The long-awaited return of AJ Styles was worth the weight as the former WWE Champion immediately impacted the 12/15 taping of Smackdown.

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After Randy Orton defeated Jimmy Uso in the main event, thanks to LA Knight stopping Solo from interfering, Knight and Orton were attacked by The Bloodline, led by the returning Roman Reigns. When it looked like everything was lost, AJ Styles’ music hit, and the Phenomenal One appeared off-camera (possibly from the crowd) and laid the Tribal Chief out with a Phenomenal Forearm.

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The trio of Styles, Orton, and Knight warded off The Bloodline and stood tall until Styles grabbed LA Knight and clotheslined him, setting up a feud between AJ and Knight. This was a great ending to Smackdown as another superstar returned when WWE needed star power, with many injured. This is also a great way to keep momentum with LA Knight going as Orton feuds with The Bloodline, and both stars don’t need to play second fiddle to one another.

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This Smackdown had some great matches, with Kevin Owens beating Austin Theory,  NXT Superstar Carmelo Hayes beating Grayson Waller, and a new interesting match concept done during Smackdown’s tapings.

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Catch the end of the main event segment below.

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