This was a pretty good episode of Friday Night Smackdown. The opening match between the New Day and the Usos was great. The action was very good and had a good story to it, as the Usos are now on pace to break the New Day’s record for the longest reign as tag team champions. Easily the highlight of the night. The lowlight of the night was either the six-pack challenge or the Strowman-Mahal match. Neither was bad, but they weren’t great either. There is also a lot to look forward to as Bray Wyatt started a feud with LA Knight. In addition, the Brawling Brutes and Drew McIntyre continue to feud with the bloodline.
Tonight on Friday Night Smackdown: the New Day Challenges the Usos for the WWE Undisputed Tag Team Champions. Will the Usos defeat the challengers and break the record for the longest title reign? The Smackdown World Cup gets underway as Shinsuke Nakamura takes on Santos Escobar. Who will advance and keep their title hopes alive? And six women have a match for a chance at the Smackdown Women’s Championship. Who will advance to face Ronda Rousey?
GREAT The Usos vs the New Day for the WWE Undisputed Tag Team Championships:
The Usos already hold the record for the longest Smackdown Tag Team reign, they now go for the longest overall. Later, the Usos nearly won the match after a double splash. Similarly, the New Day also almost won with some tandem offense. In the end, the Usos won using a One D to counter a corner move by Kofi Kingston. The victory ensured the Usos would surpass the New Day’s record for the longest reign as tag team champions.
Results: The Usos by Pinfall via One D
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.5 Stars
Roman Reigns praised the Usos for their work.
GOOD Santos Escobar vs Shinsuke Nakamura in a 1st Round Matchup in the Smackdown World Cup:
Michael Cole announced that the winner of the Smackdown World Cup would receive a trophy and a shot at Intercontinental Champion Gunther. Nakamura had a lot of momentum going against Escobar, much to the frustration of Zelina Vega. a couple of distractions from his faction mates allowed Escobar to regain the advantage. A Phantom Driver from the top rope allowed Santos Escobar to win the match.
Results: Santos Escobar by Pinfall via Phantom Driver
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 Stars
WWE showed a tribute to US veterans in honor of Veteran’s Day.
Bray Wyatt confronted LA Knight backstage.
ABOVE AVERAGE Liv Morgan vs Shotzi vs Raquel Rodriguez vs Sonya Deville vs Xia Li vs in a Six Pack Challenge:
Rodriguez superplexed Li off of the ring corner early in this match. Sonya Deville took advantage and unsuccessfully tried to pin Li, then Rodriguez. Later, Liv Morgan countered a move from Raquel Rodriguez with a DDT. In the finish, Shotzi pinned Lacey Evans to earn a title opportunity against Ronda Rousey at Survivor Series.
Results: Shotzi by Pinfall
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.75 Stars
Shayna Baszler choked out Shotzi backstage as Ronda Rousey looked on.
Gunther interrupted Ricochet’s interview backstage.
ABOVE AVERAGE Braun Strowman vs Jinder Mahal in the Smackdown World Cup:
Mahal tried to get an advantage by attacking Strowman before the match started. Strowman quickly got the advantage back with a series of shoulder tackles. The Monster of All Monsters made quick work of Mahal and finished him off with a powerbomb.
Results: Braun Strowman by Pinfall via Powerbomb
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.75 Stars
The Viking Raiders returned with Sarah Logan to attack both Hit Row and Legado Del Fantasma.
GOOD the Bloodline:
Paul Heyman opened by saying the New Day doesn’t have a rivalry with the Uso because the Usos are so much better. Then, the Brawling Brutes accompanied Sheamus to the ring to fight with the Bloodline. Finally, Drew McIntyre joined the fray.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 stars
Overall…
This was a pretty good episode of Friday Night Smackdown. The opening match between the New Day and the Usos was great. The action was very good and had a good story to it, as the Usos are now on pace to break the New Day’s record for the longest reign as tag team champions. Easily the highlight of the night. The lowlight of the night was either the six-pack challenge or the Strowman-Mahal match. Neither was bad, but they weren’t great either. There is also a lot to look forward to as Bray Wyatt started a feud with LA Knight. In addition, the Brawling Brutes and Drew McIntyre continue to feud with the bloodline.
Matches: 0.5/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.5/1 Stars
Atmosphere: 0.5/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.75/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/1 Stars
Overall Rating. 3/5 Stars
Photo Credit: WWE
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