Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for January 6, 2023

The show begins with The Bloodline (Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, Solo Sikoa, Sami Zayn) causing a disturbance at the announce table. All of a sudden, Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman show up. Roman starts things off differently tonight by giving the people want they want, as he wants to hear from Sami Zayn now. Sami says The Bloodline is putting everyone on notice that this year belongs to them. Sami says they came to Raw to send a message and that they did that by winning their matches, and that they are sending a message this year. Roman then says he wants to know what happened last year, when he and Sami had their match with John Cena and Kevin Owens and lost, then says Sami lost - not him - because Sami's shoulders were on the mat, not his. He then asks Sami why he called his shot and guaranteed a win he is the one who does it and always deliver, and asks Sami if he wants to be him before screaming at him. Suddenly, Kevin Owens shows up. Owens tells Roman to calm down and take a deep breath due to his misdirected anger, then reminds Roman that his problem is with him, not Sami, and that it is starting to drive him crazy. He then says Roman should do what he says he does and take care of his "KO problem" by beating him at Royal Rumble. Roman says all he wants is for Owens to disappear, then Owens says he will see Roman at Royal Rumble and that he will see Sami "when [he digs his] balls out of Roman's pockets."

Charlotte Flair shows up to the arena in a luxurious sports car.

Santos Escobar beats Kofi Kingston after Cruz del Toro distracts the referee while Joaquin Wilde stops Kofi from hitting Trouble In Paradise, allowing Escobar to hit the Phantom Driver for the win.

It is announced that Kevin Owens will face Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at Royal Rumble.

Backstage, Paul Heyman tells Sami Zayn that now is not the time to talk to Roman Reigns while letting The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) into Roman's dressing room, then Heyman tells Sami that while he still loves him, even being three steps down the road is bad for Sami.

We hear from Liv Morgan, who says that she would love to win the women's Royal Rumble match after entering at #1 and beating the crap out of every other woman in the match instead of entering at #30.

Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviews L.A. Knight, who makes a reference to Marc Cohn's "Walking In Memphis" before bashing Memphis, Tennessee and saying that Bray Wyatt's plans have blown up in his face and that he will walk in and beat him at Royal Rumble. He says that when the lights go off, Bray Wyatt's lights will go out.

Karrion Kross and Scarlett beat Madcap Moss and Emma with a Kross Jacket from Kross to Moss. After the match, Kross and Scarlett place a Rey Mysterio mask on Moss' head before Kross displays a tarot card with Rey on it and lays it on top of Moss.

We see Sheamus and Drew McIntyre at Jerry Lawler's Hall of Fame Bar and Grill on Beale Street. Both of them talk about bar fights and smack each other before Sheamus calls McIntyre an honorary Brawling Brute. Sheamus and Drew McIntyre smack each other as they look back on Fastlane before firing each other up for their match with The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) tonight. The people at the bar then join in on the "banger after banger" chant.

Charlotte Flair heads to the ring. Charlotte asks the fans if they missed her, then talks about how she was gone for eight months and how she was overwhelmed by the fans' reaction when she returned. She says that whether the people cheer, boo or woo, passion, consistency and dedication for what she does in the ring. She also says that she will demand more and that will not rest until she knocks down any obstacle in her way. Charlotte says a champion expects the unexpected and never backs down from a challenge, and says that this is what she has done fourteen times. Suddenly, Sonya Deville shows up. Sonya says "the hillbillies in this building" are too gullible to see through her lies, then says there should be an asterisk next to Charlotte's fourteenth title reign in WWE due to beating "a half-dead Ronda Rousey." This leads to a "Whoop that trick!" chant before Sonya asks Charlotte how she would fare against a fresh fighter. She then tells Charlotte to prove she is a real champion by defending against her right now. Charlotte accepts Sonya's challenge, then referee Jessica Carr enters the ring to referee the match.

Charlotte Flair retains the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship against Sonya Deville with the Figure Eight.

We see a video package about "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes' return to WWE at WrestleMania.

We see a vignette of Lacey Evans training in close quarters combat in a WWE ring before putting someone in a Cobra Clutch.

Ricochet beats Top Dolla to qualify for the men's Royal Rumble Match. After the match, both men shake hands, and Top Dolla raises Ricochet's hands before Ashante "Thee" Adonis hits Ricochet with a cheap shot. B-Fab then his Ricochet with a pump kick before Adonis hits Ricochet with mounted punches. Adonis and Top Dolla then double team Ricochet and lay him out, but as Top Dolla grabs Ricochet again, Braun Strowman runs into the ring and chases Hit Row (B-Fab, Top Dolla, Ashante "Thee" Adonis) out.

Backstage, The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) and Solo Sikoa leave Roman Reigns' dressing room, then Roman asks Paul Heyman to bring Sami Zayn in.

We see a video package for Braun Strowman vs. Gunther for the WWE Intercontinental Championship next week.

Backstage, Sami Zayn meets with Roman Reigns. Sami tells Roman that he acknowledges him and that he is not trying to take power from him, and apologizes for doing anything that made it look like he was doing that. Roman says he does not have to accept his apology, then apologizes to Sami for yelling at him like he did before saying he should be the one to apologize. He then says Owens was right and that he was taking his anger out on Sami. Roman says that they will fix their problem with Owens, then Paul Heyman tells Sami that he is giving him the opportunity to redeem himself in a match against Kevin Owens next week. Sami tells Roman that he will take care of Owens. As The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) head to the ring, Sami prepares to leave, but Roman asks Sami to watch the match with him backstage.

The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) retain the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships against Sheamus and Drew McIntyre after Sheamus loses his balance kicking Jey Uso off the apron while holding Jimmy Uso. Jimmy Uso pins Sheamus while Jey Uso puts his feet on Jimmy's back for leverage.

After the show goes off the air, Sheamus and Drew McIntyre are attacked by The Viking Raiders (Ivar and Erik).

This week on The SmackDown LowDown: Charlotte Flair! Braun Strowman! Legado del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Joaquin Wilde, Cruz del Toro, Zelina Vega)!

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