WWE SmackDown: Results, Highlights and Grades for Jan. 17, 2020

Sonya Deville (w/ Mandy Rose) vs. Alexa Bliss (w/ Nikki Cross)

Before the match even starts, Heavy Machinery’s music hit as Otis and Tucker come down to the ring. Then Mandy Rose hops on the apron as a distraction until Deville kicks her in the gut, then nails a running kick for a two count. Already, we are in rest hold city.

After a minute, Bliss finally fights out to hit a drop toe hold. Deville grabs Bliss hair, but Bliss slaps Deville as a response. Basement dropkick. Afterwards, Rose climbs to the top rope, Cross knocks her off, but Rose lands into Otis’s arms. This distracts Deville long enough to get rolled up by Bliss.

Winner: Alexa Bliss

Grade: D

This was really rushed. And, somehow, still bad. Not Bliss or Deville’s fault, though. Match was more of a victim of putting story over the wrestling. Bliss and Deville didn’t even get a chance to display what chemistry they may or may not have and that’s the main problem.

Almost immediately after, we go to the back to see Corbin and Ziggler hype Robert Roode up right before his match, since if Roode wins, Corbin can pick a stipulation for his match at the Rumble.

Now, finally, main event time.

Robert Roode vs. Roman Reigns – Tables Match

Roode blindsides Reigns during his entrance. Throws him in the ring, where The Big Dog fights back. Reigns bounces of the ropes for a clothesline. Roode pushes Reigns out the ring, where the latter uppercuts Roode to send him out himself. Reigns sets up a table, or at least attempts to before Roode stops him.

He tries to send Roman face first into the steel steps, but Reigns stops him and does it instead. He tries to clear out the announcer’s table (which counts), but Roode stops him. Roode tries to set up a table, but Reigns hits a drive-by kick. Reigns tries to hit his spear through the barricade, but Roode dives out the way. Corbin comes to the outside, but we go to a commercial break.

Lots of buts, folks. Some planted in seats during this.

Back from break, Reigns blocks a suplex attempt off the top rope into the table in the ring. He attempts a powerbomb through the table, but he punches Reigns to let go. Kicks the table over. Reigns sends Roode back outside before seeing up a table into the corner.

He teases a Spear through the table, but Corbin distracts Roman to get superkicked by Dolph Ziggler. Corbin and his crew go for an elbow drop through the announce table, but The Usos run down to play equalizer by taking out Corbin and Ziggler. They double Uso Splash Ziggler through the announce table right before Reigns spears Roode through the table to win.

After the match, Reigns chooses his stipulation, which is a Falls Count Anywhere match.

Winner: Reigns

Grade: C-

The finish felt like a forgone conclusion, so I never got into this one. Very formulaic and even predictable match at that.

Overall Grade: B-

This one kind of fell off a cliff during the last third, but it had its moments beforehand.