After a pretty-good Raw – complete with a bit of a surprise and genuinely nice/respectable/hot crowd – we now move on to the potentially new era as the “Roman Empire” begins! Following his big (and much, much, much deserved) win on Monday, what will new WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns have to say tonight? What does former champion Sheamus have to say in rebuttal? Will there be any consequences from Roman knocking out Mr. McMahon?

Also, The Wyatt Family seemed to put an end to their feud with The Dudleyz and Tommy Dreamer and Rhyno on Monday with their victory in the Extreme Rules 8-Man Tag-Team match. Is this true, and if so, who will The Family go for next? If not, what will Team E.C.W. do to retaliate?

Tag-Team Champions The New Day showed respect to the Lucha Dragons and The Usos on Monday but then were beaten down by those teams after Big E., Xavier Woods, and Kofi Kingston showed-off more; will they attack back?

Lastly, Divas Champion Charlotte and her father Ric Flair used questionable tactics to get her a win with Becky Lynch on Monday; does this continue tonight?

All this and much more, so read on!

Thursday Night Smackdown! TV Report for December 17th, 2015

Introduction Segment: Video Promo

A long recap of Monday’s events surrounding Roman Reigns, Stephanie McMahon, Mr. McMahon, and Sheamus is shown.

Segment #2: Arena Promo

New WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns strolls through the fans and holds up his title in happiness. He says he was glad the change happened on Monday with it being his daughter’s birthday; Roman brought the championship home to show them that all they had done up to this point helped him make it!

Reigns admits that his days may be limited, but tonight he wants to make the most of it. That is until Sheamus walks out. He tells Roman he has power from The Authority to make Reigns leave the building; “The Celtic Warrior” brings out “security,” but the WWE World Heavyweight Champion quickly dismantles them. Roman leaves on his own.

Commercials.

Match #1: Single – United States Champion Alberto Del Rio VS. Ryback

They lockup and struggle, neither gaining an advantage at first. Del Rio works out of a wristlock and punches in the corner, then kicks Ryback hard in the gut. “The Big Guy” counters and military-press slams Alberto, then punches as Del Rio is set atop the turnbuckle. The U.S. Champ reverses into the Cross Armbreaker using the ropes, but has to break before the five-count disqualification. Del Rio knees Ryback from the apron into the barricade.

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Alberto is still in control, hammering away on Ryback and wearing him down with head and chinlocks. Ryback counters again and starts to gain some momentum. He builds up with some moves then calls for the Meathook Clothesline, but Del Rio reverses into a German Suplex. Alberto double-stomps him on the mat, then goes for a big kick, but Ryback turns it into a spinebuster!

“The Big Guy” hits the Meathook Clothesline this time and goes for the Shellshock Marching Samoan Drop, but the rest of The League Of Nations run out. Sheamus, Wade Barrett, and Rusev distract Ryback enough for Alberto to lock on the Cross Armbreaker and force Ryback to give-in!

Winner via Submission: United States Champion Alberto Del Rio

Post-match, The League continues to assault Ryback, with Rusev tearing him up with The Accolade.

Later tonight, The Lucha Dragons will square off with The New Day.

Segment #3: Backstage Promo

Tyler Breeze and Summer Rae are talking about what he will do to his opponent tonight, Titus O’Neil. Goldust appears from behind a curtain and scares Summer, who then sprays him with hairspray. He quirkily walks away.

Commercials.

Match #2: Single – Tyler Breeze (with Summer Rae) VS. Titus O’Neil

Most of this bout is Titus, but Breeze does some offense. Goldust suddenly walks out and sits beside Summer, which distracts “Prince Pretty.” O’Neil takes advantage, planting Tyler with the Spinebuster to take this!

Winner via Pinfall: Titus O’Neil

Post-match, Goldust takes a “selfie” with a prone Breeze, using Tyler’s phone/“selfie-stick.”

Segment #4: Backstage Promo

Rene Young asks Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose about Kevin Owens

Segment #5: Video Promo

T.L.C./Raw Recap with Wyatts/Dudleyz/Rhyno/Dreamer

Segment #6: Video Promo

Bray Wyatt appears on the Titantron and The Family preach about moving on from Team E.C.W. and continuing to spread “fear” among the WWE.

Tag-Team Champions The New Day make their entrance for their Tag bout, next!

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Prior to the bout, Big E., Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods, claim that The Usos and Luchas did not want to take their offer of sportsmanship because they were jealous.

Match #3: Tag-Team – Tag-Team Champions The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) (with Tag-Team Champion/New Day partner Big E.) VS. The Lucha Dragons (Kalisto and Sin Cara)

Xavier and Sin Cara begin, with Cara catching Woods off guard with a springboard Asai Moonsault. Kalisto is tagged in and tears at Xavier’s arm with an armbar. Both Dragons double-team Woods for a while. Kalisto is dumped to the floor a bit later.

Commercials.

Kofi is now in, working Kalisto over by his arm. He throws Kalisto into the ring post, then he and Xavier double-mudhole-stomp him. New Day control for a bit, until The Luchas reverse and catch the Tag-Team Champions off-guard and get the W!

Winners via Pinfall: The Lucha Dragons

Segment #7: Backstage Promo

Dolph Ziggler is with Rene Young and is inquired about being interfered by Kevin Owens on Raw during his match with I.C. Champ Dean Ambrose.

Brie Bella makes her entrance to take on Becky Lynch!

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Match #4: Single – Brie Bella VS. Becky Lynch

(Note: Team B.A.D. – Tamina, Naomi, and Sasha Banks – are in the audience.)

Becky whips Brie into the corner, but Bella hits back hard and dumps her to the outside. Brie puts Becky back in the ring pretty quickly and stretches her with a rear chinlock. Just now, Divas Champion Charlotte’s music plays and she runs down the aisle to appear to be in Becky’s corner. This gives Lynch a little momentum before Brie gets the upper-hand again. She hits a running knee while Becky is against the ropes, but a bit later, Charlotte gets involved, which gives Lynch the advantage to lock in her Disarmer Armbar, making Bella quit!

Winner via Submission: Becky Lynch (with Divas Champion Charlotte)

Commercials.

Segment #8: Backstage Promo

Becky and Charlotte are discussing the outcome to which Becky does not agree, despite Charlotte saying that she just wants to help her friend win. Lynch takes this as Charlotte not thinking she can win without her help.

The announcer’s promote the Slammy Awards on next Monday’s Raw.

Segment #9: Backstage Promo

JoJo asks Kevin Owens about Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose. He vows to continue to punish Ambrose, while he promises that he will put Dolph Ziggler in a hospital tonight.

Dolph makes his entrance for the main-event!

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Match #5: Single – Dolph Ziggler VS. Kevin Owens

Ziggler begins aggressively, but Owens takes over soon. They go to the outside, where Dolph gives Owens the Zig-Zag against the barrier!

Commercials.

Kevin is back dominating, wearing Dolph down with a rear chinlock. Ziggler soon chucks Owens hard into the ring post, then gives him a clotheslines and splash back in the ring! he drops a few leaping-elbows, then starts to stomp for a superkick. Owens grabs Dolph’s leg, however, and plants him with a belly-to-belly suplex! 1 – 2 – Dolph kicks out!

A bit later, Owens tries the Pop-Up powerbomb, but Ziggler leaps over. Dolph suns against the ropes and slides under, then hops off another Pop-Up attempt and hits a superkick! 1 – 2 – Owens just gets his shoulder up! Dolph punches away, but is tossed to the floor, where he has appeared to hurt his right shoulder/neck area.

The referee checks on Dolph, but Owens meets them and begins an assault. Despite warnings, Kevin keeps going, causing the referee to call for the bell!

Winner via Disqualification: Dolph Ziggler

Post-match, Owens continues to punish Ziggler until Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose charges down and makes the save. Owens backs away up the aisle, and hits Dolph again, then continues to go up to the ramp. Dean helps Ziggler, but is superkicked for his trouble; Owens enjoys the view from the top of the ramp to close the show.

End Of Smackdown!