Smackdown Review – Post Thanksgiving Edition: 11/29/2019

 

SmackDown Review 11/29/2019

Live from the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama

Hello my fellow peeps! Yes, I have returned to bring you fellow passionate friends and family tonight’s review of this Thanksgiving edition of SmackDown live from the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama. Now one thing I do not get off the bat is why celebrate Thanksgiving on Black Friday where deals are off the roof and everyone is out and about shopping like animals? We are five days removed from Survivor Series this past Sunday and Team SmackDown didn’t do that hot that night compared to two years ago, only managing two victories all night. I do understand that SmackDown got the main victory in the Men’s Traditional Survivor Series match but that still does not mean anything compared to NXT’s dominance. Hope they can bounce back some way. If we know anything about SmackDown and Thanksgiving, we know that there is a strong possibility of a food fight somewhere and turkeys. Either way, I have to be thankful for this episode happening as Captain Charisma is here to review and depict tonight’s travesty, I mean, new episode. What we have announced already is Roman Reigns kicking off SmackDown tonight starting the show as well as a SmackDown Tag Team Championship Open Challenge hosted by The New Day’s Kofi Kingston and Big E. As I have mentioned before in my reviews prior, The New Day have overstayed their welcome in World Wrestling Entertainment. You can argue that the trio did lead into the longest reigns in tag title history and give Kofi the opportunity to become WWE champion but I think I speak for all of my peeps when I say that we are sick and tired of the hip shaking and same old shtick. Maybe we can get new champs to dethrone these two. Also a new and very over-promoted episode of the Firefly Funhouse featuring a new face introduced is coming tonight. I have some theories of my own on who the new face of the Funhouse including one Liv Morgan, who has been in the dark for the longest. Having Morgan as Sister Abigail or a new cryptic character would draw FOX viewers into this new era of the Funhouse. Although I have little hype for tonight, there is nothing else on the card that I am really excited for. Enough of my jibber jabber! Let us begin this episode of SmackDown just five days removed from Survivor Series!

In-Ring Segment – Roman Reigns, King Corbin, Robert Roode, and Dolph Ziggler
To kick off this post-Thanksgiving edition of SmackDown, we begin with Roman Reigns entering the arena. After what seems to be edited Roman chants, Reigns starts out by claiming that if there is still leftovers after Thanksgiving, it is still Thanksgiving, and then wishes everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. After explaining his values of Thanksgiving, he thanks the WWE Universe on being apart of his family. Reigns acknowledges that Team SmackDown kicked some ass but the Birmingham faithful begins to chant NXT. Roman responds by respecting what NXT did as apart of the WWE Family but SmackDown (Live) got the job done, referring to their Survivor Series Match victory. He thanks his team from Mustafa Ali, Shorty G, and Braun Strowman. He then states that he will not thank a dummy known as King Corbin, demanding his presence for an apology towards Survivor Series. The Almighty King Corbin appears and graces his presence to the Birmingham crowd. After disrespectful boos from the crowd, Corbin questions Roman on having the greatest king of the ring thanking him for SmackDown’s victory at Survivor Series and states that it was his “fearless leadership” that got the blue brand the victory. He also claims that Roman could not stand the fact that he was going to be the Sole Survivor and get the victory for Team Blue so Roman betrayed him in a sense. Reigns responds and debunks all of the King’s proclamation. He then makes the challenge to the King for a match tonight. Corbin is smart and denies Reigns’s mind games. He then goes on a rant on how Thanksgiving is for a King is much better than what The Big Dog claims to be. He then compares Roman to Alabama by saying that they both eat dog food. He then claims that he is thankful that he is not like Reigns who puts on a fake smile and live in a poor country. The King makes the proposal of fighting Robert Roode, accompanied by his partner Dolph Ziggler, guaranteeing that he will be stretchered out of the arena, being absolutely GLORIOUS. Robert Roode and Dolph Ziggler appear in preparation for the opening match.
My Thoughts:
How dare Roman Reigns disrespect the almighty King Corbin? He got the win for Team SmackDown in the main event of Survivor Series where literally every single person out there including myself was thinking that NXT would win instead. Bias aside, I think this was a strong showing of Roman Reigns’s promo skills. Making this post-Thanksgiving feel like Thanksgiving is hard and the Big Dog proved to overcome that challenge by making this show feel special for the whole family. King Corbin on the other hand just showcased once again why he is one of the best heels in the business today, deliberating Alabama and making comparisons to Reigns was pure genius. Although I do dislike the fact that Ziggler and Roode are now the King’s goonies instead of their own tag team like they used to be on Raw as former tag team champions. With this said, it still does not change my opinion on preferring Roode and Ziggler as singles competitors instead of a tag team.

Match #1: Robert Roode (with Dolph Ziggler) vs. Roman Reigns
The bell rings with Dolph & Corbin are at ringside. Roode and Roman lock up and Roode hits a shoulder tackle. Another lock up again and Roode looks to ground things, but Reigns counters back and hits a tackle. Roode powders. Back in and Roode attacks with strikes, lays the boots to Reigns but Reigns fires back and follows with mounted strikes and dumps Roode. Reigns follows him out and hits the drive by. Corbin distracts him and Dolph grabs at him as Roode knocks Reigns into the announce table. The spinebuster onto the table follows, and then slams him to the barricade. Post break and Reigns fires back with clotheslines and takes control back. The big boot follows and Dolph distracts Reigns as Roode cradles him for 2. The blockbuster follows for 2. Roode sets for the glorious DDT, but Reigns cradles him for 2 and then powerbombs him for 2. Reigns sets and the superman punch is countered as Roode powders. Reigns takes out Dolph and then gets posted and slammed to the steps. Back in and Roode heads up top and flies into a superman punch and that gets 2. Roode counters the spear into a spinebuster for 2. Roode gets the scepter and Reigns cuts him off, takes out Corbin and the spear finishes it.
Result: Roman Reigns via pin fall
My Thoughts:
That was your typical Roman Reigns main event match on a SmackDown that was somehow switched into being on the kickoff to start the show – Roman gets beat down, Roode gets the glorious advantage, and then we get a Big Dog Spear with a little touch of the oooo-ahhh for the victory. I mean, do not forget that Robert Roode is a former NXT and United States Champion but this match did absolutely nothing to help his singles career in World Wrestling Entertainment! Remember when in a little wrestling show called Total Nonstop Action, he was a main event player? I sure as hell do! Anyway, Robert got little to no offense in the match even with having the likes of Dolph Ziggler and King Corbin in his corner. Roman Reigns did what we all know and love him for and that is to go over to get the family crowd hyped. Do not get me wrong, Roman is an incredible athlete who has proven time and time again over the past nine years he has been in the WWE system that he can produce at a main event level. However, I do not think that we should have him go over every single time either! Let him build story with King Corbin and his goons instead of focusing on wins and losses.
A replay of the WWE Universal Championship match between Bray Wyatt and Daniel Bryan from Survivor Series is shown

Firefly Funhouse – Featuring A New Face
Firefly Funhouse time, as Bray welcomes us to the show. He’s thankful to be Universal Champion, and sharing is caring. He loves his new toy and had a blast playing with Bryan and wants to do it again. Bray says Bryan can have his wish come true if he lets him in. That’s it.
Sheamus is announced to return!
My Thoughts:
First and foremost, I think Sheamus just revealed the secrecy of time traveling! When seeing Sheamus for the first time in months, I was expecting the same mohawk Celtic Warrior with dreads in his tiny beard. But hearing Sheamus stating that SmackDown is filled with cowards and unknown characters makes me feel confident that they will give him the heel treatment he got back in 2009-2010 with his ECW and WWE Champion days. Hope to see Sheamus take a better path than his Bar brethren Cesaro, who happens to be on the same show.

Match #2: Mustafa Ali vs. Drew Gulak
They feuded on social media this week, leading to this match. Ali takes early control until Gulak cuts him off with chops. Ali fires back, but Gulak throws him off the ropes with a slam for 2. Ali counters back, but Gulak counters into a half crab. Ali fights and gets to his feet as the superkick gets 2. Ali sends him to the buckles, and the tornado DDT follows. Ali up top and the 450 finishes it.
Result: Mustafa Ali via pin fall
My Thoughts:
On the third anniversary of 205 Live, we witnessed a classic battle between two of the cruiserweight division’s best. We also are revisiting this rivalry from 2017 as Ali and Gulak collided with one’s offense on the ground, safe and sound, and the other in the sky, hoping not to die. Mustafa Ali showed the world once again who he is as a singles competitor with his high flying offense. If you guys are not a fan of 205, then please go back to the WWE Network and witness the cruiserweight championship finals at WrestleMania 34 between Ali and Cedric Alexander? That match in particular will give you an idea, even in defeat, what Mustafa Ali is all about. As for the greatest cruiserweight champion of all time, I am sick and tired of seeing Gulak on the losing end since coming to SmackDown. However, he spoke to Cathy Kelley afterwards where he stated “Because what doesn’t take us out, makes us stronger”. I truly believe in that as Gulak has had a long road into becoming cruiserweight champion. I hope to see a strong future ahead of him as this has been one of his best years yet!

Heavy Machinery’s Otis and Tucker promotes the Black Friday Sale on WWE Shop

In-Ring Segment: Sasha Banks, Bayley, and Lacey Evans
Banks says she’s not here for a rah-rah speech and Bayley says at Survivor Series, the women’s division failed. They didn’t love because NXT was better, they lost because the locker room let them down. They are leaders and have to keep it real and be strong. Banks say the weak link was her whole damn team. She runs them all down and Lacey Evans arrives. She says she spent the entire nigh preparing Thanksgiving dinner for 36 people and doesn’t have time for these two classless women. She wouldn’t trust them to lead a chicken dance at a party and says a real woman should be the leader. One with style, class, confidence and sophistication… and that wouldn’t tap out under pressure. Lacey lays out Banks and leaves.
My Thoughts:
First question that comes out of the gate is Lacey Evans now a babyface? Evans is a great performer do not get me wrong but her work as a face does not give the same vibes for her character as it did when she was heel. But what is the motive for Evans to confront the SmackDown Women’s Champion when we are already established tensions boiling over between The Boss N Hug Connection. I think in the near future, we will get Emo Bayley turn babyface against Sasha Banks, who will definitely turn on her best friend. I hope Evans can be taken seriously as a main event player for the Blue Brand’s Women’s Division! She got absolutely trashed on the night after WrestleMania since she was someone new to step up for the challenge. Maybe the dynamic for the division will change and get even more interesting. Hope to see more storyline heat coming up!

Backstage Interview –
Daniel Bryan and Kayla Braxton featuring A Bonus Episode of the Firefly Funhouse
Daniel Bryan is interviewed by Kayla Braxton and is asked about Bray’s challenge. But back to the Funhouse as they have finished dinner, Huskus ate too much. Bray says the Thanksgiving story is a lie, sand say the first one was between the musclemen & reptilians. This leads to a wacky rap video with Huskus & Bray, doing the muscleman dance. Is this what being on acid feels like? Bryan looks as confused as the rest of us and doesn’t respond.

Match #3: Sonya Deville (with Mandy Rose) vs. Nikki Cross
Sonya attacks and runs wild at the bell. She grounds Nikki, but Nikki fires up and hits the bulldog. Mandy distracts her as Sonya slams Nikki off the top but Nikki then cradles Sonya for the win. Post-match, Fire & Desire attack until Alexa Bliss makes her return to make the save.
Result: Nikki Cross via pin fall
My Thoughts:
ALEXA BLISS IS BACK!!! I am so happy that The Goddess has returned to the blue brand after so long on the sidelines with injury. Before talking about the epic return, I would like to point out that seeing Deville take on Cross was interesting. Witnessing two favorites go head to head made me intrigued to see their two very different styles clash. Although both women like to keep their fighting style on the ground, it was nice to see Nikki Cross get the roll up victory. Now it was not the greatest of matches with the addition of a post-match assault, but it was fun to watch nonetheless. I think both of those stars would be best for a future SmackDown Women’s Championship match. Maybe Cross can get into another storyline with Bayley for the championship but for now, let us enjoy this moment of Bliss with Twisted Cross back in business!

Backstage Segment: The Miz and Daniel Bryan
Bryan meets with Miz backstage and Miz says they aren’t friends and that the Fiend changes people for the worse. You survived once, but is it worth it to try it again? Miz says Bryan’s family can’t afford to lose him. Bryan gets angry and Miz walks off.
My Thoughts:
For some odd reason, this backstage altercation felt different between Daniel Bryan and The Miz seemed more odd than every other confrontation before. Bryan is a broken man and rightfully so. He got destroyed by The Fiend and is slowly resurrecting the Yes Movement. The Miz is simply reminding Bryan of his past from the NXT (before it got where it is today) days to the Earth’s Champion. I really love to see Miz play his mind games and trigger a fire in Bryan!

Backstage Segment: Dana Brooke, Drake Maverick, and Elias
Drake tries to kiss Dana under the mistletoe and fails. Elias returns and sings a song about bring back.
My Thoughts:
This was a cute little segment between Dana Brooke, who has had some interesting social media interactions with a recently single Dave Bautista, and Drake Maverick. What confused me the most from this mini segment was the fact that Maverick was trying to shoot his shot with Dana, considering that he still has to consummate his marriage. I guess in the end, seeing Elias return to his original drifter roots is awesome!

Match #3: The New Day Tag Team Championship Open Challenge: The New Day vs. Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro with Sami Zayn – SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match
Before the match begins, The New Day’s Big E and Kofi Kingston cut a promo.
Kofi and Cesaro begin with Cesaro taking control. Nakamura tags in and he follows with knee strikes. Kofi counters back and hits a dropkick for 2. Distraction by Cesaro and Nakamura cuts off Kofi. Cesaro follows with a suplex for 2. He grounds the action, tags in Nakamura and they isolate Kofi in their corner. Sami gets involved as the heels maintain control. Post break and Big E tags in and runs wild with suplexes on Nakamura. The running splash misses as Nakamura follows with knee strikes. Big E counters back with an STO and covers for 2. He fires up but Nakamura hits ahead kick. Cesaro tags in and the top rope head butt follows for 2. New Day battles back, dumping Cesaro and the doomsday double stomp connects for 2. Kofi dumps Cesaro and the assisted dive eats an uppercut. Back in and Kinshasa is countered into a cradle for 2. Kinshasa sorta hits for 2 as it breaks down, Big E gets posted and Cesaro follows with uppercuts on Kofi, but Kofi fires back and Cesaro cuts off trouble in paradise. Sami in, the ref stops him and tosses him to the back. Kofi hits trouble in paradise and wins.
Result: Kofi Kingston via pin fall, The New Day retains
My Thoughts:
From the ring of the bell, I one hundred percent knew that The New Day were going to retain the tag team titles. I mean, do not get me wrong when I say that The New Day’s Kofi Kingston and Big E are extremely talented as a tag team but there is no need for Kofi to have the blue strap for Xavier Woods! He was WWE champion this year and yet, here he is facing the likes of Nakamura and Cesaro, whom should not even be a team in the first place with their conflicting wrestling styles. It was still a phenomenal match and the New Day proved to the world again why they are tag team wrestling in World Wrestling Entertainment but can we at least configure something new within The New Day that can possibly end the New Day as a whole?

In-Ring Segment – Daniel Bryan and The Fiend, Bray Wyatt
Bryan arrives and says that Bray offered him another title shot. Many gave him unsolicited advice, saying the Fiend will change him, but maybe he needs that. He was nervous at Survivor Series. He felt change at Survivor Series due to the fans, their passion and energy made him realize who he should have been this entire time. He’s claimed the YES movement is dead, but maybe the fans brought it back to life. Should he accept and we get YES chants. Bray appears on the screen and he’s happy about this. He says Miz is right, because HE will show everyone Bryan’s true form. Bryan helped build and change him. Bray introduces a new face and the lights go out and the Fiend appears from under the ring and gets the mandible claw dragging him under the ring. He rips out a bunch of Bryan’s hair and throws it on the mat.
My Thoughts:
That was one of the scariest and weirdest endings to a SmackDown in quite some time! I felt that this segment revived a hero we needed back for a while now. I loved the Eco-Friendly villain vegan as much as the next guy but I did miss the leader of the Yes Movement! The passion Bryan had in that promo felt real and relatable. Bryan has always been considered one of my all-time favorites. But on a serious note, was The Fiend tearing Bryan’s beard or his actual hair from his head? I hope we get The American Dragon to debut in the WWE and we might get the childhood nostalgia back from Ring of Honor.

Final Thoughts
Compared to the last episode of SmackDown that I last reviewed, this post-Thanksgiving edition of Friday Night SmackDown was better than originally thought of beforehand. To elaborate further, tonight felt different in a good way! The matches were uplifting and entertaining. It was also a night of returns with the return of Alexa Bliss and Elias, which made me personally happy. Solid show tonight, which I grade at a B! Hope to see you all again in a future review my peeps! Stay passionate and follow your dreams.