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Randy Orton challenges Roman Reigns, AJ Styles returns on SmackDown

Posted: Dec 16th 2023 By: Ethan Renner

Randy Orton issued a challenge to Undisputed Universal Champion Roman Reigns, plus AJ Styles made his return on Friday's WWE SmackDown.

Reigns made his first WWE appearance since Crown Jewel on SmackDown, crowning Solo Sikoa rather than Jimmy Uso as the heir to his title of Tribal Chief of The Bloodline. Orton then interrupted the segment and challenged Reigns to a title match at next month's Royal Rumble event, but Reigns declined and set up a match between Orton & Uso for the SmackDown main event.

Orton defeated Uso in the episode's main event thanks to a distraction from LA Knight, counteracting a would-be distraction from Sikoa.

Reigns then attacked Knight, and The Bloodline had the upper hand in a three-on-two fight with Reigns, Uso, & Sikoa against Orton & Knight.

Styles then made his return after nearly three months away from WWE programming, seemingly to help Orton & Knight, as he hit Reigns with a Phenomenal Forearm.

Styles added one more twist to the night's proceedings as he then laid out Knight with a forearm.

Reigns vs. Orton has yet to be made official for Royal Rumble, but Reigns vs. Orton and Styles vs. Knight appear to be storyline directions going forward following the events of Friday's SmackDown.