Last night, Raw started putting their Survivor Series teams together, which included big threats like Braun Strowman and Nia Jax (they’re not on the same team). Tonight, SmackDown gets a chance to respond by forming their respective teams.
Opening Segment
Starting off SmackDown Live is none other than James Ellsworth, who has been living the dream over the past few weeks. Last week, he was in the corner of Dean Ambrose for his match against AJ Styles, but Ellsworth’s emotions would get the better of him. In an act of revenge, he would hit AJ Styles with a superkick No Chin Music, and would give Styles a disqualification victory. This would also end up costing Ambrose a WWE World Championship opportunity.
Ellsworth calls Ambrose down to the ring so that he can apologize. Before Ambrose has a chance to respond to Ellsworth saying “sorry,” AJ Styles interrupts. Things get heated as expected, and Ellsworth tries to calm Styles and Ambrose down. After Styles pushes Ellsworth into Ambrose, he hits the Phenomenal Forearm on the Lunatic Fringe.
Randy Orton vs. Kane – No Disqualification Match
Last week, Randy Orton and Kane looked like they were going to take out Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper, but then Orton decided to hit Kane with an RKO instead. Later in the night, he said “if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.” Whether he has joined the Wyatt Family is still unclear, but in the meantime Kane wants revenge on Orton.
Kane has Orton set up for the chokeslam, but the Wyatts appear out of nowhere. The numbers game gets the better of the Big Red Machine, and Orton interrupts Kane’s chokeslam attempt on Bray Wyatt to get the win. Winner: Randy Orton
Nikki Bella & Becky Lynch vs. Alexa Bliss & Carmella
The SmackDown Women’s Champion teams up with the captain of Team SmackDown to take on two women who have gotten under their skin. Carmella and Nikki Bella have practically been brawling every week since SummerSlam, and there’s no sign that they are going to stop soon. Alexa Bliss is in the title hunt, with an opportunity at the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Becky Lynch next Tuesday.
Carmella distracts the referee, giving Alexa Bliss a chance to rake the eyes of Becky Lynch. Bliss takes advantage of a dazed Lynch to hit a DDT and to pin the Women’s Champion. Winners: Alexa Bliss & Carmella
Backstage Segment
After confirming that Becky Lynch, Alexa Bliss, and Carmella will be joining team captain Nikki Bella at Survivor Series, Daniel Bryan announces the fifth member: Naomi. Natalya still wants to be involved, so Bryan names her the official SmackDown Women’s Coach.
The Spirit Squad vs. American Alpha – Survivor Series Qualifying Match
The Tag Team Champions (Heath Slater & Rhyno) and the Hype Bros are already confirmed for SmackDown’s 5-team Survivor Series team, and whoever wins this match will join them. While the Spirit Squad has had a career renaissance recently, American Alpha is one of the best tag teams on the roster.
A tiny misstep almost cost American Alpha the match, but Jason Jordan and Chad Gable are able to turn it around to hit Grand Amplitude for the win and the qualification. Winners: American Alpha
MizTV feat. Daniel Bryan
For some reason, Daniel Bryan has decided to go to MizTV to announce updates on the Survivor Series teams. Randy Orton, Baron Corbin, Bray Wyatt, Dean Ambrose, and AJ Styles are the five men that make up the men’s team for SmackDown. They take on Braun Strowman, Kevin Owens, Chris Jericho, Roman Reigns, and an unnamed fifth member.
Bryan tells the Miz that he didn’t make the team since he is “afraid to fight.” After they argue for a bit, Bryan announces that Dolph Ziggler will be defending his Intercontinental Championship in an open challenge.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Curt Hawkins – Intercontinental Championship
Curt Hawkins has been teasing his debut for weeks, and he finally has his first match after returning.
As soon as the match starts, Ziggler hits Hawkins with a superkick and pins him in no time. Winner, and STILL Intercontinental Champion: Dolph Ziggler
After the match, Dolph Ziggler addresses Survivor Series. Since both Raw and SmackDown will be on the same show, Ziggler announces an open challenge. He will defend his Intercontinental Championship against anyone on Raw who wants to accept the challenge.
Backstage Segment
Randy Orton is with Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper for what seems like initiation into the Wyatt Family. After calling Wyatt a god, he is welcomed with open arms.
The Usos vs. The Headbangers – Survivor Series Qualifying Match
The Headbangers returned to WWE for a surprise appearance in the SmackDown Tag Team Championship tournament several weeks ago. Tonight, they make another appearance to get a shot at being part of the Survivor Series team.
While the referee is busy with Thrasher on the ring apron, the Usos take advantage and take out Mosh. While pulling the tights kilt for leverage, The Usos steal the win. Winners: The Usos
Dean Ambrose vs. AJ Styles
Since James Ellsworth interfered in Ambrose’s match last week, the Lunatic Fringe has another shot at earning a WWE World Championship match. Before the match, Ambrose locks Ellsworth outside the building, but he manages to find his way back to ringside. Luckily, security chases him out of the arena before he can ruin Ambrose’s chance again.
Ellsworth would come back one more time, and Styles pushed him over the announce table. This gives Ambrose enough time to recuperate, and he counters the Phenomenal Forearm into Dirty Deeds to win the match. Winner: Dean Ambrose
