WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: John Cena, Kevin Owens victorious, Charlotte Flair wins title in return

Cena was successful in his only in-ring appearance of 2022, while Flair returned and captured the SmackDown women's championship

John Cena is a winner in 2022. Cena returned to WWE SmackDown for his 20th consecutive year of in-ring competition as he teamed with Kevin Owens to defeat Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn. 

Reigns and Zayn promised to rid The Bloodline of its Owens problem, but they could not contend with the united front of Owens and Cena. Tasked with choosing a partner to face Reigns and Zayn, Owens could not have made a more impactful choice than siding with the 16-time world champion.

The final SmackDown of 2022 also featured the surprise return of Charlotte Flair. "The Queen" goaded Rousey into an impromptu SmackDown women's championship match. Rousey, too proud to reject the request immediately after a competitive match against Raquel Rodriguez, backed herself into a corner.

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.

Cena is the difference maker, Flair shocks Rousey

Heyman congratulated Zayn on the positive impression he's made on Reigns. The tone of their interaction changed when Heyman suggested that Zayn's increasing popularity was a problem. Heyman was concerned with how fans were busy chanting "Sami Zayn" while the undisputed champion Reigns was in the ring. 

Zayn probed Reigns later in the evening about what Heyman had suggested. Reigns took a moment to ponder before insisting that fans chanting for Zayn did not bother him. In fact, he commended Zayn for being so locked in when on the microphone. Zayn promised that it would be a great night for the entire Bloodline stable.

Cena and Owens def. Reigns and Zayn via pinfall after Owens hit Zayn with a stunner. Estranged best friends Owens and Zayn started the match. Owens bloodied Zayn's nose early and teased Zayn for embarrassing himself in front of "The Tribal Chief." Reigns demanded to be tagged in by Zayn and invited Cena into the ring. Reigns blindsided Owens when he went to tag in Cena. Owens blasted Zayn with a clothesline following an extended beating. Reigns yanked Cena from the apron before a tag could be made. It was a miscalculation by Reigns that opened the door for Cena to enter the match. Cena laid out both Reigns and Zayn, after which he and Owens delivered a double five-knuckle shuffle. Cena laid out Reigns with an Attitude Adjustment, after which Owens hit Zayn with a stunner for the pinfall. Owens' eye was busted badly during the match.

Charlotte Flair made a surprise return to WWE, her first appearance since losing to Rousey at WrestleMania Backlash in May. Flair goaded Rousey into defending her SmackDown women's title moments after beating Raquel Rodriguez.

SmackDown women's championship – Flair def. Rousey via pinfall after rolling up Rousey with a schoolboy. It was an extremely short match. Flair countered Rousey's armbar attempt with a roll-up to snag the title moments after the match started.

WWE did not phone it in on the last show of 2022. Cena's return generated a huge pop and added even more weight to an already meaty storyline involving The Bloodline. Zayn took the pinfall, planting the seeds for a split between him and Reigns, but it was actually Reigns' error that allowed Cena into the match. The only criticism of the main event is that it ran quite short considering the names involved. The match was approximately 13 minutes with a commercial break in between. Flair's return was a pleasant surprise and having her win the title was an unexpected yet welcomed move. Grade: B

What else happened on WWE SmackDown

• Uncle Howdy laid out Bray Wyatt with Sister Abigal after Wyatt accepted LA Knight's challenge to a match at Royal Rumble.
• Solo Sikoa def. Sheamus via pinfall after neutralizing him with a Samoan Spike. Drew McIntyre saved Sheamus from an assault by Sikoa and The Usos post-match.
• SmackDown women's championship – Ronda Rousey (c) def. Raquel Rodriguez via submission after locking in her trademark armbar.
• Top Dolla shoved Ricochet after Ricochet and various superstars mocked Top Dolla for his failed dive over the ring ropes two weeks ago.
• Imperium laid out Braun Strowman with a steel chair and armlock. Ricochet, equipped with a steel chair, dispersed Imperium.