WWE SmackDown Live
Episode 1004
#SDLive
Original Air Date: November 13, 2018
Event Date: November 13, 2018 (aired live)
City: St. Louis, MO
Venue: Enterprise Center
Commentary: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, Corey Graves
Ring Announcer: Greg Hamilton
Video
Last night, Becky Lynch led the SmackDown Live women in an attack on RAW.
Ring Area
Tom Phillips announces that Becky Lynch will not be able to compete at Survivor Series because of a “broken face” and a concussion sustained on RAW last night.
Ring Area
AJ Styles heads to the ring. As champ, Styles has beaten everyone. Everyone except for Brock Lesnar. He plans to change that this weekend, but as Styles talks, Paul Heyman appears at ringside.
Like he’s said before, Heyman says that there is no one Lesnar wants to fight more than AJ Styles. Styles is one of the best of all time. He’s almost as good as Daniel Bryan, and Heyman is excited to watch Lesnar defeat the second greatest performer in WWE history.
Styles can see what Heyman is attempting to do. Styles says he has nothing but respect for Daniel Bryan. He didn’t just beat Bryan though, Styles tapped him out. Last year, Lesnar might have beaten Styles, but Lesnar limped away from the ring. That means he’s vulnerable, and Styles has gotten better over the past year. This Sunday, Styles is confident that he will win.
Daniel Bryan heads to the ring. Bryan isn’t sure why Styles and Heyman are talking about him. Bryan reminds Styles that he said he was looking for a reason to punch him in the face. Bryan says that if Styles mentions his name one more time without reason, then Bryan will punch him in the face. With that, Bryan turns to leave the ring.
Styles reminds Bryan that Heyman mentioned Bryan’s name. When Styles says Bryan’s name, Bryan attacks Styles. Shane McMahon quickly comes out with some referees and officials to pull the two men apart.
Backstage
Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon scream at each other while Paige stands in the background. AJ Styles comes in yelling, and they have to be pulled apart again. Shane says that if they want to fight, then they will fight for the WWE Title tonight.
Match 1
Andrade “Cien” Almas w/ Zelina Vega vs Jeff Hardy
(referee: Mike Chioda)
Result: Jeff Hardy wins via pinfall after a swanton bomb
Time: 7:52
Match Thoughts
Good match. Almas dominated most of it after a quick start, but Hardy did what Hardy does in the end. I’m looking forward to the time when Almas starts winning more than he doesn’t.
Backstage
Paige tells The Miz that Daniel Bryan is no longer on team SmackDown, so Miz gets to pick someone to replace him. Miz picks Jeff Hardy. Miz also says Rey Mysterio is off the team since Bryan picked him. Paige says Miz can only kick Rey off the team if Miz can beat Rey in a match. And that match is next.
Samoa Joe is also hanging out while all of this is happening.
Backstage
Dasha Fuentes welcomes Shinsuke Nakamura. Nakamura is upset that Rollins isn’t thinking about him. Rollins broke Nakamura’s heart, so Nakamura will break Rollins’ face.
Match 2
The Miz vs Rey Mysterio
(referee: Jason Ayers; stipulation: if Rey loses, he is off Team SmackDown)
Result: Rey Mysterio wins via pinfall with a crucifix pin
Time: 4:50 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match.
Ring Area
Randy Orton tries to hit Rey with an RKO, but Rey dodges. Orton hits Miz with an RKO instead which gives Rey time to exit the ring. Rey heads up the ramp as Randy looks on.
Backstage
Security guards stand in front of some doors and talk about security stuff.
Backstage
Becky Lynch (sporting a huge black eye), talks with some guy.
Ring Area
In the ring, Paige introduces most of the SmackDown women’s roster as they head to the ring: Charlotte Flair, Lana, Carmella, The IIconics, Sonya Deville, Mandy Rose, Asuka, and Naomi. Paige tells everyone that since Becky Lynch was concussed last night, she is unable to compete at Survivor Series. Becky now has the opportunity to choose who will replace her and face Ronda Rousey. Becky Lynch heads to the ring.
Becky Lynch is angry right now. She took a beating last night, but that’s never stopped her before. Unfortunately, the medical staff will not clear her for Sunday. What she did last night was only a taste of what she had planned for Ronda Rousey at Survivor Series. Becky says Ronda isn’t “the baddest bitch on the planet,” she’s the luckiest. But now, Becky has to choose a replacement.
Becky looks at the women lined up in the ring. After looking at each women, Becky goes back to Charlotte. Becky tells Charlotte to make Rousey tap out, then she hugs her former friend. Becky walks up the ramp as Charlotte stands in the center of the ring.
Backstage
Dasha Fuentes asks Charlotte about what just happened. Charlotte has fought against Becky, she fought next to her last night, and she will fight for Becky this Sunday. Charlotte will show that SmackDown is superior.
Match 3
The Bar (SD Tag Champs) & Big Show vs New Day
(referee: Danio Anfibio)
Result: Big Show pins Kofi Kingston after a KO punch
Time: 7:32
Match Thoughts
Good match. This was a fine Bar/New Day match with Big Show making the difference in the end. This was probably a good preview for Sunday, because I feel like Cesaro and Sheamus are going to have to lean on Big Show to help them with AoP.
Backstage
The Usos give a pep talk to Primo & Epico, Gallows & Anderson, and SAnitY. Everyone seems to be on the same page. The Usos say their strength on Sunday will be their unity.
Match 4
WWE Title Match
Daniel Bryan vs AJ Styles (WWE Champ)
(referee: Charles Robinson)
Result: Daniel Bryan wins via pinfall after a running knee strike (and a low blow) and becomes the new WWE Champ
Time: 11:37 (2 breaks)
Match Thoughts
Very good match. I fully expected someone from RAW to be involved in the decision of this match, but that didn’t happen. I’m pretty happy about that. I’m not so sure how I feel about the actual finish though. It certainly changes the complexion of Survivor Series.
Ring Area
After the match, Daniel Bryan attacks AJ Styles and repeatedly stomps him in the head. Bryan smiles as the show ends.
Show Impressions
This show went very much against expectations in a lot of ways (though certainly no in all ways). The first three matches ended with no real surprises, but I expected a RAW attack, I didn’t expect Becky to have to do what she did (though her decision wasn’t much of a surprise), and I didn’t expect the whole Bryan/Styles story at all. For that, I think the show was interesting. I can’t say I’m completely satisfied with how Survivor Series has been adjusted, but it does make me interested to watch (though it’s not like I wasn’t interested before).
Match of the Night
WWE Title Match
They made me feel disappointment in Daniel Bryan’s first title win since getting back in the ring. Good job.
Official Results: https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2018-11-13