WWE SmackDown: Last Pit Stop Before Survivor Series Chaos
Alright, folks, welcome to the go-home show edition of SmackDown, coming to you just one night before the annual demolition derby known as Survivor Series: WarGames. If you were expecting a quiet Thanksgiving week wrap-up, you clearly haven’t been paying attention. This is WWE, where “holiday” is just another word for “more time to plan a beatdown.”
Tonight was all about setting the stage. We had the “Last Time is Now” tournament chugging along to decide who gets the honor of sending John Cena into retirement. Plus, a classic 10-man Survivor Series elimination match to really get the blood pumping. So, grab your leftover turkey sandwich, and let’s break down the action.
Jey Uso and LA Knight Keep the Cena Dream Alive
SmackDown kicked off with the tournament semifinals, and first up was Jey Uso vs. Rusev. Let’s be honest, this match was the wrestling equivalent of a microwave dinner. It did the job, it filled the time, but you won’t be writing home about it. Uso, riding that “Main Event” momentum, looked solid.
He even managed to hoist the Bulgarian Brute up for a Samoan drop, which was no small feat. Rusev, on the other hand, is starting to feel like that one player on the team with all the talent but no clear position. The guy needs a purpose. He did kick out of a Spear at one, which woke the crowd up for a second, but it wasn’t enough. Jey hit the Uso Splash, and just like that, he’s one step closer to that final dance with Cena.
Then came the “mystery opponent” for LA Knight. After Sheamus got sidelined with an injury, the spot was up for grabs. And who schemes his way into it? None other than The Miz. Seriously, The Miz finagling his way into big matches is as reliable as death and taxes. He pulled a fast one on GM Nick Aldis, with a little help from a blissfully unaware R-Truth, and suddenly he was back in the tournament he’d already been bounced from. The match itself? Predictable.
Knight and Miz are pros; they could have a decent match in their sleep. But the “surprise” was about as surprising as a commercial break. In the end, all of Miz’s scheming was for nothing. Knight hit the BFT, got the 1-2-3, and now we’ve got a showdown everyone’s been itching to see: LA Knight vs. Jey Uso. Yeah!
Flair and Asuka: An Old Rivalry With High Stakes
In a night of somewhat lukewarm matchups, Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka was the filet mignon. These two have chemistry that you just can’t manufacture. They went back and forth, trading holds and hitting big moves, reminding everyone why they’re two of the best to ever do it. The stakes were simple: the winner’s team gets the advantage in WarGames. This wasn’t their all-time classic, but it was easily the best match of the night.
Charlotte even pulled off one of her better moonsaults. The ending was pure chaos, as Asuka, aiming for Flair, accidentally blasted a poor ringside crew member with the poison mist. You hate to see it. That split-second distraction was all The Queen needed to secure the pin and the all-important advantage for her team.
A Chaotic 10-Man Survivor Series Throwdown For SmackDown Main Event
The main event of SmackDown was a throwback to the good old days: a classic 5-on-5 Survivor Series elimination match. On one side, Solo Sikoa and his MFTs. On the other hand, a ragtag crew led by Sami Zayn, featuring Shinsuke Nakamura, Rey Fenix, and the Motor City Machine Guns. This was as wild as you’d expect. Bodies were flying everywhere, and Fenix, in particular, was pulling off moves that defied gravity.
The eliminations started rolling, and before you knew it, it was Sami Zayn left all alone against Solo, Tama, and Talla. It was a classic underdog story, and for a glorious moment, it looked like Sami might just pull off the impossible. He fought like a cornered lion, eliminating both Tama and Talla, sending the crowd into a frenzy. But the numbers game is a cruel mistress.
A drained and battered Zayn finally met his end at the hands of a Samoan Spike from Solo Sikoa. A valiant effort, but ultimately not enough. And just when you thought the Smackdown was over, The Wyatt Sicks emerged from the darkness, with Uncle Howdy dropping Solo with a Sister Abigail. A chilling end to a chaotic night, leaving us with more questions than answers heading into Saturday. What will SmackDown bring us next week?
