WWE Smackdown Spoilers: Nov. 26, 2015
Roman Reigns kicks off the show with a promo, and the obligatory table, ladder and chair set-up is present. Sheamus interrupts, and Reigns challenges him, but Sheamus just laughs at his TLC challenger. Reigns promises victory at the upcoming pay-per-view.
With these two guys battling for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, it will be disappointing if there’s not a major brawl at some point leading up to their match. That’s both of their strength, and it would really add to the hype. If this feud doesn’t pick up quick, the recent poor viewership numbers for WWE programming will only get worse.
Dudley Boyz def. Erick Rowan/Braun Strowman (DQ)
The end to this matchup comes when the rest of the Wyatt Family interferes. Braun chokes out Devon while Rowan and Harper break a table with Bubba Ray.
This would make for an intriguing matchup at TLC, likely in a tables match, but the Wyatts don’t look near as strong since their Survivor Series loss to Undertaker and Kane. Even though the defeat came at the hands of two legends, it’s hard to buy Strowman as an unbeatable giant after he was put through the Spanish announce table earlier this week.
Paige def. Becky Lynch
Paige gets the Lass-kicker with a roll-up. As great as Paige has been during her time in WWE, it’s disappointing that Becky and Sasha Banks aren’t getting more meaningful screen time. When Mick Foley says he’s ready to stop watching, it may be time for WWE Creative to start listening.
As if by intentional juxtaposition, the next segment features one of the best things going in WWE right now, the New Day. The comedic heel trio is hosting the first annual New Day Potluck Dinner as a Thanksgiving celebration. The Ascension, Heath Slater and Adam Rose all get kicked out of the party for various reasons, ranging from a bandage in Slater’s slaw to the Ascension just being the Ascension. This show may be worth watching for the appearance of Xavier Woods as the Gobbledy Gooker alone.
Jack Swagger def. Alberto Del Rio (DQ, non-title)
Swagger picks up the victory over the United States Champion when Del Rio uses a chair outside the ring. Swagger responds with a chair of his own inside the ring, which naturally sends the heel champion running.
Perhaps catering to the show’s younger demographic, this time of year always leads to the most telegraphed match setups. Clearly we’re headed for a U.S. title match at TLC between Swagger and Del Rio. While that idea is fine, Swagger as the first challenger to Del Rio’s belt makes little sense because Swagger has been an afterthought on WWE programming for months. Even with the Colter angle in play, this is something of a step back for that title.
The Usos are greeted by the Gobbledy Gooker backstage, which leads to an apparent plan by the brothers.
Lucha Dragons def. Kofi Kingston/Big E
The Gobbledy Gooker interferes in this match and is then revealed to be Jey Uso. Jimmy Uso brings out a tied-up Xavier Woods, who then receives a splash from Jey Uso while being held by the Dragons.
It would seem that these three teams are destined for a Triple Threat match for the tag titles at TLC, and that is more than fine. Lucha Dragons and the Usos have been red hot for the last several weeks, and they’ll put on an incredibly entertaining match with the New Day, especially in a ladder format.
Renee Young interviews Dean Ambrose backstage ahead of the main event, a No. 1 contender’s match for the Intercontinental Championship. These interviews are always entertaining, if for nothing more than watching Young try to keep a straight face while her real-life boyfriend pulls his usual shenanigans.
Dean Ambrose def. Dolph Ziggler and Tyler Breeze (Triple Threat)
This match is an action-packed one with Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens on commentary. Ambrose hits Breeze with the Dirty Deeds to pick up the win, setting up a title match at TLC, one would assume.
One thing that was done right at Survivor Series was having Ambrose and Owens square off in the tournament to maintain the feud everyone thought we’d get before Seth Rollins’ injury put everything on hold. These two are among the company’s very best performers, and a feud between them with the belt changing hands a couple times would go over well with the fans.
Unfortunately, this also means that Ziggler and Breeze will continue their feud, it would seem, and that is less entertaining. Both men are incredibly talented in the ring, and they’re an easy pairing either as foes or friends, but there’s just no motivation here. Breeze is Summer Rae’s new man, but Ziggler never had a problem with that, so WWE Creative should do more to let us know why these two are at odds.