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The final night of the Survivor Series weekend saw WWE present Smackdown Live from Houston, Texas. The blue brand came into the show after tasting defeat in the main event as well as in the overall matchups at Survivor Series. The blame game opened the show, with Shane McMahon asserting that even in defeat, Smackdown Live remains the better show.
The episode, on the whole, featured exciting new debuts and laid the foundation for Clash of Champions which takes place four weeks from now. AJ Styles, the newly crowned WWE champion and the man who took Lesnar to the limit, was given a massive reception by the WWE Universe.
We look at five major points to note after this week's Smackdown Live
#5 It's your fault!
Shane McMahon opened this week's episode of Smackdown Live and gave a summary of what transpired in the main-event of Survivor Series. He said the blue brand came up short in the battle for brand supremacy, but pinned the blame for the loss on Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn's shoulders.
Shane was set to fire the two best friends, before being interrupted by the SDL GM, Daniel Bryan. McMahon and Owens have been feuding for over four months now, and the rivalry looks nowhere near to be finished.
Owens and Zayn have been entertaining in their new role, but the end-game for this rivalry is something the WWE Universe is pondering upon.
#4 BLUDGEONED
After weeks of speculation and creepy vignettes, Luke Harper and Eric Rowan returned to Smackdown Live with a completely new theme, attire and a wild gimmick. Both of these Superstars are former members of the faction led by Bray Wyatt, and are talented performers in their own right.
They squashed the Hype Bros in a brutal display of their strength. What WWE decides to do with them next will be interesting to watch.
Breezango have been looking for "2B" for months now, will their search finally end and is a feud with the Bludgeon Brothers on the cards?
#3 Lesnar-Styles sequel?
AJ Styles went up against Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series, and arguably produced the best match of the night. Lesnar was taken to the extreme limit by the Phenomenal One and even in defeat, Styles made a big name for himself.
Paul Heyman acknowledged the immense talent of AJ Styles by comparing him with the likes of HBK, Bret Hart and Ric Flair. AJ sent out a challenge to Brock Lesnar and if a sequel for the fantastic encounter ever takes place, the WWE Universe will love it!
As for Jinder Mahal, his absence from the Survivor Series card was a major indication of where he is in the priority ladder for WWE. He is scheduled for a rematch against Styles at CoC, but expect the Jinder experiment to meet its end soon.
#2 NXT Takeover: Part II
After Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville made their debuts on RAW last night, the trio of Ruby Riot, Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan ambushed the women's division of Smackdown Live. This move was a great decision on WWE's part as it adds to the depth of a struggling division.
Also, many have noted that this attack was strikingly similar to the attack on RAW, and it could mean any of the two things. Either WWE creative is lazy or this could be a co-ordinated move, leading to the revelation of one big NXT faction.
Five women have debuted on the main roster in a span of two days -- could this lead to a Royal Rumble for women for the first time in history?
#1 Daniel Bryan-Shane McMahon rivalry
Shane McMahon was about to fire Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn before Daniel Bryan gave them one last lifeline. Shane left the show before the main event and discussed with Bryan how he plans to see both of the Superstars out of the show.
However, Bryan revealed to Owens that he never planned on firing them. This could be an interesting development in an already shaky foundation in Shane and Bryan's relationship. The SmackDown GM was not pleased with Shane's actions during 'Under Seige', and now Shane has a reason to be angry with the Smackdown GM.
The rivalry between the two officials of Smackdown Live will not be the newest storyline in WWE but will definitely lead to some shenanigans.
