WWE Smackdown Replay 13th October 2023: Kevin Owens Returns, Roman Reigns vs Cody Rhodes, Triple H And More

The wrestling world was buzzing on the night of October 13, 2023, as WWE SmackDown returned with its “season premiere.” In a night filled with unexpected twists and notable returns, fans were treated to some top-notch entertainment.

Roman Reigns’ Spectacular Return:

The most significant moment of the evening was the long-awaited return of Roman Reigns, the undisputed WWE Universal Champion. It had been two months since Reigns graced the blue brand, and his presence was felt immediately. Reigns wasted no time in asserting his dominance, interrupting John Cena’s opening address.

Reigns, alongside Paul Heyman and Solo Sikoa, stood tall in the ring as he declared himself the tribal chief. He doubted Cena’s motives, suggesting that Cena only returned because Reigns was absent. The exchange between these two icons was electric, with Reigns challenging Cena to leave or face the consequences.

**LA Knight Emerges as a Challenger:**

Cena, showing respect to Reigns, refrained from challenging him that night. However, he hinted at someone who could be a deserving challenger. The fans erupted with excitement when LA Knight’s music hit. Knight did not hold back, questioning why a defending champion would stay home while others fought in the ring.

Reigns tried to downplay Knight’s remarks, but Knight stood his ground. The situation escalated quickly when Jimmy Uso attacked Knight from behind. Still, Uso was swiftly dealt with by the determined Knight. LA Knight’s confidence and challenge to Solo Sikoa for a match set the stage for potential future clashes with Roman Reigns.

**A Night of Explosive Action:**

The in-ring action at SmackDown was top-notch. Pretty Deadly secured a victory against The Brawling Brutes by pinfall, showcasing their wrestling prowess. Carlito’s return was met with enthusiasm, but his request for a match led to a brawl with The Street Profits.

Bayley and Zelina Vega had a heated match, with Bayley emerging victorious after IYO SKY’s distraction. This victory added to Bayley’s momentum as she continues her journey in the women’s division. WWE Women’s Champion IYO SKY had her title defence highlighted in a thrilling package.

Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso, who were riding high as the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions, successfully defended their titles once again. They faced Austin Theory and Grayson Waller in a competitive bout, ultimately retaining their championships.

Triple H’s Big Announcements:

The Game, Triple H, made a special appearance on the “season premiere” of SmackDown. He had a couple of major announcements in store for the WWE Universe. Triple H lauded the crowd and set the stage for upcoming events, including Crown Jewel and the Survivor Series.

First, Triple H praised Adam Pearce, naming him the new general manager of Raw. This was a significant change, as Pearce had been handling both Raw and SmackDown duties. However, Dominik Mysterio interrupted Triple H, expressing his dissatisfaction with recent events.

Triple H then delivered another bombshell by announcing the new general manager for SmackDown, Nick Aldis. Aldis immediately welcomed Kevin Owens as the blue brand’s newest superstar. Owens wasted no time making an impact, delivering a stunner to Mysterio, much to the delight of the fans.

**Championship Implications:**

The landscape of the WWE continued to evolve on this eventful night. Roman Reigns expressed his displeasure at the increasing number of individuals he didn’t like on SmackDown, foreshadowing potential rivalries.

Charlotte Flair was granted a title opportunity, as she would challenge IYO SKY for the WWE Women’s Championship in the near future. This development added intrigue to the women’s division.

Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso’s dominance as tag team champions continued. They were on a roll, successfully defending their undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship against the newly formed team of Austin Theory and Grayson Waller. With another title defence on the horizon, Rhodes and Uso were proving to be formidable champions.

**The Knight’s Triumph and Reigns’ Vengeance:**

The night reached its climax with LA Knight’s match against Solo Sikoa. Knight’s charisma and determination shone through as he aimed to prove himself as a legitimate challenger to Roman Reigns’ championship. Knight secured a victory, but not without a distraction from Jimmy Uso.

This led to a brawl, which took an unexpected turn when John Cena rushed to Knight’s aid, delivering an attitude adjustment to Uso. However, Cena paid the price with a Samoan spike from Sikoa. LA Knight’s victory and the ensuing chaos set the stage for a potential showdown between Knight and Reigns in the future.

In a jaw-dropping moment, Roman Reigns made a sudden appearance, delivering a devastating spear to the LA Knight. Reigns stood tall, holding the undisputed WWE Universal Championship high, sending a clear message that he was back and more dominant than ever.

The “season premiere” of WWE SmackDown on October 13, 2023, delivered on all fronts. Roman Reigns’ return, LA Knight’s emergence as a challenger, and the announcement of new general managers added layers of intrigue to the WWE landscape.