WWE SmackDown Score (11/26/21): Rumors are Rumors
Kayla Braxton kicked off the post Thanksgiving edition of SmackDown by attempting to interview the “Tribal Chief”, the “Tribal King”, the “Head of the Table” about his next challenger for the Universal Title — which was going to be decided in a Black Friday Battle Royal — and the possibility of Brock Lesnar’s indefinite suspension ending soon.
Of course, that was a bad idea! Greensboro, NC acknowledged the champion with showers of boos as he made his way out to the ring with the “Special Counsel”, who told Braxton she was a terrible journalist. The “Wise Man” berated Braxton on how the Lesnar suspension RUMORS were just that — RUMORS — and nobody likes RUMORS.
Heyman forced Braxton out of the ring, so the champ could address the Greensboro Coliseum Complex accordingly. The “Tribal Chief” said he doesn’t care if Lesnar’s suspension is up soon because he is not afraid of Lesnar. He went overseas and SMASHED him, just like he’s SMASHED the rest of the SmackDown roster. As a matter of fact, he’s cleared out the whole roster, including Big E at Survivor Series, that he may have to retire soon!
Throughout the rest of the evening, we see Kayla Braxton chatting with different authority figures, including Adam Pearce, asking them about the status of the “Beast Incarnate”, but she could not find an answer.
To the main event we go, and Braxton and Pearce are out at ringside. Pearce is there to ensure nothing fishy goes down, and Braxton is there to interview the eventual winner. Before the contest even begins, Drew McIntyre comes down to the ring ready to swing Angela at anybody in sight. McIntyre is pissed because he was not on the list that was posted outside of Pearce and Sonya Deville’s door that had the participants for the Battle Royal. McIntyre feels like he’s been treated like an afterthought ever since losing the WWE Title back in February.
McIntyre cleared the ring and threatened Pearce to make him leave. Pearce must have during the break because the match started right after the commercial.
The “Final Four” came down to Jeff Hardy, Happy Corbin, Sheamus and Ricochet. The “Fella” tossed out the “One and Only”. He tried to get him and Corbin to work together to eliminate the “Charismatic Enigma”, but Corbin tossed the former World Champion over the rope. The fan-favorite Hardy would eventually push Corbin over the top rope to earn his first World Title opportunity since returning to WWE in 2017, but from outta nowhere, Sami Zayn — who had been knocked under the bottom rope by a Sheamus Brogue Kick earlier, snuck back in and won the Battle Royal!
As soon as the Battle Royal concluded, Braxton attempted to interview an eager Zayn, but she was quickly interrupted by a little birdie in her ear piece who said Brock Lesnar is coming to SmackDown in San Antonio next week to end the show!
So… there’s a lot to break down here and many superstars feel like they got screwed! McIntyre feels he got screwed by management, Jeff Hardy feels wronged by Zayn, and Zayn now feels like there’s a conspiracy theory still after him, considering he can’t even get ONE Universal Title match thanks to Lesnar!
The “Head of the Table” entered the night saying he’s beaten everybody. Now, he’s got four challengers after him. Five if you count King Woods, who was not on the show tonight. It was a great way to end the show and intrigue to a title reign and show that needed it. SmackDown has been treading water since the draft, and this episode felt like it started a new chapter on the blue brand.
Those RUMORS man!
Charlotte Flair Pies Toni Storm
Michael Cole tried to interview the “Opportunity” about what’s next for her following her loss to “Big Time Becks” at Survivor Series, but the “Queen” only wanted to talk about how she is still the best women’s wrestler of all time, and she proved that on Sunday because Lynch had to cheat to win!
Toni Storm quickly interrupted and sent the “Voice of WWE” back to the commentary table. She told Flair she knew Lynch was going to pick up the victory at Survivor Series, just like she told Flair last Friday in Hartford, CT. She asked Flair for a SmackDown’s Women’s Title match. Flair told her no, slapped her in the face and pied her in the face not once, but twice with the leftover pie from the “Thanksgiving Leftovers Match (We’ll get to that in a moment!)”.
The story WWE is telling with Storm is the same story they are telling with Liv Morgan over on the other show. Storm and Morgan are both fan favorites who are trying to desperately earn the respect of the champions, but the champions are having no part of their success stories. In a way, Flair and Lynch are the same people, which is what makes their rivalry and every time they step inside the squared circle so intense.
Drew McIntyre and Jeff Hardy Defeat Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss
Before the Black Friday Battle Royal, McIntyre and Hardy teamed up and quickly disposed of Corbin and his laughing buddy. A Claymore to Moss, followed by a Swanton Bomb from the hometown hero secured the victory for the duo, who now may have to face off in a dream match to get a shot at the “Tribal Chief”.
Angel Defeats Rick Boogs in a Thanksgiving Leftovers Match
There’s nothing better than the WWE during the holidays because they always come up with fun holiday-themed matches that are more from the crowd in the arena than the fans at home. This year, we had the first-ever Thanksgiving Leftovers Match featuring Rick BOOGSSSSSSS, who put on a R0CKIN’ performance for Pat McAfee, and Angel of Los Lotharios,
BOOGSSSSSSS showed his power early by throwing Angel all around the ring. Humberto tried to help his partner by standing on a table with all of the leftover food on it and play BOOGSSSSSSS’s guitar, but the INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION stepped in and sent one half of Los Lotharios through said table. Humberto did his job, however, as Angel was able to lock in the Wing Clipper and plant BOOGSSSSSSS on his backside for the victory, to the dismay of McAfee.
A fun match that maybe gets Angel an opportunity at the IC Title. Los Lotharios also eliminated BOOGSSSSSSS from the Black Friday Battle Royal, so they doubled him up for the night.
Cesaro Defeats Ridge Holland
With the “Celtic Warrior” on commentary to support his new protege, Ridge Holland had his first one-on-one match on the main roster, and he looked impressive against the “Swiss Superman”. After Cesaro would kick out of pins, Holland would immediately keep grounding and pounding him, and Sheamus talked up about how Holland is one of the best prospects he’s ever seen walk through the door.
The young lad’s cockiness would catch up with him though, and it allowed the veteran Cesaro to roll him up for the victory. I can’t help but think this story is more about the Bar eventually reforming than it is about a Holland push. The SmackDown side is weak with babyface teams to challenge the Usos, and the Bar would certainly help. Right now, only the Viking Raiders, Nakamura and BOOGSSSSSSS and New Day are face teams on the blue side, and the latter two are currently busy with singles storylines.
Naomi and Sasha Banks Defeat Natalya and Shayna Baszler
All of a sudden, Banks is not going after Flair and the top prize in the SmackDown women’s division. Instead, she’s fighting for Naomi’s rights (yeah right!). She confronted Deville backstage earlier in the day, and Deville told Banks she is the BOSS, not Banks, so Banks can team with Naomi against two women who can’t stand the “Blueprint” in Baszler and Natalya.
Deville sat with Cole and McAfee at ringside during the match. She tried to reasonably explain she’s not out to get Naomi and Banks, and that she is just trying to give the SmackDown fans the best show possible every week. McAfee really questioned her on it, and Deville was getting sick of tired of McAfee asking, so she just ignored him.
Naomi hits Natti with a cross body for the win, and Deville claps for the winners. No Shotzi interference either, which was confusing. I’m also still waiting for Naomi to go to Jimmy Uso and the Bloodline for help. Until then, this story is getting stale and needs some spice.
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This show was mostly based on setting up challengers down the road for the “Tribal King”, and it worked for me! The stuff with Braxton, Reigns, Heyman, Zayn, Hardy and McIntyre were all fantastic, and I can’t wait to see Lesnar show up in the AT&T Center next Friday!
The rest of the show was also solid. WWE did their job in making me intrigued throughout the show and have me excited for next week. The only part I disliked was the women’s match. It was clunky and disorganized at times.
GRADE: A-
