Just days after issuing a warning to The Bloodline that he would avenge the assault that cost him 18 months of his career, Randy Orton returned to SmackDown Friday night on Fox.

Would The Apex Predator get his hands on Jimmy Uso, Solo Sikoa, or even Paul Heyman? Perhaps they got to him first.

Elsewhere on the show, United States Champion Logan Paul returned to the show and Kevin Owens battled Grayson Waller.

Find out what those Superstars were up to, how it affected WWE entering the final month of 2023, and how each segment graded out with this recap of the December 1 broadcast from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Match Card

Announced in advance of Friday's show were:

• The return of Randy Orton
• An appearance by United States Champion Logan Paul
• Kevin Owens vs. Grayson Waller
• Damage CTRL appearance
• Butch vs. Bobby Lashley

Bianca Belair Kicked Off SmackDown

The opening segment of Friday's show featured Bianca Belair calling out Iyo Sky and Damage CTRL, telling the heel faction that the issues between them are not over.

This brought out the heels, followed by Charlotte Flair and Shotzi, before the predictable brawl, which concluded with the babyfaces standing tall heading into the break.

Bayley, though, was nowhere to be found, furthering the idea that her days with the faction are numbered.

It was a paint-by-numbers segment that furthered nothing and added little substance to the ongoing story.

The revelation by Bayley after the commercial break that no one told her they were heading to the ring should make things very interesting when Kairi Sane battles Belair later tonight.

Grade

C

Top Moments and Takeaways

• "My war with Damage CTRL...it ain't over because Iyo Sky, I'm coming for you. I want my title back," Belair set the stage for a championship showdown with the woman who cashed in her Money in the Bank briefcase and stole the gold from her at SummerSlam.
• Bayley was nowhere to be seen with Damage CTRL and both Corey Graves and Michael Cole called her absence out on commentary.

Butch vs. Bobby Lashley

Butch is a man on an island, his partnership with Ridge Holland in shambles as The Brawling Brutes appear to be no more.

The former Bruiserweight battled Bobby Lashley, who was accompanied to the squared circle by The Street Profits and fared about as well as expected.

He was tenacious, resilient, and tough, but The All-Mighty overwhelmed him with his strength and explosive offense and scored the win with a spear that turned him inside out.

Butch looked strong here, even in defeat, and the potential for a shift in character back to the Pete Dunne persona is certainly there.

For Lashley, this was a good win in his first match back in singles competition on Friday nights, even if it did not do much to bolster him in the eyes of fans who already know he is a top-tier guy.

Result

Lashley defeated Butch

Grade

B

Top Moments and Takeaways

• Brooklyn was red-hot for Lashley, chanting his name even though he was the heel. 
• Butch was booked strongly here, surging late before being cut down by a bigger, strong opponent.

Santos Escobar vs. Joaquin Wilde

Santos Escobar sought to follow up his victory over Dragon Lee at Survivor Series by earning another big win, this one over his former LWO teammate Joaquin Wilde.

A competitive match highlighted Escobar's budding star and Wilde's under-valued skillset. Ultimately, Escobar scored the win with his Phantom Driver but a post-match attack gave way to Lee making the save and sending the heel scurrying to the back.

This was a solid way to continue to showcase Escobar as he develops into one of the more despised competitors on SmackDown and a way to keep the feud with Lee alive.

The most dynamic segment based on what we have seen out of Escobar in recent weeks? No, but it was effective nonetheless.

Result

Escobar defeated Wilde

Grade

C+

Top Moments and Takeaways

• No sign of Carlito this week but it was great to see Lee make the save and stay relevant in this feud. Keep him on TV and in front of the fans and you will make a star out of him.
• Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis teased a bidding war for Randy Orton, who is currently a free agent.

Logan Paul Returned; Kevin Owens vs. Grayson Waller

Logan Paul returned to SmackDown the United States Champion and wasted little time revealing that there will be a tournament to determine his next challenger. Kevin Owens interrupted, followed by Grayson Waller, and the advertised match between the latter two got underway.

Waller capitalized on interference from Austin Theory and worked over the injured hands for most of the bout. It was not enough, though, as Owens gutted through the pain and scored the win from out of nowhere, to the chagrin of the heels.

If you watch Paul a year ago, then what he did here tonight, you see one megastar in two different stages of comfort. He is far more comfortable at this point and knows who he is. He is great on the mic, is the most natural rookie in years, and can elevate the US title.

Owens was great here, going toe-to-toe with Paul on the mic and popping the crowd.

Good stuff from all involved.

Result

Owens defeated Waller

Grade

B

Top Moments and Takeaways

• Santos Escobar, Dragon Lee, Karrion Kross, Bobby Lashley, Grayson Waller, Austin, Theory, an unnamed NXT star, and Kevin Owens were all announced for the tournament to crown the next No. 1 contender to Paul's title.
• KO with the Vine reference. "It only took me six seconds to figure out that you're an insufferable jackass," he told Paul.
• "Six seconds is five more than I need to KO you," Paul responded. 
• Theory stomped on Owens' hand and set up Waller to take advantage of it.

Bianca Belair vs. Kairi Sane

Bayley continued to dig herself a hole Friday, interfering late in Kairi Sane's match with Bianca Belair and inadvertently distracting her long enough for The EST to recover and score the win.

It was hardly the first time that Belair and Sane did battle, having competed against each other in the inaugural Mae Young Classic, and they demonstrated some solid in-ring chemistry.

Unfortunately, the match was hampered by an ill-timed commercial break that meant the majority of the bout occurred during it.

Still, the story development with Bayley costing her teammate her win will be hugely significant moving forward, with the endgame ultimately being the demise of Bayley's role as leader of Damage CTRL.

Result

Belair pinned Sane

Grade

B

Top Moments and Takeaways

• Bayley was refused the opportunity to accompany Sane to the ring with the rest of her teammates. 
• Ryan Tran, the referee, ejected all parties from the ringside area.
• Bayley interfered and pulled Belair to the mat by her braid. The momentary distraction took Sane's focus away and allowed The EST to recover, then deliver the KOD for the win. Uh oh, Bayley. 

Randy Orton Signs His Contract

Randy Orton returned to SmackDown Friday night and was faced with whether to sign a contract with the blue brand or head to the flagship show, Raw.

After getting his hands on Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso, with an assist by LA Knight, he chose SmackDown.

He then proceeded to drop general manager Nick Aldis with RKO to wrap things up.

This was a fast-paced segment that featured great energy from Orton, a red-hot crowd, and a moment that may have repercussions for the third-generation Superstar for weeks and months to come.

Especially if Aldis takes the RKO personally, which he almost certainly will.

How that affects Orton's ability to get his hands on The Bloodline bears watching.

Grade

A

Top Moments and Takeaways

• The only person in the building more over than Orton may have been Heyman, who drew a big pop. From there, the Brooklyn fans recited all of Heyman's introduction in a cool moment.
• "The Bloodline is going to make your decision for you." 
• The crowd erupted for Knight, so enter him into that "most over" argument.
• Orton signed with SmackDown and told Heyman, "You can call Roman Reigns and tell him, 'daddy's back.'" 
• Orton obliterated Aldis with the RKO to put an exclamation point on the segment.

Overall Grade

The fallout from Survivor Series was felt all over this show, which featured high-profile developments such as Orton signing with SmackDown, Bayley falling further out of favor with Damage CTRL, and Paul's announcement of the US title tournament.

While there may not have been the excitement on the heels of CM Punk's return at Survivor Series that Raw had, it steadily focused on stories and stars that will play a big role in the coming weeks and months.

It was a better follow-up show than what we got Monday night, if nothing else.

Grade: B