WWE SmackDown Spoilers: Complete Results and Analysis for January 7

A new era for SmackDown will dawn Thursday night as the show debuts on USA Network. Fans in Laredo, Texas, got a sneak peak of what the WWE Universe can expect from the big show as the company presented this week's tapings live in the Laredo Energy Center.

John Cena returned to the blue brand and, understandably so, had a few choice words for United States champion Alberto Del Rio. But would the Mexican-born star be willing to grant Cena another shot at his title, or would The League of Nations member deny the WWE franchise star his opportunity to wrest the championship away?

Embroiled in a violent rivalry that has seen both men driven through announce tables by their opponents, Kevin Owens and Dean Ambrose waged war in the night's main event, an Intercontinental Championship match aimed at bringing their vendetta to a close. But would it, or would the hatred that exists between them ruin a definitive finish?

Good friends turned better enemies Tuesday night in Laredo as Becky Lynch challenged her greatest betrayer, Charlotte, for the Divas Championship. Drive and determination fueled Lynch, but would it be enough to overcome Ric Flair's presence in his daughter's corner?

The fans in the Lone Star State got the answers to those questions and more Tuesday night. Now, courtesy of our friends at WrestlingInc.com, you can too. 

Results

• John Cena kicked off the show, reiterating his desire for a United States Championship match against Alberto Del Rio. The current titleholder refused Cena's challenge, instead kicking off the night in non-title action.
• Kalisto defeated Del Rio in a non-title match.
• The Miz introduced Miz TV but was interrupted by The New Day. Dolph Ziggler, Goldust, R-Truth and Neville interrupted and an 8-Man Tag Team match was set in motion.
• Ziggler, Goldust, Truth and Neville defeated The New Day and The Miz.
• Divas champion Charlotte defeated Becky Lynch to retain her title after Ric Flair's interference.
• Intercontinental champion Dean Ambrose and Kevin Owens fought to a double count-out as they brawled around the ringside area.

Credit: WWE.com

Analysis

One look at the first episode of SmackDown on USA Network elicits a reaction of...meh.

Sure, there are two championship encounters and Cena's return to the show, but the results tell the story of a show missing that one big moment to generate interest in a show most consider World Wrestling Entertainment's B-show.

The 8-Man Tag Team match, sure to eat up a large portion of the in-ring content, is as random as it gets. Ziggler, Goldust, Truth and Neville don't have any connection to or any issues whatsoever with The New Day or The Miz. It indicates lazy booking, unless the idea is to build Ziggler and company into opposition for the Social Outcasts, who debuted Monday night.

The double count'out between Ambrose and Owens is only acceptable if the brawling outside the squared circle is both different than the norm and somehow manages to further the rivalry. Otherwise, it is yet another wasted opportunity to make a major splash on night one on USA Network.

The wrestling on Thursday's show will be good, if only because the talent on the roster does not allow for a bad in-ring product. But WWE really needed a big debut in order to convince fans to tune in.

They did not deliver, at least on paper.