Friday Night SmackDown: Nov. 22, 2019
Following several twists and turns, Daniel Bryan prevailed in a Triple Threat Match against both The Miz and King Corbin to earn another opportunity at "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt's Universal Title at Royal Rumble next month. Following Bryan’s victory, however, Wyatt immediately appeared with an ominous question for his next challenger.
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Roman Reigns attacked King Corbin to kick off Friday Night SmackDown
The Triple Threat Match between Daniel Bryan, The Miz and King Corbin to determine who will challenge “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt for the Universal Title at Royal Rumble next month was scheduled to kick off Friday Night SmackDown, but King Corbin had other ideas.
In classic Corbin fashion, the 2019 King of the Ring lambasted Bryan and Miz from his sedan, ranting about the fact that he had to compete in this match rather than simply being awarded a championship bout. However, the sound of Roman Reigns’ music interrupted Corbin and prompted his subjects to topple him off his sedan. The Big Dog arrived at ringside, and the two rivals immediately started trading blows. Reigns got the upper hand on Corbin, dropping the King with a massive Superman Punch, forcing Corbin to retreat and putting the Triple Threat Match on hold.
The New Day & Braun Strowman def. Shinsuke Nakamura, Cesaro & Sami Zayn
The all-star squad of The New Day & Braun Strowman squared off against Shinsuke Nakamura, Cesaro & Sami Zayn in an absolutely loaded Six-Man Tag Team Match on Friday Night SmackDown.
Nakamura, Cesaro and Zayn attempted to neutralize not just the legal man on the opposing side, but also their partners at ringside, seeming to make a concerted effort to prevent Strowman from tagging in. However, once Kofi Kingston found an opening, he tagged The Monster Among Men, which led to instant bad news for Zayn and company.
Braun wrecked house, running roughshod through Nakamura, Cesaro and Zayn. Kofi intercepted Sami, who was attempting to introduce The New Day’s pancake tray into the action. The move backfired, as Kingston used it to strike Nakamura, and Strowman nailed The King of Strong Style with a massive Running Powerslam to pin the Intercontinental Champion.
The celebration didn’t stop there, as Kingston & Big E urged Strowman to give the WWE Universe his best dance moves. Strowman obliged, putting on a show for Detroit faithful as they GOT THOSE HIPS!
Carmella def. Mandy Rose
After toppling Sonya Deville last week, Carmella looked to continue her hot streak against the other half of Fire & Desire by taking on Mandy Rose tonight on Friday Night SmackDown.
Mandy, who was not accompanied by Sonya after Mandy opted against being in Deville’s corner against Carmella last week, looked to keep Princess Mella on defense in the early goings. However, God’s Greatest Creation was soon met with a stern slap and a kick straight to the dome, which kept Mandy down for three and gave Carmella her second straight clutch victory against Fire & Desire.
King Corbin caused havoc during match between The Miz and Daniel Bryan
After being attacked by Roman Reigns earlier in the night, King Corbin declared that he was refusing to participate in the Triple Threat Match that was scheduled to determine who would challenge “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt for the Universal Title next month at Royal Rumble.
Hence, it was determined that Bryan and Miz would square off one-on-one for the same right. Before the WWE Universe was treated to the latest installment of the iconic rivalry, King Corbin’s cronies arrived and attacked both Superstars. Bryan and The Miz made quick work of Corbin’s sedan holders, leaving “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt’s next challenger still up in the air.
However, following the no contest, Corbin was told that Roman Reigns had left the building. Upon hearing the news, Corbin decided that he was now willing to reengage in the Triple Threat Match. Before he could even finish that sentence, a frustrated Bryan and Miz crashed Corbin’s interview, bringing the fight to the King and his security, as a wild series of events continued to unfold on the blue brand.
Sasha Banks & Bayley def. Lacey Evans & Dana Brooke following an unreal “Moment of Bliss”
Lacey Evans was still fired up after Sasha Banks taunted Evans’ daughter right in front of The Sassy Southern Belle last week on Friday Night SmackDown. Lacey cut right to the chase during her appearance on the return of “A Moment of Bliss” with Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross, making it clear that she would not stand for Sasha’s disrespect of her family and that she was going to march straight to the ring right now to prepare for her tag team match alongside Dana Brooke against Sasha & Bayley.
However, Dana would not arrive in style, as Sasha & Bayley dragged Brooke onto the stage, prompting Evans to bolt up the ramp to even the odds. Officials broke up the melee just long enough for the match to begin. After Banks evaded Evans’ Woman’s Right (which connected with Bayley), Sasha disposed of Lacey and locked the Banks Statement onto Brooke for the submission victory.
Evans was still steaming, but Banks got the literal last laugh on this night.
Daniel Bryan def. King Corbin and The Miz to earn right to challenge “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt for the Universal Title at Royal Rumble 2020
After much delay, Daniel Bryan, The Miz and King Corbin finally squared off on Friday Night SmackDown with the winner earning the next Universal Title opportunity against “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt at Royal Rumble in January.
Corbin seemed to be closing in on certain victory when Dolph Ziggler interfered on the King’s behalf, taking advantage of the No Disqualification nature of a Triple Threat Match and dropping Bryan with a superkick before placing Corbin on Bryan for an almost certain three-count. However, Roman Reigns hit the scene to break up the count and take the fight to Corbin, evening the odds in the match.
With King Corbin essentially eliminated by Reigns’ onslaught, Bryan and The Miz exchanged in a dazzling conclusion, with both Superstars giving the absolute most of themselves in attempts to earn the Universal Title opportunity. Despite competing on a severely battered knee, Bryan somehow battled through a Skull-Crushing Finale and a Figure-Four Leglock, finding a way to apply the LeBell Lock to earn the victory.
Bray Wyatt immediately appear from the Firefly Fun House, asking Bryan if he was willing to do whatever it takes to capture the Universal Title and “let him in.”
Bryan’s answer? Not surprisingly, a resounding “YES!”