Kofi Kingston gets an opportunity from Vince McMahon, Shane McMahon explains his actions, Styles and Orton talk out their issues with each other, and more on an episode of SmackDown Live that featured more setup than action.
The Shield joins together for a (possibly) final time, Becky Lynch fight for her Wrestlemania match, Daniel Bryan and Kevin Owens get thrown another curve ball, Kofi Kingston gets screwed again, and more on an odd final PPV before Wrestlemania.
Xavier Woods and Big E take on Rusev and Shinsuke Nakamura as we prepare for Fastlane.
R-Truth gets in over his head in his second US Title open challenge, Charlotte invites Becky Lynch to the ring for a friendly chat, Kevin Owens faces Rowan, Ricochet and Aleister Black continue to make their presence felt in the tag division, and more on a pretty good episode of SmackDown Live.
Kevin Owens returns on a night that was very bad for Kofi Kingston. Also, the Hardy Boyz came back together to face The Bar, Aleister Black and Ricochet faced Rusev and Nakaura, and R-Truth issued a US Title open challenge.
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 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.
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.
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.
This episode of SmackDown Live was light on wrestling, but it still presented some interesting segments and some fun moments in the ring.
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.
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.