Who will earn their shot at Roman Reigns?

The WWE Universal Champion was SmackDown’s shining Survivor Series win, but it’s back to business. Who wins a battle royal to become #1 contender?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Drew McIntyre & Jeff Hardy VS “Happy” Corbin & “Mad Cap” Moss; McIntyre & Hardy win.
• Ridge Holland w/ Sheamus VS Cesaro; Cesaro wins.
• Thanksgiving Leftovers Throwdown: Rick Boogs w/ Shinsuke Nakamura VS Angel Garza w/ Humbert Carrillo; Garza wins.
• Sasha Banks & Naomi VS Shayna Baszler & Natalya; Sasha & Naomi win.
• WWE Universal Championship #1 Contender’s Battle Royal: Sami Zayn wins and will challenge Roman Reigns for the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Kayla Braxton is in the ring!

She welcomes us to this post-Thanksgiving edition of Friday Night SmackDown, and says rumors continue to heat up that Brock Lesnar’s indefinite suspension- Roman Reigns interrupts! The Head of the Table, Paul Heyman carrying the Universal Championship for him, stands on stage, then is handed the belt for the pyro. Roman then continues down to the ring, Heyman holing the title up as a banner. And then Roman holds the title up in the ring for more pyro. Heyman allows Kayla to step forward, but has her hand over the mic. “Rumorssss? Rumors about Brrrock. Lesnarrr. That’s the best you got? Rumors? We don’t do rumorsss on the Island of Relevancy.”

That’s Kayla’s problem! She parades around here like she’s a journalist with breaking news about Lesnar’s suspension when she knows it’s personal to Roman and Heyman, but she just wants the spotlight for herself. Heyman tells fans not to boo her, they can’t judge any of them in the ring. Heyman defended Kayla because she’s a coworker but he’s disappointed in her. She needs confirmation, denial, or facts! That’s what Roman deals in. Heyman used to like Kayla because people said she’s pretty. But Kayla is living her life through an Instagram filter. But there is no filter that makes you a legit journalist. Until she is one, this is her cue to leave Roman’s ring. Thank you for your time, good night.

Kayla storms off, but fans chant, “We Want Brock!” Roman gets the mic and asks Heyman, “Do you want to know the problem with rumors? Rumors give loses false hope. And compared to me, everyone’s a loser around here.” Roman’s beaten them all! And Lesnar is the number one loser around here. Roman beat him and it wasn’t even in ideal conditions. Roman flew all around the world and smashed Lesnar. Roman doesn’t care about rumors and that’s the facts. Y’know who else is a loser? Big E, the WWE Champion, is a loser cuz he got smashed at Survivor Series. But they’re just part of a long list! Roman’s beat them all. Roman’s running laps, it’s getting embarrassing!

What did management do? What’s that thing for tonight? A Black Friday Battle Royal to determine a #1 contender for the Head of the Table? C’mon…! Battle royal, elimination match, gauntlet, three way, four way, five way, it don’t matter. Just let three or four of them win and he’ll smash ’em all! Roman can do that because he’s the best of the best, the Universal Champion, the Head of the Table, YOUR Tribal Chief, and the Greatest of All Time. When Roman’s days are down, which could be sooner than later, the whole world will acknowledge him. Roman doesn’t care who wins tonight, but will he take that winner seriously when it’s time to take that person on?

Drew McIntyre & Jeff Hardy VS “Happy” Corbin & “Mad Cap” Moss!

The Scottish Warrior watched the Charismatic Enigma’s back before Survivor Series, and now has his back here against the hyenas. Will Hardy Country also become Claymore Country here in Greensboro? Or will Corbin & Moss become insufferable with a win here tonight?

SmackDown returns as Corbin & Moss make their entrance. The teams sort out but Corbin attacks Hardy from behind! Corbin stomps Hardy, gloats then drags Hardy up to whip him to a corner. Hardy dodges then atomic drops and trips Corbin up for the leg splitting leg drop! Basement dropkick, then a wrench. Corbin clubs and ROCKS Hardy, then tags in Moss. Moss mugs Hardy with knees, then runs and runs to run Hardy over! Moss keeps moving, Hardy hip tosses him down! Cover, ONE! Hardy tags McIntyre in and fans fire up as they double whip Moss to double elbow and fist drop splash combo! Cover, TWO!

McIntyre keeps on Moss and CHOPS him in the corner. Fans fire up, but Moss throat chops McIntyre. Moss whips, McIntyre comes back and CLOBBERS him! McIntyre drags Moss up, wrenches and tags in Hardy. Hardy hops up, double ax handles to Moss’ arm! Hardy wrenches Moss, grinds the shoulder, but Moss powers out. Hardy sends Moss out and wrecks him with a dropkick! Hardy ducks Corbin’s clothesline to hotshot him down! Hardy goes to the apron to FLYING LARIAT Corbin down! But Moss CLOBBERS Hardy into the timekeeper’s area! Moss laughs it up while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Corbin fires off body shots on Hardy in a corner. The ref counts, Corbin lets off and whips Hardy corner to corner. Corbin runs, Hardy dodges, but Corbin slides out then slides in to DECK McIntyre! Corbin puts Hardy in the corner, Moss mugs him while Corbin taunts McIntyre and the ref is busy with him. Moss tags in, but Hardy kicks back! Moss slips out of the Twist, DOUBLE CLOTHESLINES bring both men down! Fans fire up, Moss and Hardy crawl, hot tags to Corbin and McIntyre! McIntyre rallies with big lariats, then a whip to an elbow! McIntyre gets Corbin in a corner, OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Moss runs in but into a NECKBREAKER!

McIntyre dodges Corbin, Corbin slides out and in but McIntyre dodges to NECKBREAKER! And kip up! Fans fire up with McIntyre as he calls for the countdown! The fans count it down but McIntyre has to hit Moss first! Corbin gets McIntyre for a DEEP SIX! Cover, TWO! Corbin is furious but he drags McIntyre over to tag in Moss. They mug McIntyre, Moss scoops and Corbin goes up. Hardy saves McIntyre and then McIntyre ROCKS Moss! McIntyre dodges Corbin, Corbin jumps into Hardy’s kick! Corbin blocks the Twist and shoves Hardy out! McIntyre clotheslines Corbin out! Moss forearms but McIntyre HEADBUTTS! McIntyre then dodges to CLAYMORE Moss down!

Fans are thunderous and McIntyre tags in Hardy! Hardy throws off the shirt, climbs up top, SWANTON BOMB! Cover, Hardy & McIntyre win!

Winners: Drew McIntyre & Jeff Hardy, by pinfall

Greensboro is red hot for their hometown hero and the Scottish Warrior! But will this be the last either of them has heard from the chuckle headed Corbin and Moss?

Aliyah talks with Kayla backstage.

She wants to know as much as anyone about the rumors, but then Heyman walks over. Aliyah hurries off and Heyman asks Kayla if she got any updates on the rumors. See, this is what Kayla needs to do. She needs to get a confirmation or a denial. But the thing is, there are no rumors about Lesnar, because he got himself suspended. He put his hands on Adam Pearce not once but twice to leave the WWE no options. But Lesnar is hiding behind the suspension because he fears Roman Reigns. Think that’s a rumor? Call Lesnar. Oh, wait, Heyman doesn’t have his new number, and neither does Kayla.

And that’s another problem. If Kayla doesn’t have a confirmation or denial by the end of tonight, Kayla’s GONE. Or at least, that’s what Heyman’s pushing for. Or maybe it’s just a rumor. Heyman walks off, but what will Kayla do about his not so veiled threat?

Ridge Holland w/ Sheamus VS Cesaro!

Northern Grit made quite the impression on his hero, The Celtic Warrior, in helping Sheamus get the win last week to join Team SmackDown at Survivor Series. Now Holland looks to make an even bigger impression taking the Swiss Cyborg on himself! Will the Fella love what he sees from his brand new protégé?

SmackDown returns and Cesaro makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two tie up. Cesaro puts Holland in a corner, lets off as the ref counts, but then he counter punches Holland, fires off body shots and EuroUppers, then whips him corner to corner. Cesaro runs in to EuroUpper, then climbs up to rain down fists! Sheamus distracts Cesaro and that allows Holland to trip Cesaro up! Holland runs and POUNCES him! Then he puts Cesaro in the corner, fires off EuroUppers and body shots of his own. Holland reels Cesaro in to CLOBBER him! Cover, TWO! Holland keeps on Cesaro with a seated cobra twist and he thrashes Cesaro all around.

Fans boo, then rally up for Cesaro. Cesaro stands up, Holland ripcords him but Cesaro fires off hands! Holland traps the arms to headbutt then OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Cover, TWO! Holland sits Cesaro up to CLUB him, then clamps on a chinlock. Holland grinds Cesaro down but Cesaro fights up and throws body shots. Holland reverses the whip and tilt-o-whirl POWERSLAMS! Cover, ONE, so Holland rains down forearms and knees, and then drops elbows! Holland gets complimented by Sheamus and Holland pie faces Cesaro. Cesaro drags Holland down into a lateral press, Cesaro wins!!

Winner: Cesaro, by pinfall

Holland’s ego was being fed a little too much and that cost him.

Sonya Deville and Adam Pearce are visited by Drew McIntyre.

Sonya asks, “Can we help you?” McIntyre says he doesn’t want to be presumptuous, but considering the stakes, he wants to make sure he’s in that “Black Friday Invitational Battle Royal.” Well they don’t have the final list of competitors yet, but when they do, they’ll let him know. Well like he said, he expects an invitation. Pearce would if he were McIntyre, too. McIntyre heads out, but will he be in that contender’s match later tonight?

Rick Boogs is here!

And he of course introduces the WWE Intercontinental Champion, Shinsuke NakamurAAAAA~! The King of Strong Style rocks with Boogs, as does Pat McAfee and the fans. However, it won’t be Nakamura that goes to battle, it’s BOOGS! Will he get his fill against Los Lotharios?

Thanksgiving Leftovers Throwdown: Rick Boogs w/ Shinsuke Nakamura VS Angel Garza w/ Humbert Carrillo!

SmackDown returns and Los Lotharios are already in the ring. Garza takes off his pants, throws them at Boogs and dropkicks him down, the same tactic he used against Nakamura! Garza mugs Boogs at the ropes, then drags him out to aim at the table. Boogs blocks, throws elbows and then lifts Garza! Garza gets to the apron and dropkicks Boogs down! Garza puts Boogs in the ring, clamps on a chinlock and grinds him down with a straitjacket stretch. Fans rally up, Boogs endures, and Boogs powers up, only for Garza to throw him down! Garza stomps Boogs down and wraps the straitjacket back on. Fans chant, “We Want Tables!” while Boogs yells and arm-drags out!

Boogs scoops Garza for a spinning toss! Then he gut wrenches Garza for the shakedown! And then gut wrench suplex! Carrillo gets up but Boogs DECKS him! Garza kicks, Boogs blocks and gut wrenches Garza all around! POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Boogs fires up and gets Garza back up for an abdominal stretch! But Carrillo starts playing Boogs’ guitar! Boogs tells Carrillo to stop, but Nakamura sweeps Carrillo’s legs, and Carrillo falls through the table! All the cranberry sauce and corn gets on him, but Garza SUPERKICKS Boogs, to the WING CLIPPER! Cover, Garza wins!

Winner: Angel Garza, by pinfall

While one Lothario is feeling left out like the leftovers, the other gets a win to get even with Nakamura & Boogs. What will it take for these four to settle the score?

Adam Pearce looks over the roster.

Kayla Braxton asks if he can reveal who will be in the invitational battle royal. He says that as soon as he gets approval, he’ll post it right outside the door. Then can he also comment on the rumors of the possible reinstatement of Brock Lesnar? She is sure he recalls the events around the suspension… Pearce takes a moment, and he says he hasn’t heard anything about the changes to the indefinite suspension. But stranger things have happened. But when you consider the damage, not just the property damage or the medical bills or the… therapy sessions… “Brock Lesnar is a menace. And I personally would be shocked if that suspension were to be lifted any time soon.” Pearce excuses himself to handle business, is that denial enough to satisfy Heyman?

Charlotte Flair heads to the ring!

She may not have defeated Big Time Becks, but the Queen is still the SmackDown Women’s Champion, and North Carolina is still Flair Country! But how will she move on from Survivor Series? We’ll see, after the break.

SmackDown returns and Michael Cole joins Charlotte in the ring. He says Charlotte must be very disappointed about her loss to Becky Lynch. Disappointed? No. The only thing she’s disappointed in is the poor officiating in that match. We all saw how Becky won. The only way she could win was by blatantly cheating. But congrats to her, she’s as underhanded as Charlotte knew she was. Becky has a shallow victory. She’s not stronger, just lucky. All that proved is that Becky is everything Charlotte’s said she was. Deep down, they both know Charlotte’s the better woman. Charlotte is the reason for Becky’s success.

Then the question would be, is what is next for Charlotte Flair? Becky can pretend to be big time on Raw and fantasy land, but in reality, Charlotte is still the most dominant woman in sports entertainment. But here comes Toni Storm! Wow, wow, wow. Toni knew Becky got in Charlotte’s head, but this is something. The obsessions with Becky made Charlotte vulnerable, and just as Toni predicted, Becky won. So what happens next? Charlotte goes after Toni for standing up to the high and mighty Charlotte Flair! Toni figured she’d make this easier for Charlotte and come right here to her. Aw, how cute, Toni. You think Charlotte was going after her? Charlotte barely knew Toni existed.

There is a reason Charlotte wipes her boots on the apron before getting in the ring. There are levels to this, and Charlotte is on a different one. So how would Toni like to be embarrassed tonight? Beaten to a pulp? Or more like this? But Toni dodges the sucker punch then throws Charlotte out! Toni then goes out, but gets a PIE to the FACE! That one had a lot of whipped cream on it! Charlotte licks her fingers, but Toni gets back up. Charlotte dares her to bring it, and then just PIES Toni again! Charlotte walks off and leaving Toni steaming. Will Toni get even with the Queen for the holidays?

Sonya Deville talks on the phone.

Sasha walks over and interrupts. At Survivor Series, Sasha was the captain, but Sonya sabotaged her with a team full of traitors. Everyone saw what Natty, Shayna and Shotzi did: they screwed her over. This was Sonya’s team, so Sasha blames her. As captain, Sasha should’ve been able to choose her own team. And if Naomi was on the team, they would’ve won. What’s Sonya’s problem with Naomi to begin with? Sonya laughs that off and tells Sasha to watch her tone. Second, this isn’t how things work. You can’t rewrite history. The captain lost and that’s on her. Also, there is no issue with Naomi. Oh is that so? Because Sonya’s voice changes when she lies.

Is Sonya jealous of Naomi? Is it because Naomi is more athletic? More popular? Has a bigger following? Is it because Naomi’s a two-time SmackDown Women’s Champion while Sonya’s been downgraded to a suit? Damn right Sonya’s wearing a suit, because she’s the boss. But if Sasha loves Naomi so much, team up with her against Natalya & Shayna. Sonya takes her leave, but will the Boss & The Glow take care of business against the Queen of Harts & Queen of Spades?

SmackDown shares another chapter of Xia Li’s story.

“I still remember his deep breath echoing in the empty school hallway. His mouth scrunched into a growl. He has picked on my older brother for weeks. A relentless assault. My pacifist brother. My quiet, kind brother who is too good for this violent world. I hate vultures. Their confidence grows like mold on dirty dishes. If you let it, they will suffocate your spirit. I hate vultures.” Xia Li is The Protector! She sees the wicked and fights them. Who will be first for Xia to battle when she arrives?

Sasha Banks & Naomi VS Shayna Baszler & Natalya!

SmackDown returns as the Queen and Queen are already in the ring. But the Boss makes her entrance to join Naomi. The teams sort out while Sonya defends there was no rigged ref last week. Shayna and Sasha start, fans rally up for The Boss but Shayna pie faces her. Sasha SLAPS back! Sasha then gets Shayna to the ropes, shoulders in from the apron and steps in to tilt-o-whirl. Shayna resists the takedown, trips Sasha, turns her and has the ANKLE LOCK! Sasha fights up, but Shayna reels her into the KIRAFUDA KLUTCH! Sasha backs Shayna up, Naomi tags in, Sasha snapmares free and Naomi wrenches Shayna to a crucifix takedown.

TWO, but Naomi reels Shayna in for a sunset flip! Shayna stays up and has an arm! Shayna tortures Naomi’s wrist, but Naomi fights up. Shayna bends the elbow, tags Natty, and Natty stomps Naomi. Natty headlocks, hits the takeover, and grinds Naomi down. Naomi headscissors, Natty kips free but Naomi kips up, too! Natty SLAPS Naomi, whips her to a corner but Naomi goes up and over then baits Natty into a dropkick! And another! Natty bails out but Naomi storms over. Shayna gets in the way but Naomi DECKS her! Naomi baseball slides but Natty ducks to get the atomic sit-down! Tag to Shayna and she PENALTY KICKS Naomi down!

Shayna puts Naomi in the ring, then wraps on the KIRAFUDA KLUTCH! Sasha baits Natty, dodges her, then gives Shayna a BACKSTABBER! The Boss helps out Naomi and fans fire up as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Natty has Naomi in a cobra twist, but Naomi hip tosses free! Hot tag to Shayna and she DECKS Sasha before Naomi can get there! Shayna taunts Naomi, CLUBS her, gets a leg and bends it at the knee. Naomi endures the toehold, Natty taunts the fans, but Naomi kicks Shayna with the free leg! Shayna turns Naomi over to STOMP the ankle! Shayna tags Naomi, they drag Naomi up and double snap suplex! Cover, ONE! Naomi is still in this but Natty keeps her down with a chinlock. Natty grabs Naomi’s arm that reaches for Sasha and brings her away. Fans rally up, Naomi throws elbows but Natty throws her down by her hair!

Natty tags Shayna, they both throw Naomi down by her hair! Cover, TWO! Shayna has a standing toehold, Naomi endures, and she stomps at Shayna’s leg! Shayna tags Natty but Naomi fights them both off! DOUBLE BULLDOG! Fans fire up and Naomi hurries over, but Shayna trips Sasha off the apron! Sasha ROCKS Shayna, but gets tripped up again! Shayna whips but Sasha reverses and Shayna hits barriers! METEORA! Naomi dodges Natty, rolls her up, TWO! Natty rolls Naomi, TWO! DISCUS LARIAT! Natty covers again, TWO! Naomi is still in this and she goes to the apron. Natty grabs her legs and drags her back, then drags her up to scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!!

Naomi survives and Sonya is amused. Natty seethes while Naomi crawls to the apron.  Natty drags Naomi up but Naomi ROUNDHOUSES her down! Sunset flip, high stack, Naomi & Sasha win!

Winners: Sasha Banks & Naomi, by pinfall

Sonya applauds the win, but it could just be for appearances. Naomi hops down to stare Sonya down, but is it only a matter of time before Sonya has a new way to mess with The Glow?

The list has been posted!

Jeff Hardy, Ricochet, Sheamus, Ridge Holland, Rick Boogs, Happy Corbin, Mansoor, Mad Cap Moss, Sami Zayn, Cesaro, Jinder Mahal, Shanky, both Viking Raiders, Drew Gulak, both of Los Lotharios and even MACE are in, but now Drew McIntyre? Well that might not sit well with him. Sheamus tries to tell him, but McIntyre didn’t make the cut. Sheamus then laughs his way out, and McIntyre is seething. Will this snub go unpunished for Adam Pearce?

Black Friday Invitational WWE Universal Championship #1 Contender’s Battle Royal!

The Great Liberator heads out first, followed by Erik & Ivar. In the end, it will be every man for himself, but will the Viking Raiders be able to raid all the way until the end?

SmackDown returns and Ricochet makes his entrance. Everyone else is in the ring already, the match introduction is made, and wait, here comes McIntyre! He doesn’t seem to care that he got left off the lift, he’s getting in on this! And everyone else clears out as he starts swinging Angela the Claymore!! He dares anyone to get back in the ring but then Pearce runs out and shouts at McIntyre. McIntyre says this is on Pearce, and dares them to make him leave! This madness sorts out while SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns again and the battle royal is on, minus McIntyre. Sheamus fights Los Lotharios, Sami works to be the odd man out in the gaps, but Ivar finds him! Ivar goes after Sami in a corner, Roman and the Bloodline watch backstage. Pearce stays ringside to make sure McIntyre doesn’t return. Hardy and Cesaro ELIMINATE Mahal! Gulak and Sami work together but Cesaro holds on! So Gulak betrays Sami! Cesaro gets in, EuroUpppers Gulak, throws him out but Gulak holds on. Sami runs to HELLUVA KICK and ELIMINATE Gulak! But then Cesaro goes after Sami! Sami fights Cesaro off and bumps him off buckles.

Mansoor jump son Sheamus as a sleeper hold backpack but Holland CLUBS him down! Sheamus and Holland throw Mansoor out but Mansoor skins the cat! But he gets DOUBLE KNEES from Holland & Sheamus, the ELIMINATE him! Happy Corbin is after Ricochet, Mace gets Madcap with both hands! But Moss punches free and fireman’s carries to throw Mace out and ELIMINATE him! Sheamus digs boots into Hardy, Shanky CLUBS Moss! Moss throws body shots then throat chops Shanky back! Sheamus saves Holland from Ivar, Moss dumps Shanky out and ELIMINATES him! But then Cesaro gets Moss up! Sheamus and Holland go after Cesaro!

Boogs helps Cesaro against Sheamus and Holland! Cesaro dumps Holland out and ELIMINATES him! Moss dumps Cesaro and ELIMINATES him! Corbin and Moss high-five, and then Moss goes after Corbin! Just kidding! Moss’ sense of humor pays off, but then Corbin throws Moss out and ELIMINATES him! Corbin says it’s nothing personal, and Moss is able to laugh it off. But will these two be celebrating later? The field is still competitive as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns once more and Hardy works on Sheamus, Ivar brawls with Ricochet, Boogs is after Corbin but Los Lotharios goes after Boogs. Sami hangs back while Corbin and Ivar work on Ricochet. Ricochet fights free, then throws hands and CHOPS in return! Sheamus spots Sami but Sami says they should work together on Hardy. Sheamus seems to agree, but then he kicks and CLUBS away on Sami! Corbin whips Ricochet to a corner, runs in and clobbers Ricochet! Erik and Ivar work together to mug Corbin. Boogs kicks Garza, Humberto kicks him. Humberto springboard ROUNDHOUSES! Garza clotheslines Boogs up and out, they ELIMINATE Boogs!

Los Lotharios go after Erik but Ivar saves him from the double suplex. Ivar throws and ELIMINATES Garza, then the Vikings work together to TOSS Humberto out onto him! The Vikings ELIMINATE Los Lotharios! They give Sami KNEE after KNEE, but Sami flops out under the top rope! Ivar SPLASHES Ricochet in the corner, Erik uses Ivar as a weapon, HIP ATTACK in the corner! The Viking Raiders fight Sheamus, knock him down, then drag him up to aim for ropes! Sheamus fights free, clotheslines Erik out and ELIMINATES him! Ivar runs in but Sheamus dumps him out Sheamus ELIMINATES the Viking Raiders! The final four are Sheamus, Ricochet, Hardy and Corbin!

Ricochet goes after Sheamus, Hardy saves himself against Corbin, Sheamus whips but Ricochet ducks and dodges and springboards to crossbody! Fans fire up as Hardy runs in but Ricochet boot shim away. Somersault SHOTGUN! Ricochet gets up but Corbin CLOBBERS him! Corbin drags Ricochet up, knees low, then takes a moment to stalk Ricochet. Ricochet fires off haymakers, runs but into a choke grip, CHOKE SLAM BACKBREAKER! Corbin whips, Ricochet goes up but can’t get over! Corbin puts him on the apron but Ricochet shoulders in then springboard missile dropkicks! Ricochet gets Corbin up and to the ropes but Corbin rakes eyes!

Corbin blocks a kick but Ricochet ENZIGURIS! Sheamus BROGUES Ricochet down! Sheamus tosses and ELIMINATES Ricochet! Sheamus fires hands but Corbin fires back! They brawl but Hardy stays a safe distance away. Sheamus throws Corbin at ropes but Corbin holds on! Sheamus throws knees, Corbin elbows back. Hardy runs in and attack sin the corner! Then he hits Corbin in the other corner! Hardy rams his shoulder into Sheamus again and again, then runs, but into a LARIAT! Sheamus drags Hardy up, whips him to a corner, but Hardy elbows back. Hardy goes up the corner, WHISPER IN THE WIND! Down goes Sheamus!

But Corbin gets Hardy up to whip, but Hardy reverses! Corbin is on the ropes, TWIST OF FATE sends him staggering! Sheamus storms over to stomp Hardy down! Corbin shoves Sheamus, Sheamus shoves Corbin, but they agree to go after Hardy. Fans rally for Hardy as he holds on to the ropes! Hardy elbows them away, so Corbin tosses Sheamus out and ELIMINATES him! Hardy tosses Corbin out and- Wait! Sami wasn’t eliminated! He throws Hardy out!! SAMI WINS!!

Winner: Sami Zayn (NEW #1 Contender to the WWE Universal Championship)

Kayla interviews Sami and congratulates him. Sami says it is finally happening, but Kayla is suddenly getting word from the back. BREAKING NEWS! The suspension has been lifted! Brock Lesnar will be on SmackDown NEXT WEEK! Is this true? What does this mean for Sami, Roman and the Universal title?!

My Thoughts:

Not the best SmackDown for after a PPV, but decent stuff to build off what we had both last week and from Survivor Series. I knew McIntyre & Hardy would be in this tag match tonight, and that they’d win. I didn’t expect there to be a battle royal to choose Roman’s next challenger but I suppose it worked within story since, as Roman said in his promo, he’s beaten the best of them. I was hoping that with McIntyre kept out but Hardy put it, Hardy would get his chance. But no, WWE actively makes it so hometown heroes lose instead. I’m a bit surprised it’s Sami who won, then, but with the revelation that Lesnar’s reinstated, maybe Sami’s going to be fed to both Lesnar and Roman in this title match build.

I didn’t put it here but surprise surprise, Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo have lost their last names. Also the themed street fight tonight was lame, not because it was themed but because it was so damn short and barely did anything with the food promos. The only good thing was that the stuff didn’t go to waste. The pies were used in the promo between Charlotte Flair and Toni Storm. That match is definitely happening but I guess this was a clear indication Charlotte ain’t losing if she got to pie Toni twice. Sasha seems to be joining Naomi in this fight against Sonya’s power abuse, I wouldn’t be surprised if Aliyah and Shotzi were thrown in for a Six Woman Tag.

My Score: 8.2/10