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5 Takeaways From WWE SmackDown (11/14)

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Written by

Robert Lentini

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The November 14th, 2017 episode of WWE SmackDown took place at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC. It was the go-home show for WWE Survivor Series this Sunday. Here are 5 takeaways from this week’s SmackDown:

Shane McMahon Delivered A Speech To The SmackDown Roster

SmackDown opened up with Shane McMahon giving a speech backstage to the SmackDown roster. Shane warned everyone that tonight might be the night that RAW retaliates and said that he wanted everyone to be ready. Shane added that after Survivor Series, SmackDown will no longer be known as the “B show”, instead it will be known as “the show”.

Becky Lynch said that she was going to break Asuka’s arm at Survivor Series. Baron Corbin vowed to defeat Sin Cara tonight and then demolish The Miz at Survivor Series. New Day grabbed the microphone and started a “SmackDown rocks” chant as Shane McMahon pointed the microphone towards the SmackDown roster.

This was corny and awesome at the same time. Shane’s speech was full of cliches and  enthusiasm. Becky Lynch and Baron Corbin provided some awkwardness and New Day inserted a forced chant that made this whole segment laughable. I wouldn’t mind seeing the RAW roster show up tonight and cause some chaos. The SmackDown roster seems far too confident heading into Survivor Series

Daniel Bryan Called Brock Lesnar A Quitter

SmackDown GM Daniel Bryan made his return after being Chokeslammed by Kane during an episode of RAW last month. Daniel Bryan stated that it was his fault for going to RAW without telling anyone. Bryan noted that he knew that there was a possibility that he wouldn’t be walking out of RAW on his own too legs when he saw Stephanie McMahon. Bryan explained that he didn’t agree with invading RAW because he knows how vindictive Stephanie McMahon can be. Daniel said that he knows that RAW might retaliate tonight and added that the SmackDown roster is ready.

WWE Champion AJ Styles came down to the ring and joined SmackDown GM Daniel Bryan in the ring. Bryan offered AJ Styles his own personal advocate like Brock Lesnar on RAW just for tonight. The crowd chanted “yes!” and AJ Styles agreed to it. Daniel Bryan then responded to Paul Heyman’s promo last night on RAW.

Bryan said that Lesnar has a tendency to quit. Bryan brought up Lesnar quitting to a “half-assed” knee bar on a UFC show. Daniel stated that Lesnar is not mentally tough enough to keep up with the Phenemenal One AJ Styles. Bryan said that the reason that everyone should watch Survivor Series is so that they can see Brock Lesnar quit.

AJ Styles then grabbed the microphone and said that he can talk and is not a puppet like Brock Lesnar. Styles agreed with Heyman that he was the underdog and that he wouldn’t have it any other way. Styles vowed to prove that SmackDown is the A show and it is the house that AJ Styles built at Survivor Series when he takes on Universal Champion Brock Lesnar.

Jinder Mahal approached AJ Styles backstage after the promo and said that he was going to take his WWE Championship back after Brock Lesnar destroys him at Survivor Series. Styles smirked and walked away without responding. Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon had a brief conversation backstage later during the show. Bryan brought up Shane not informing him about the RAW invasion and stated that the two needed to have a conversation following Survivor Series. Shane tried to respond but Bryan said “I’ll see you Sunday” and walked away.

Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles killed it during this promo. I cannot wait to see Lesnar versus Styles at Survivor Series. I’m hoping that it isn’t a typical Lesnar match and we get to see something special. Like everyone else, I was already sold on this match. Last night’s promo by Heyman and tonight’s promo by Styles and Bryan have just made me want to see it even more.

The Miz Versus Baron Corbin At Survivor Series Is Now Official

Baron Corbin defended his United States Championship against Sin Cara tonight. Corbin controlled the match early and only took a break to shout “I’m so good it’s not funny” at the crowd. Sin Cara battled back and Clotheslined Corbin out of the ring. Sin Cara followed it up with a Suicide Dive that sent Corbin flying into the barricade.

The action returned to the ring and Sin Cara connected with a Crossbody for a two count. Corbin planted Sin Cara with a Deep Six for a two count. Sin Cara knocked Corbin out of the ring and then connected with a Moonsault off the second rope. Back in the ring, Corbin quickly caught Sin Cara and planted him with the End of Days for the pinfall victory.

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Baron Corbin versus The Miz is now official for Survivor Series. Besides the Cruiserweight match, this match is the least interesting on the card. The Miz hasn’t done anything with the Intercontinental Championship recently and Corbin is just a bore at this point. WWE has gone out of their way to make it difficult to take both of these Superstars seriously, so I’m not sure who I am supposed to be rooting for or how I’m supposed to generate any excitement for this match.

Charlotte Flair Won The SmackDown Women’s Championship & Shared A Moment With Her Father

Natalya defended her SmackDown Women’s Championship tonight against Charlotte Flair. Charlotte got a great reaction from her hometown crowd. Charlotte controlled the match early and launched Natalya into the barricade outside the ring. Charlotte then brought Natalya back in the ring and went for a cover but Natalya kicked out at two. Charlotte booted Natalya out of the ring as SmackDown went to a commercial break.

When SmackDown returned, Natalya was in control. Charlotte quickly turned the tables and connected with a series of chops. Natalya responded with a Clothesline for a two count. Natalya then told the crowd to shut and applied a Chin Lock. Charlotte broke free and hit a Spear for a two count. Charlotte went for the Figure Four but Natalya booted Charlotte face-first into the second turnbuckle.

Natalya went for another Clothesline but Charlotte caught her and connected with a Suplex. Natalya rolled out of the ring but Charlotte booted her in the face from the ring apron. Charlotte went for a Moonsault off the barricade but Natalya got up and slammed her into the ring post. Natalya brought Charlotte back into the ring and locked in the Sharpshooter in the middle of the ring. Charlotte made it to the bottom rope and the crowd erupted. Charlotte then hit a big boot and locked in the Figure Eight for the submission victory.

After the match, Charlotte delivered an emotional speech and dedicated the match to her father. As she was walking up the entrance ramp, Ric Flair’s music hit. Ric Flair then walked out from backstage and shared a hug with his daughter. Charlotte and Ric Flair then posed on the entrance ramp in an awesome moment.

Charlotte and Natalya had a very good match tonight. WWE made the right call here in having Charlotte be the SmackDown Women’s Champion heading into Survivor Series. Charlotte versus Alexa Bliss is a much more interesting match this Sunday. It was awesome to Ric Flair back on television and he looked great.

RAW Invaded SmackDown During The Main Event

New Day battled Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in the main event of this week’s SmackDown. Big E and Xavier Woods competed in the match as Kofi Kingston was ringside.  Big E and Xavier Woods took turns stomping on Sami Zayn in the corner to start off the match. Owens tagged himself in and delivered a Senton to Xavier Woods outside the ring as SmackDown went to a commercial break.

When SmackDown returned, Kevin Owens had Woods in a Chin Lock in the middle of the ring. Woods broke free but Owens trapped him in the corner and tagged in Sami Zayn. Woods escaped and tagged in Big E who greeted Sami Zayn with three Belly to Belly Suplexes in a row. Woods then flipped onto Kevin Owens outside the ring.

The Shield then showed up and surrounded the ring. Owens and Zayn rolled out of the ring and Reigns, Rollins and Reigns started beating down the New Day. The Usos ran to the ring and a brawl broke out. Sheamus and Cesaro joined the party. The RAW women’s team was then shown backstage and they attacked SmackDown’s women’s division. Alexa Bliss leveled Charlotte Flair and then several more members of the RAW roster rushed the ring.

Shane McMahon and the SmackDown roster then rushed the ring and the brawl continued. Kurt Angle appeared on the entrance ramp and waved out Braun Strowman. Shane McMahon tried to fight Strowman but it didn’t work out too well and he was leveled with a Clothesline. The Shield then surrounded Shane McMahon and beat him down.

Kurt Angle got in the ring and grabbed Shane by his face. Angle then instructed The Shield to deliver a Triple Powerbomb to Shane McMahon. Angle then hit Shane McMahon with an Angle Slam. The Shield then hit another Triple Powerbomb onto Shane McMahon as SmackDown went off the air.

RAW got their revenge tonight on the final show before Survivor Series this Sunday. I didn’t notice either Randy Orton or John Cena during the attack, which I thought was odd. SmackDown spent the entire show saying that they were ready for an attack from the RAW roster, but were somehow completely caught off guard when they showed up. Tonight’s show was solid and I cannot wait for Survivor Series on Sunday.

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