Paul Heyman Responds to The Rock, Fatal Four-Way Match Announced for Royal Rumble & More: WWE SmackDown New Year’s Revolution Highlights & Results

The first episode of SmackDown for 2024, titled New Year’s Revolution, aired straight from the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The show was set with a massive match card. From the #1 contender to the United States Championship to the man who will face Roman Reigns. Fans were expecting an action-packed night, and that is what they got. Here is everything that went down.

WWE SmackDown New Year’s Revolution 5/1/2024 Recap

Video package: SmackDown New Year’s Revolution started off with a recap of Dwayne The Rock Johnson’s return and calling out Roman Reigns.

Kevin Owens vs. Santos Escobar for the #1 contender for the United States Championship

Winner: Kevin Owens

With Logan Paul at ringside, the final leg of the #1 contender tournament was decided tonight. The match started with a brawl on the outside. LWO’s Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro jumped the barricade and attacked Garza and Humberto. This leveled the field for Owens, who took it to Escobar fast. Despite getting the upper hand, Escobar was able to turn things around by targeting Owens’ broken hand. The Canadian crowd turned on Paul mid-match with negative chants. After two Stunners, Owens was able to pick up the win. Owens will face Logan Paul for the US title at the Royal Rumble.

Post-match: Paul grabbed the mic to congratulate and humiliate Owens for his win. While praising his own reign of 62 Days since Crown Jewel 2023. However, Owens ended the parade with a knockout punch to Paul.

Backstage segment: Paul was seen with a bag of ice after Owens’ knockout punch. Cathy Kelly asked him about it, but Austin Theory and Grayson Waller interrupted. This is followed by Cameron Grimes, who starts a brawl with the two.

In-ring segment: Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits took the ring to announce their plans for 2024. While The Profits announced their goal for the Tag Team Titles, Lashley announced his entry into the Royal Rumble match. Their announcement is cut short by the return of Karian Kross and the Authors of Pain. The trio takes Lashley and the Profits out and stands tall.

 IYO SKY vs. Michin for the Women’s Championship 

Winner: IYO SKY retains the Women’s Championship

The only Women’s match of the night featured Iyo Sky from Damage CTRL defending her title against Michin. The match was fast-paced, with both women showcasing their skills and in-ring ability. Despite looking strong and hitting the Styles Clash over off the second rope, Michin could not put Sky down. The genius of the sky was able to hit Over the Moonsault for the pin.

Backstage segment: Paul Heyman is seen live backstage where he responds to Dwayne Johnson calling out Roman Reigns. He talks about how Johnson is using Reigns to gain attention. He also acknowledged CM Punk as the OG Heyman Guy. Heyman ended the segment by talking about the main event match and how no matter who wins, Reigns will destroy them at the Royal Rumble.

Backstage segment: We get to see Damage CTRL celebrate Sky’s victory. The main goal for the team in 2024 is to win all the gold on SmackDown. Bianca Belair crashes the party to congratulate Sky but sends a warning to Bayley. Once she leaves, the group tells Bayley that, as their leader, she needs to take care of Belair.

Pretty Deadly vs. Butch and Tyler Bate

Winner: Butch and Tyler Bate

This match was set during the last episode of SmackDown. Butch was supposed to find a partner for the match and he got Tyler Bate. The match was fun, with both teams looking strong. With both using a double team on the legal man, the match was quite interesting near the end. After a Double Tyler Driver 97, Butch and Tyler picked up the win.

Video package: LA Knight is shown to be the breakout star of 2023. This is ahead of his triple-threat match in the main event.

Backstage segment: Nick Aldis is seen talking to Ashante “Thee” Adonis. Adnois feels lost and not able to grasp what his role is in the WWE. The segment ends with Aldis telling Adonis that he has an idea for him that should be interesting.

Randy Orton vs. LA Knight vs. AJ Styles in the main event (Number 1 contender’s match)

Winner: None

The most anticipated match of the evening. This triple-threat match would decide who would face Roman Reigns at The Royal Rumble 2024. Knight claimed he deserved it more, with both Orton and Styles claiming they were the worthy ones as The Bloodline put them on the shelf due to injuries. The match was the hottest one on the cards, with each man putting their best forward. With an every-man-for-himself atmosphere, the match was intense.

Near the end of the match, fans started chanting “This is awesome,” to the three men in the ring. During the there were many near falls with Knight even busted open at one point. However, the match came to a halt as The Bloodline entered and started a beatdown on all three. Despite their best efforts, nothing could stop the Tribal Chief. The match ended with The Bloodline standing tall over a bleeding Knight. However, Nick Aldis talked to Paul Heyman at ringside and issued a Fatal Fourway match at the Royal Rumble.

Reigns will now face Styles, Orton, and LA Knight on January 27 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. at the Royal Rumble PLE. What did you think about the WWE SmackDown New Year’s Revolution? Tell us down below.