On the eve of Survivor Series, Damian Priest & Finn Balor are set to defend their Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles on tonight's SmackDown from the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois.
The Judgment Day duo will square off against The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) after Ford and Dawkins defeated Pretty Deadly and The Brawling Brutes last week to earn tonight's title shot.
Priest and Balor will be part of the men's WarGames match Saturday night at Survivor Series.
Also set for SmackDown is another installment of The Grayson Waller Effect. Waller is set to have Kevin Owens as his guest.
Owens is suspended from in-ring action after Waller lured Owens into attacking him on a recent SmackDown. Owens was doing commentary that night and wasn't allowed to put his hands on anyone.
Tonight's show will be broadcast on FS1 due to Fox's college football coverage. Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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– A video chronicling the women's War Games match aired to begin the show.
– Kevin Patrick welcomed everyone into the show and Becky Lynch's music hit. Out came Lynch, Charlotte, Shotzi and Bianca Belair. The set was not the typical SmackDown set as the video screens in the entrance way weren't tall and fans were sitting behind them. Corey Graves returned on commentary.
The women's War Games promo
You know, I'm happy that Shotzi is getting … well … a shot on a stage like this, but boy was she over the top here. Like way, super-duper over the top. And her logic that she's now unhinged because of Damage CTRL felt hollow because it isn't all that different from her previous unhinged character. That said, Bayley did a nice job trying to stir the pot between Charlotte and Becky, though I did find it odd that Bayley was out there by herself – and then even when the babyfaces called attention to it, nothing really happened, so you have to think this is all leading to something for the heel faction. Time will tell. This was a fine opening segment. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Lynch began the promo and said "The Man has come around to Friday night SmackDown." Lynch said people were wondering why she'd team with Charlotte and Belair, but Lynch said she wanted to carve up Damage CTRL. Belair noted how they have a solid team. The crowd chanted "EST!" and that made Belair smile. The crowd then hit a "Woooo!" and Charlotte returned the favor. Belair said they were going to war.
Shotzi chimed in and said she could barely contain herself thinking about all the carnage at War Games. Shotzi said Damage CTRL humiliated her when they cut her hair. Shotzi said they made her stronger, unpredictable and unbreakable. Shotzi said she can't wait to unleash her madness on Damage CTRL. Charlotte said, "What Shotzi said," and then gave another "Woooo!" Charlotte said War Games will be end of Damage CTRL. On cue, Bayley's music hit and Bayley walked out with a microphone.
Bayley spoke from the walkway and said she never thought she'd see the day Charlotte and Becky fought on the same side. Bayley said she knew Charlotte and Becky for at least 10 years. Bayley said Charlotte used to talk bad about Becky behind her back and Becky did the same to Charlotte. Bayley said it was two egos clashing, fighting to the top. Bayley shushed the crowd. Bayley called Becky soft since she became a mom. Bayley noted how Becky was picked last and used as a last resort for her team.
Charlotte asked where Damage CTRL was because Bayley was out there alone. Lynch said she came to Chicago for a fight, so she challenged any two Damage CTRL members to fight Lynch and Charlotte in the main event later. Bayley accepted the challenge and said the babyface team will implode. Bayley's must hit to end the segment.
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– Patrick set up a video package chronicling the men's War Games match.
– Damage CTRL was shown talking backstage and Bayley walked into the frame. Bayley asked which group members wanted to wrestle later. Dakota Kai said they appreciate what they did for them, but it should Bayley in the match later and Bayley should team with Asuka.
The Judgment Day (Damian Priest & Finn Balor) defeated The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) [9:30]
The Street Profits just aren't heels. Let's get that straight first. It also didn't help that Ford is from Chicago, so they ostensibly had to work as babyfaces here, but that's beside the point. Instead, the point is that this was a lackluster match. It felt like it wanted to kick into another gear over the last three minutes, but the botched Revelation attempt from the Profits sort of killed the mood. Plus, a sub-10-minute title match? I'm not sure I'm a fan of that. Either way, I was hoping for more all around. Balor and Priest seem oddly lost and the Profits are not only miscast, but whatever momentum they had for all those months as Good Guys is almost entirely gone. So much of this fell flat, and I was hoping that wouldn't be the case. Bah humbug.
Priest and Dawkins began the match. Priest had control early, led by a leaping elbow. Balor tagged in, but Dawkins cut him off and tagged in Ford, who hit Balor with a dropkick. Dawkins tagged back in and the two planted Balor. Bobby Lashley was shown watching the match backstage and B-Fab walked in to watch with him. Back in the ring, Ford was working over Priest before he clotheslined Priest over the top to the outside. Ford went to run the ropes, but Balor cut him off. As a result, Ford landed a splash onto Balor on the outside, but Priest got up and essentially threw Ford onto the commentary table before the show went to a commercial break.
Back from the commercial break, Ford was trying to work his way out of Priest having the upper hand, but Priest landed a kick to take Ford down. Priest leapt at Ford, but Ford moved. Even so, Balor tagged in and made sure the heels kept control … until Ford got the hot tag to Dawkins. Dawkins fired up and landed a jumping twisting elbow. Priest entered the ring and was the victim of a spinning neck-breaker. Ford tagged in and hit a Blockbuster on Balor while Balor was on the shoulders of Dawkins. That resulted in a nice near-fall. Ford went to the top, but Balor got up and hit a Slingblade on Ford. Priest tagged in and landed a leg drop on Ford.
Thihings broke down a bit and Dawkins threw Balor to the outside. Priest, meanwhile, hit Dawkins and went for a chokeslam on Ford, but Ford countered it. Ford and Dawkins went for The Revelation, but it turned out clunky and I'm not quite sure what happened at first glance. Either way, it resulted in a two-count. Ford hit Priest and Balor with super-kicks and went to the top. Balor crotched Ford and Priest lifted Ford before tagging in Balor. Balor landed the Coup De Gras on Ford for the win.
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– Backstage, the babyface women's War Games team was talking. Charlotte and Becky kind of bickered until Bianca stepped in and told them to focus on the match. Becky and Charlotte kept arguing and Becky said she didn't come to SmackDown to socialize with anybody and instead, she was there to fight somebody. Becky left the room.
– A Dragon Lee vignette aired. Lee leaned into him being the future of Lucha Libre. In a natural transition, Grayson Waller's music hit and off to The Grayson Waller Effect, we went.
The Grayson Waller Effect with Kevin Owens
This was sort of fun. I was wondering what might happen with LA Knight, considering how he's not currently on the Survivor Series card and he just lost his big title match, so this was a nice way to use him. The more I see from these guys, though, the more it makes sense. At first, I sort of groaned at the thought of Owens working with Waller and Theory, but they seem to be finding their groove now. Adding Knight into the equation only helps, too, because none of these crowds are ready to turn on him yet. I wonder if this will lead to a tag match for Saturday night. Perhaps we shall see.
Waller introduced Owens and said he hopes this will be the start of a new friendship. Owens's music hit and Austin Theory walked out in full Kevin Owens gear, which was funny (shout to the time KO did the same thing with Stone Cold). Theory mocked Owens's mannerisms. As the two began to talk, Owens's music hit again and out came the real Kevin Owens with a microphone in his hand. Owens started to talk to Waller and Theory while walking to the ring. Waller pointed out the Owens is supposed to be suspended, but Owens pointed out that the suspension ended today.
Owens got into the ring asked Waller what was happening. Waller said the point was to make fun of Owens, but Owens said he never looked better as he pointed to Theory. Owens said he should punch Waller and Theory in the face. Waller noted how Owens cost Waller his match against LA Knight a few weeks ago. Owens said, "You know what happens when you keep saying somebody's name," which was fun if only because they were in Chicago. Still, they were talking about LA Knight and wouldn't you know it: Knight's music hit and Knight walked out with a microphone to say, "Let me talk to ya!"
Knight said Owens tried to warn Theory and Waller. Knight said he would allow Owens to punch Theory and Waller at the same time, but then the heels talked about Knight, and they wouldn't stop talking about him, and that's why Knight came out. Knight called theory "A-Town Clown," which was funny. Waller and Owens yelled at each other and said he and Theory should punch Owens and Knight. Instead, Knight and Owens punched Theory and Waller and destroyed The Grayson Waller Effect set to end the segment.
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LA Knight & Kevin Owens defeated Austin Theory & Grayson Waller [12:25 of TV time]
Would you look at that. The tag team title match gets 9 minutes and the random, previously unannounced tag match gets more than 12 minutes – and more, if you count the fact that we joined this thing in progress. So it goes. The match was fine and a lot of fun for the crowd. Because it felt like they did the middle of the match twice, with both Owens and Knight getting their own respective hot tags, perhaps you could say it dragged at times, but all told, Knight and Owens know what they're doing and that helped Waller and Theory keep the crowd's attention. Or, at least so it seemed. I wasn't there. I can't speak for them. But, yeah. You get it. Anyway, this was a fine "let's take up a big chunk of the show" sequence, what with the talk show and match. I'm not sure how I feel about matches that would previously probably be on a PLE card showing up on the SmackDown before said PLE card. Also: Why the hell not advertise this ahead of time?! Knight and Owens are stars while Theory and Waller are on their way up. Sometimes, I don't understand pro wrestling companies.
The match was joined in progress, and yes, it appears my thought about a tag match for Survivor Series was deemed null and void. Owens was working over Waller and tagged in Knight. Knight clotheslined Waller and suplexed him for a two-count. Knight worked Waller's arm. Waller fought out of the predicament and Waller threw Knight to the outside, but Knight clotheslined Waller and slammed Theory on top of the commentary desk. Knight did the same thing to Waller at the same time. After some distraction from Theory, Waller clotheslined Knight on the outside and the show went to a commercial break.
The show returned and the heels were working over Knight in a corner. Owens fired up the crowd in a wild way and the crowd reacted in kind. Knight ultimately got the hot tag to Owens and Owens cleaned house with some super-kicks. Owens landed a cannonball onto Theory on the outside. Owens then hit a Swanton Bomb on Waller for a two-count. Owens went for a Stunner, but Waller tagged Theory and got out of the ring. Theory then hit a rolling dropkick and stomped on Owens before posing to some boos. Waller tagged in and went to the second rope, where he landed his splash for a two-count.
Waller did the Blackpool Combat Club strikes on Owens and Waller kept pounding on Owens. Waller worked a rear chin-lock. Owens fired up and tried for a tag, but Waller knocked Knight off the apron. Theory then hit a rolling Blockbuster for a two-count. You crowd chanted "You suck!" at Theory. Theory drove Owens into his team's corner and tagged in Waller, who went to the second rope again, but this time missed his splash. Owens then got the hot tag to Knight. Knight entered the ring and punched the hell out of Theory. Knight hit a DDT on Waller and a weird inverted powerslam on Theory. Knight planted Waller and Waller and Theory recoiled in a corner. Knight then hit a running knee on Theory. Knight slammed Theory and landed his elbow for a two-count. Theory lifted Knight, but Owens broke things up and Stunned Waller. Knight then hit the BFT on Theory for the win.
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– Backstage, Bianca Belair talked to Becky Lynch and told Becky to put her differences with Charlotte aside. Belair calmed Becky down and said at War Games, if they want to walk out in one piece, Becky has to get on the same page with Charlotte. Becky said she's "cool," and she's "got this."
– Carlito made his entrance in street clothes.
The Carlito/Santos Escobar segment
Eh. This was … eh. The rumors have been out there that maybe Carlito won't actually be in the Survivor Series match, and considering the way Carlito sold a fairly pedestrian kick, those rumors appear they could be true. The crowd felt uninspired and I can't blame them. Escobar has a point when he says Carlito just kind of parachuted in and convinced Mysterio that Escobar was the problem in the LWO, and thus, we have a feud. On top of that, the beginning of the brawl lacked a bit of heat. They tried and some of it worked, but in all, this wasn't much to write home about.
Carlito said it had been a long time since he's been back and his match with Santos Escobar at Survivor Series will be his first in WWE in 13 years. Carlito switched the conversation to Rey Mysterio and said all he can think about is getting his hands on Escobar. Carlito said he has a message for Escobar and Carlito gave that message in Spanish. Carlito said Escobar made a very big mistake. Escobar's new music then hit and Escobar walked out. Escobar spoke to Carlito in Spanish. Escobar asked Carlito where his LWO tattoo is while pointing to his own LWO tattoo. Escobar yelled and hopped on the apron saying Mysterio was Escobar and the LWO was his family. Escobar said if it wasn't for Carlito, his family would still be together. Escobar said Rey's career is over and it's because of Carlito.
Carlito attacked Escobar and the two brawled on the outside of the ring. The crowd didn't seem to respond to much. Carlito threw Escobar around and worked the ground-and-pound until officials ran out to break things up. Just when it looked like things were over, Escobar reappeared and jumped off the guardrail to land a kick to Carlito's arm. Carlito sold it like he was about to lose an arm. The show then went to a commercial break.
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– The show returned and they replayed the shot Escobar landed on Carlito's arm. Carlito was shown backstage, where Escobar leapt out of nowhere to attack Carlito, but Dragon Lee attacked Escobar and saved Carlito. We then went back to the ring.
Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson & Elton Prince) defeated The Brawling Brutes (Ridge Holland & Butch) [3:26]
And for the 8,209th time on Friday Night SmackDown, we have … The Brutes vs. Pretty Deadly! Yay! Right. You had to think this was set up only to further the rift between Holland and Butch, but damn, man. SmackDown doesn't have any other tag-teams? Is it really just Pretty Deadly, the Street Profits and the Brawling Brutes? Oh. Right. it is. Whoops. Anyway, the match didn't matter – even though I was a fan of Butch not immediately folding in Holland's absence – and I'm curious to see how Butch and Holland end up once the split is complete (unless a returning Sheamus has something to say about it).
Butch appeared first during the entrance and Holland walked past Butch without acknowledging him, looking all types of mad. Holland started the match with Wilson and suplexed Wilson. Butch and Prince tagged in. Holland and Butch landed stereo 10 Beats … until that was broken up and Pretty Deadly took control. Prince pounded on Butch. Butch worked out of it and went for a tag, but Holland stared at Butch and left ringside. From there, Pretty Deadly had complete control until Butch chopped the hell out of them. Butch landed some German Suplexes and funning kicks. Butch kicked Prince in the head and got a good near-fall out of it. Butch did the finger spot on Prince, but Wilson got the blind tag in. Butch hit the Bitter End on Prince, but Wilson came in and rolled Butch up for the win.
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– Shotzi and Charlotte were shown talking backstage. Shotzi talked about how Damage CTRL bullied her. Shotzi said it meant the world to her that Charlotte supported her after Damage CTRL made her feel less than good. Shotzi talked about Becky and abruptly left the frame to end the segment.
– Kayla Braxton spoke to Nick Aldis backstage. Aldis said Carlito is not in any condition to compete at Survivor Series. Dragon Lee walked in and begged Aldis not to postpone the match. Lee asked Aldis if he could be in the match instead and Aldis made the match.
– The Judgment Day talked in their backstage lair. Dominik talked about how Jey Uso took out Randy Orton a couple years ago. Damian Priest spoke to Orton and said they will make sure Orton doesn't have another comeback.
– Charlotte and Becky talked backstage and they both said they were good to go compete together. We then went back to the ring for the main event.
Damage CTRL (Bayley & Asuka) defeated Charlotte and Becky Lynch [11:44]
The outcome was mildly surprising for me. I continue to think that Damage CTRL wins the War Games match and as a result, I figured Lynch and Charlotte would get the win here. But maybe this whole thing is designed to set up another Lynch/Charlotte feud. As for how this match came out, it was fine enough. There wasn't much special to it. You can use words like "good," and "OK," and you wouldn't be wrong. Becky did her best to get the crowd with her, but things seemed a little mild in terms of how invested the fans were. I like that they aren't just brushing off Charlotte and Becky's past, but it does make me wonder if they are maybe leaning into it too much. By the way, if the heels were going to win, and the typical War Games stipulation is that the heels have the advantage going in … why wasn't this the advantage match and why are we leaving that up to a fan vote? Nonsense, I say. Nonsense.
Lynch and Bayley started the match and Lynch had immediate control. Lynch landed a Beck-xploder and Bayley went to the outside. Charlotte tagged in and went to the top. Charlotte then hit her moonsault on Asuka and Bayley on the outside. Lynch and Charlotte posed as the show went to its final commercial break. Back from that break, Bayley had control over Lynch. Asuka tagged in and put the boots to Lynch. Asuka worked Lynch's arm. Eventually, Lynch fired up, kicked Asuka and got the hot tag to Charlotte. Bayley tagged in as well.
Charlotte took Asuka and Bayley down with a cross-body. Charlotte then hit chops on Bayley and Asuka. Charlotte landed a fallaway slam on Bayley. Charlotte hit her flipping clothesline (is there a name for this yet?) for a two-count. Charlotte rolled Bayley up for a two-count. Charlotte hit a running boot for a two-count. Asuka tagged in and landed a Codebreaker on Charlotte for a two-count. Bayley tagged in and hit an elbow from the second rope, but Lynch broke up a pin attempt.
Charlotte tagged in Lynch and Lynch took everyone out. Lynch landed a series of kicks and hit dual DDTS on Asuka and Bayley, but Bayley kicked out at two. Before long, Lynch worked a Dis-Arm-Her, but Asuka broke it up. Bayley went for a Rose Plant, but Lynch countered with a belly-to-back suplex. Lynch landed a Manhandle Slam for what should have been the win, but Charlotte speared Asuka into the pin and that caused strife between Lynch and Charlotte. Bayley then rolled Lynch up for the win. Lynch had some words for Charlotte and then Lynch left the ring to end the show.