WWE SmackDown Results Coverage, Reactions and Highlights For September 15, 2023

WWE is set to present an exciting episode of Friday Night SmackDown on FOX on September 15, 2023.

Start time for SmackDown is 8:00 PM EST Match-by-match highlights and results from the show will take place on this very page. Feel free to leave any reactions in the comment section below.

The main attractions of the evening included John Cena’s involvement in The Grayson Waller Effect and a clash between AJ Styles and Finn Balor. Here’s a complete rundown of the results:

• John Cena’s role in The Grayson Waller Effect.
• Finn Balor went head-to-head with AJ Styles.
• Asuka squared off against Bayley.
• LA Knight took on The Miz.

WWE SmackDown

The opening package for the show airs.

Pat McAfee’s music plays and he walks to the ring. He gets on the mic and says he was nearby when he heard that WWE was in the city and he took the opportunity to be here. Austin Theory’s music plays and he comes down to the ring.

Theory says this is Austin Theory live. He says there is nothing he can’t do. He says they have unfinished business. He says he is going to drop him in a couple of seconds and he is going to go back to his show. Pat says he is not going to do a thing and he mocks Theory for looking like him. He says he doesn’t want to fight.

Pat says Theory is so disrespectful to the business and the fans. He says this is the people’s show. The Rock’s music plays and he comes out to the ring. Austin Theory asks The Rock if he knows whose ring he is in.

The Rock asks him to shut up and tells him he doesn’t know how this works. He then removes his jacket. He says he has come back to Denver. The Theory says finally the people get to see them in the ring again. He says he is going to be the entire mount Rushmore. He then uses Rock’s catchphrase.

The Rock says it matters what he says and it matters more what the people says. He then imitates Austin. He says it is The Rock’s show. He then insults Theory and he is going to show him using the fans.

The Rock says Theory comes out and makes fun of the people and he says he is going to beat him up in three seconds. Theory attacks Rock but he comes back with a spinebuster. He then hits the People’s Elbow on Theory. Pat then hits the People’s elbow on Theory.

Finn Balor vs. AJ Styles

The Judgment Day’s music plays and they come down to the ring.

*Commercial break*

AJ Styles’ music plays and he comes down to the ring.

The match starts and Styles hits the backbreaker. Balor comes back with a dropkick. Styles returns with a dropkick and a backbreaker

*Commercial break*

Styles attacks Balor in the corner. He sets up Balor on the top rope but is shoved down. He recovers and and hits the neckbreaker sending Balor out of the ring. Styles dives onto him and sends him into the ring. Priest grabs Styles’ leg and the referee ejects Dominik and Priest from ringside. Styles goes for Styles Clash but Jimmy Uso distracts Styles and Balor rolls him up for the win.

Winner: AJ Styles

*Commercial break*

Pat and Rock are backstage discussing their segment. They run into John Cena. They hug it out. Jimmy Uso is backstage. Balor thanks him for the assist. Jimmy says they are even for last week. Balor says The Usos can join the Judgment Day. Jimmy says they are good. He says they are no leaders in the Judgment Day which means there is no Roman.

LWO is in the ring. Rey Mysterio says he loves and respects the LWO. He says when he came to SmackDown last year, he was going through one of the toughest times of his life. He says LWO reminded him who he is and what family represents and now he is the US Champion and he has a family that is united and stronger than ever.

Santos Escobar says their family are champions. He says Rey stepped up when Theory attacked him. He says it was his dream to face Rey Mysterio with the title on the line. He asks Mysterio if he will face him for the US Champion. Rey accepts his challenge.

Bobby Lashley’s music plays and he comes out with The Street Profits. Lashley says they have tag teams are crumbling around them. He says it is going to be easier to take over. Dawkins says Rey is giving out opportunity. Wilde challenges them to a fight.

*Commercial break*

LWO vs. Street Profits

Wilde goes aerial and misses. The Street Profits hit their double-team move and get the pinfall.

Winner: Street Profits

They attack Wilde and del Torro. Santos and Rey stop them. Lashley attacks Santos from behind and Street Profits takes out Rey Mysterio.

*Commercial break*

LA Knight vs. The Miz

The Miz’s music plays and he comes out to the ring. LA Knight’s theme song plays and he walks to the ring.

The match begins and Knight knocks down The Miz. The Miz attacks LA Knight in the corner. Knight comes back with a neckbreaker. He then hits a shoulder tackle. Cover! 1….2…kick out. The Miz knocks down Knight with the knees to the midsection.

The Miz is sent into the turnbuckle. Knights hits a neckbreaker and follows it with a bulldog. The Miz pokes Knight in the eye and plants him.

*Commercial break*

The Miz kicks Knight multiple times. Cover! 1….2….kick out. Knight knocks down Miz and follows it with the DDT. He stomps Miz in the corner. The Miz goes for a DDT but Knight holds on to the rope. The Miz comes back and plants Knight. Cover! 1….2….kick out. Miz goes for a kick and misses. Knight hits the BFT for the win.

Winner: LA Knight

Knight gets on the mic and says he told everybody that he is coming for gold. He says he looks at the top of the mountain and he sees a lot of options. He says he is in the top two but he is not second.

Paul Heyman and Solo Sikoa are watching the segment backstage. Solo says he will handle the LA Knight problem. Heyman says Reigns hasn’t given the order yet. He says they should focus on Jimmy Uso who is fighting with everyone and Solo says he will have to fight that battle.

Solo says he knows what he needs to do and he is going to finish this tonight. Solo walks away. Heyman asks who gave that order and he calls Reigns.

*Commercial break*

Pretty Deadly comes into Pearce’s office who tells them they can compete. Prince says he is scarred by his injury. Pearce says the shoulder is healing and asks why he is in a wheelchair. Prince says some scars can’t be healed. Wilson encourages Prince that they will be back better than ever.

Bayley is with Dakota Kai and she says she hopes IYO is ready against Asuka. Dakota tells her she has to show up against Asuka. She asks if Bayley is ready for Asuka.

Asuka vs. Bayley

Asuka’s music plays and she comes down to the ring.

*Commercial break*

Judgment Day are discussing something backstage.

Bayley’s music plays and she walks out to the ring.

The match begins and Bayley knocks down Asuka. Asuka comes back with a dropkick sending Bayley out of the ring. Bayley sends Asuka into the post.

*Commercial break*

Asuka locks in the armbar but Bayley escapes. Asuka hits a German suplex. Asuka with a vicious kick. She attacks her in the corner and follows it with another kick. Asuka locks in the ankle lock. Bayley escapes and Asuka with a facebuster. Cover! 1….2….kick out. She transitions into the armbar and Bayley rolls out of the ring.

Bayley slams Asuka on the apron. Shotzia appears at ringside and chase Bayley into the ring. Asuka rolls her for the win.

Winner: Asuka

After the match, Shotzi chases Bayley away and then celebrates with Asuka in the ring.

*Commercial break*

Grayson Waller is in the ring for the Grayson Waller Effect. He starts by saying he has had some special guests on his show before but tonight he has the greatest of all time. He says Cena’s star is fading quicker than his hairline but his rise to the top starts tonight. He then introduces John Cena. John Cena’s music hits and he walks out to the ring.

Waller says it must be an honor to be on his show. He says he asked Cena to be on the show for a reason and he says Cena needs some advice. He says Cena should sit back and watch the stars shine but he had to make it all about him. He then says Cena got back in the ring as a guest referee.

Waller says Cena doesn’t want to compete in the ring anymore. He then says Cena hasn’t been the same since WrestleMania when he lost to Theory. Cena takes off his shirt.

Jimmy Uso’s music plays and he walks to the ring. Jimmy grabs the mic from Cena and says Waller has a point. He says nobody wants him here. He says everybody came to see him. Jimmy says if Cena tries to embarrass him again, he can do it or he can get out of the ring.

Solo Sikoa’s music plays and he walks to the ring. Solo gets in Cena’s face before he acts like he is going to attack Jimmy. Solo then superkicks Cena and they attack him in the corner. AJ Styles comes out and attacks Jimmy Uso. Cena fights back against Solo and Styles kicks Uso. Cena hits the five-knuckle shuffle. Cena goes for the attitude adjustment but Solo saves Jimmy Uso.

This ends our live coverage of WWE SmackDown!