WWE SmackDown January 17 Results, Grades and Analysis 

The January 17th episode of WWE SmackDown aired from Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California. Solo Sikoa returned for the first time since losing to Roman Reigns in the Tribal Combat. Tiffany defended her WWE Women’s title against Bayley. The tag team division’s story further progressed to determine the number one contender. Let’s take a look at WWE SmackDown January 17 Results.  

Rey Mysterio is Home 

The show kicked off with the hometown legend Rey Mysterio, with chants of “619” echoing through the arena. Mysterio announced his entry into the Men’s Royal Rumble match and vowed to do the impossible again as he did in 2006. Rey admitted that this time, it would be more challenging. Rey said that he won the Royal Rumble match in 2006 for his friend, Eddie Guerrero.  

Kevin Owens interrupted the luchador but clarified that he respects Rey more than anybody else. He said that he main-evented WrestleMania twice and is now the rightful WWE Champion holding the iconic Winged Eagle Title. Owens wanted Rey to challenge him after winning the Royal Rumble. Mysterio denied his statement of being the rightful champion.  

Mysterio said that Cody is the real champion. However, Mysterio promised to choose Owens as his opponent after the Royal Rumble if KO could somehow beat Cody at the Royal Rumble. KO wasn’t happy at this and went for a right hand. Mysterio was ready, and he landed a punch of his own. KO retrieved as Rey’s music played. Backstage, Aldis made a match between Mysterio and Owens.  

Grades: B 

Analysis: It looked great to see Rey Mysterio in the opening segment. The native had the crowd roaring. Also, KO looked good in the segment, and it was fresh for him. Rey Mysterio has his name in the list of superstars announced for Royal Rumble so far.

Bianca Belair and Naomi vs Nia Jax and Candice LeRae 

Jax and LeRae attacked the women’s tag team champions from behind to start the match. Nia laid out Bianca and tagged Candice. Belair delivered a vertical suplex to LeRae. Belair sent Nia to the outside with a dropkick. She gorilla pressed Candice and threw her onto Nia. A little distraction by Jax allowed Candice to slam Bianca face-first onto the ring apron. Nia tripped Naomi to prevent the tag and delivered a Samoan Drop to Belair in the ring. 

Bianca bounced back with a kick and a cross-body from the top. Naomi tagged in, and she hit a facebuster followed by a split-legged moonsault, but LeRae broke the pin at two. Biance was the legal competitor again and Candice blindly tagged as well. LeRae landed a dropkick on Belair, followed by a senton. Nia hit a senton of her own for a two-count.  

Jax went for a leg drop on Bianca, who sidestepped, and Candice accidentally suffered the leg drop. Bianca sent Nia outside and tagged Naomi in. Naomi delivered the Bubba Bomb and pinned Candice for the win.  

Winners: Bianca Belair and Naomi 

Grades: B- 

Analysis: It was a fun tag team match. The story of Jade Cargill’s mystery attacker has been long stretched. WWE should further continue with the story soon before it fades away.  

Jimmy Uso vs Carmelo Hayes 

Hayes cut a short promo and told Jimmy that he’s living in Jey’s shadow, who’s living in Roman’s shadow. Jimmy started strong in the match and delivered the right hands. He landed a suplex on the apron and a suicide dive at ringside. After the break, Hayes hit a springboard reverse DDT for a near fall. Uso hit a pop-up Samoan Drop and climbed to the top for the Uso splash.  

Melo countered it into First 48 in midair for another near fall. Jimmy delivered a superkick and a spear. As Uso climbed to the top, he noticed Jacob Fatu on the opposite side of the ring. Tama Tonga pushed Jimmy off the top rope, and the match ended in disqualification. Fatu hit Jimmy with a Jumping DDT, followed by hip attacks. Fatu sent Hayes outside with a clothesline.  

Solo Sikoa came out, and the Bloodline stood in the ring. Solo dropped the mic on the mat before saying anything and left. Fatu and Tonga were still in the ring. Jacob took the microphone and yelled that he was tired of hate and disrespect. He said no one could touch him, even on his worst day. Fatu told that he was crazy and just getting started.  

LA Knight’s music hit and attacked them from behind. Fatu took care of Knight as well. Braun Strowman walked down the ramp. He caught Tama at ringside and sent him into the barricade. Fatu and Strowman came face-to-face, but Tonga dragged the Samoan Werewolf out of the ring. 

Winner: Jimmy Uso by DQ. 

Grades: B 

Analysis: Jacob Fatu is a must-watch TV. Jimmy Uso always suffers on behalf of the OG Bloodline, and no one comes to save him. The showdown between Strowman and Fatu will be a treat to watch. Carmelo Hayes is talented but lacks a good storyline.  

Motor City Machine Guns vs Los Garza 

The bell rang, and Angel and Humberto unleashed a flurry of double-team moves on Shelley. In return, Shelley landed a series of chops. Shelley’s partner, Sabin, tagged in, and the two delivered a double back body drop on Humberto. Angel rushed into the ring and landed a running knee, crashing Sabin to the mat. The Motor City Machine Guns kept control for some time. 

Garza and Humberto slammed Sabin and Shelley onto the mat for a near fall. Sabin took down both men and Los Garza tumbled to the outside. Shelley lowered the second rope, and Sabin landed a breathtaking suicide dive to the outside. Pretty Deadly appeared on the ring apron, distracting the referee. However, The Motor City Machine Guns seized the opportunity to land their signature Skull and Bones move, securing the win. 

Winners: Motor City Machine Guns 

Grades: B 

Analysis: It was a decent tag team match. Motor City Machine Guns have the potential to evolve the tag team division. Los Garza has great in-ring chemistry and needs more TV time.  

B-Fab vs Piper Niven with Chelsea Green 

B-Fab started with a kick to the face and a facebuster. B-Fab escaped a senton and hit a DDT for a two-count. At ringside, Chelsea tried to interfere, but B-Fab took her down. In the ring, Niven took advantage and landed a senton followed by a pop-up driver for the win. Green entered the ring after the match, and they double-teamed B-Fab. Michin made the save with a kendo stick, and Chelsea and Niven rolled away.  

Winner: Piper Niven 

Grades: C 

Rey Mysterio vs Kevin Owens 

The match began quickly, and Rey delivered a twisting hurricanrana. KO slammed Rey to the mat and landed a senton. At ringside, Mysterio fought back and sent Owens into the barricade, followed by a sliding splash. After the break, Rey landed a seated senton and prepared for 619. KO reversed and went for a pop-up powerbomb. Mysterio reversed again and landed a DDT for a two-count. 

KO dropped Rey and landed a frog splash for a near fall. Mysterio quickly bounced back with a sunset flip. Owens moved out of a springboard splash and hit a Stunner for a near fall. Kevin went for a senton off the top, but Rey got his knees up. Mysterio delivered a 619 and climbed to the top. Owens abruptly crashed into the referee, who pushed Rey down. Owens hit the pop-up powerbomb for the win. 

After the match, Owens shook Mysterio’s hand and went for a package piledriver. Cody Rhodes ran down the ramp for the save. A brawl broke out, and WWE Officials got involved. Owens escaped through the crowd and raised the Winged Eagle Championship. Nick Aldis announced that Owens and Rhodes will relinquish their titles next week to be suspended in the air. Both competitors will sign a contract, and Shawn Michaels will manage the segment.  

Winner: Kevin Owens 

Grades: B+ 

Analysis: It was a great match. Rey Mysterio always defies age with his brilliant performances. Rhodes’s attack was pretty much expected but executed well.  

Tiffany Stratton (c) vs Bayley – Women’s World Championship 

Roxanne Perez was in attendance for the match, and her main roster call-up will come as soon as she arrives from the Royal Rumble. The match started, and Bayley landed a snap mare. Bayley sent her outside with a clothesline and landed a dropkick under the bottom rope. Tiffany sent Bayley arm first into the ring post. Stratton delivered a hip attack. Bayley didn’t hold back for long and hit a Belly-to-Belly Suplex for a near fall. 

After the break, Tiffany executed a Swanton and a powerbomb for a near fall. Bayley slammed Stratton on the commentary table at ringside and hit a suplex. Bayley and Roxanne had a brief stare-down. Back in the ring, Tiffany delivered a spine buster for a two-count. Bayley hit a Belly-to-Belly and a sunset flip in the corner. The champion kicked out of every pinfall attempt. In the end, Stratton delivered a cartwheel Alabama Slam, followed by the Prettiest Moonsault Ever to retain the title.  

Winner: Tiffany Stratton 

Grades: B+ 

Analysis: SmackDown ended with a bang. The two women left their all out in the ring. Bayley was the perfect opponent for Tiffany’s first title defence. Stratton cemented her top spot with a brilliant performance. The match truly deserved the main event spot. WWE aired a vignette for Charlotte Flair before the match. We have discussed the rumors of a potential WrestleMania match between Flair and Stratton.

What’s your take on WWE SmackDown January 17 Results?