The go-home episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown was live on November 24.
It was aired from Allstate Arena in Chicago, the same arena where the Survivor Series will happen in less than 24 hours.
The Undisputed Tag Team Titles were defended against Street Profits.
Kevin Owens was a guest on The Grayson Waller Effect. Last bit of hype for Survivor Series and much more.
Let’s take a look at everything that happened on SmackDown.
WarGames’ Women Kicked Off
The show opened with the babyface team of the Women’s WarGames match. Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair, and Shotzi Blackheart made their entrance.
Lynch welcomed everyone to the show. The Man claimed she had joined the team to give a beatdown to Damage CTRL. All members made their point and said that they would beat Damage CTRL.
Bayley entered alone. The Role Model tried to ignite past issues between Becky and Charlotte. Lynch said that they could work together and proposed a tag team match with her and Flair against any two of Damage CTRL members.
Grades: B
Analysis: It was a decent segment on the go-home show. Also, the continuity was shown greatly by WWE as they mentioned problems between Lynch and Flair in the past.
Backstage: Bayley talked to her teammates after this segment. It was decided that Bayley and Asuka will be the members from Damage CTRL going against Becky and Charlotte later tonight.
Undisputed Tag Team Title Match
Judgment Day vs. Street Profits
Finn Balor and Damian Priest defended their Tag Team Titles against The Street Profits. Judgment Day got the early advantage, and Balor dropped Ford with a plancha.
After the commercial, we saw Ford bouncing back and hit Blockbuster on Balor, who was kicked out. In the end, the distractions by other JD members brought the advantage for Balor and Priest.
Finn pinned Ford after a Coup de Grace. An angry Bobby Lashley and B-Fab watched from backstage.
Winners: Finn Balor and Damian Priest
Grades: B+
Analysis: It was a short, fun match where the crowd was very invested. The Judgment Day gained momentum and sent a message to their WarGames opponents.
Backstage: Becky and Charlotte were talking a bit backstage. Bianca reminded them to focus on the match. Flair said they need a plan to counter Bayley’s mind games.
Tag Team Match
Kevin Owens/LA Knight vs. Grayson Waller/Austin Theory
Grayson Waller entered the ring and introduced his guest, Kevin Owens. Austin Theory appeared dressed as Owens. Real KO soon appeared and said that his suspension was over.
Things were going to get heated between them. LA Knight entered to a thunderous pop. Knight roasted them, and both babyfaces tore the stuff from the Grayson Waller Effect.
The tag team match started with Knight dominating over the heels. He delivered a straight suplex. However, during the break, the heels took the charge.
Owens got the hot tag and was fired. He delivered Superkicks, lariats, and a cannonball from the apron. A senton got the nearfall for KO. Waller delivered a rolling elbow and a rolling thunder neckbreaker, but Kevin kicked out. Knight got the hot tag this time. He delivered a DDT. In the end, a BFT to Theory got the victory for babyfaces.
Winners: LA Knight and Kevin Owens.
Grades: B+
Analysis: The crowd was red hot during the match, and the babyfaces reacted greatly. It was an excellent moment to give TV time to top stars not on Survivor Series cards.
Backstage: Bianca was talking to Becky again, telling her to set aside her differences with Flair. Lynch said she’s an Irish hothead, but she has this.
Carlito and Santos Escobar
Carlito entered the ring and grabbed a mic. He said it would be his first singles match on a premium live event in about thirteen years. He said he’s worried about his brother Rey Mysterio and can’t wait to get his hands on Escobar.
Santos came out. Both superstars traded heated exchanges in Spanish. Escobar said that Carlito took his family away from him. He questioned Carlito about not having an LWO tattoo.
Carlito said that Rey had always been his family. A brawl broke out. Referees tried to pull apart both of them. Escobar blindsided Carlito and laid him out with a knee off the barricade.
After the break, referees were taking away Carlito. Escobar attacked again and applied an armbar. Dragon Lee made the save.
Grades: A
Analysis: This is great storytelling, and Escobar’s character work is top-notch these days. Carlito was injured and showed that he could not compete in his match against Escobar at Survivor Series. Dragon Lee appears as a replacement.
Tag Team Match
Brawling Brutes vs. Pretty Deadly
It was a short match. The crowd was pumped for a stereo Beats of Bodhran from Pete “Butch” Dunne and Ridge Holland. In a shocking turn, Ridge seemingly walked out on Dunne, leaving him to fend for himself.
Dunne kicked out of an assisted Fireman’s carry, Gutbuster! Butch went to town delivering chops and German Suplexes to both Prince and Wilson.
After a series of Enzuigiris and a Buzzsaw Roundhouse, a fired up Butch manages a folding press on Elton prince… Kicked out! In the end, Pretty Deadly won via a crucifix pin on Butch.
Winners: Pretty Deadly
Grades: B-
Analysis: Pretty Deadly is an awesome team, and they use good heel tactics to grab victories. Hopefully, The Brutes will receive something good after Sheamus’ return.
Backstage: Shotzi talked to Charlotte about the times Damage CTRL shaved her head. She also tried to calm down things between Flair and Lynch.
– Nick Aldis was in an interview with Kayla Braxton backstage. He discussed Carlito’s medical condition and postponed the match between Carlito and Escobar. However, Dragon Lee came out to fill Carlito’s spot, and Aldis gave him the opportunity.
– Judgment Day is backstage. Rhea Ripley claimed that they run all of WWE. That’s why they won tonight on SmackDown.
McDonagh gave Randy Orton a warning to stay home. Priest agreed.
Tag Team Match
Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair vs. Bayley and Asuka
It was the main event of the night. The face team started on a high note. Becky delivered an exploder suplex and a basement dropkick to Bayley. She punched Asuka to the floor, too. Charlotte delivered her moonsault off the top rope.
After the commercial, Becky made a hot tag to Flair. The Queen entered with a diving crossbody. She caught Bayley from the top rope into a Fallaway Slam. A handspring lariat, but Bayley kicked out.
Tag to Asuka, who delivered codebreaker on Flair. The Role Model came back in again and delivered a diving elbow. Becky somehow broke the pin. Lynch got a tag. She delivered a double DDT. A Manhandle Slam on Bayley and a cover.
Flair accidentally broke the pin herself as she speared Asuka. Lynch’s lip was busted open. Bayley took the advantage and shoved Lynch into Flair. A lateral press pinfall got the win for Damage CTRL.
Becky and Charlotte came face-to-face after the match. Bianca and Shotzi tried to make peace, and Lynch walked away.
Winners: Asuka and Bayley
Grades: B+
Analysis: WWE has been focusing on the history between Flair and Lynch. Damage CTRL got the last laugh just before WarGames at Survivor Series.
That was the show! Overall, it was a decent episode of SmackDown heading into the Survivor Series. The final bit of hype was created for the Women’s WarGames bout. The LWO story has a new direction.
