Smackdown
Date: November 28, 2017
Location: Rupp Arena, Lexington, Kentucky
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Corey Graves, Byron Saxton
We’re still in the fallout period from Survivor Series and that means it’s still Shane McMahon vs. Kevin Owens/Sami Zayn. However, the big question continues to be Daniel Bryan, who seems to be leaning a bit more towards the villains, which could make for quite the power struggle down the line. Let’s get to it.
Here’s Shane to get things going. After sucking up to the Lexington fans, Shane recaps everything we just saw in the recap. Therefore, he’d like an explanation straight from the horse’s mouth.
The fans go bananas for Bryan, who talks about having been fired a few times. Therefore, he believes in second chances, including some for Owens and Zayn. Shane actually agrees with him, but recaps all the issues that Owens and Zayn who have caused him over the last few months. Bryan thinks they were doing it in the name of competition but points out that if they’re fired, they’ll just wind up on Raw. Shane: “Great. Then they’ll be my sister’s problem.”
That’s not cool with Bryan, who thinks they should make the best of it here on Smackdown. Shane left him in charge last week so Shane has to trust Bryan when he’s left in charge. As for tonight though, Shane is going to adjust the Orton vs. Owens match. Therefore, we’ll have Sami Zayn barred from ringside and we’ll make it No DQ.
Post break, Owens and Zayn run into Bryan and ask for some mercy. That turns into a demand, which doesn’t sit well with the boss.
New Day vs. Shelton Benjamin/Chad Gable
The Usos are on commentary and New Day brings out pancakes for everyone. Xavier and Chad start things off as the fans are firmly behind New Day. Kofi comes in for a running kick to the ribs and something like a bottom rope Vader Bomb for two. It’s off to Shelton as we take a quick break.
Back with Woods hitting a jawbreaker but not being able to get away from Benjamin. A belly to back suplex/top rope knee to the head combo (gets two on Woods. Chad can’t quite hit a belly to belly superplex though and it’s a missile dropkick to put him down (like he was shot). The hot tag brings in Kofi as things speed up in a hurry. Kofi flips out of a monkey flip and there’s the Boom Drop. Gable gets low bridged to the floor so Woods can hit a flip dive. Back in and a backbreaker/top rope stomp to the face gives Woods the pin at 8:40.
Result: New Day b. Chad Gable/Shelton Benjamin – Backbreaker/top rope stomp to the face to Benjamin (8:40)
We look back at Ruby Riot/Sarah Logan/Liv Morgan debuting last week.
Charlotte, Naomi and Natalya are ready to face the newcomers in a six woman tag later. Charlotte and Naomi are together but Natalya thinks she’ll be the boss.
Bludgeon Brothers vs. Hype Bros
The Brothers deck Rawley off the apron and a spinning Boss Man Slam plants Ryder. The double spinebuster ends Zack at 45 seconds.
Result: Bludgeon Brothers b. Hype Bros – Double spinebuster to Ryder (0:45)
Post match Ryder says they were top contenders for the Tag Team Titles a year ago. Now things have changed though and….Rawley decks him from behind to end the team.
Post break, Mojo says Ryder was right: the landscape has changed.
We look back at Baron Corbin decking Bobby Roode during the lumberjack match.
Roode wants a shot at Corbin’s US Title but Corbin laughs him off with a no.
Singh Brothers vs. AJ Styles
Before the match, Jinder Mahal attacks AJ, sending him ribs first into the post. After a break. the match is on with AJ getting double teamed. The Brothers get in some shoulders to the ribs in the corner but AJ kicks them away without much effort. AJ knocks the two off them off the top, kicks Mahal in the face, and blocks a super hurricanrana attempt. He’s not done yet though as it’s a SUPER STYLES CLASH with one Singh landing on the other for the easy pin at 3:56.
Result: AJ Styles b. Sing Brothers – Super Styles Clash (3:56)
Post match Mahal lays out the Singh’s, including a Khallas to both of them.
Riot, Morgan and Logan are officially dubbed the Riot Squad. They’re not here to be Total Divas but rather to turn the division on its head. Logan says she’s a country girl from a family of hunters. Last week they set a trap and tonight they’re bagging some trophies.
Charlotte/Natalya/Naomi vs. Riott Squad
Yes Riott. Logan takes Natalya into the corner to start and scores with a clothesline. It’s off to Charlotte but that’s enough for Natalya, who walks out on the match less than a minute in. Back from a break with Charlotte fighting off the trio but getting caught by the numbers game on the floor. Morgan gets two off a floatover suplex and it’s off to Ruby for a chinlock. That leaves the other two Squad members to take Naomi down on the floor.
They send her hard into the steps and then bridge them over the barricade, catapulting Naomi face first into the steel. So it’s now three on one with Charlotte actually managing to fight them off for a bit. A spear hits Morgan in those impressive abs but Logan hits a knee from the apron, setting up the Riot Kick to the face for the pin at 9:12.
Result: Riott Squad b. Charlotte/Natalya/Naomi – Riot Kick to Charlotte (9:12)
Randy Orton has nothing to say. What is up with that growing hair?
It’s Fashion Files time, featuring a Saw theme this week. Breezango and Ascension wake up chained in a shower when a video pops up on a tablet. A Jigsaw style voice says that to escape this room, they must destroy what they love most. They have a minute before a poisonous gas fills the room and a countdown begins.
There’s a backpack in the middle of the room containing Tully the Horse’s head. Konnor finally rips it apart to find the key, allowing Breezango to escape in time. Fandango comes running back….to get his hat, leaving Ascension to die I guess as the gas fills the room. To be continued.
Kevin Owens vs. Randy Orton
No DQ with Sami Zayn banned from ringside. The threat of an RKO sends Owens bailing outside in the first few seconds but Orton is right on his trails. Randy starts loading up the announcers’ table but stops to send Owens into the barricade instead. A kendo stick to the arm has Owens swearing and a second shot makes him swear all over again. The slow beating continues with Owens being belly to back suplexed onto the barricade.
The fans want tables but settle for Owens posting Orton instead. A fall away slam into the barricade takes us to a break with Orton in big trouble. Back with Owens still swinging the cane and getting two off the backsplash. More stick shots have Orton in even more trouble. A DDT gives Owens two but Orton is right back up and catching him with a top rope superplex for two.
They head outside again with Owens getting dropped onto the barricade again. The brawl heads up to the stage….meaning Sami Zayn can come out with a chair to take Orton out. Back in and Owens gets caught in the hanging DDT, only to escape the RKO. A superkick into a frog splash puts Orton away at 16:47.
Result: Kevin Owens b. Randy Orton – Frog splash (16:47)
Results
New Day b. Shelton Benjamin/Chad Gable – Backbreaker/top rope double stomp combination to Benjamin
Bludgeon Brothers b. Hype Bros – Double spinebuster to Ryder
AJ Styles b. Singh Brothers – Super Styles Clash
Riott Squad b. Charlotte/Naomi/Natalya – Riot Kick to Charlotte
Kevin Owens b. Randy Orton – Frog splash