WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: LA Knight builds Royal Rumble momentum, Jimmy Uso plays politician

Knight gets the better of his fellow undisputed WWE universal title challengers

There are a lot of dynamics heading into the 2024 Royal Rumble. LA Knight looked like a million bucks on WWE SmackDown ahead of a fatal four-way title match against Roman Reigns, Randy Orton and AJ Styles, but Jimmy Uso is making moves behind the scenes.

Reigns tasked The Bloodline with clearing a route for him to successfully defend his undisputed WWE universal title against his three challengers. Uso, Solo Sikoa and Paul Heyman each had methods for accomplishing the goal to varying success. Unfortunately, dealing with Knight, Orton and Styles is a big ask.

SmackDown also featured several superstars receiving their numbers for Saturday's Royal Rumble match, new champions and more.

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from Kaseya Center in Miami.

Knight shines, Uso makes moves

SmackDown kicked off with Latin Grammy-winner Eladio Carrion introducing Orton. Carrion released a music video this year called "RKO" featuring Orton. "The Legend Killer" cut a promo on The Bloodline before Styles interrupted. Styles accused Orton of overlooking him. Styles told Orton he had a receipt coming for hitting him with an RKO last week. Knight's music hit. The self-proclaimed megastar stole the show by dropping a gem of a Rikishi reference: "I gotta fight Solo? That's what I'll do. I'll hit him so damn hard he'll start doing his dad's dance moves." Knight walked off before Styles made good on his promise by dropping Orton with a Pele kick.

Styles ran into Uso backstage. Uso urged Styles that helping The Bloodline deal with Knight was in everyone's best interest. The O.C. approached Styles but he told them not to worry about it.

Heyman met with Sikoa and Uso backstage. He urged The Bloodline's enforcer to solve "the problem" of Reigns' opponents and to not be merciful. Heyman turned his attention to Uso, encouraging him to win the Royal Rumble and defeat a one-legged Seth Rollins for the world heavyweight championship. Heyman said Uso bringing another world title to The Bloodline could have implications for the family line of succession. Uso later went into Aldis' office to draw his Royal Rumble number. Uso was not happy with the number he drew.

Just before the main event, The Bloodline intimidated Carrion for predicting that Orton would leave the Rumble as the undisputed WWE universal champion.

Knight def. Sikoa via disqualification after Styles shot off the barricade and cracked Knight with a Phenomenal Forearm. Uso slid a steel chair to Styles, encouraging him to use it on Knight. Sikoa got into Styles' face and demanded he deal with Knight or face the consequences. Styles instead cracked Sikoa and Uso in the ribs with the chair. Styles beat up Uso and Sikoa before planting Styles with an RKO. The show nearly ended with Orton celebrating but Knight snuck in a cheeky BFT to Orton before the feed ended.

The creative team did an inspired job of utilizing the many parties involved in the main event. Jimmy Uso is treading water on SmackDown relative to Jey Uso's success on Raw. That might be changing. Jimmy Uso wisely struck a loose alliance with Styles. It appeared to be working before Sikoa's threats towards Styles imploded things. It framed Uso as a competent politician while Sikoa -- "The Tribal Heir" -- came off as a hot head. Heyman encouraging Uso to win the Royal Rumble and challenge Rollins adds another compelling element to a Rumble teeming with storylines. Orton continued to be presented as the strongest challenger. Styles showed he wasn't above working with Reigns' group. Knight stole the opening segment and the spotlight in the finale. Grade: A-

What else happened on WWE SmackDown?

• Santos Escobar def. Carlito via pinfall with a folding press.
  
• NXT manager Ava Raine -- Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's daughter -- and SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis had a meeting.
  
• Bobby Lashley and Escobar had a tense encounter while selecting their Royal Rumble numbers. Lashley seemed happy with what he drew.
  
• Bayley starred in a vignette about creating Damage CTRL and the group's success.
  
• R-Truth seemingly drew a high number for the Rumble. He also confused Aldis with Raw general manager Adam Pearce.
  
• WWE women's tag team championships -- Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane) def. Katana Chance and Kayden Carter via pinfall after hitting an inverted DDT and diving elbow drop combination to win the titles.
• Bianca Belair seemed confident with her Rumble number but Bayley looked unenthusiastic about her draw.
• The Final Testament took out Lashley and the Street Profits in a brawl.
  
• Austin Theory def. Carmelo Hayes via pinfall by using the tights. Trick Williams saved Hayes from a two-on-one assault by Theory and Grayson Waller.