Even though Survivor Series is less than two weeks away, tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live is huge. There is the first intergender match in years with James Ellsworth taking on Becky Lynch, as well as The Usos defending the SmackDown Tag Team Championships against Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin and Jinder Mahal defending the WWE Championship against AJ Styles.
Opening Segment
To start the show, SmackDown Live Commissioner Shane McMahon comes to the ring to address the current state of the brand war. He starts off by bringing the New Day to join him and commends them for faking out Raw with a pretend #UnderSiege part two. They are interrupted by Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens who take the opportunity to continue their conspiracy against Shane McMahon while insulting the New Day.
Kofi Kingston (w/Xavier Woods & Big E) vs. Sami Zayn (w/Kevin Owens)
The opening segment has led to a match between Sami Zayn and the former SmackDown Tag Team Champion.
After both men counter each other back and forth, Kingston hits a springboard cross body on Zayn to win the match. Right after the pinfall, Owens tries to attack Kingston but he is immediately sent retreating by the New Day. Winner: Kofi Kingston
Randy Orton vs. Rusev (w/Aiden English)
A couple months ago, Rusev and Randy Orton had a series of very short matches that didn’t really do much for either man, but here their match adds a wrinkle. If Rusev wins, he is the final member of the men’s Survivor Series team to represent SmackDown Live. If he loses, that spot will assumedly be filled next week. Rusev was originally supposed to face AJ Styles, but Styles is instead challenging Jinder Mahal for the WWE Championship later on tonight.
Rusev is frustrated after failing to pin Orton and after he turns his attention back to the match, The Viper strikes with an RKO. Winner: Randy Orton
James Ellsworth vs. Becky Lynch
After about a year of James Ellsworth screwing over Becky Lynch in just about every way imaginable, the former two-time SmackDown Women’s Champion is finally getting the chance to get her hands on him.
Lynch has the edge for most of the match and Ellsworth tries to beg for forgiveness. After Ellsworth tries to hug Lynch, she locks him in the Disarm-her (well, technically Disarm-him) and forces him to tap out. Carmella then comes into the ring and while staring down Lynch, she superkicks Ellsworth. Winner (via submission): Becky Lynch
The Usos (c) vs. Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin – SmackDown Tag Team Championships
Just two days ago, The Usos were slated to face Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose in a Champion vs. Champion match at Survivor Series. However, Sheamus and Cesaro captured the Raw Tag Team Championships last night and became the Usos’ new opponents. After this match, the Champion vs. Champion match could be The Bar taking on Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin.
Chad Gable chop blocks the knee of Jey Uso and while the referee counts to ten, Jey Uso just sits next to the announce table. The match ends by count-out and it is up to time to see whether or not he is seriously hurt. Winners (via count-out): Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin
Announcements
Next week, Natalya will defend the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Charlotte Flair with the winner facing Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss at Survivor Series. Flair rightfully has this opportunity because when they fought for the title at TLC, Natalya retained by disqualification. Also, Baron Corbin will defend the United States Championship against Sin Cara to see who faces The Miz, the current Intercontinental Champion. Lastly, The New Day will take on Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens.
Jinder Mahal (w/The Singh Brothers) vs. AJ Styles – WWE Championship
Over the past two weeks, AJ Styles had to fight each Singh Brother to get to Jinder Mahal. Tonight, he gets a chance against Mahal himself and if he wins, he will face Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series.
AJ Styles takes care of the Singh Brothers at ringside and after fighting out of a Super Khallas, Styles hits the Phenomenal Forearm in the center of the ring to earn his second WWE Championship. After about six months of holding onto the championship, Jinder Mahal is finally dethroned. Winner, and NEW WWE Champion: AJ Styles
