WWE SmackDown Live Preview: November 21, 2017

SmackDown LIVE may have lost the battle for bragging rights at Survivor Series, but the war continues as the next SmackDown-exclusive PPV, Clash of Champions approaches.

Their counterparts in red brought in the goods this week with an eventful fallout episode. Paige returned with her newfound friends from NXT, Roman Reigns surprisingly dethroned The Miz to become a grand slam champion, and many other top angles saw some promising storyline progression.

So what does team blue have in store this week after a hot-and-cold Survivor Series? Here are the 5 major talking points for this week's episode:

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#1 Will Daniel Bryan finally snap?

End of a fruitful alliance?

The tension between Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon has gradually increased with each passing week and all of this deserves a rewarding payoff. Stephanie McMahon planted the seeds of a Bryan heel turn at Survivor Series when she coaxed the SmackDown GM into considering turning his back on her brother-in-law and taking over reigns of the blue brand.

Will WWE finally tread uncharted waters by turning the clean-cut babyface on his employer? It would make for an intriguing angle. However, do we really need to see a Bryan vs. McMahon match? Not really!

#2 Fresh prey for the Lone Wolf

Who's next?

With Sin Cara's conquest to capture the United States title coming to an end (phew), Baron Corbin is now in need of a fresh opponent heading into the next PPV that is centred around the champions.

The Lone Wolf is coming off an impressive victory at Survivor Series, a win that opened up his team's account after two loses which ensured a rough start for team Blue. The self-proclaimed social media king of the WWE (after Kevin Owens, of course) will be confronted by his next challenger and we wonder who could it be?

Names such as Bobby Roode, Shinsuke Nakamura, Tye Dillinger and even a babyface Rusev would make for great US title feuds. This next programme will make or break Corbin's reign and WWE better be careful with who they pick, and most importantly, how they book it.

#3 Who will stand up to the Queen of WWE?

The era of the Queen begins on SmackDown LIVE!

It did take its own sweet time but WWE smartly put the SmackDown Women's title around Charlotte's waist for the 1st time since the Superstar Shake-up. Alexa Bliss may be best-booked stars after Brock Lesnar but Charlotte is Ric Flair's daughter at the end of the day.

The Flair scion ended all debate of who the real MVP of the women's division really is at Survivor Series by defeating the Goddess fair and square.

While Bliss has done a solid job of keeping the RAW Women's title relevant despite a string of lacklustre matches, the title over at SmackDown has suffered due to inconsistent booking.

Charlotte's reign is expected to bring the title back into the limelight and Natalya could be the first opponent by virtue of being the outgoing champion.

The Queen of Harts is due a title rematch and WWE should save it for the PPV as the two stars with illustrious families have impeccable chemistry, if their previous bouts are anything to go by.

#4 The Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens show

BFFs forever, but not on SmackDown?

Punishment! That's the only thing that the reunited best friends can look forward to on this week's edition. Shane McMahon foiled the reunite best friends' plan to sabotage and cost SmackDown the Elimination match.

The spotlight has been firmly entrenched in the controversial duo over the past few weeks and for all the wrong reasons. They were reportedly sent back from the UK tour due to behavioural issues and the repercussions saw them being relegated to the pre-show. If that wasn't enough, Shane O'Mac made them run around like chump at Survivor Series all with the help of a steel chair.

But it may just be the beginning of the end for Zayn and KO. Will McMahon take the drastic step of firing the rebellious duo for their actions? Will Raw cash in and sign them up if they are indeed ousted?

A very interesting angle indeed.

#5 The Tag Team Division

Bound to fail?

The tag team division will get a major boost this week as The Bludgeon Brothers will be debuting to face the Hype Bros. Harper and Rowan's new gimmick has garnered disappointing reactions at live events. WWE, however, is going forward with the angle despite rumours of it already being nixed.

On the other side of the tag team spectrum, The Usos are without proper title contenders. Expect someone to rise to the occasion and give the custodians of the Uso Penitentiary a run for their money. Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable do have unfinished business with the twins and it could all lead up to a title match at Clash of Champions.

Will the Gold Standard win his first WWE title in over 7 years? Only time will tell.

#6 The Modern Day Maharaja, a two-time WWE Champion?

Will the WWE Championship get the hot potato treatment?

Contrary to public opinion, Jinder Mahal didn't interfere in the AJ Styles vs. Brock Lesnar match and in hindsight, the outrageously solid match didn't need one when all was said and one.

The former WWE Champion now has his promised rematch for the WWE Championship on this week's show and with the WWE tour just around the corner, the chances of a title change have never been so high. The Phenomenal One has all the momentum heading into the match after playing a pivotal role in one of Brock Lesnar's greatest matches to date.

But it could all come crashing down for the Phenomenal One. While a title change is unnecessary considering WWE has already announced a Triple H vs. Mahal for the Indian tour -- a match that doesn't need a title -- plans in the WWE change like Seth Rollins' finisher.

Will Mahal get the job done for his people and regain the title or is AJ Styles in for a Phenomenally lengthy run with the strap? Sound off in the comments section below.