The NXT invasion continues as Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, Aleister Black, and Ricochet all compete in matches. Also, Mandy Rose faces Asuka, and a challenger is named for Daniel Bryan’s WWE Title.
Kofi Kingston puts on a remarkable performance in a gauntlet match to determine the final entrant in the WWE Title Elimination Chamber match, and one of the first entrants in the Women’s Tag Title Elimination Chamber match are determined on a very good episode of SmackDown Live.
Daniel Bryan faces Jeff Hardy, Mustafa Ali looks for an upset against Randy Orton, Anderson and Gallows battle the uneasy alliance of Rusev and Nakamura, the three teams from SmackDown entering the women’s Elimination Chamber try to build some momentum, and Becky Lynch is confronted by Triple H in a good episode of SmackDown Live.
Daniel Bryan unveils a new title belt, number one contenders are decided for the tag titles, Becky and Charlotte have words, and the US Title is in double jeopardy on a mostly entertaining episode of SmackDown Live.
Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch make their choices for which title to challenge for at Wrestlemania, two teams qualify for the women’s tag title match at Elimination Chamber, Bayley challenges Ronda Rousey to a title match, and more on a mostly underwhelming episode of RAW.
Mysterio and Andrade battle in a 2 out of 3 falls match, Mustafa Ali attempts to overcome Samoa Joe, Miz takes on Cesaro, Mandy Rose and Naomi finally fight in the ring, Styles and Bryan come face to face, and Becky, Charlotte, and Asuka have words on a good episode of SmackDown Live.
Rey Mysterio and Andrade deliver the first great SmackDown match of 2019, Miz hosts a birthday party for Shane McMahon, The Man and Asuka use The IIconics to prove a point, Samoa Joe makes a statement at the expense of Mustafa Ali, and Mandy Rose has a dumb plan to break up Jimmy Uso and Naomi.
Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and Carmella compete in a triple threat match to determine who will face Asuka at the Royal Rumble, The Usos battle The Bar to qualify for a future title shot, Mustafa Ali and Rey Mysterio team up to take on Andrade Almas and Samoa Joe, and more on a very entertaining episode of SmackDown Live.
John Cena is confronted by The Man, a fatal five way determines who will get a WWE Title shot a Royal Rumble, and Big E in a diaper highlight a good episode of SmackDown Live.
Rusev challenges Shinsuke Nakamura for the US Title on a good episode of SmackDown Live that also featured Samoa Joe versus Jeff Hardy, Mustafa Ali versus Andrade Almas, and a big eight man tag team match.
The “fresh start” for SmackDown Live was a fun episode with Asuka putting her title on the line against Naomi, Gallows and Anderson attempting to make a statement, and Mustafa Ali joining AJ Styles to take on Daniel Bryan and Andrade Almas in the main event.
Mustafa Ali wants a fight with Daniel Bryan, The Bar attempts to take on The Usos in a rap battle, Asuka and Charlotte have a Wrestlemania rematch, and more on a very good episode of SmackDown Live.
The new Daniel Bryan continues to establish himself, Styles faces The Miz, Rose and Deville attempt to make a point against Asuka and Charlotte, Samoa Joe instructs Jeff Hardy on responsible drinking, and New Day, The Usos, and The Bar try to gain some momentum on a good episode of SmackDown Live.
The new Daniel Bryan explains himself, Randy Orton attempts to destroy Rey Mysterio, Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville try to work together against Naomi and Asuka, The Miz wants to team with Shane McMahon, Charlotte makes an example of the IIconics, and New Day and the Bar have a Thanksgiving Feast Fight on a good episode of SmackDown Live.
Charlotte Flair gets a new partner right before taking on Awe-Ska, and Monster Eclipse battles Country Dominance in a night of broken streaks.
The final SmackDown Live before Survivor Series certainly was interesting. It finalized some matches for Sunday while feeling like it changed everything.
The men’s and women’s Survivor Series teams are decided on a very entertaining show that also featured New Day vs The Usos, Almas vs Mysterio, Samoa Joe vs Jeff Hardy, and Becky Lynch vs someone we hadn’t yet seen on the SmackDown roster.
SmackDown puts its focus on Crown Jewel in an entertaining show that featured a rare WWE Title Match on regular TV.
While there was nothing really new on tonight’s SmackDown, it was an okay show.
SmackDown reaches 1,000 episodes with a fun night of appearances, returns, nostalgia, and a few good matches.