The BEST episodes of WWE SmackDown season 23
Every episode of WWE SmackDown season 23, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of WWE SmackDown season 23!
For more than 20 years and with more than 1,000 episodes, SmackDown has showcased WWE's top Superstars and created countless memorable moments.
#1 - Friday Night SmackDown 1162
Season 23 - Episode 48 - Aired 11/26/2021
As rumors surrounding Brock Lesnar swirl around the blue brand, several Superstars compete in a Black Friday Battle Royal to determine Roman Reigns' next challenger. SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair sends Toni Storm a message.
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#2 - Friday Night SmackDown 1165
Season 23 - Episode 51 - Aired 12/17/2021
Roman Reigns confronts Paul Heyman over Brock Lesnar. Drew McIntyre seeks to recover his sword from Happy Corbin & Madcap Moss. The New Day face The Usos. Toni Storm & Sasha Banks battle Charlotte Flair & Shotzi.
#3 - Friday Night SmackDown 1150
Season 23 - Episode 36 - Aired 9/3/2021
Universal Champion Roman Reigns looks to extend his yearlong reign as he faces Finn Bálor. Bianca Belair issues a challenge to Becky Lynch. Happy Corbin and Logan Paul confront Kevin Owens.
#4 - Friday Night SmackDown 1142
Season 23 - Episode 28 - Aired 7/9/2021
Ahead of WWE Money in the Bank, Edge fends off Universal Champion Roman Reigns & The Usos. NXT Superstars debut against WWE Women's Tag Team Champions Natalya & Tamina. Four Superstars compete in a pair of Money in the Bank Qualifying Matches.
#5 - Friday Night SmackDown 1131
Season 23 - Episode 17 - Aired 4/23/2021
Cesaro issues a challenge to Universal Champion Roman Reigns. Kevin Owens challenges Intercontinental Champion Apollo Crews. Tamina goes one-on-one with Nia Jax. Rey & Dominik Mysterio face Otis & Chad Gable.
#6 - Friday Night SmackDown 1149
Season 23 - Episode 35 - Aired 8/27/2021
Finn Bálor and The Street Profits bring chaos to The Bloodline's Family Celebration. New SmackDown Women's Champion Becky Lynch sees several challengers emerge. Happy Corbin has an offer for "Mr. Money in the Bank" Big E.
#7 - Friday Night SmackDown 1153
Season 23 - Episode 39 - Aired 9/24/2021
Roman Reigns battles Montez Ford as "The Demon" Finn Bálor lurks in the background. Kevin Owens interrupts Happy Corbin's new talk show "Happy Talk." Zelina Vega faces Liv Morgan. King Nakamura defends the Intercontinental Championship against Apollo Crews.
#8 - Friday Night SmackDown 1145
Season 23 - Episode 31 - Aired 7/30/2021
The contract signing for Roman Reigns' Universal Championship Match at SummerSlam goes awry. SmackDown Women's Champion Bianca Belair gets help from an unexpected ally. Big E, Cesaro & King Nakamura face Apollo Crews, Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode.
#9 - Friday Night SmackDown 1164
Season 23 - Episode 50 - Aired 12/10/2021
The New Day, The Usos and RK-Bro vie for the title of WWE's best tag team. Xia Li makes her SmackDown debut. Brock Lesnar sends Sami Zayn a message. Shinsuke Nakamura & Rick Boogs take on Los Lotharios. Drew McIntyre battles Sheamus.
#10 - Friday Night SmackDown 1166
Season 23 - Episode 52 - Aired 12/24/2021
SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair defends the title against Toni Storm. Drew McIntyre teams with The New Day to battle Madcap Moss & The Usos in a Christmas Eve Street Fight. Superstars vie for an Intercontinental Championship opportunity against Shinsuke Nakamura at Day 1 in a 12 Days of Christmas Gauntlet Match.
#11 - Friday Night SmackDown 1123
Season 23 - Episode 9 - Aired 2/26/2021
Daniel Bryan has a challenge for Universal Champion Roman Reigns. Royal Rumble Match winner Bianca Belair reveals her WrestleMania choice. Seth Rollins invites Cesaro to “embrace the vision." Apollo Crews reintroduces himself to the WWE Universe. Rey Mysterio & Dominik Mysterio face Otis & Chad Gable. Tamina goes one-on-one with Liv Morgan.
#12 - Friday Night SmackDown 1118
Season 23 - Episode 4 - Aired 1/22/2021
Paul Heyman manipulates WWE Official Adam Pearce into a match. Bianca Belair accepts Bayley's Ultimate Athlete Obstacle Course Challenge. SmackDown Women's Champion Sasha Banks battles Carmella's sommelier, Reginald. WWE Women's Tag Team Champions Asuka & Charlotte Flair face The Riott Squad in a non-title match. Cesaro takes on Dolph Ziggler.
#13 - Friday Night SmackDown 1158
Season 23 - Episode 44 - Aired 10/29/2021
The New Day's King Woods & Knight Kofi Kingston collide with longtime rivals The Usos. SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair chooses Shotzi as her latest opponent. Naomi is forced to face Shayna Baszler. Happy Corbin & Madcap Moss battle Shinsuke Nakamura & Rick Boogs in a Trick or Street Fight.
#14 - Friday Night SmackDown 1133
Season 23 - Episode 19 - Aired 5/7/2021
A special Throwback SmackDown sees Cesaro seek an opportunity at Roman Reigns' Universal Title at WrestleMania Backlash when he faces Seth Rollins. Questions surround Jimmy Uso's return after more than a year out of action. Bayley baits Bianca Belair into a brawl.
#15 - Friday Night SmackDown 1117
Season 23 - Episode 3 - Aired 1/15/2021
WWE Official Adam Pearce outmaneuvers Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman. Bayley hosts the first edition of her new talk show, "Ding Dong, Hello!" with special guest Bianca Belair. Shinsuke Nakamura seeks payback on Jey Uso. Daniel Bryan battles Cesaro. Apollo Crews goes one-on-one with Sami Zayn.
#16 - Friday Night SmackDown 1156
Season 23 - Episode 42 - Aired 10/15/2021
Universal Champion Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar sign their contract for WWE Crown Jewel. The King of the Ring and Queen's Crown Tournaments continue with semifinal matches. Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks collide. The Street Profits challenge The Usos for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles.
#17 - Friday Night SmackDown 1154
Season 23 - Episode 40 - Aired 10/1/2021
The 2021 WWE Draft kicks off. Brock Lesnar sends a message to Universal Champion Roman Reigns and The Usos. Bianca Belair battles Sasha Banks in a WrestleMania rematch.
#18 - Friday Night SmackDown 1140
Season 23 - Episode 26 - Aired 6/25/2021
As Jimmy Uso steps up to take his brother's place as "The Right Hand Man," Universal Champion Roman Reigns suffers the wrath of an opportunistic Superstar's return. SmackDown Women's Champion Bianca Belair teams with Cesaro to face Bayley & Seth Rollins.
#19 - Friday Night SmackDown 1139
Season 23 - Episode 25 - Aired 6/18/2021
Universal Champion Roman Reigns and Rey Mysterio collide in a brutal Hell in a Cell Match. Bayley sends a message to SmackDown Women's Champion Bianca Belair. Intercontinental Champion Apollo Crews & Commander Azeez face Big E & Kevin Owens.
#20 - Friday Night SmackDown 1124
Season 23 - Episode 10 - Aired 3/5/2021
Daniel Bryan battles Jey Uso in a Steel Cage Match with a Universal Championship opportunity on the line. Apollo Crews issues a challenge to Intercontinental Champion Big E. Cesaro faces Murphy. Bianca Belair goes one-on-one with Shayna Baszler. The Street Profits each compete in singles action.
#21 - Friday Night SmackDown 1122
Season 23 - Episode 8 - Aired 2/19/2021
The six Superstars competing in the Elimination Chamber battle in a high-stakes, Six-Man Tag Team Match. Seth Rollins makes a statement. The Mysterios take on Otis & Chad Gable. Bayley's "Ding Dong, Hello!" results in a Six-Person Tag Team Match. Shinsuke Nakamura faces Apollo Crews.
#22 - Friday Night SmackDown 1119
Season 23 - Episode 5 - Aired 1/29/2021
Universal Champion Roman Reigns and Kevin Owens escalate their very personal war of words. Daniel Bryan faces AJ Styles. Bianca Belair takes on Bayley. Dominik Mysterio goes one-on-one with King Corbin.
#23 - Friday Night SmackDown 1151
Season 23 - Episode 37 - Aired 9/10/2021
WWE returns home to Madison Square Garden, where Brock Lesnar and "The Demon" Finn Bálor confront Universal Champion Roman Reigns. Edge battles Seth Rollins in a SummerSlam rematch. SmackDown Women's Champion Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair sign their contract for WWE Extreme Rules. Sami Zayn brings a special guest to The Garden.
#24 - Friday Night SmackDown 1121
Season 23 - Episode 7 - Aired 2/12/2021
Several Superstars compete in Elimination Chamber Qualification Matches. SmackDown Women's Champion Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair confront WWE Women's Tag Team Champions Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler. Seth Rollins returns with a message for Cesaro.
#25 - Friday Night SmackDown 1126
Season 23 - Episode 12 - Aired 3/19/2021
Edge competes in his first match on SmackDown in more than a decade, facing Jey Uso to become the Special Enforcer at WWE Fastlane. Intercontinental Champion Big E sits down to talk with Apollo Crews. Shinsuke Nakamura confronts Seth Rollins.