WWE SmackDown Results, Highlights, And Grades For January 22, 2019

Rey Mysterio vs. Andrade, 2 Out Of 3 Falls

Get ready to go insane! Andrade and Rey Mysterio lit up the wrestling world when they went at it last week, and with a stipulation and no interference, this match could be even better. Last week’s encounter was a classic, so this battle could be one for the ages – and WWE SmackDown is giving them plenty of time to show what they can do.

Before the match, The New Day had an awesome backstage commercial that featured Kayla B, Tony Chimmel, an Edge reference, The New Day singing, Xavier Woods playing pool with a trombone, and Kofi Kingston coming up with a plan for Sunday’s spot!

Rey started things off hot with a super-athletic headscissors before hitting an even CRAZIER headscissors on the outside!

Andrade countered a crossbody from the second rope by hitting a dropkick, and then it was Rey’s turn to counter, turning a Hammerlock DDT attempt into an AMAZING Canadian Destroyer.

Moments later, a stunned Andrade nearly stole one, and the hard-hitting moves continued. Andrade wanted a moonsault, but Rey snuffed it out quickly. Then, the two both moved to the top rope in a very delicate position.

Rey desperately fought his way off of Andrade’s shoulders, and though he went for a top-rope rana, Andrade hit a sit-out powerbomb from the top rope for the first fall! INSANE! (How did the keep his balance holding Rey and walking UP to the top rope before finishing the powerbomb safely????)

Somehow Mysterio hit an even more insane Canadian Destroyer for the match’s second fall! Like, he countered a freaking powerbomb into a Canadian Destroyer to tie it up 1-1! This match, though!

Mysterio signaled for his sliding move to the outside after Andrade crashed-and-burned on the outside. Andrade countered it into a Hammerlock DDT attempt off the apron, but Mysterio saved the matchup by shoving him off into the barricade, rolling back into the ring as the ref counted to 10.

Not satisfied with getting a point by count-out, Mysterio slide to the outside again for a tricky powerbomb flip, sending Andrade into the barricade in another amazing show of flexibility.

Yet another insane move followed, as Rey went for a springboard frankensteiner for a CLOSE two-count. And the crowd? They wanted a 6-1-9! However, Almas slapped in an armbar on the ropes to induce massive damage to Rey, who is clearly worn out even more than Andrade tonight. That only got worse, as Andrade sent Rey left-arm-first into the turnbuckle.

Andrade countered a powerbomb attempt from Mysterio to the outside, powerbombing Rey into the ring post himself before rolling him back in the ring for a Hammerlock DDT and the win…but Rey got his foot on the ropes to stay alive at 1-1!

An inverted hurricanrana nearly put Andrade away for good, but Andrade managed to get his shoulder up after Mysterio struggled to go for the cover in time.

Mysterio finally hit the 6-1-9, and just as he went for the win, Samoa Joe powerbombed Rey into the apron to ruin an all-time match! Joe is out here to make a name for himself before the Rumble and get rid of two great competitors in the process. After slamming Andrade into the ring post, Joe strapped Rey into the Coquina Clutch, and Rey was already done for.

The Rumble match just got a little easier for Joe, and he’s more hated than ever after “ruining” one of the best television matches in WWE history. But this really does put him over big heading into the Rumble as a callous threat.

Joe told the WWE Universe that he came here to make a statement, and he promises dominance at the Rumble. (Boo this man!)

And out of literally nowhere…RKO. I completely forgot about Randy, but, wow, that was awesome.

Grade A+++++++, Everything about this segment was amazing. Perfect way to send us “home” for the Royal Rumble PPV on Sunday.