uncle Howdy then hits Bray Wyatt with Sister Abigail, and L.A. Knight is left wondering what is going on. Howdy then leaves the ring, puts his hat back on, and walks away.

Backstage, Sami Zayn meets with Paul Heyman. Heyman says he and Roman Reigns have been talking about Sami's statement of loyalty as well as his words towards John Cena and Kevin Owens, and says that Roman is proud of him. After addressing that Roman has also mentioned the crowd cheering for Sami - and cautions Sami not to let the fans chant his name - Heyman then tells him that one stays three steps ahead at all times on the island of relevancy, then allows him to see Roman.

Solo Sikoa beats Sheamus after Jey Uso distracts the referee so that Jimmy Uso can pull Solo Sikoa to safety out of the Texas Cloverleaf before he and Jey brawl with Ridge Holland and Butch. Before the match begins, Don West's death is acknowledged on WWE programming by Michael Cole. After the match, The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) and Solo Sikoa attack Sheamus, then Solo grabs a chair and wraps it around Sheamus' head. As he goes for the hip attack in the corner, Drew McIntyre shows up. McIntyre fends off Solo Sikoa and hits Jimmy Uso with the Claymore, then Jey pulls Jimmy to safety.

"Rowdy" Ronda Rousey retains the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship against Raquel Rodriguez following an arm bar from the middle rope after Baszler helds Ronda get a rope break. After the match, Charlotte Flair suddenly shows up for the first time in months. Ronda Rousey mocks Charlotte as she asks if she is challenging for Royal Rumble, but Charlotte says she is challenging her tonight. Ronda draps the title on the mat and tells Charlotte that she is lucky because she is feeling spicy, despite the protests from Baszler. This starts another championship match which ends in Charlotte countering the arm bar with a pinfall attempt to become WWE SmackDown Women's Champion and a 14-time women's champion in WWE.

Backstage, Sami Zayn and Roman Reigns talk about their holiday, then talk about their match before Sami asks Roman if the chants for him bother him. Roman says he is not bothered, and both he and Sami agree tonight will be a great night.

We see footage of Dominik Mysterio and Rhea Ripley showing up at Rey Mysterio's parents house on Christmas only for Dominik to get arrested.

Backstage, everyone makes light of Top Dolla's botched dive over the top rope from last week. When Ricochet says that Top Dolla has learned that it is not as easy as he makes it, Top Dolla shoves Ricochet with authority.

It is announced that Bray Wyatt vs. L.A. Knight will be in the "MTN DEW Pitch Black" Match at Royal Rumble.

Imperium (Gunther, Ludwig Kaiser, Giovanni Vinci) head to the ring. After the commercial break, Kaiser says that 2022 was the year of The Ring General, and Vinci says Gunther has become the most dominant Intercontinental Champion in history and that nobody will take the title away from him. We then see a video package of all the challengers that Gunther has turned away, then Braun Strowman shows up. Strowman mentions that Gunther did not put him in his video and says that he did not beat him, and says that while there may not be a man who can beat him, but he is a monster. Imperium brush him off, then Strowman says that he is telling him he is taking him on for the title and not asking him for turning Gunther around and fending off all of Imperium. As Strowman charges through everyone on the outside, Gunther sidesteps Strowman, sending him through the timekeeper's area barricade so he can hit him with a chair. Gunther then proceeds to punish Strowman in the ring, and officials have to run into the ring to stop Gunther. Ricochet then runs into the ring with a chair to make the save for Strowman (with the chair glancing off Gunther in the process).

Kevin Owens and John Cena beat Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn.

This week on The SmackDown LowDown: Drew McIntyre! Tegan Nox! Ricochet! During Tegan Nox's interview, Xia Li shows up and tells Tegan Nox she can beat her anytime, anywhere.

Here are the top ten moments from tonight's show!