WWE SmackDown: Results, Highlights and Grades for January 3rd

Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan vs. Dolph Ziggler and King Corbin

Corbin immediately backs Reigns into the corner with stomps, but Reigns dodges a punch with some punches of his own that send Corbin to the outside, perfectly setting up a Driveby.

Ziggler provides a brief distraction, allowing Corbin to knee Reigns in the gut. Ziggler tags in, but almost immediately gets a Big Boot from Reigns, allowing Bryan to get the tag. He quickly sends Dolph to the outside and dropkicks Corbin through the ropes.

Before we cut to commercial, we get a brief tease of The Fiend showing up, but alas, he never shows up.

Back from break, Roman Reigns is teeing off with a bevy of clotheslines on Corbin before hitting a Big Boot in the ring. He signals for a Superman Punch, but Ziggler distracts him, allowing Corbin to hit Deep Six for a near fall.

Transitioning to the outside, Corbin shoves Reigns into the steel steps, then face first into the announce table. Back in the ring, Ziggler goads Reigns only to get punched, but that doesn’t last long. Ziggler tags Corbin, who sends Roman shoulder first into the ring post.

He tees off on Reigns and nearly hits his signature out-the-ring-back-in-the-ring punch, only to get caught with a Superman Punch. Hot tag to their partners, pitting Bryan with Ziggler. Bryan hits his big comeback spot, which includes a hurricanrana off the top rope before the Yes! Kicks.

Dolph dodges the last kick for a rollup, but Bryan turns it into a Label Lock that Corbin breaks up. Reigns makes the save with a Spear before getting hit with a Superkick. Bryan avoids a Zig Zag before hitting a Running Knee, but suddenly … the lights are out.

Back up, The Fiend is in front of the announce table. Showing no fear, Bryan hits a suicide dive and takes the fight to The Fiend, but The Fiend shows no pain as he Mandible Claws Bryan through the barricade.

When The Fiend disappears, Reigns goes to check on Bryan, but Corbin and Ziggler blindside Reigns and set up the dog food and handcuffs, but out comes a returning Usos to save their cousin!

After running off Corbin and Ziggler, they help Roman Reigns back to their feet to send us off the air.

Winners: No Contest (?)

Grade: C-

Not a bad Fiend run-in, but very predictable match. Disappointing at that, considering the great talent involved. Just saw a lot of spots coming. Felt like a hugely by the numbers bout.

Also, the attack from The Fiend, then the attack to Reigns, then The Usos felt like one too many “gotcha” moments after another. Felt like overkill after awhile.

Overall Grade: D+

The show was very “mid,” as the kids say. Cesaro vs. Strowman and the women’s opener were both great, but everything else either stunk, didn’t leave an impression, or gave a very “meh” feeling, like an underwhelming feeling.

Honestly, outside of those two matches, this show felt like a chore to get through. Not the best way to start the new year.