On the January 6th episode of Friday Night SmackDown, Sheamus and Drew McIntyre finally got their Undisputed WWE Tag Team Title shot.
The match had been scheduled to take place back in late 2022, but McIntyre was forced to pull out through injury. McIntyre and Sheamus united against a common enemy ahead of Survivor Series with both men looking to take down Roman Reigns and The Bloodline. The unification is the latest chapter in the rivalry/friendship that the stars have shared for a number of years. While often rivals in the ring, engaging in a series of hard-hitting matches, a healthy respect has always existed, and the pair are close friends off-screen.
Drew McIntyre & Sheamus Named “The Banger Bros” On WWE SmackDown
Ahead of their match with The Usos the pair cut a promo in a bar and hype packages were shown throughout the show. It was here where Michael Cole referred to the duo as “The Banger Bros.” A not so subtle play on Sheamus’ “banger after banger” catchphrase.
Michael Cole saying "The Banger Bros" Live on TV is already a highlight of 2023 #SmackDownpic.twitter.com/2AK784F96B
— Super Kakkoii (@2Sweet4Lyfe) January 7, 2023
In the ring the main event of the show more than lived up to the hype. As expected the match was spectacularly fast-paced from the outset and Sheamus and McIntyre took the champions to the limit. Even outside the ring it was chaos with Butch and Ridge Holland brawling with Solo Sikoa. The end of the match finally came via roll-up from Jimmy on Sheamus as Jey helped his brother gain some extra leverage from outside the ring.
Elsewhere on the show the ‘will-they-won’t-they’ relationship between Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn continued. Reigns got in Zayn’s face in the ring before later apologising, but as usual things appear far from black and white. It was also confirmed that Reigns will be defending his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at the Royal Rumble against Kevin Owens.