One last SmackDown before Survivor Series!

Before being teammates for SmackDown at Survivor Series, Sasha Banks and Shotzi Blackheart look to settle the score and #TCB, Take Care o’ Business!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Team SmackDown Survivor Series Qualifier: Sheamus VS Cesaro VS Jinder Mahal VS Ricochet; Sheamus wins and joins Team SmackDown.
• Aliyah & Naomi VS Shayna Baszler & Natalya; Shayna & Natalya win.
• Jeff Hardy VS “Mad Cap” Moss w/ “Happy” Corbin; Hardy wins.
• Shinsuke Nakamura w/ Rick Boogs VS Angel Garza w/ Humberto Carrillo; Nakamura wins.
• Sasha Banks VS Shotzi Blackheart; Sasha wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

SmackDown opens with The Usos already in the ring.

The SmackDown Tag Team Champions have the crown, throne and scepter on display. Jimmy says the Tribal Chief will be out here soon, and do they have a surprise for him! But before that, they gotta get to this. Big E, the Bloodline showed up on Raw and sent a message loud and clear. They about to do the same thing to RKBRO at Survivor Series! Yeah, that’s right! The Usos hear voices in their heads, and they’re saying, “We the ones.” Then we’ll see who runs the WWE! Tonight, you’ll see who is the one true king! The Head of the Table! The Tribal Chief! Your Tribal KING! Their cousin, the Universal Champion, ROMAN! REEEEIGNS!

Roman makes his way out, Paul Heyman carrying the belt for him. Heyman hands the belt over so Roman can raise it up for the pyro. Then they continue to the ring, Heyman holding the title up as a banner. The Bloodline all hold up the finger to the sky, then Roman gets the belt again for the second round of pyro. Heyman fetches a mic for Roman and Roman sees the throne, scepter and crown. Roman asks Heyman what this is about but Heyman says he’s so overwhelmed. This has been in the works all week for him. “There is no one, no one, in the history of WWE that deserves to be crowned the king as much as the Head of the Table, the Tribal Chief, the Tribal King, Roman Reigns.”

Heyman knows in his heart that everyone here will agree that the distinction of king surely doesn’t belong to Xavier Woods. And it sure as hell will never belong to BRRROCK. LESNARRR. And it will never belong to someone like Big E, who will be smashed this Sunday by the Tribal King, Roman Reigns. “Because at Survivor Series, what chance-” Roman cuts Heyman off to ask for the mic, which Heyman hands over. “Whose idea was this?” Uh… Heyman points to the Usos, and the Usos point at each other. Roman says this must be a joke. They don’t really think that he cares about this stuff, do they? They don’t think he needs this, do they?

No no no. He puts in the hard work, earns the respect, “Hartford! ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” Fans are divided, but Roman says the only reason he took the crown last week is because he can. But here comes Xavier Woods! The rightful King of the Ring doesn’t have his cape, because he doesn’t have his crown, but he does have a mic. “Roman. All of those things that you have in the ring right now, those material things, those belong to me.” But those things do not make a king. What makes a king is knowing that you are to do good for the WWE Universe. And if you were a king, then based on what Roman did last week, he’d come out here and look Woods in the eyes as a man so they can settle this.

But that’s not Roman’s MO, is it? Then let’s sweeten the pot. Woods challenges Roman to be out here without his goons, “The Wet Bandits,” Roman looks Woods face to face and Woods shows him what a real king is made of. Roman says Woods is telling Roman that he doesn’t care about this stuff? It doesn’t mean anything? Then Jey takes the cape and blows his nose in it before throwing it down form Roman to wipe his shoes on. It doesn’t matter? No. Then Jey takes the scepter and BREAKS it! Is Woods sure this stuff doesn’t matter? Jey and Jimmy SMASH the throne! And then stomp it, then throw it out of the ring! Roman is laughing and says Woods looks pretty upset.

Last but not least, the crown! Jimmy SMASHES the pedestal, Jey gets ready to smash the crown, but Roman has Jey hand it over first. Roman will ask one more time: Is Woods sure that the crown doesn’t mean anything? Woods has a tear in his eye, Roman puts the crown down on the mat, and he raises a foot. Woods rushes in! Woods gets mugged 2v1! Roman laughs as the Usos rain down on Woods in a corner. Then they drag Woods over and make him watch. Roman says he is the ONLY king around here. He doesn’t need props. “I’m the one.” He STOMPS the crown, and tears it up, then smacks Woods off one of the pieces!

Fans boo but Roman smiles as the Bloodline stands tall. Will Roman still take Woods up on his 1v1 challenge for later tonight? Or will the fallen King of the Ring be without his retribution?

Backstage interview with Xavier Woods backstage.

Obviously a very difficult situation, but where does he go from here? Where does he go?! He goes to the ring later tonight to take on Roman. The “Roman Empire” wasn’t built in a day, but it will fall tonight! The king is not defeated just yet, but will Roman even care to face him again?

Team SmackDown Survivor Series Qualifier: Sheamus VS Cesaro VS Jinder Mahal VS Ricochet!

The Fella is back for a big fight! But will he be the one joining Drew McIntyre, Jeff Hardy, Xavier Woods & “Happy Corbin” in the battle for brand supremacy? Or will another rise up to take Sami Zayn’s spot?

SmackDown returns and the One and Only Ricochet makes his entrance. The Modern Day Maharaja is already in the ring, as is the Swiss Cyborg. The bell rings, Ricochet rushes Sheamus but is put in a corner while Mahal and Cesaro brawl. Mahal puts Cesaro in the opposite corner, he and Sheamus fire off hands and stomps. Cesaro kicks and EuroUppers. Sheamus turns around to see his old buddy in The Bar. Mahal storms up on Cesaro but Cesaro DECKS him! Sheamus CLOBBERS Cesaro, then gives a thumbs down. Ricochet fires off on Sheamus but Sheamus throws body shots. Sheamus scoops, Ricochet sunset flips, TWO!

Ricochet gets up but Mahal BOOTS him down! Cesaro EuroUppers Sheamus in a corner! Mahal stomps away on Ricochet then CLUBS away on Cesaro. Mahal and Sheamus mug Cesaro. Ricochet goes after Mahal and Sheamus but gets mugged, too. Shanky cheers Mahal on while Sheamus throws Cesaro out. Mahal throws Ricochet out to the apron and drags him up to set him up for Sheamus’ Beats of the Bodhrain! But Mahal rolls Sheamus up! TWO, and Mahal grins while wanting Sheamus to keep cool. But the two of them brawl with big hands, Sheamus knees low and EuroUppers again. Mahal staggers, Sheamus whips, Mahal kicks Sheamus back.

Mahal whips, Sheamus reverses and sends Mahal to the apron. Sheamus KNEES Mahal in the ropes, turns him around and gives Mahal Beats of the Bodhrain! Sheamus gets all 10, then reverse HOTSHOTS Mahal away! But Cesaro returns to trip Sheamus! Sheamus knows what’s coming and he kicks Cesaro away! Ricochet springboards to missile dropkick! Then he dodges Cesaro to tilt-o-whirl and headscissor! Cesaro ends up outside with everyone else, Ricochet kips up! Fans fire up, Ricochet builds speed, and he FLIES! Direct hit onto all three opponents and fans are fired up as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Cesaro has Ricochet stuck on the ropes while Mahal fights Sheamus off. Sheamus and Ricochet each keep trying to climb up, but Cesaro turns things around on Ricochet. Ricochet resists, Mahal has knocked Sheamus down but Sheamus trips Mahal up! Sheamus and Cesaro each have Mahal and Ricochet, SUPERPLEX from the Fella! SUPER STEINER from Ricochet! All four men are down and fans fire up! Ricochet is up first and fans rally behind him. Sheamus stands, blocks Ricochet’s boot and clotheslines him in the corner! Sheamus scoops Ricochet but Ricochet turns it to a TORNADO DDT!

STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, Mahal breaks it! Mahal fireman’s carries to a GUTBUSTER DROP! Cesaro SPINEBUSTERS Mahal, and fans go nuts! SWISS WING! They go around and around and get past 10, then 20! 25 rotations, and Cesaro gets the SHARPSHOOTER! Mahal endures, Shanky calls to him, and they get the ropebreak, but there’s no disqualifications! Ricochet WRECKS Shanky, then KICKS Cesaro! Cesaro lets go of Mahal to block a kick, but Ricochet ENZUGIRIS! Mahal clutches Ricochet but Ricochet sips out to RECOIL! Mahal is down, Ricochet goes up and fans are thunderous! Ricochet 630!! BROGUE from Sheamus!! Cover on Mahal, but Cesaro breaks it!

Sheamus staggers up, Cesaro runs in to EuroUpper in the corner, then fire off boxing shots. Cesaro whips corner to corner, but Sheamus BOOTS him down! Sheamus skins the cat to the top rope, leaps, but into a EUROUPPER! Cesaro reels Sheamus in, but here comes RIDGE HOLLAND! Sheamus’ number one fan is here, and Sheamus back drops Cesaro in the distraction! Sheamus aims, and Cesaro ducks the brogue! Roll up, TWO!! Holland is up, he swings but misses and then has to scramble away! BROGUE from Sheamus!! Cover, Sheamus wins!

Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall (joins Team SmackDown at Survivor Series)

Sheamus celebrates with Northern Grit, seeing how his biggest fan helped him get this big win! Will

Backstage with Jeff Hardy.

Kayla asks the Charismatic Enigma about entering his sixth Survivor Series 5v5 match. Over the years, he’s teamed with some incredible superstars. Cerebral Assassins, Big Red Machines, legendary luchadores, and serious Showstoppers. But no one is like Drew McIntyre. That guy is in a league of his own. And it doesn’t matter what Roman says, Woods is the real king because Woods is the real deal. Woods will find a way to bring the Tribal Chief some tribal grief. And Sheamus is one rugged son of a bitch, and if he works as hard as the others, he’ll be a great contribution to the team.

But then you’ve got “Happy” Corbin, who lives in his own world. He only thinks about himself, and you never know what might happen.  But Corbin and “Mad Cap” Moss are here to cheer “Jeffrey” up. Moss asks, “How does Jeff Hardy decide which face paint to use? He asks himself, ‘What goes well with a redneck.” So this is what we’re doing? Adam Pearce says he wants the team to win, but there’s no place for this attitude. Corbin is part of the team, so Pearce advises him to act like it. And Moss, everything’s a joke to you? Well let’s see if you’re still laughing after you’ve faced Hardy. Hardy laughs right at Moss, and then leaves. Will Moss learn he’s the butt of the joke tonight?

Backstage interview with Sheamus & Ridge Holland.

Megan congratulations Sheamus on joining Team SmackDown, but- He asks if she saw that! This fella here believes in Sheamus! You’ve heard what Holland has been saying! About how Sheamus is an inspiration! How he’s the greatest! How watching Sheamus made Holland want to be a WWE superstar! Hearing that almost brings a tear to his eye. NOT! Holland says that if it weren’t for Sheamus, Holland would be broke and fighting bums on the street. If anyone on the roster has a problem with what happened tonight, go find them in the pub. A man after Sheamus’ own heart! To the bar they go!

SmackDown looks closer at Becky Lynch VS Charlotte Flair.

They were “once upon a time,” best friends. Just earlier this year, Charlotte said that she was dominating the division while Becky was absent. THIRTEEN-TIME Raw and SmackDown Women’s Champion, but then Becky came back at SummerSlam! Big Time Becks shocked us all, but then the WWE Draft added fuel to the fire with their title swap. There is unfinished business here to say the least. Charlotte questioned Becky’s genuineness while Becky exposed Charlotte’s ego. It isn’t brand supremacy, it isn’t Champion VS Champion, it’s about finally seeing who is THE ALPHA of this generation!

Aliyah & Naomi VS Shayna Baszler & Natalya!

It seems the newest star of the show and The Glow have something in common now: Sonya Deville has abused her authority against them. But will they be able to stand against The Queen of Spades & The Queen of Harts together? Or will they be made to #TapNapOrSnap?

SmackDown returns as Shayna Baszler makes her entrance. The teams sort out, Aliyah starts against Natty. They tie up, Natty kicks low then throws hands. Aliyah hits an arm-drag, dropkicks Natty down, then brings her up to whip to a corner. Aliyah runs in but is put on the apron, but she ROCKS Natty with a forearm. Aliyah goes up, flips and RANAS Natty away! Shayna tags in, Naomi gets in, she and Aliyah hit DOUBLE THESZ PRESSES! They fire fast hands, Natty bails out but Shayna gut wrenches Naomi to a KIRAFUDA KLUTCH! Naomi backs Shayna down, Natty tags in but Naomi DECKS her! Naomi hits Shayna with a REAR VIEW!

Natty gets in, Naomi fires hands, Shayna throws Naomi down! Natty covers, fast count?! Natty & Shayna win!!

Winners: Shayna Baszler & Natalya, by pinfall

Wait, this isn’t right! Well this can only be because of one woman and she might as well change her name to Cruella! Will Deville continue to drag Naomi down over her persona bias?

Sami Zayn complains to Sonya Deville.

He is back to talking about his conspiracy theory given he was taken off Team SmackDown. For one, his documentary is still unreleased and it’s been seven MONTHS! Sonya understands he’s upset about all these things, but he just needs to relax. That was Adam Pearce, not her. And she has an idea. This Sunday is the 25th Anniversary of The Rock’s Debut. So in honor of that, she’ll make a 25 Man Battle Royal, in which Sami can win, and then he can have his name associated with The Rock, and the millions (and millions) of his fans. But then the ref walks over and asks if she did a good job.

Sonya pretends to have no idea who this is, and accuses her of being “one of those little NXT refs” trying to make it big. B-But she said- She said nothing, and she does not associate with crooked refs! Get out of here! Not suspicious at all…

Jeff Hardy VS “Mad Cap” Moss w/ “Happy” Corbin!

No more laughing out loud, it’s time to let actions speak for themselves! Will the Charismatic Enigma use Happy Corbin’s hyena sidekick as a tune-up for taking on Team Raw?

SmackDown returns and Corbin makes his entrance to accompany Moss to the ring. Hardy gets a mic to say, “The odds are clearly not in my favor here tonight. If you’ve got Happy Corbin in your corner, I might as well have somebody in mine.” It’s DREW MCINTYRE! The Scottish Warrior, and Angela the claymore, make for some serious reinforcements! Who’s laughing now, Moss?

The bell rings, fans rally behind Hardy but Moss SPINEBUSTERS Hardy! Moss drags Hardy up, half nelsons and knees away on Hardy! hardy gets to a corner but Moss brings him around. “What did the fist say to the face?” BAM! Moss drags Hardy up but Hardy JAWBREAKERS back! Moss staggers into an ATOMIC DROP, then a trip to the leg splitting leg drop! And the basement dropkick! Moss gets up, Hardy kicks to the TWIST OF FATE! Off comes the shirt and Hardy goes up top! But Corbin distracts! McIntyre drags Corbin down to throw him over the announce desk! But Moss still trips Hardy up and drags him out for a suplex! Hardy makes it a cradle, Hardy wins!

Winner: Jeff Hardy, by pinfall

Corbin gets in but gets a CLAYMORE kick from McIntyre! Moss tries but he gets a GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT! Hardy goes up top again, fans fire up for the SWANTON BOMB! McIntyre indeed had Hardy’s back, but will they and Corbin be able to put this all aside when they have to fight Team Raw?

Heyman walks and talks on his phone.

“The Tribal Chief does not like surprises.” But then Kayla scares Heyman as she springs in outta nowhere. Stop doing that! But did they hear the challenge Woods made earlier? Yes he heard the challenge made~! But he’s sick of this false narrative that Roman needs people around him. Roman doesn’t need the Usos, he loves the Usos. He doesn’t need the special Counsel, but he loves Heyman. The same way Kayla does. But yes, 48 hours before Survivor series, where Roman will smash Big E, Woods wants to challenge Roman Reigns and call his bluff. There are no bluffs on the Island of Relevancy. So as far as Roman goes, the challenge is hereby accepted. Will Woods make Roman regret that and everything else he’s done?

Rick Boogs shreds!

He gets Hartford to call and respond, then says he’s here to rock with the Intercontinental Champion, Shinsuke NakamurAAAAAA~! The King of Strong Style makes his entrance, but will he and Boogs be rockin’ after another run in with Angel y Humberto?

Shinsuke Nakamura w/ Rick Boogs VS Angel Garza w/ Humberto Carrillo!

SmackDown returns and Los Lotharios make their entrance. Garza already takes off the pants to get serious against Nakamura! The bell rings and Garza throws the pants at Nakamura to then SHOTGUN dropkick! Snapmare and a basement dropkick! Garza gets Nakamura up, CHOPS him against the ropes, but Nakamura blocks the whip. Garza CHOPS, whips but Nakamura knees back! Garza ducks one kick but not the LEFT! Nakamura KICKS Garza around, then stomps him in the corner. The ref counts, Nakamura backs off but snapmares Garza to then go up top. FLYING- DROPKICK from Garza!

Garza sees Nakamura go to the apron, runs in but Nakamura jumps over the baseball slide! FLYING KNEE! Nakamura almost hits the announce desk! Nakamura puts Garza in the ring, but Carrillo anchors Nakamura’s foot! Just like last week! But Boogs pries Carrillo off with a gut wrench and just shaking him around before he TOSSES him! Garza runs in but only gets buckles! Schoolboy to the KINSHASA!! Cover, Nakamura wins!

Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura, by pinfall

But then Carrillo hits Nakamura as he runs into the ring! Los Lotharios regroup and run away, but this looks far from over between them, Nakamura and Boogs!

Shotzi and Sasha meet backstage.

Sonya keeps them civil here, because they’re going to be teammates on Sunday. Sonya is certain- Shotzi interrupts to say what she’s certain of: “Sasha Banks, you are a petty, vindictive little brat. When I get screwed over, I don’t forget. Ever. What’s that saying? Payback’s a-” Sasha stops Shotzi there. If she had a nickel for every time a rookie tried to make a name off of her, Sasha would be rich. Oh wait, she IS rich! She’s the Boss, the Standard, and the CAPTAIN of this team. Nd Shotzi, no one would know who you are without Sasha. So yeah, payback is a BITCH, and so is she!

Sonya shouts them down and says they can take this frustration out in the ring. But when the match is over, she expects them to shake hands. Shotzi and Sasha both sneer at that, but the Boss’ music hits first. Will it still be #BossTime? Or will Shotzi #TCH?

Sasha Banks VS Shotzi Blackheart!

SmackDown returns and Shotzi makes her entrance. The bell rings, the two tie up and Shotzi powers Sasha to a corner. The ref counts, Shotzi lets off and she stars Sasha down, Sasha dodges Shotzi to get the headlock and thrashes her around. Shotzi powers out to then pull hair and throw Sasha down! Shotzi shouts at Sasha but Sasha reaches up to headscissor! Sasha dodges to CHOP Shotzi, then she knuckle locks nd goes up, up and FLYING ARM-DRAGS! Shotzi gets up as Sasha swaggers, and then Shotzi shoves Sasha around. Sasha shoves back, Shotzi pulls hair. Sasha pulls hair, the ref counts on them both but they both club the other.

Sasha blocks a kick, Shotzi blocks the knee! QUESTION MARK KICK! Shotzi wants the chicken wings but Sasha fights out to spin Shotzi around, snap suplex! Una Amiga! Another snap suplex, Dos Amigas! She wants the third, and gets THREE AMIGAS! Fans chant for “EDDIE! EDDIE!” and Sasha goes up top. FROG SPLASH but she has to bail out as Shotzi moves! Shotzi puts Sasha on the apron, ROCKS her, then kicks, but Sasha ducks to KNEE back! Sasha steps in, Shotzi KICKS her! Shotzi runs but Sasha dodges! Shotzi lands on her feet, avoids the meteora, then kicks to RAM Sasha into steel steps!

The ring count is climbing, Shotzi puts Sasha’s hand in the steps to KICK them! And again! And again! The count is climbing! Shotzi gets in at 8, Sasha is still down and Shotzi howls before going right back out. Shotzi puts Sasha in the ring, covers, TWO! Shotzi snarls, drags Sasha back up, CLUBS her, but Sasha gets around to waistlock! O’Conner Roll, TWO, and Sasha ends up outside again. Shotzi goes back out, puts Sasha on the apron but Sasha Tiger Feints to kick Shotzi! METEORA off the apron! The Boss is back on top as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns again and Sasha blocks a kick t KNEE Shotzi down! Sasha then gets Shotzi up, but Shotzi fights the backstabber by bending Sasha’s fingers! ELBOW BREAKER to the bad arm! Then a fireman’s carry, SWINGING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Shotzi is seething, she drags Sasha up and brings her in, but no Sliced Bread as Sasha shoves her away! Roll up, TWO! Sasha goes up to get DEADLY NIGHTSHADE! Sasha goes side to side to BOOT WASH! Sasha fires up as she shoves Shotzi away and fans fire up with her. Sasha climbs, jumps, METEORA! Cover, TWO!! Shotzi survives and Sasha can’t believe it!

Sasha waits on Shotzi to rise, then reels her in, but Shotzi denies the backstabber to KICK the bad arm! Cravat to the SLICED BREAD! Cover, TWO!! Sasha narrowly escapes and Shotzi can’t believe it! “YOU’RE GARBAGE! Sasha, you are nothing but TRASH!” Shotzi drags Sasha up, but Sasha JAWBREAKERS, to then bring Shotzi around and shoulder into her. But Shotzi HOTSHOTS the bad arm! Shotzi brings Sasha along to POST her! Shotzi goes out and drags Sasha up to put her in the ring. Shotzi climbs, aims, BALLPIT SENTON!! But Sasha bails out! Shotzi is furious, but she goes out to drag Sasha back up.

Shotzi puts Sasha in, drags her up, fireman’s carry, but Sasha rolls Shotzi up into the CROSSFACE! And uses her legs in it! Shotzi taps, Sasha wins!

Winner: Sasha Banks, by submission

The Boss finds a way to make up for a bad arm, but Sonya is waiting on the stage for the sportsmanship. Sasha stands Shotzi up and offers a handshake. Shotzi sees Sonya watching, so Shotzi shakes hands. But then Sasha brings Shotzi in for a BACKSTABBER! Sonya isn’t happy, but she can’t exactly replace Sasha this late in the game. Sasha says she’ll see everyone on Sunday!

Roman is in his private room.

“Wiseman.” “Yes, my Tribal Chief?” “Is it time?” “It is time, my Tribal Chief.” Roman stands, and he tells the Usos he will handle this by himself. The confrontation of chief and king happens, after the break!

SmackDown presents Xia Li, Volume One.

“When we are young, our parents feel like superheroes. Larger than lift itself. My dad felt like a giant, looming over my family with a protective shield. Then… Just like that… Our protector was gone. Vulnerability is pungent, and it can be sniffed out. Our landlord was on us like a bloodhound. The walls trembled. When he burst into our home and dragged our belongings into the street, as my grieving mother begged for him to stop, someone had to wield my father’s protective shield. And that person was me. I hate vultures. They flock to the vulnerable like moths to a flame. No vultures will ever get to my family again.” She is her father’s daughter. She is The Protector!

Backstage interview with Toni Storm.

The Lightning From Down Under was added to the SmackDown Team for Survivor Series. She was Team NXT a few years ago, but she is so excited to represent the blue brand. She’s had a full week, and she confronted the SmackDown Women’s Champion last week. What motivated Toni to challenge Charlotte? Charlotte is consumed by her match with Becky Lynch. Who wouldn’t want to see that? But when you become obsessed, you become vulnerable. And when Charlotte loses this Sunday, her ego won’t handle that. She’ll come at Toni guns blazing because Toni had the gumption to say, “So you’re Charlotte Flair. Big freakin’ deal!”

We know Charlotte doesn’t play well with others, but when she loses to Becky, and she will, she’ll want to take it all out on Toni. All Toni wants is a championship match. But speaking of, Charlotte walks in! “After I prove my superiority over Becky this Sunday and beat the living crap out of her, you’re next on the list.” It won’t be for the title, but then Charlotte will do to Toni what she does to Becky on Sunday. Charlotte tosses her hair and takes her leave, but Toni says that went just as she expected. But will it all go as Toni said in time?

Xavier Woods goes to the ring!

The King of the Ring is ready to bring down the Roman Empire! But will King Xavier, first of his name, only end up last of his name at Roman’s own hands?

SmackDown returns and Woods has the mic. “Roman, Roman, Roman. It is I, your king, King Woods. And I’m here in Hartford, Connecticut. And I’m here in this ring tonight to find out if you are a man. Because last week, you and I had a match, Roman, and I hit that Limit Break elbow and I hit it clean.” Then the Usos showed up and threw the whole match out. But that means Roman Reigns, the so-called Tribal Chief, THE WWE Universal Champion cannot beat Xavier Woods. If that makes Roman feel any kind of way, then he should bring his ass to the ring and prove Woods wrong. Woods waits, and here comes Roman!

Once again, Roman walks out on stage, Heyman carrying the belt for him. But then Heyman cues the Usos! Roman wasn’t going to honor the deal at all! But wait, where are the Usos? Jimmy gets thrown out on stage! And then Jey! Woods shrugs, and fans have an idea! BIG E IS HERE! Big E walks right down the ramp and throws hands with Roman! Fans are thunderous as Big E RAMS Roman into steel steps! And then gets him up to RAM him into barriers! Roman sputters but Big E puts Roman in for Woods! Woods stomps away on Big E, and he chest bumps with Big E! They stomp away on Roman, but the Usos come back!

Big E scoops Jey, Woods SUPERKICKS Jimmy! BIG ENDING for Jey! Woods gets Jimmy up to feed to Big E for another BIG ENDING! The Usos bail out but where’s Roman? Woods builds speed and he FLIES to take out the Usos again! Roman runs in to SUPERMAN PUNCH Big E! The Tribal Chief was picking his spot! Roman aims from a corner, “OOAH~!” But he runs into a scoop! But he slips away before the ending! Roman retreats, lucky to get away from the New Day! Will the WWE World Champion finally humble the WWE Universal Champion at Survivor Series?

My Thoughts:

A good go-home from SmackDown, but the best stuff continues to be with Roman. He gave Woods a lot of grief ruining the King of the Ring gear, which is great Heel heat on Roman, but it seems like WWE is (foolishly) ending Woods’ KOTR character already. That’s dumb considering they had Corbin be Wolf King for way too long, but this is Vince, the man who allowed his people to release numerous wrestlers who are immensely talented. Maybe Woods can bring out a new crown and scepter that is even more New Day in its presentation, but I am really glad they had Big E show up to fight with Roman. Big E standing tall on Raw and right here surely means he loses to Roman, but what else is new for opponents of the Head of the Table?

I like that they gave us a big Fatal 4 to determine Sami’s replacement rather than just naming one like they have for, oh, I dunno, all the other replacements in this half-assed build. I figured Holland would get involved to help Sheamus, though. But couldn’t they have done a better job of it? Hell, Shanky was there, he couldn’t do the same for Jinder? But I’m thinking this was mostly to establish that Sheamus & Holland will be a tag team after Survivor Series, not that they’ll get a tag title match while Usos are still champions and Heels. Maybe Cesaro teams with Mansoor again so they can have a feud with Sheamus & Holland.

I do like that we got Aliyah & Naomi VS Shayna & Natty at all, because those were the exact teams I was hoping we’d get out of the WWE Draft and all the other stuff. The WWE Women’s Tag Division needs the Queen of Harts & Queen of Spades to stick together. And while I’d normally complain about a short woman’s match these days, this one worked in story because Sonya is becoming a tyrant. Still waiting on when The Bloodline starts to almost feel Face by countering Sonya’s abuse of power with a bit of their own influence, but I’m probably better off hoping WWE gets brains and hires back some of the people they let go.

I like that McIntyre helped Hardy against Corbin & Moss, but I’m surprised the Viking Raiders weren’t involved in this because of their beef with Corbin & Moss. Makes me think this was a one-off for the Survivor Series go-home, and we’ll be back to the hyenas and the Vikings after. Sami had a good moment with Sonya, at least he didn’t forget the conspiracy theory documentary during all the mess. But what else does he have when his feud (and Jinder’s feud) with Hit Row is dead because Team Vince killed it? Sami, Jinder & Shanky VS Hit Row should’ve been the Six Man Tag blow-off we were heading to with those guys.

I know Xia Li was going to get a repackage going from Tian Sha on NXT to here on SmackDown, but Marvel Comics character was not what I expected. Toni has a good promo, and Charlotte has a good cameo in that promo, I hope Toni gets a great showing against Charlotte. Shotzi got a great showing against Sasha, but I should’ve figured Sasha would win. Sasha may be Face as according to WWE, but the way their promos went, you could’ve easily said Shotzi was Face and Sasha was Heel and it’d be the exact same. Sasha’s a better Heel anyway, why not build a new star by letting Shotzi be the Face? Isn’t WWE supposedly wanting to get edgy again? Shotzi’s pretty much the one to get behind in that. SHE HAD A TANK, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!

My Score: 8.1/10