Former Tag Team Champion Rick Steiner recently sat down for a comprehensive interview with Hannibal TV where he talked about the controversy between his brother Scott and WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan. Steiner and Hogan had a highly-publicized beef, including Twitter rants and an alleged incident between Steiner and Hogan’s wife at an airport. Rick says the beef between Scott and Hulk got carried away on Twitter, but that Scott didn’t like Hogan to begin with.

“There were some things being said and my brother brought up some stuff that was pretty personal, that was true that they didn’t want to come out,” Rick said of Scott’s Twitter rants. “I wasn’t there but they said he said something to Hogan’s new wife or new girlfriend or something, I wasn’t there I didn’t see any of it. I know the legality issues of it, there were a couple of lawyers hired, there was some stuff taken out, but my brother ain’t backing down from nobody.”

Scott’s Twitter rants also took aim at his previous employer — TNA. Rick says the things his brother said about the troubled wrestling promotion all ended up being true. Rick feels that people may not like his brother’s approach to airing issues out, but the things he said all ended up coming to light as being true.

As far as Scott’s way with words costing him a spot in the WWE Hall of Fame, Rick says that doesn’t matter to the Big Bad Booty Daddy.

“Everybody is worried about ‘Oh, don’t say that, you won’t be in the Hall Of Fame.’ My brother don’t care. He’ll say what he wants to say,” Rick said.

Rick noted that since stepping away from full-time wrestling, his brother has been opening restaurants in Georgia and Florida.

• TNA Takes Legal Action Against Scott Steiner Over Twitter Rants

– NXT has announced that Samoa Joe will defend the NXT Championship against Shinsuke Nakamura at the 12/3 house show from Osaka, Japan. The match will air on the WWE Network at some point.

BREAKING: The #NXTChampionship will be ON THE LINE when #WWENXT heads to Osaka, Japan for the first time EVER! @SamoaJoe @ShinsukeN pic.twitter.com/MHc83WBGxs

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) November 24, 2016

– Both John Cena and Cesaro continue to make progress on their shoulder injuries one year later. They both tweeted these updates from the gym yesterday:

At this time last year my right shoulder was destroyed. Impossible is just a state of mind #EarnTheDay #NeverGiveUp pic.twitter.com/X8I7U2argj

— John Cena (@JohnCena) November 23, 2016

https://twitter.com/WWECesaro/status/801442880376152064

After The Undertaker’s return on last week’s SmackDown, reports hit the web that the Dead Man was rumored to face AJ Styles at WWE’s upcoming Royal Rumble event.

Dave Meltzer addressed these reports in the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, claiming that there has in fact been discussion within WWE of putting ‘Taker and Styles against each other. However, Meltzer noted that there may be a timing issue in setting the match up for January.

The Undertaker recently underwent hip surgery, and is still currently going through rehab to recover. Meltzer says it’s possible that ‘Taker won’t be medically cleared to wrestle before the January 29th pay-per-view.

The 2017 Royal Rumble takes place in The Undertaker’s home state of Texas at the at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

Tyson Kidd has reportedly been pulled from the new season of WWE’s Total Divas reality show. When a fan on Twitter asked Kidd about his absence from the show, he replied that he won’t be appearing once this season and that “you’ll have to contact [WWE]” to find out why.

It appears that an issue stemming from Kidd’s near-fatal injury he suffered in a WWE ring during a match with Samoa Joe could be the cause of his absence. When a fan wrote to Kidd on Twitter that she wants his injury situation explained on the show, Kidd replied and explained that WWE doesn’t want that happen.

“Oh believe me, I don’t think [WWE] wants my situation explained,” Kidd wrote. “I’ll leave it at that for now.”

Kidd suffered a serious neck and spinal injury in June of 2015 after taking Samoa Joe’s Muscle Buster in a dark match. The injury reportedly only has a 5% survival rate and a high chance of paralysis, but after spinal fusion surgery Kidd is able to walk again. Dave Meltzer had previously noted that it was “unbelievable” that Kidd came out of the surgery as well as he did.

In a 2015 Sports Illustrated interview, Bret Hart blamed the injury on Kidd not being given adequate time to prepare for the match by WWE. Hart also slammed Samoa Joe’s Muscle Buster as being a reckless move. Kidd was the final graduate of the Hart Dungeon.

I've been taken off the show by @WWE you'll have to contact them to figure it out. You won't see me once this season. It's all good https://t.co/0ClTebOSWn

— TJ Wilson (@TJWilson) November 24, 2016

Oh believe me I don't think they want my situation explained. I'll leave it at that for now https://t.co/2dzqZB7PSY

— TJ Wilson (@TJWilson) November 24, 2016

Last night’s WWE SmackDown drew 2.505 million viewers, down from last week’s 2.725 million for the SmackDown 900 special episode.

This week’s show featured James Ellsworth vs. AJ Styles in a Ladder Match to close the show, as well as the fallout from Sunday’s Survivor Series PPV.

SmackDown was #1 in viewership and the 18-49 demographic on cable last night.

By comparison, RAW averaged 3.002 million viewers this week.

NXT Superstar Scott Dawson took to Twitter tonight and knocked the Tag Team Turmoil match on SmackDown, which features Hype Bros, Breezango, American Alpha, The Ascension, The Vaudevillains and The Usos.

Dawson wrote:, “We’re the hottest act in tag wrestling. You think we’re going to debut in a stupid multi-team gimmick match?! #TheRevival #TopGuys #GTOAT”

Shortly after the tweet, former Bubba Ray Dudley and ‘Road Dogg’ Brian James let him know he messed up:

Dawson deleted the tweet and posted somewhat of an apology, admitting it was a stupid decision.

– The final rating for Monday’s RAW in Toronto was a 2.14, up from last week’s 1.98 rating. As reported earlier, the viewership for this week was 3.002 million, up from last week’s 2.876 million.

– Speaking of Ellsworth, he recently accepted a contract from WWE but defeated AJ Styles in a Ladder Match on last night’s SmackDown to earn the contract in the storylines. Ellsworth actually signed the contract on last night’s Talking Smack episode, as seen below:

The #SDLive Contract is SIGNED! @RealEllsworth is OFFICIALLY a part of #SDLive!#TalkingSmack @ReneeYoungWWE @WWEDanielBryan pic.twitter.com/FZ0zBt2UOL

— WWE Network (@WWENetwork) November 23, 2016

Prior to Tuesday’s SmackDown Live tapings from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, WWE taped the following matches for upcoming episodes of NXT television:

– Women’s Champion Asuka squashed a local wrestler and SHIMMER performer Nicole Matthews in a non-title match. (Thanks to @TheStevieMac)

– Eric Young defeated No Way Jose. Sanity destroyed Jose after the match and then Nikki Cross hit a missile dropkick. Not much of a pre-match reaction for Jose but Sanity got a pop.

– NXT Champion Samoa Joe defeated Tye Dillinger in a non-title match. Loud “Perfect 10” chants but Joe also got a good reaction.

American Alpha won a Tag Team Turmoil Match on Tuesay’s SmackDown Live to become #1 contenders to SmackDown Tag Team Champions Heath Slater and Rhyno. That match will take place at WWE TLC in December.

It was also announced on SmackDown that Alexa Bliss will get her rematch against SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch at TLC, and Nikki Bella vs. Carmella in a No DQ Match will take place.

Finally, SmackDown GM Daniel Bryan said The Miz and Dolph Ziggler will meet for the last time at TLC as Miz will defend the WWE Intercontinental Championship in a Ladder Match.

Here’s the updated card for the 12/4 TLC PPV from Dallas:

– AJ Styles defends the WWE World Championship against Dean Ambrose in a TLC Match

– Becky Lynch defends the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Alexa Bliss

– Rhyno & Heath Slater defend the SmackDown Tag Team Championships against Chad Gable & Jason Jordan

– The Miz defends the WWE Intercontinental Championship against Dolph Ziggler in a Ladder Match

– Carmella and Nikki Bella do battle in a No DQ Match

Goldberg recently spoke with ESPN.com and says he believes he’s always provided WWE a return on their investment, which is why they have extended his deal to compete at the 2017 WWE Royal Rumble in January.

“It’s completely dependent if you are a smart businessman upon the return on your product,” he said. “I believe that you have to wait and see if that investment is going to pay off and I think each and every time I was given the opportunity, I hoped that I was able to carry the ball and give [WWE] the confidence to have me back and further include me in their plans.”

There’s speculation on another Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar match at WrestleMania 33 but Goldberg insists he’s not looking past the Rumble, just yet. He said, “I’m only as good as my next appearance and my next match. I’m concentrating on the Royal Rumble and that’s it. I don’t have any plans of doing anything afterwards. My focus is on the 29 other men that I’m going to have to crucify to win that damn match.”

Regarding the Survivor Series squash over Lesnar, the 49 year old says the best way for him to win was with shock & awe at this stage in his career.

“I think at this time in my career, the best way to take [Lesnar] down was shock and awe, to do something that nobody would expect against a monster like that,” Goldberg said. “At the end of the day, you have smart marks all over the world thinking that they know the outcome of a match. I don’t believe any of them thought that was going to be it.”

You can read the full interview with Goldberg on ESPN.com by clicking here.

https://youtu.be/6ntJhs8Gdrg?t=14s

Audie Attar, Conor McGregor’s agent, is doing is best to keep his client’s name in the news while the UFC’s first simultaneous double champion takes a six month from fighting to spend time with his pregnant girlfriend. On Tuesday’s edition of ESPN’s 5ive Rounds podcast, he was very positive about the idea of McGregor doing appearances of some kind for WWE.

“I think it’s all about business, man,” he said. “If [WWE] is going to come with an offer, we are willing to entertain it. We are here. Have their people call his people — which is me. We can have a conversation.” Last week, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, WWE’s Vice President, Talent and Live Events, told the Daily Telegraph that “[McGregor] could come over, he’s got it all, man. He’s got the personality, the skills, the talk. He’s an entertainer, for sure.” Triple H noted how well Floyd Mayweather did in his one WWE match against Big Show at WrestleMania 24 and how McGregor had similar prospects.

“I think it’s phenomenal that a guy like Triple H was at the fights,” Attar added. “I heard he said some positive things, which is always good to hear.” They have not talked yet, though. As for McGregor’s trolling of WWE talent on Twitter a few months back, Attar said that “It’s ultimately like, look — I think Conor had his say via social media at times, but he also is someone that appreciates people that sacrifice and train and are dedicated to their craft, whatever it may be.” When asked if McGregor would do a match, Attar said “Again, I think ultimately Conor will say, ‘Let me talk to my friend Benjamin [Franklin] to see how many of his friends he’s bringing with him before we talk about what the obligations are.”

– Tonight’s NXT episode on the WWE Network will feature No Way Jose calling out Eric Young, Rich Swann vs. Kona Reeves, six-person action with Ember Moon, Liv Morgan & Aliyah vs. Peyton Royce, Billie Kay & Daria, plus highlights from TakeOver: Toronto.

In the video below, Kay and Royce recruit Daria for tonight’s match:

EXCLUSIVE: @BillieKayWWE & @WWEPeytonRoyce have a proposition for @ToughDaria… but is she up for the opportunity? #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/qzDUz0YHbF

— WWE (@WWE) November 22, 2016

– Speaking of Aliyah, she’s celebrating her 22nd birthday today while former WCW and WWE star Juventud Guerrera turns 42.

– Former WWE Champion Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson just had to do the Mannequin Challenge, as seen int he video below. Rock recently participated in the viral social media challenge as a way to celebrate being named People’s “Sexiest Man Alive” for 2016.

– NXT taped the following matches before SmackDown hit the air on Tuesday night in Ottawa: Eric Young vs. No Way Jose, NXT Women’s Champion Asuka vs. local wrestler Nichole Matthews and Tye Dillinger vs. NXT Champion Samoa Joe.

– After SmackDown ended, WWE taped Alexa Bliss vs. Naomi for this week’s Main Event episode.

– The dark main event to close the show saw Kane and Dean Ambrose defeat Luke Harper and Bray Wyatt with a chokeslam and Dirty Deeds. That match took place after the Main Event taping.

– Below are backstage SmackDown Fallout videos from last night with SmackDown Tag Team Champions Rhyno & Heath Slater vowing to fight the #1 contenders no matter who wins between The Wyatts vs. American Alpha next week, and WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz adding another notch to his IC Reunion Tour:

Are @WWEGable & @JasonJordanJJ changing their preparation to face The #WyattFamily next week? #AmericanAlpha #TalkingSmack pic.twitter.com/GkOMFaLtyJ

— WWE (@WWE) November 23, 2016

– Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt vs. American Alpha has been announced for next Tuesday’s SmackDown. The winners will go to TLC on 12/4 to face SmackDown Tag Team Champions Rhyno & Heath Slater. The match was confirmed on Talking Smack, which you can see above with American Alpha’s reaction.

– Also on tonight’s Talking Smack, SmackDown GM Daniel Bryan announced Kalisto vs. Baron Corbin in a Chairs Match for TLC. Below is video from that segment:

BREAKING NEWS: #SDLive GM @WWEDanielBryan puts @BaronCorbinWWE and @KalistoWWE in a #ChairsMatch at #WWETLC! #TalkingSmack pic.twitter.com/bgJdCOTNcP

— WWE (@WWE) November 23, 2016

Shane McMahon kicked off the show. The Ottawa crowd greet him with a “Shane-O-Mac” chant. Shane gave a shout out to Jericho, Owens, Strowman, Rollins and Roman Reigns. The crowd booed Reigns once again. Shane McMahon thanked Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt for being the sole survivors of Team Smackdown at Survivor Series. Shane McMahon expressed disappointment that Dean Ambrose and AJ Styles couldn’t get along for an hour to help out Team Smackdown. Dean Ambrose interrupted and came down to the ring.

Shane McMahon was annoyed that Ambrose teamed up with Rollins and Reigns to Powerbomb AJ Styles through a table at Survivor Series. Ambrose then introduced James Ellsworth and called him the MVP of Team Smackdown. Ellsworth came down to the ring holding his back and wearing a neck brace. Dean Ambrose and Shane McMahon then announced that James Ellsworth is getting a contract with Smackdown Live. Shane McMahon then stated that Ambrose has been out of control lately and asked him to leave the building.

AJ Styles then came down to the ring and taunted Ambrose as he walked by him. Styles claimed that Ambrose doesn’t deserve an oppurtunity to face him for the title at TLC because of what he did at Survivor Series. Styles was also annoyed that Ellsworth got a contract and stated that Ellsworth doesn’t deserve anything. Styles then proposed a latter match with Ellsworth with a contract suspended above the ring. If Ellsworth climbed to the top of the ladder and grabbed the contract he will officially join the Smackdown roster. Ellsworth added a stipulation to the match. If Ellsworth wins, he gets a contract and also gets a future oppurtunity at the WWE World Championship. Dean Ambrose randomly showed up back in the ring and the segment ended.

"I don't have a problem fighting you in a ladder match … I've already beaten you TWICE!" – @RealEllsworth to @AJStylesOrg #SDLive pic.twitter.com/ZZXrTiVuIG

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) November 23, 2016

Maryse and The Miz were in the middle of a photo shoot backstage when Daniel Bryan interrupted. The Miz berated Daniel Bryan once again. Daniel Bryan claimed that The Miz humiliated Smackdown by the way he won the match at Survivor Series. Daniel Bryan then made an Intercontinental Championship match between The Miz and Kalisto.

.@WWEDanielBryan makes an Intercontinental Title Match between @MikeTheMiz and @KalistoWWE! #HappyMizGiving! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/xRgoZmR7p3

— WWE (@WWE) November 23, 2016

Shane McMahon walked Dean Ambrose out of the arena.

Intercontinental Championship Match: The Miz (c) vs Kalisto

Kalisto started out match on the offensive. Kalisto connected with a Suicide Dive on The Miz outside the ring and Smackdown went to a commercial break. When Smackdown returned, The Miz was in control the match. The Miz mocked Daniel Bryan once again by doing the “yes!” chant. The Miz got caught up in mocking Daniel Bran and Kalisto regained the momentum of the match. Kalisto climbed to the top turnbuckle but Baron Corbin ran up to the ring apron. Kalisto jumped down and kicked to Corbin in the face. The distraction allowed The Miz to hit the Skull Crushing Finale and win the match. After the match, Baron Corbin hit the End of Days of Kalisto. The Miz and Maryse were standing at the top of the entrance ramp and were applauding Baron Corbin. Dolph Ziggler came up behind The Miz and hit him with a Superkick.

Winner & Still Intercontinental Champion: The Miz

.@BaronCorbinWWE gets kicked off the apron by @KalistoWWE, which is all the opening @MikeTheMiz needs for the victory. #SDLive pic.twitter.com/S34R1uoo4K

— WWE (@WWE) November 23, 2016

Shane McMahon was backstage with Daniel Bryan. Shane stated that things were starting to get out of control at Smackdown. Daniel Bryan agreed and stated that he will take care of. Alexa Bliss then showed up and demanded a shot at the Women’s title. Becky Lynch interrupted and stated that she will get her match at TLC. Natalya then showed up and stated the loss at Survivor Series was all Becky Lynch’s fault. Shane McMahon stated that it was all of the women’s fault that Team Smackdown lost at Survivor Series and made a match between Natalya and Becky Lynch later on in the show. Shane went on to say that they have to figure out who attacked Nikki Bella before the match at Survivor Series. Dean Ambrose showed up with a pizza and Shane McMahon once again kicked him out of the building.

"You'll get your rematch at T-L-See you there!" – @BeckyLynchWWE to @AlexaBliss_WWE #WWETLC #SDLive pic.twitter.com/eMaV51tpSS

— WWE (@WWE) November 23, 2016

Daniel Bryan made a match between Baron Corbin and Kane for later in the show.

Tag Team Turmoil Match To Determine #1 Contender 

It started out with the Ascension versus the Hype Bros. The Ascension took out Mojo Rawley early in the match and dominated Zack Ryder. Eventually, Mojo stormed back into the match and the Hype Bros hit the Hype Ryder for the victory.

Breezango then entered the match and were immediately launched out of the ring. Ryder and Rawley then leaped onto them and Smackdown went to a commercial break. When Smackdown returned, Ryder landed a Dropkick on Tyler Breeze. Ryder went for the Browski Boot but Fandango pulled Breeze out of the way. Fandango then landed an Elbow Drop on Ryder and the Hype Bros were eliminated.

American Alpha then entered the match and Fandango immediately beat down Chad Gable. Gable fought back and got a roll up on Fandango to eliminate Breezango.

The Vaudevillians then entered the match and were immediately eliminated by American Alpha.

The Usos entered the match next and took their time walking to the ring. When Smackdown returned from a break, The Usos were in control of the match. Jey Uso applied a Chinlock to Jason Jordan in the middle of the ring. Jimmy Uso was then tagged in and he continued the assault on Jordan. Jey got back in the match and went for a pinfall but Jordan kicked out at two. Jason Jordan finally fought back and was able to tag in Chad Gable.

Gable went on the offensive and connected with a German Suplex on Jimmy Uso. The action spilled outside of the ring and Jimmy Uso pushed Gable into the ring post. Back in the ring, American Alpha hit an Avalanche Bulldog on Jey Uso. Jason Jordan went for the pinfall but Jimmy Uso broke it up. American Alpha hit the Grand Amplitude on Jey Uso and won the match.

The Wyatt family then appeared on the screen. Bray Wyatt stated that he and Randy Orton will take on American Alpha next week.

Winners: American Alpha

"Catch your breath … because NEXT WEEK, me and @RandyOrton are coming for you! … RUN!" – @WWEBrayWyatt to #AmericanAlpha #SDLive pic.twitter.com/cQ0q7MiCbm

— WWE (@WWE) November 23, 2016

Daniel Bryan was talking with James Ellsworth backstage. Dean Ambrose showed up dressed as the Mountie. Shane McMahon walked in and completely lost his mind. Daniel Bryan then asked Shane to leave because he was about to do something he would regret. Shane agreed and left the building. Daniel Bryan once again asked Ambrose to leave. Ambrose said he would but asked Bryan to deliver a message to AJ Styles. That message was “The Mountie always gets his man”.

A message for @AJStylesOrg: "The Mountie always gets his man!" – @TheDeanAmbrose #SDLive @WWEDanielBryan pic.twitter.com/2LOoEuRyue

— WWE (@WWE) November 23, 2016

Reaction: I like cheesy humor as much as the next guy, but there was way too much of it in the first half of Smackdown. The Tag Turmoil match was a good match. The Kalisto and Baron Corbin feud doesn’t have any momentum behind it whatsoever. Orton and Wyatt will be facing American Alpha next week and the winner of that match will go on to face Slater & Rhyno at TLC for the Tag Team titles. Orton has been rumored to be taking some time off soon so I would be shocked if American Alpha didn’t win that match. There were definitely some funny moments during the first hour of the show but I started getting tired of the attempts at humor. Having said that, Ambrose dressed as The Mountie was awesome.

Natalya vs Becky Lynch

Alexa Bliss joined commentary for this match. The match started out back and forth. Natalya Powerbombed Becky Lynch for a two count and Smackdown went to a commercial break. When Smackdown returned, Natalya was in control of the match and she laid Becky Lynch out with a Clothesline. Becky Lynch fought back and connected with a couple of strikes of her own. Lynch then connected with a Becksplex but Natalya shook it off and tried to lock in the Sharpshooter. Becky Lynch blocked the Sharpshooter and locked in the Dis-Arm-Her for the submission victory. After the match, Alexa Bliss attacked Becky Lynch and left her lying in the ring.

Winner: Becky Lynch

.@AlexaBliss_WWE attacks @BeckyLynchWWE after the match, taking her down with a vicious DDT! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/7GmKJLqr7V

— WWE (@WWE) November 23, 2016

The Miz confronted Daniel Bryan backstage. The Miz demanded that Dolph Ziggler be suspended for Superkicking him earlier in the night. Daniel Bryan then announced that Dolph Ziggler will face The Miz one final time at TLC in a ladder match for the Intercontinental Championship.

For the FINAL TIME, @MikeTheMiz will defend the #ICTitle vs. @HEELZiggler in a #LadderMatch at #WWETLC! #SDLive @WWEDanielBryan pic.twitter.com/gLFmpxpl8P

— WWE (@WWE) November 23, 2016

Nikki Bella confronted Carmella backstage and accused her of attacking her at Survivor Series. Carmella claimed that it wasn’t her. Nikki Bella informed Carmella that they will be having a no DQ match at TLC.

Nikki @BellaTwins breaks the news to @CarmellaWWE: At #WWETLC, it'll be Nikki vs. Carmella in a #NoDQMatch! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/4TXYAzgni3

— WWE (@WWE) November 23, 2016

Baron Corbin vs Kane

Kane started off the match by kicking Corbin in the face. Corbin battled back and beat down Kane in the corner. The match ended abruptly as Kalisto interfered and hit Corbin with a Dropkick. Kane then hit a Chokeslam on Corbin. After the match, Kalisto grabbed a chair and swung at Corbin but Baron rolled out of the ring. Corbin then ran back into the ring and Kalisto threw the chair at him. Corbin caught the chair and Kalisto kicked the chair into Corbin’s head.

.@KalistoWWE picks up a chair … he wants MORE of the #LoneWolf!! #SDLive @BaronCorbinWWE pic.twitter.com/vLHH6EcOYG

— WWE (@WWE) November 23, 2016

Contract Ladder Match: AJ Styles vs James Ellsworth

Styles ripped off Ellsworth’s neck brace and kicked him out of the ring. Styles then brought the ladder into the ring. Styles climbed the ladder and Ellsworth grabbed his foot. Styles kicked Ellsworth to the mat and connected with a Backbreaker. AJ then hung Ellsworth up on the ladder and kicked him in the chest. Styles then set up the ladder over Ellsworth and slapped him across the face. Styles climbed the ladder and Dean Ambrose showed up in an Ottawa Senators jersey.

Ambrose tried to encourage Ellsworth to climb the ladder but he was in too much pain. Styles then connected with the Phenomenal Forearm on Ambrose and Dean rolled out of the ring. AJ then climbed to the top of the ladder but Ellsworth got up and pushed the ladder and Styles fell very hard to the outside of the ring. Styles tried to get back in the ring but Ellsworth him him with a Superkick. Styles then got his foot caught in ropes and Ellsworth climbed the ladder and grabbed the contract. Ellsworth is now officially on the main roster and now has a shot at the WWE World Championship sometime down the line.

Winner: James Ellsworth

"The unfathomable has happened!! @RealEllsworth has SHOCKED the UNIVERSE!!" – @MauroRanallo #SDLive @AJStylesOrg pic.twitter.com/7PkU5y07F0

— WWE (@WWE) November 23, 2016

Reaction: Tonight’s episode of Smackdown was alright. It had it’s funny moments but from a wrestling standpoint there wasn’t much going on throughout the entire episode. The only match that was given any time was the Tag Turmoil match. The main event was as goofy as it gets. It was certainly entertaining but pretty much the entire hour and fifty minutes preceding the main event were comedy segments as well. Sure, there were a couple of quick matches scattered throughout the show but for the most part they were all quick besides the tag team match.  There were several   matches made tonight for the TLC PPV in two weeks and they were matches we have seen recently. Dolph Ziggler will get one last chance at the Intercontinental Championship when he faces The Miz in a ladder match at TLC. Becky Lynch will once again defend her Smackdown Women’s Championship against Alexa Bliss at TLC. Carmella and Nikki Bella will have another match at the PPV as well. I’m assuming that Baron Corbin and Kalisto will have a match at TLC as well. The main event of TLC will be Dean Ambrose versus AJ Styles, which is another match we’ve seen a ton of since the brand split.

I think TLC will be a good show and I am interested in most of the feuds on Smackdown. TLC is a hard show to get excited about because it comes so quickly after Survivor Series. The WWE had tonight’s episode of Smackdown and next week to try get everyone pumped up for the show. It seemed like tonight a bunch of matches were announced in between corny jokes. It wasn’t the worst show of all time or anything like that, I’m just concerned that the crowd is going to be dead for TLC. I hope that next week’s episode of Smackdown is more engaging than this one and gives the audience more of a reason to be excited for TLC in two weeks.

What did you think of this week’s episode of Smackdown? Let us know in the comments below.

– WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens ripped SmackDown announcer David Otunga on Twitter today, following Otunga’s fat joke during the WWE Survivor Series pay-per-view on Sunday. You can see Owens’ Twitter assault below:

https://twitter.com/FightOwensFight/status/801159051900055553

– Below are Total Divas previews for tomorrow with Jim Neidhart teaching Lana to shot put, Naomi visiting the PULSE Night Club in Orlando with her uncle and The Bella Twins shooting the cover for Latina Magazine:

– NXT’s Elias Samson turns 29 years old today.

– Carmella tweeted the following in response to fans saying she can’t wrestle:

Ditto! I've been training for less than 3 years…..doing better than most!! I slay! Let the haters hate ? https://t.co/1oPyOq1IXt

— Mella Is Money ? (@CarmellaWWE) November 22, 2016

– Sheamus sends a message to The All Blacks and New Zealand Rugby in this new video:

WATCH: @WWE superstar @WWESheamus has a special message for the All Blacks!#TeamAllBlacks pic.twitter.com/UGqyM2JS2Z

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) November 22, 2016

– The top 10 moments from last night’s RAW in Toronto can be seen below:

The November 22nd, 2016 edition of WWE SmackDown aired live on the USA Network from the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

– Shane McMahon comes out first to open up the show and address the crowd in Ottawa. Shane says he feels like he was in a car wreck after his match at Sunday’s Survivor Series pay-per-view. Shane gives some props to Team RAW, then thanks Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt for playing such big roles in Sunday’s win. Shane brings up that AJ Styles and Dean Ambrose couldn’t get along for one night like he asked them to. Ambrose is out next to interrupt Shane. Shane reprimands Ambrose for teaming up with Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins to attack his own teammate, AJ. Ambrose tells Shane he’s focusing too much on the negative, and brings out James Ellsworth next. Ellsworth comes out with a neck brace on. Shane and Ambrose inform Ellsworth that he’s being offered an official SmackDown contract. Shane tells Ambrose he’s giving him the night off because he’s been too crazy lately, and instructs Ambrose to leave the building tonight. Before Ambrose can make it back up the ramp, the face that runs the place AJ Styles comes out next. Ambrose walks by AJ and heads backstage while AJ heads to the ring. AJ tells Shane that he needs to kick Ambrose off of SmackDown for what Ambrose did to him at Survivor Series. AJ tells Shane he’s making a mistake by signing Ellsworth, and tells Ellsworth that he doesn’t deserve to be on SmackDown. AJ says if Ellsworth wants to earn his contract, he has to fight AJ tonight in a ladder match. AJ says if Ellsworth can climb the ladder and grab his contract, then he has earned his spot, but if AJ climbs up and grabs it, he’s going to rip up Ellsworth’s contract. Ellsworth accepts, but if he wins, he gets the contract and a future shot at AJ’s World Title. Shane says it’s official, and we’ll see AJ Styles vs. James Ellsworth in a ladder match tonight.

.@RealEllsworth is ready to prove that he DESERVES an #SDLive contract, especially to @WWE World Champion @AJStylesOrg… @shanemcmahon pic.twitter.com/jJ0kwrWr2J

— WWE (@WWE) November 23, 2016

– The Miz and Maryse are doing a photo shoot backstage when Daniel Bryan interrupts and tells him he has to defend his Intercontinental Title against Kalisto tonight.

– We see Shane McMahon backstage walking Dean Ambrose out of the building and asking him not to come back.

– The Miz (c) def. Kalisto: We have some very fast-paced and competitive action in the opening minutes between Kalisto and the Intercontinental Champion. Kalisto takes control when he throws The Miz outside and follows up with a suicide dive. Back in the ring, Kalisto continues the offense and hits a seated Senton bomb then a hurricanrana for a two count. Kalisto goes to the top rope, but he gets distracted by Baron Corbin. Corbin climbs on the apron and Kalisto kicks him off, then Kalisto turns into a Skull Crushing Finale from The Miz. The Miz pins for the 3 count and retains his IC Title. After the match, Corbin hits the End of Days on Kalisto then leaves. The Miz celebrates his win on the stage, but Dolph Ziggler sneaks out and superkicks the IC Champion. Ziggler leaves and Maryse checks on The Miz.

– Backstage, Alexa Bliss is complaining to Shane McMahon about not getting a Women’s Title shot. Becky walks in and tells Alexa that she’ll have to wait for her title shot at TLC. Natalya walks in next, and tells Shane that as the coach of the women at Survivor Series, she blames Becky Lynch for the loss. Shane sets up a match for tonight between Natalya and Becky Lynch. Dean Ambrose walks in next with some pizza, and Shane McMahon again instructs him to leave.

– Daniel Bryan runs into Baron Corbin backstage and cuts a promo on him for interfering in matches. Bryan tells Corbin that he’s got a match against Kane tonight.

– Tag Team Turmoil: The Hype Bros and The Ascension start off, and a new team will enter every time one team is eliminated. The Ascension starts off in control of the match, and both members beat down the Hype Bros around ringside. Mojo gets the hot tag to Ryder and they hit the Hype Ryder on Konmor for the elimination. Breezango is out next, and the Hype Bros immediately throw them both out to ringside. Ryder follows up with a suicide Senton onto Breeze and Fandango at ringside. Back in the ring, Breezango double teams Ryder for the elimination, and American Alpha is out next. American Alpha makes very short work of The Ascension, then The Vaudevillains come out and American Alpha makes very short work of them too. The Usos are the next team out, and we get a look at Heath Slater and Rhino backstage watching on a monitor. Gable and Jimmy Uso start off with some back and forth action. The Usos tag each other in and out frequently and control the next few minutes of the match. Gable gets the hot tag and hits a couple suplexes on both Usos to get back in the game. Jay Uso works on Gable in the ring until Jordan tags in blindly, then they hit a double team avalanche bulldog on Jey. Jey kicks out at two, then comes back with an attempted Samoan Splash off the top, but Jordan blocks it with his knees. Jimmy and Jey double team Jordan until Gable comes in and drops Jimmy with a German suplex. American Alpha follows up with the Grand Amplitude on Jey for the win. Immediately after the match, The Wyatt Family appears on the big screen and Bray informs American Alpha that he and Orton are coming for them next week. Winners: American Alpha

#Breezango eliminates The #HypeBros!! #AmericanAlpha enters the match next!! #TagTeamTurmoil #SDLive pic.twitter.com/eUUfmMBs7u

— WWE (@WWE) November 23, 2016

– Daniel Bryan is talking to James Ellsworth backstage and asks if he’s sure he wants to face AJ Styles tonight. Ellsworth says he knows AJ has more talent than him, but that anything can happen in WWE and any man with two feet can climb a ladder. Dean Ambrose interrupts dressed like a Mountie. Shane walks in and freaks out that Ambrose is still there. Ambrose says he’ll leave again, and calls Shane a “hoser.” Daniel Bryan tells Shane he should take the night off to recover from last night, and Shane agrees. Bryan tells Ambrose he needs to leave, but not before he explains why he’s dressed like a Mountie. Ambrose says he has a message for AJ: “A Mountie always gets his man.”

"Before I leave … don't you know why I'm dressed as a Mountie?" – @TheDeanAmbrose to @ShaneMcMahon #SDLive pic.twitter.com/CgOH9nFC8Y

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) November 23, 2016

– Becky Lynch def. Natalya: Alexa Bliss is at ringside on commentary for this one. Becky is competitive in the opening minutes, but Natalya takes control of the match after hitting a powerbomb in the middle of the ring. Becky comes back with a t-bone suplex, then escapes a Sharpshooter and gets the win with the Dis-arm-her. Alexa attacks Becky after the match and lays her out with a DDT.

– Baron Corbin def. Kane via DQ: After a couple minutes of aggressive action, Kalisto interferes with a springboard dropkick on Corbin. After the bell, Kane chokeslams Corbin, then Kalisto grabs a chair and hits a Van Daminator on Corbin for good measure.

– James Ellsworth def. AJ Styles: Styles absolutely destroys Ellsworth in the opening minutes until Dean Ambrose runs in the ring dressed as an Ottawa Senators player. Styles drops Ambrose with a Phenomenal Forearm, then starts climbing the ladder. AJ is almost at the contract, but then James Ellsworth reemerges and pushes AJ off the ladder all the way down to the floor at ringside. AJ tries to get back in the ring, but Ellsworth hits the No Chin Music and AJ gets tied up in the ropes. Ellsworth climbs the ladder and grabs the contract while Styles is tied up in the ring ropes. Ellsworth now officially has a SmackDown contract, and he celebrates with Ambrose at ringside after the match. Ambrose and Ellsworth climb on top of the announce table and Ellsworth holds his new SmackDown contract high in the air.

He EARNED IT… @realellsworth is OFFICIALLY an #SDLive Superstar! @AJStylesOrg @TheDeanAmbrose pic.twitter.com/Q6EI8eglFa

— WWE (@WWE) November 23, 2016

Monday’s 11/21 edition of WWE RAW drew 3,002,000 viewers, a modest uptick from last week’s 2,878,000.

The show featured fallout from Survivor Series, Bill Goldberg announcing he’ll be participating in the 2017 Royal Rumble match and a wild no-disqualification main event featuring Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens battling for the Universal Championship.

Here’s the hourly breakdown:

• Hour 1: 3,137,000 viewers
• Hour 2: 3,097,000 viewers
• Hour 3: 2,772,000 viewers

RAW was #7 on cable for the night in viewership and #4 in the 18-49 demographic.

• Another Top Star Booked For The 2017 WWE Royal Rumble

Source: ShowbuzzDaily.com

– Shelton Benjamin still plans on returning to WWE in 2017 when he fully recovers from shoulder surgery. Benjamin was scheduled to return to SmackDown live shortly after the brand split, but his WWE medical exams revealed a torn rotator cuff.

For the record. I will make moves to return to @WWE when I am back to 110% physically. Anywhere from 4 to 6 months by my doc calculation.

— Shelton J. Benjamin (@Sheltyb803) November 22, 2016

– Prior to tonight’s SmackDown Live, WWE will tape matches for an upcoming episode of NXT television.

Tonight at #SDLive, there will be LIVE matches taped for an upcoming episode of @WWENXT. Tickets still available… @CdnTireCtr #WeAreNXT

— Triple H (@TripleH) November 22, 2016

– Luke Gallows will be appearing on Chris Jericho’s podcast this Friday for a special “Talk’N Shop” installment of Talk is Jericho.

This wk @TalkIsJericho:
Wed- Story of @pistolsofficial w @GlenMatlock! #SexPistols
Fri- #TalkNShop Live in ShangHai!
@LukeGallowsWWE

— Chris Jericho (@IAmJericho) November 22, 2016

– SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan continues to send the message to Cesaro that he’d be welcomed on the blue brand. In response to Cesaro tweeting, “I’m tired of it” on Monday night, Bryan wrote:

https://twitter.com/wwedanielbryan/status/801123239661621248

Randy Orton’s wife Kim gave birth to a healthy baby girl on Tuesday afternoon, Brooklyn Rose.

Orton will be off WWE television for the next several weeks to spend time with his wife and newborn.

Congratulations to the entire Orton family.

@KimKlro is all suited up and about to go into operating room. Countdown to kid # 5 is on! Can't wait to me meet my 2nd baby girl!

— Randy Orton (@RandyOrton) November 22, 2016

Brock Lesnar has reportedly signed on to participate in the January’s Royal Rumble 30-man battle royal, according to a report at Pro Wrestling Sheet. The news comes the day after Goldberg declared himself as the first entrant.

As noted earlier, the third installment of Lesnar vs. Goldberg is being discussed as one of the top matches for WrestleMania. With the controversial finish to Sunday’s Survivor Series main event and Lesnar being squashed by Goldberg in 86 seconds, it’s clear this feud is far from over. Expect WWE to use the The Royal Rumble as a chance to propel this feud into the spring.

The 2017 Royal Rumble takes place on January 29th from San Antonio, Texas.

There has been speculation on Nikki Bella being injured after she was pulled from the Team SmackDown vs. Team RAW women’s Survivor Series match and replaced by team coach Natalya. Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that Nikki is not injured.

The backstage angle with Natalya replacing Nikki, who had just been “attacked” by someone, has been the plan for weeks, going back to when the match was first put together by WWE officials.

Meltzer speculates that this was done to set up a Bella vs. Natalya feud.

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown will air live from the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. We will have coverage beginning at 8pm EDT tonight.

WWE is advertising a Tag Team Turmoil Match with Breezango, The Usos, The Ascension, The Vaudevillains, The Hype Bros and American Alpha for tonight. The winners will earn a shot against SmackDown Tag Team Champions Heath Slater & Rhyno.

WWE’s Five-Point Preview highlights these storylines for tonight:

-What will be the effects from the SmackDown LIVE men’s victory at Survivor Series?

-Who will emerge as the No. 1 contender in a Tag Team Turmoil Match?

-Did Survivor Series alter the Women’s division?

-What consequences will Corbin face after costing SmackDown the Cruiserweight Title?

-Hey Folks, The Miz is still your Intercontinental Champion

NXT Women’s Champion Asuka tweeted this photo late last night after Monday Night Raw went off the air:

with @itsBayleyWWE on the backstage of RAW!#RAW #WWE pic.twitter.com/IKnMKlOxAz

— ASUKA / ??? (@WWEAsuka) November 22, 2016

This is notable in the sense that some of the NXT talent, like new tag team champions Johnny Gargano and Tomasso Ciampa, had already gone home after Saturday’s NXT TakeOver: Toronto special. This could mean anything or nothing, but the most likely explanation is that she stayed with the crew to tape a match and/or angle at the NXT taping being held in conjunction with the live SmackDown tonight (Tuesday). NXT is a bit short on shows until the next tapings back in Florida at Full Sail Live, which necessitated adding a taping as part of tonight’s SmackDown taping.