WWE Smackdown Recap (21st November 2017)


We start the show with Shane McMahon, and he looks awfully chipper for a man who lost at the weekend. He says that however Stephanie tries to spin it, they aren't the B show. They lost at Survivor Series and Shane was their last man so I respectfully disagree. Also, they lost a war that they started. He calls out Owens and Zayn. They mock Shane for losing and say that they could beat anyone on any given day. They would have won the elimination match and they would have beaten Lesnar. Owens wants an apology from Shane but one isn't forthcoming. Shane says that they no respect for anyone in the locker room. Zayn agrees with that assessment. Shane goes to fire them but Bryan comes out and says that since everyone hates them there will be a lumberjack match in the main event pitting them against New Day. It was a solid enough opening segment but Shane's character is all over the place. He comes across as somewhat delusional and I don't think that is what they are aiming for.At this stage I am hoping for a Bryan heel turn. 

Jey Uso vs Shelton Benjamin - This was a pretty good match. Benjamin won to rehab his team for another title shot.

Owens and Zayn try to get Corbin to help them but he ain't down with it.

Roode gets propositioned but wants no part of it either. 

Naomi is having her makeup done, and there would be no reason to show us that unless shit was gonna go down. It does. Ruby Riot, Sarah Logan & Liv Morgan attack and lay out Naomi. Becky Lynch tries to help but the numbers are too much for her. For me, this is a better collection of wrestlers than that which debuted on Raw. It is strange that they would do two incredibly similar debuts only a day apart though. With the extra talent now on both brands a thinning out of the less successful wrestlers might be around the corner. 

Shane meets with Bryan backstage and is unhappy about the decisions Bryan has made. He says he is leaving to go and relax in his hotel. Shane is shit at his job. Bryan should have chinned him.

Bludgeon Brothers vs Hype Bros - Hype Bros ain't so hype now, cuz they're dead. This was what it needed to be, with the Bludgeon Brothers winning in short order. It's nice to see Harper back on TV, even if he does look daft.

Natalya says that she will win the title tonight and hold it forever. Nothing like hyperbole.

AJ Styles is out. He says that he hit Lesnar with everything but it wasn't enough because Lesnar is a beast. He says that he wasn't the one limping to the back after the match though. If they have a sequel, he will come out on top. Styles says that Mahal said he will take the title off him tonight so he calls him out. Mahal appears on the screen and says that he has better things to do than come to the ring. He says Styles took advantage of him not being prepared and if he had faced Lesnar he would have won. Styles says Mahal looks well rested as he couldn't get on Survivor Series. Mahal says that he picks the time and place for his rematch and he chooses Clash of Champions. The Singh Brothers attack but Styles sees them off without issue. This was pretty good. Styles looked good and Mahal did his job well enough.

Owens and Zayn try to enlist the help of English and Rusev by praising English's vocal talent.

Charlotte Flair vs Natalya (SD Women's Title) - This was going along pretty well until the NXT call ups run out and beat down Natalya. They then set their sights on Charlotte and stand tall. This would probably have been a good time to think about a cash in if you are Carmella. 

Bryan is asked about the NXT women but has no comment. Owens and Zayn turn up and try to remind Bryan that they are valuable to Smackdown. Bryan wishes them luck. 

Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn vs New Day (Lumberjack Match) - This was a good match, especially considering that lumberjack matches usually suck. It inevitably breaks down and Sami gets the win with a roll up. 

After the match Owens abandons Sami to a beating. He meets with Bryan and begs to not be fired. Bryan says that he was never going to fire them as they are too talented. He then books Owens in a match with Orton next week and Owens thanks him.

Overall Thoughts

This was an overall solid show. We had another debut and Styles looked good in his segment. They appear to be building towards something with Shane and Bryan but I'm not sure what.

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