Full Smackdown Spoilers – 11/8 in Glasgow, Scotland: More Survivor Series hype, big twist with replacement in team, new cross-brand title match added

WWE Smackdown Live Results
Glasgow, Scotland
November, 8 2016

SMACKDOWN TAPING

(1)  Breezedango defeated THe Vaudevillians via pinfall to qualify for Team Smackdown.

SEGMENT: Baron Corbin confronted Shane McMahon about being placed in a six man tag match alongside Dean Ambrose and James Ellsworth. Corbin stated that whilst he had agreed to do Shane’s dirty work at Survivor Series he was unwilling to do it tonight. He then told Shane that if he didn’t like it he could take him of the team and that Corbin didn’t need Shane, Shane needed him. Shane removed Corbin from the match and placed him in a one on one match with Kalisto later in the show.

(2) Naomi pinned Natalya. Nikki Bella was at ringside during the match, leading Carmella to come out.  The two got involved in an alteracation at ringside that lead to the distraction finish.

SEGMENT: Dean Ambrose and James Ellsworth backstage. The two wondered what they would do without a partner. Ellsworth told Dean that they didn’t need anyone else. They were James and Dean. James Dean. He said that any man with two hands has a fighting chance and that they were two men with four hands so they would be fine. Seen seemed a little irritable and told James never to say those words again. Daniel Bryan showed up and informed that he had a partner for them. A man who had a history with the Wyatts, was reliable, and whose career was on fire. Kane walked on screen. In the line of the night when Ellsworth asked Kane what the plan was Kane simply responded ‘Don’t Tag In’.

(3) Kalisto defeated Baron Corbin via ref stoppage. Corbin stumbled off of the ring apron during the match and I’m not sure how it came off on TV but the live crowd thought it wasn’t part of the match, at first. However Kalisto soon took advantage by dropkicking his injured knee into the ring steps. Referees then separated the two men.  Kalisto then hit a frog splash on the injured knee while the referees attended to Corbin.

(4) Becky Lynch defeated Alexa Bliss via Submission to retain the Women’s Championship. This was the best match of the night (on the Smackdown show anyway). Becky Lynch is over as the fighting champion, particularly with this crowd that is more hometown than not. She has a unique look and exudes a genuine likeableness While not at her level in the ring, Bliss performed better than expected and has an understanding of her role as the wicked heel. Giving Alexa something to cry about by her foot on the rope go unseen prior to the submission should keep their rivalry moving along nicely.

SEGMENT: Daniel Bryan and Shane backstage. Shane acknowledges the controversial finish if the earlier match but states the referees decision is final. The two then discuss Coebins injury, Shane presents Daniel with a list and tells him any name on it is fine with him as a replacement.

(5) Curt Hawkins pinned Apollo Crews. I honestly have no idea who Crews has crossed backstage that has seen him relegated to losing to someone like Hawkins but if I didn’t no better I’d swear Crews was nothing more than enhancement talent. That said, while I’m a fan of his athleticism, the smiling ‘Maiviaesque’ persona comes across as bland and uninteresting and it showed in the crowd response who didn’t seem to care less one way or the other.

SEGMENT: Shane and Daniel again. The two are talking about a deal in place with Raw, in exchange for Dolph defending the Intercontinental Championship against Sami Zayne that Brian Kendrick must defend the Cruiserweight Championship against Kalisto. If Kalisto wins then the entire cruiserweight division will be brought to Smackdown. Miz and Maryse burst in, furious that Dolph could loose the championship to Raw and that Miz won’t get his rematch. Daniel Brian told them that he believes in Dolph because he’s a fighting champion, however if Miz is worried his only option is to take his championship rematch on Smackdown next week before Survivor Series. Maryse accepts for her husband.

(6) The Wyatts defeated Kane & James Ellsworth & Dean Ambrose. Not exactly the highlight of the night with James Ellsworth coming across as the star of the show. It’s good to see Bray picking up wins and I applaud WWE in going with James Ellsworth while they can as they have often failed to capitalise on a superstars momentum in the past. That said, I can’t help but feel that Ellsworth is becoming something of a run away train and is beginning to distract from the stars he’s meant to enhance. He’s a loveable schmoe and he plays the part well but as Ambrose is currently Smackdowns #1 babyface in lieu of John Cena, it may behoove WWE to turn Ellsworth as a lackey to AJ Styles sooner than later as his presence is only adding to the cartoony presentation of Dean Ambrose that WWE too often falls back on.

SEGMENT: After the match the Wyatts and AJ Styles (who was on commentary during the match) begin to circle Dean. Shane McMahon, and his all powerful McMahon aura hit the ring, positioning himself between the Wyatts and their prey, stopping them in their tracks. Before things get out of hand Daniel Bryan makes his way to the ring (to the biggest pop of the night) he explains that he’s looked up and down the list, and Shane told him he could pick anyone on the list, well his name is on there but they all know that he’s not allowed.

Daniel Bryan says that there is a name on the list opposite his, the Commissioner of Smackdown live himself, Shane McMahon. Seemingly ignoring every other credible performer on the roster in favour of himself Shane agrees and joins Team Smackdown. Daniel Bryan’s music hits as he plays to the Glasgow crowd with Dean to end the show.

DARK MATCHES

(A) Dolph Ziggler defeated The Miz to retain the Intercontinental Championship

(B) A.J. Styles def Dean Ambrose to retain the WWE Championship.

FINAL THOUGHTS: It’s ironic that the best two matches of the night have nothing to do with what was on air, but rather what came after the cameras finished rolling. My big takeaway from the the night was how over Dean appears to be when you strip away the Sports entertainment, wacky-Dean vibe that he has been saddled with. In between the ropes against an opponent like AJ, Dean is every bit the top babyface that Smackdown needs. It’s a shame that he looses so much in the over produced world of WWE television because the company could really have something if they cut him loose.