WWE has a ton of content every week, and this week is surprisingly big. Raw and SmackDown take place in the United Kingdom this week, so WWE wants to make the shows exciting for their overseas fans. SmackDown seems to be the show of the week, though, with two title matches and Becky Lynch vs. James Ellsworth.
Monday Night Raw (11.6.17)
Tonight, Monday Night Raw hails from the United Kingdom, meaning that as of this writing, most of it has already taken place. However, we will not get into spoilers.
The only advertised match for tonight’s show is between Jason Jordan and Elias Samson. For the past few weeks, they have been feuding for no real reason in particular and the back and forth assaults have escalated to multiple guitars getting smashed. Because of this, they will be competing in a Guitar on a Pole Match.
Last week also featured three returns. Nia Jax appeared on Raw for the first time in a month and defeated former Raw Women’s Champion Bayley. Braun Strowman would return in the final segment to attack the Miz, who tried to essentially kill him by crushing him in a trash compactor. Lastly, there was the surprise return of Samoa Joe, who unsurprisingly defeated Apollo Crews.
The rest of tonight’s episode will inevitably lead up to Survivor Series, whether it is focused on the champion vs. champion matches or whether more members of the Raw Survivor Series teams are announced. Perhaps there will be another Asuka squash match, too.
SmackDown Live (11.7.17)
Originally, the only match going into SmackDown Live this week was a battle between Rusev and AJ Styles to see who would join Team SmackDown for Survivor Series. However, that has completely changed. Over the past week, posts on social media have announced that instead of facing Rusev, AJ Styles will be challenging Jinder Mahal for the WWE Championship after defeating each of the Singh Brothers over the past two weeks.
While that is a huge main event, that is not the only match advertised for the show. On WWE.com earlier today, Cathy Kelly announced that a longtime rivalry is finally coming to a head. After about a year of conflict, Becky Lynch will finally be able to get her hands on James Ellsworth. If there are no shenanigans, this will be the first legitimate intergender match in WWE in years. Outside of Lita vs. Heath Slater for Raw 1000, WWE did not really push women vs. men since former Intercontinental Champion Chyna was in her prime.
This begs the question: What happens to Rusev? The Bulgarian Brute is left without a match, so he either won’t be on the show or will have a new opponent for his chance at being on the Survivor Series team. The team already consists of Shane McMahon (the team captain), Randy Orton, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Bobby Roode. Only one spot is left and it seems like it is going to be saved for a face, and Rusev is, unfortunately, more on the heel side of things.
With so much going on on SmackDown Live, some of the WWE Universe might forget that there is also a SmackDown Tag Team Championship match taking place this week. Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin became the #1 Contenders a few weeks ago by winning a Fatal Four-Way match and if they defeat the Usos for the gold, they will face Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose at Survivor Series.
205 Live (11.7.17)
Say it with me, everybody: “Nothing is advertised for 205 Live.”
Based on the past few weeks, there will be more development in the storyline between Cedric Alexander/Rich Swann and The Brian Kendrick/Jack Gallagher. Also, there is sure to be more of Drew Gulak’s Powerpoint Presentation, considering it is perhaps the most entertaining part of 205 Live right now.
WWE NXT (11.8.17)
Surprisingly, there is not a lot advertised for NXT this week after months of consistently putting on packed shows. That will still likely be the case here, but there is just little known in advance. There seems to be build for a Mercedes Martinez vs. Ember Moon match, and there is definitely going to be a match between Kairi Sane and Billie Kay.
