The 2024 New Year's Revolution (marketed as SmackDown: New Year's Revolution) was the fourth New Year's Revolution professional wrestling event produced by WWE, and the first to air as a television special. It was held for wrestlers from the promotion's SmackDown brand division. The event took place on January 5, 2024, at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and aired as a special episode of Friday Night SmackDown on Fox. The broadcast concluded WWE's week-long programming of New Year's-themed shows called New Year's Knockout Week. New Year's Revolution was previously held as a Raw-exclusive pay-per-view event from 2005 to 2007, in turn marking the first SmackDown-branded New Year's Revolution as well as the first to broadcast on any outlet since the 2007 event; a series of eight WWE Live shows titled the New Year's Revolution Tour was held in early 2020, but these were dual-branded non-televised events.
| SmackDown: New Year's Revolution | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 SmackDown: New Year's Revolution poster | |||
| Promotion | WWE | ||
| Brand(s) | SmackDown | ||
| Date | January 5, 2024 | ||
| City | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | ||
| Venue | Rogers Arena | ||
| SmackDown special episodes chronology | |||
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| New Year's Revolution chronology | |||
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Four matches were contested during the live broadcast. In the main event, a triple threat match between Randy Orton, LA Knight, and AJ Styles was held to determine who would challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at the Royal Rumble; however, the match ended in a no contest after The Bloodline (Reigns, Jimmy Uso, and Solo Sikoa) attacked all three competitors. As a result, Reigns was instead scheduled to defend the title against the three in a fatal four-way match at the Royal Rumble. In another prominent match, which opened the show, Kevin Owens defeated Santos Escobar in the finals of a tournament to earn a match against Logan Paul for the United States Championship at the Royal Rumble. The broadcast also marked the return of Authors of Pain (Akam and Rezar with manager Paul Ellering); their last WWE televised appearance was in March 2020 before being released in September that year.
Production
editBackground
edit
From 2005 to 2007, the American professional wrestling promotion WWE held an annual pay-per-view (PPV) event in early January titled New Year's Revolution, which was held exclusively for wrestlers from the promotion's Raw brand division. The name of the event was a play on the Western tradition of New Year's resolutions. It was then discontinued as after WrestleMania 23 in April 2007, WWE ceased producing brand-exclusive PPVs, thus reducing the amount of PPVs held per year.[1] The 2007 event would in turn be the final New Year's Revolution to broadcast on any outlet, as although WWE revived the name for a series of eight WWE Live shows in early 2020 titled the New Year's Revolution Tour, these were non-televised events.[2]
During the December 22, 2023, episode of Friday Night SmackDown, the brand's General Manager Nick Aldis announced the revival of New Year's Revolution. It was scheduled to be held as a special episode of SmackDown on January 5, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and broadcast on Fox. This in turn marked the first SmackDown-branded New Year's Revolution, the first to air as a television special, and the fourth overall to air on any broadcasting outlet.[3] The show also concluded WWE's week-long programming of New Year's-themed shows called New Year's Knockout Week, which included Raw: Day 1 and NXT: New Year's Evil.[4]
Storylines
editThe event included four matches that resulted from scripted storylines. Results were predetermined by WWE's writers on the SmackDown brand,[5][6] while storylines were produced on WWE's weekly television show, Friday Night SmackDown.[7]
On the November 17, 2023, episode of SmackDown, Zelina Vega and "Michin" Mia Yim were attacked by Damage CTRL (Bayley, Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai, Asuka, and Kairi Sane) after they talked to Bianca Belair, who was attempting to find a fourth member for her team for the WarGames match at Survivor Series: WarGames.[8] Three weeks later, before Asuka's match against Charlotte Flair, Vega, Yim, Belair, and Shotzi attacked the rest of Damage CTRL.[9] Two weeks later, the team of Vega, Yim, Belair, and Shotzi defeated Damage CTRL in a Holiday Havoc match, where Yim pinned Sky, granting her a match against Sky for the WWE Women's Championship at New Year's Revolution.[10]
At Crown Jewel on November 4, 2023, Logan Paul won his first WWE title, the United States Championship.[11] Paul made his first appearance as champion on the December 1 episode of SmackDown where he announced that his first challenger would be determined by a tournament.[12] Kevin Owens and Santos Escobar won their respective tournament brackets, and on the December 22 episode, it was announced that the tournament final between the two would occur at New Year's Revolution with the winner facing Paul for the title at the Royal Rumble.[10]
Before he went on hiatus in May 2022 due to a back injury, Randy Orton had been feuding with The Bloodline (Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, and Jimmy Uso).[13] At Crown Jewel on November 4, 2023, Roman Reigns defeated LA Knight to retain the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship after interference from The Bloodline.[11] On the following episode of SmackDown, Knight stated that he was not done with The Bloodline until he defeated Reigns for the title.[14] Orton then returned at Survivor Series: WarGames later that month,[15] and he subsequently signed with the SmackDown brand after fending off an attack by The Bloodline (which had since added Solo Sikoa while Jey left the group earlier in the summer) on the December 1 episode of SmackDown, vowing to get revenge.[12] Two weeks later, the returning AJ Styles helped Knight and Orton fend off The Bloodline before attacking Knight.[16] The following week, Styles explained that he attacked Knight for taking his spot in a tag team match at Fastlane. After Orton interrupted, he said he also wanted a title match against Reigns. SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis then announced that Orton, Styles, and Knight would compete in a triple threat match at New Year's Revolution, where the winner would face Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at the Royal Rumble.[10]
On the November 24, 2023, episode of SmackDown, during a tag team match between The Brawling Brutes (Butch and Ridge Holland) and Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince and Kit Wilson), Holland left the ringside area, costing his team the match.[17] Over the next few weeks, Butch feuded with Pretty Deadly by himself. On the December 22 episode of SmackDown, Butch attacked Pretty Deadly backstage after they mocked him. SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis then told Butch to find a partner to take on Pretty Deadly at New Year's Revolution.[10]
Results
edit| No. | Results | Stipulations | Times[26] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1D | Gable Steveson defeated Cedric Alexander | Singles match[18] | 6:07 | ||||
| 2 | Kevin Owens defeated Santos Escobar by pinfall | Tournament final to determine the #1 contender for the WWE United States Championship at the Royal Rumble[19] | 16:35 | ||||
| 3 | Iyo Sky (c) defeated Michin by pinfall | Singles match for the WWE Women's Championship[20] | 10:40 | ||||
| 4 | Butch and Tyler Bate defeated Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson and Elton Prince) by pinfall | Tag team match[21] | 8:34 | ||||
| 5 | Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles vs. LA Knight ended in a no contest | Triple threat match to determine the #1 contender for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at the Royal Rumble[22] | 19:40 | ||||
| 6D | Bianca Belair defeated Chelsea Green | Singles match[23] | — | ||||
| 7D | Rhea Ripley (c) defeated Ivy Nile | Singles match for the Women’s World Championship[24] | — | ||||
| 8D | Drew McIntyre defeated Ricochet | Singles match[25] | 10:25 | ||||
| |||||||
WWE United States Championship #1 Contender Tournament
edit| First round SmackDown December 8–15, 2023 | Semifinals SmackDown December 15, 2023 (aired December 22) | Final SmackDown: New Year's Revolution January 5, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Dragon Lee | 9:09[9] | |||||||||||||
| Santos Escobar | Pin | |||||||||||||
| Santos Escobar | Pin | |||||||||||||
| Bobby Lashley | 8:44[10] | |||||||||||||
| Bobby Lashley | Pin | |||||||||||||
| Karrion Kross | 9:46[9] | |||||||||||||
| Santos Escobar | 16:35[26] | |||||||||||||
| Kevin Owens | Pin | |||||||||||||
| Carmelo Hayes | Pin | |||||||||||||
| Grayson Waller | 10:23[16] | |||||||||||||
| Carmelo Hayes | 10:04[10] | |||||||||||||
| Kevin Owens | Pin | |||||||||||||
| Austin Theory | 13:32[16] | |||||||||||||
| Kevin Owens | Pin | |||||||||||||
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ "WWE Pay-Per-Views To Follow WrestleMania Formula". World Wrestling Entertainment. March 18, 2007. Archived from the original on March 19, 2007. Retrieved November 25, 2007.
- ^ Lambert, Jeremy (December 14, 2019). "WWE Brands Early 2020 Live Events As "New Year's Revolution Tour," Announces May 2020 European Tour". Fightful. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
- ^ Thomas, Jeremy (December 22, 2023). "WWE Smackdown In Two Weeks To Have 'New Year's Revolution' Theme". 411Mania. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
- ^ Barrasso, Justin (December 22, 2023). "WWE Announces New Year's Week Schedule". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
- ^ Grabianowski, Ed (January 13, 2006). "How Pro Wrestling Works". HowStuffWorks. Discovery Communications. Archived from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
- ^ "Live & Televised Entertainment". WWE. Archived from the original on February 18, 2009. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
- ^ Steinberg, Brian (May 25, 2016). "WWE's 'Smackdown' Will Move To Live Broadcast On USA (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived from the original on May 26, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
- ^ Barnett, Jake (November 17, 2023). "WWE Friday Night Smackdown results (11/17): Barnett's review of LA Knight vs. Jimmy Uso, Street Profits vs. Pretty Deadly vs. Ridge Holland and Butch for a shot at the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
- ^ a b c Barnett, Jake (December 8, 2023). "WWE Friday Night Smackdown results (12/8): Barnett's review of CM Punk's appearance, Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka, Dragon Lee vs. Santos Escobar and Bobby Lashley vs. Karrion Kross in tourney matches for a shot at the U.S. Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f Barnett, Jake (December 22, 2023). "WWE Friday Night Smackdown results (12/22): Barnett's review of AJ Styles vs. Solo Sikoa, Carmelo Hayes vs. Kevin Owens and Santos Escobar vs. Bobby Lashley in tournament matches for a shot at the U.S. Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
- ^ a b Powell, Jason (November 4, 2023). "WWE Crown Jewel results: Powell's review of Roman Reigns vs. LA Knight for the WWE Universal Title, Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre for the World Heavyweight Title, Rey Mysterio vs. Logan Paul for the U.S. Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on November 4, 2023. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
- ^ a b Barnett, Jake (December 1, 2023). "WWE Friday Night Smackdown results (12/1): Powell's review of Randy Orton's appearance, Kevin Owens vs. Grayson Waller, Logan Paul's search for a U.S. Title challenger". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
- ^ Pal, Arindam (June 17, 2022). "WWE Summerslam 2022 main event in jeopardy due to Randy Orton's injury?". myKhel. Archived from the original on June 19, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
- ^ Barnett, Jake (November 10, 2023). "WWE Friday Night Smackdown results (11/10): Barnett's review of Bobby Lashley vs. Carlito, LA Knight vs. Grayson Waller, and Bayley addresses the future of Damage CTRL". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
- ^ Powell, Jason (November 25, 2023). "WWE Survivor Series WarGames results: Powell's review of Randy Orton, Seth Rollins, Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, and Sami Zayn vs. Drew McIntyre and The Judgment Day in a WarGames match, Women's WarGames match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on November 26, 2023. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
- ^ a b c Barnett, Jake (December 15, 2023). "WWE Friday Night Smackdown results (12/15): Barnett's review of the return of Roman Reigns, Carmelo Hayes vs. Grayson Waller and Kevin Owens vs. Austin Theory in tourney matches for a shot at the U.S. Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
- ^ Barnett, Jake (November 24, 2023). "WWE Friday Night Smackdown results (11/24): Barnett's review of Damian Priest and Finn Balor vs. The Street Profits for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles, Kevin Owens on the Grayson Waller Effect". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
- ^ https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=380450
- ^ Defelice, Robert (December 22, 2023). "Kevin Owens Battles Santos Escobar On 1/5/24 SmackDown, Winner Faces Logan Paul For WWE US Title At Royal Rumble". Fightful. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
- ^ Lambert, Jeremy (December 22, 2023). "IYO SKY To Defend WWE Women's Title Against Michin At 1/5 WWE SmackDown New Year's Revolution". Fightful. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
- ^ Lambert, Jeremy (December 22, 2023). "Butch To Pick His Partner Against Pretty Deadly At 1/5 WWE SmackDown New Year's Revolution". Fightful. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
- ^ Defelice, Robert (December 22, 2023). "Triple Threat To Determine Roman Reigns' Royal Rumble Opponent Set For 1/5 WWE SmackDown". Fightful. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
- ^ https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=380450
- ^ https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=380450
- ^ https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=380450
- ^ a b Barnett, Jake (January 5, 2024). "WWE Friday Night Smackdown results (1/5): Barnett's review of Roman Reigns and Logan Paul's appearances, Randy Orton vs. LA Knight vs. AJ Styles for a shot at the WWE Universal Title at the Royal Rumble". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved January 5, 2024.