SmackDown In A Nutshell: Can Banger Bros Win Belts?

It is time for the first SmackDown in a Nutshell of 2023, with one big question. Can the Banger Bros win the tag belts?

In case you aren’t in the know, the Banger Bros are Sheamus and Drew McIntyre.

And, the Banger Bros have a chance to win the tag belts, finally getting their shot and Jimmy and Jey.

But, that is not all…probably.

I mean, last week most of us didn’t expect Charlotte Flair to end 2022 as the SmackDown Women’s Champion…but she did.

Plus, now that the calendar says January, 2023…we are getting much closer to the Royal Rumble.

To that point, we have a match to determine an entrant in the match. Specifically, Ricochet battles Top Dolla for one of the 30 spots.

There will surely be much more in the two hour show. Hopefully no Vince, of course.

So with that…it is time for…

SmackDown In A Nutshell: Can Banger Bros Win Belts?

Let’s crack open this Nutshell and find out!

Best Match of the night:

That main event was it for me.

Banger Bros and The Usos was a really solid match. The interference at the end of things was to be expected.

Knowing that we are rumored to get Sami and KO against Jimmy and Jey for the titles at ‘Mania, no shock here.

Would not have hated an outcome where the Banger Bros win the belts, but we can’t always get what we want.

Worst match of the night:

To be fair, it was not truly bad…but I generally don’t love the mixed tag matches.

So, I didn’t like having the mixed tag.

But, nice to get Emma and Scarlett in the ring. One ask…can we FINALLY ditch “Madcap”?

I mean, Emma even called him Riddick in that backstage segment…so….

Star of the Night

I have to go with all involved in the main event.

Is it lazy? I don’t think so.

Kevin Owens and Roman Reigns were also rock solid, as always, plus Sami.

But Drew, Sheamus, Jimmy and Jey lived up to their main event position tonight.

Spot of the Night:

I suppose I will go with the Hit Row double team on Ricochet.

Jobber of the Night:

Hmm…decisions decisions.

I think Top Dolla did a bit of a job, losing to Ricochet.

But, in response for getting the Rumble spot, Ricochet also got a beating.

The backstage segment joking about his botch effectively started a heel turn, but tonight’s actions solidified it.

Upset of the Night:

Hit Row was certainly upset…but then again, tell me you couldn’t see that definitive turn coming a mile away.

Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:

Do I go with the attack by Hit Row?

Or do I go with Sonya Deville being the first to challenge new champ Charlotte?

And…man oh man did Flair have a nice reaction…and fans were all over Sonya.

crowds chanting “whoop that trick” and charlotte took notice . what a legend #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/621vMf6WX7

— •  (@TranquiloSZN) January 7, 2023

Botch of the night:

If there was one, nothing jumped out at me.

LOL Moment of the night:

The crowd at Lawler’s bar (complete with “Jerry Lawler Museum” banner) joining Drew and Sheamus screaming “banger”.

Noteworthy Moment:

A couple.

It was reported earlier this week, but this is my chance to say…I am excited to see Money In The Bank hit London this summer.

Like, we finally got a big show with last year’s Clash At The Castle…and now Europe is getting one of the already established big shows.

And…we are officially getting Kevin Owens versus Roman Reigns at the Royal Rumble.

Given the drama with The Bloodline and Sami Zayn…and Zayn’s match with KO next week…it won’t be too much longer before the Honorary Uce isn’t an Uce anymore.

Overall lowlights:

For me, the lowlight had nothing to do with the show.

I can’t help but dislike seeing McMahon’s power play.

Yes, he never gave up his majority stake…but…he retired for a reason, and no one wanted him back except…him.

Vince McMahon is back on the WWE Board. They UNANIMOUSLY said they didn’t want him back and alluded to there being “non-public” information that could be harmful to the company, and he did it anyway. He doesn’t care. This is less about money and all about feeding his EGO.

— Jason Solomon (@solomonster) January 6, 2023

Overall highlights:

Kevin Owens

Sami Zayn

The Bloodline

Banger Bros

All good stuff from these Superstars tonight.

After the final bell:

All in all, a pretty solid show for the start of 2023.

So far, and I mean, it’s barely been a thing, no negative impact from Vince’s return.

Perhaps his word about not changing leadership will stick…but we’ve known Vince long enough to know him better than that.