'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
This week’s show kicks off with what is supposed to be a Miz TV segment, but the program is quickly renamed The Kevin Owens Show when the Intercontinental champion interrupts the proceedings.
That draws out Alberto Del Rio and Zeb Colter, which leads to an argument between ADR and KO. Next up is Dean Ambrose, who gets a big pop, followed by Roman Reigns, who also receives a warm welcome from the crowd.
Then R-Truth comes out, for his required monthly comic relief bit. He talks about his plans to blow right through the competition in the World Heavyweight Championship tournament, but Miz reminds him he’s not in the tournament.
After apologizing, Truth wishes Reigns and Ambrose good luck and leaves the ring. After that, Miz gets upset that his show is getting hijacked, most likely, which leads to Reigns distracting him so Ambrose can knock him out.
After the break, Miz is complaining and unsuccessfully demanding his match be canceled.
Cesaro def. The Miz
This match was reportedly very short, with the Swiss Superman picking up the win via cross face. Nice to see that he’s maintaining a well-booked spot despite losing in the tournament.
Stardust and The Ascension come out and appear to try and block Cesaro’s path, but this leads to nothing. This feud, if there is to be one, has been burning very slowly, and it’s hard to see where it could go logically.
Both Stardust and Cesaro are in need of wins, and neither has really been booked strongly enough to really be much of a boost for the other.
Neville/Dudley Boyz def. Cosmic Wasteland
Neville has been the “designated third man” in a lot of these Heel vs. Face matches, and one could assume he’ll have a role in the announced traditional Survivor Series match for Sunday.
The opponents for the new traditional elimination match have not been announced as of yet.
Next up is a promo from Tyler Breeze, accompanied by Summer Rae. He cuts a promo that rips Dolph Ziggler, which predictably draws out Dolph Ziggler to observe Breeze’s match.
Tyler Breeze def. Zack Ryder
As one would expect, Breeze knocks off Ryder, with the finish coming after an Unprettier. Ziggler jumps the victor after the match and drops him with a superkick, and this is clearly leading to a Survivor Series match.
It will be interesting to see where these men go from here, as this feud doesn’t seem like one that will stay fresh for long.
Now it’s time for a trip to the dark side, as The Undertaker’s druids, again donning sheep masks, come out to accompany the Wyatt Family to the ring. Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman get mic time, but that is cut short by the bells of Undertaker’s music.
The Phenom appears on screen for a promo, accompanied by Kane with a burning sheep mask. As the Undertaker closes his promo with what has become a signature “Rest in Peace,” the turnbuckles explode with Kane’s pyro.
This feud could’ve been much more exciting for Survivor Series, and we’re left to guess where it was headed before Seth Rollins got hurt. That obviously pushed several top superstars into tournament action and out of consideration for a larger match that would’ve involved more of the Wyatts.
According to reports coming in from Smackdown, Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman are all set to be the opponents for the Brothers of Destruction at Survivor Series.
Charlotte def. Brie Bella (non-title match)
Poor Brie gets the task of jobbing for Charlotte leading into the Divas title match at Survivor Series, and she taps to a Figure Eight in the process.
This does nothing to add intrigue to that match against Paige, but then again, neither did a whole night’s worth of propaganda on Monday’s Raw. In truth, Charlotte’s title reign has killed the momentum the Divas division had built with the NXT infusion, although that’s far from being Charlotte’s fault.
Paige gets the next interview backstage, along with the Miz, but it’s about that WWE Studios Christmas movie that doesn’t even really need naming in this write-up.
Big E def. Kalisto
Naturally, Big E gets help via distraction from his New Day teammates and also nails some big splashes. The tag champions attack Kalisto and teammate Sin Cara after the match, but Ryback makes the save.
This would also seem to build toward the announced Survivor Series elimination match, but we’ll have to see. The Usos could also be in the mix.
That’s followed by a segment with Reigns and Ambrose talking backstage about potentially meeting in the world title match at Survivor Series. Of all the potential finals matchups, this probably has the most intrigue.
The arena was absolutely hot when these two met head-to-head for a segment of the Fatal Fourway at Payback, and we could expect the same again. A lot of fans expect one of them would turn heel in the process, but that’s not necessary or even logical writing at this point.
Reigns/Ambrose def. Owens/Del Rio (Disqualification)
It wasn’t hard to see this match coming as soon as the Miz TV segment was announced during Raw on Monday. The DQ comes when ADR throws Reigns into the ring steps after a match in which Del Rio reportedly made several gaffes.
Also predictably, the match breaks down into a brawl from there before the former Shield members hit their finishers and stand tall to close the show.
This was the ending you’d expect for one of the shows just before a pay-per-view and should build even more excitement for Sunday’s world title matches. The heavy-handed approach to Reigns and Ambrose would seem to point to a heel turn swerve for Sunday, but WWE has been dropping hints for months.
It could just be another ruse, but only time will tell.
