SmackDown results, Dec. 16, 2022: John Cena reveals he will team with Kevin Owens to fight Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn!

Damage CTRL def. Liv Morgan & Tegan Nox to retain WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship

Dakota Kai and IYO SKY put their WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles on the line against the newly-formed tandem of Liv Morgan and Tegan Nox. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more. #SmackDown

After the newly aligned team of Liv Morgan and Tegan Nox scored a victory over SmackDown Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler last week, they earned a WWE Women’s Tag Team Title Match against Damage CTRL.

Nox nearly earned the win with the Shiniest Wizard on Kai, but SKY broke up the pinfall. The pace quickened as Morgan hit a huge sunset flip powerbomb onto Kai before SKY leveled her with a vicious dropkick.

As Nox tried to get Bayley out of the equation after The Role Model attempted to interfere, a mysterious person in a hoodie ambushed Nox, allowing Kai and SKY to retain the titles after SKY hit an Over the Moonsault on Nox.

It was later revealed via a Digital Exclusive that the person in the hoodie was Xia Li.

La Knight got confounded by Bray Wyatt and Uncle Howdy

LA Knight once again gets attacked backstage and voices his frustrations and accusations at Bray Wyatt in the ring, but Uncle Howdy appears to perplex the brash Superstar. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more. #SmackDown

Gunther def. Ricochet to retain the Intercontinental Championship

SmackDown World Cup Winner Ricochet receives his title chance against Intercontinental Champion Gunther. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more. #SmackDown

With Ricochet achieving glory in the SmackDown World Cup Final, he booked his ticket to an Intercontinental Title Match against Gunther.

Gunther dethroned Ricochet as Intercontinental Champion earlier in the year, so Ricochet was out for retribution in his quest to gain back the title.

Ricochet put up a great fight, hitting The Ring General with multiple high-flying attacks. Ricochet showcased his strength too, lifting Gunther into a vertical suplex. With the Chicago crowd rocking, Ricochet nearly captured the title after a humongous shooting star press, but the champion kicked out incredulously. 

A gigantic chop and a vicious powerbomb from Gunther almost sealed the deal for the champion, but it was Ricochet’s turn to kick out. The fight from Ricochet, however fizzled out as The Ring General capped off the win with the Last Symphony.

After the match, the rest of Imperium came to beat down Ricochet, but Braun Strowman chased them from the ring.

Braun Strowman saved Ricochet from a post-match beatdown

After Gunther narrowly escapes with the Intercontinental Championship, Imperium put the boots to Ricochet before The Monster of All Monsters comes out for the save. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more. #SmackDown

Hit Row def. Legado del Fantasma and The Viking Raiders in a Triple Threat Tag Team No. 1 Contenders’ Match

A chance to face The Usos for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles is on the line as the three warring teams of Hit Row, Legado del Fantasma and The Viking Raiders engage in battle. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more. #SmackDown

A chance to face The Usos for the WWE Undisputed Tag Team Titles was on the line as the three warring factions of Hit Row, Legado del Fantasma and The Viking Raiders engaged in a frenetic Triple Threat Tag Team Match.

After an attempted dive from Top Dolla, B-Fab, Valhalla and Zelina Vega got into a scrap, allowing Hit Row to take advantage and earn the hard-fought victory.

John Cena announced he would tag with Kevin Owens to face Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn!

Roman Reigns makes a match featuring himself and Sami Zayn taking on Kevin Owens, but his plan backfires when John Cena reveals he will be teaming with The Prizefighter. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more. #SmackDown