WWE SmackDown results: Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens set for Royal Rumble, Sami Zayn in a tough spot

Owens vs. Zayn was also announced for next week's SmackDown

Undisputed WWE universal champion Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens is official for the 2023 Royal Rumble. An irate Reigns accepted Owens' challenge on Friday's episode of WWE SmackDown.

Reigns dressed down Sami Zayn for eating the pinfall in the duo's loss to John Cena and Kevin Owens last week. Owens capitalized on Reigns' emotions and talked him into a title match at the Rumble. It marks the third time that Reigns and Owens will compete against each other at the annual event, as well as the third time that the universal title is at stake in addition to the WWE title. 

The Usos' tag team championships were at stake on Friday against the joint forces of Sheamus and Drew McIntyre. Charlotte Flair defended her SmackDown women's championship in an impromptu match and new entrants were announced for the men's and women's Royal Rumble matches.

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 

Reigns loses his temper with Zayn, The Usos defend tag titles

The Bloodline opened Friday's show as Reigns addressed reactions to he and Zayn losing to Cena and Owens. Reigns insisted that he did not lose. It was Zayn, after all, who was pinned in the match. Reigns dressed down Zayn for calling his shot and missing. After all, Reigns never fails to make good on his promises. Reigns accused Zayn of mimicking him, perhaps out of a desire to control The Bloodline. Zayn backed up into the corner while Reigns screamed at him.

Owens interrupted Reigns, insisting that he was the cause of Reigns' grief and not Zayn. Owens laid down the challenge for Reigns to defend the undisputed WWE universal championship against him at Royal Rumble. Reigns accepted the challenge. Owens told Zayn to seek him out whenever Zayn had the courage to ditch Reigns.

In a subsequent segment, Zayn begged Paul Heyman to allow him to speak to Reigns and clear the air. Heyman insisted it was a bad idea before allowing Jey Uso into The Bloodline locker room. 

During the last quarter of the show, Reigns asked Heyman to retrieve Zayn for him. Zayn apologized to Reigns if Zayn gave the impression that he wanted anything more than to be a member of The Bloodline. Reigns declined Zayn's apology and issued an apology of his own. Reigns said that no one deserved to be yelled at that way in public and that it was Reigns' responsibility as head of the family to maintain composure. Reigns said his issue is with Owens and he unjustly took it out on Zayn. Heyman revealed that next week's SmackDown would feature a one-on-one match between Zayn and Owens. The segment concluded with Reigns inviting Zayn to watch the main event with him.

Undisputed WWE tag team championships -- The Usos (c) def. Drew McIntyre and Sheamus via pinfall after a rope-assisted roll-up. McIntyre and Sheamus' brute strength overwhelmed the tag team champions for the majority of the match. McIntyre laid out The Usos with a dive over the ropes and nearly finished things with a Claymore kick. The Usos returned the favor with a 1-D on Sheamus, but McIntyre saved the day within a hair of the three-count. A brawl broke out ringside between Solo Sikoa, Butch and Ridge Holland after Sikoa incapacitated McIntyre with a Samoan Spike. A Brogue Kick by Sheamus looked as if it would seal the deal, but Jey Uso broke the pinfall. Jimmy Uso rolled up Sheamus and Jey Uso used his feet to give his brother leverage.

Zayn celebrated a little too hard backstage, tossing his popcorn all over Reigns' locker room.

SmackDown is at its strongest when The Bloodline is its focal point. That was certainly the case this week. Reigns' explosive rant about Zayn further teased their eventual split, but his apology added emotional complexity and possible misdirection. Owens was wise to challenge the champion while Reigns was heated, and his invitation to Zayn opened the door for an eventual reunion. The finish to the main event was rather clever. Jey Uso used his body as a wedge between Jimmy Uso and the ropes, giving the pinfall more leverage. Grade: A

What else happened on WWE SmackDown?

• Santos Escobar def. Kofi Kingston via pinfall after hitting the Phanta Driver following distractions by Legado del Fantasma.
• Liv Morgan declared herself an entrant into the 2023 women's Royal Rumble match.
• Karrion Kross and Scarlett def. Madcap Moss and Emma via submission after Kross locked the Kross Jacket on Moss. Post-match, Kross covered Moss' face with a Rey Mysterio mask, threatening the legendary luchador. 
• Sheamus and Drew McIntyre took a trip down memory lane at a pub, leading the patrons in a "banger after banger" chant.
• SmackDown women's championship – Charlotte Flair (c) def. Sonya Deville via submission after tying up Figure Eight.
• A Lacey Evans video package highlighted her combat experience with the Marines and her Cobra Clutch finisher.
• Ricochet def. Top Dolla via pinfall after landing a Shooting Star Press to qualify for the Royal Rumble match. Hit Row attacked Ricochet post-match, turning heel. Braun Strowman ran off Hit Row.