Backstage, Roman Reigns arrives with Solo Sikoa and Paul Heyman.
Intercontinental Championship Match: Gunther (c) w/IMPERIUM vs. Ricochet
Before the match, Adam Pearce ejects IMPERIUM from ringside. Ricochet ducks a strike from Gunther. Gunther takes Ricochet down and almost traps him in a Boston Crab. Ricochet immediately gets to the ropes. Gunther works over Ricochet’s arm and shoulder. Ricochet flips out of an armbar. Gunther drives Ricochet into the ropes. Gunther double-legs Ricochet and tosses him like a sack of bricks. Gunther sends Ricochet over the top, but Ricochet skins the cat and hits a dropkick. Ricochet tries a springboard, but Gunther boots him in the face. Ricochet falls out to the floor. Gunther suplexes Ricochet on the apron. Ricochet gets to his feet, and Gunther levels him with a chop.
After the break, Gunther lands another nasty chop. Bodyslam by Gunther. Gunther clutches Ricochet’s wrist and lands a short-arm chop. Gunther mocks Ricochet. Ricochet tries to fire up. Gunther whips Ricochet into the corner. Bodyslam by Gunther. Gunther traps Ricochet in a Boston Crab. Ricochet fights out of it and lands a flurry of strikes. Gunther grabs Ricochet and lands a backbreaker. Gunther goes right back to the Boston Crab before transitioning into a crossface. Ricochet gets to the ropes. Sleeper by Gunther. Ricochet tries to turn it into a pin, but Gunther counters back into a sleeper.
Check out last week’s coverage: WWE SmackDown Results (12/9/22)
Ricochet tries to lift Gunther off the mat, but his knees give out. Gutwrench suplex by Gunther. Ricochet kicks out. Gunther chops Ricochet over and over again. Ricochet ducks a chop and stumbles into an enziguri. Ricochet knocks Gunther into the corner and unloads with strike after strike. Ricochet tries a suplex. Gunther reverse it into a gourdbuster. Gunther sets up the powerbomb. Ricochet reverses it into a ranna that sends Gunther over the top. Ricochet superkicks Gunther. Springboard moonsault by Ricochet. Both men are down.
After the break, Ricochet lands a spinning suplex. Ricochet goes up top. Ricochet lands a Shooting Star Press by Ricochet. Gunther kicks out! Ricochet lands another flurry of strikes. Ricochet leaps in the air and gets DESTROYED by a chop from Gunther. Powerbomb by Gunther. Gunther tries to fight back and slaps Gunther in the face. Gunther hits another nasty chop. Last Symphony by Gunther for the win.
Winner and STILL Intercontinental Champion, Gunther!
.@KingRicochet giving it everything he's got tonight as he clashes with @Gunther_AUT for the Intercontinental Championship! ???#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/UyvyYkJ5uj
— WWE (@WWE) December 17, 2022
"Wiseman… @ScrapDaddyAP!"@WWERomanReigns @WWEUsos @HeymanHustle #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/EGUBy2PZCS
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) December 17, 2022
