SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon, making his first blue brand appearance since losing to Kevin Owens at WWE Hell In a Cell.
Shane asks Milwaukee’s what’s up and they chant his name. Shane says he’s been undergoing some serious physical rehab over the past few weeks but he’s glad to be back and in charge. A “welcome back” chant starts up. Shane brings up the Survivor Series pay-per-view and says it’s the only time RAW and SmackDown go head-to-head. He learned at a young age that it’s always best to strike first in a big fight, which is why he and some of the SmackDown Superstars made a visit to RAW last week. Shane says Kurt angle desperately called him and needed a TLC opponent for Finn Balor’s Demon character, and that’s when it hit him… “they” then decided to send AJ Styles and let him stay for another night to appear on RAW. Shane goes on about some of Angle’s comments and says Angle didn’t know there were other SmackDown stars waiting to run wild. Shane says that’s when “Under Siege” was unleashed. Fans chant “under siege” next. Shane says they caught RAW by surprise but he guarantees they won’t be caught the same way because SmackDown is ready. The music interrupts and out comes Sami Zayn.
Sami is all smiles as he dances around, acting a bit more over the top than usual. Shane isn’t happy but he smirks at Sami. Sami says hello and offers his hand for a shake, saying there are no hard feelings for what happened at Hell In a Cell. Shane says there are hard feelings but he will address those at a later date. He brings up how Sami said he pulled Kevin Owens to safety at Hell In a Cell for Owens’ safety. Shane asks about his own personal safety in that moment. Shane says Sami added insult to injury when he pulled Owens on top of him for the pin. Shane says there are a lot of hard feelings. Sami says Shane is here as Commissioner but if he was here as Shane the competitor, Sami would take him out in one second and leave him hurting, worse than he was hurting when he left Hell In a Cell. Sami tells Shane to take it easy and says maybe all that is for another day. Sami is here to inform Shane that he and his brother Kevin Owens have thought it over and fine, they will be a part of the SmackDown Survivor Series team. They will do what they do ever night, put the brand on their shoulders as leaders and the rest can follow. Sami says Shane wants he and Owens to represent SmackDown at Survivor Series, he needs them to represent SmackDown. Sami says Shane is a lot of things but he’s not a stupid man, except for when he’s taking one of his death defying risks he likes to do. Sami says the bottom line is that he and Owens have selflessly & kindly volunteered their services for Survivor Series.
Shane says he doesn’t want or need Sami and Owens to represent SmackDown at Survivor Seriesbut what he will do, as the Commissioner and for the bigger picture, is give them a chance. All Sami has to do is defeat his opponent tonight. The winner of the match will be the first person on the team. Sami says that’s beautiful, a piece of cake. He wonders who the opponent is as Shane goes to leave. Shane announces Randy Orton as the opponent. Shane’s music hits and he leaves as Sami shakes his head.
The New Day vs. Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable
Gable drops Woods for another close 2 count. Benjamin comes back in for another big move on Woods for a close pin attempt. Woods makes a comeback and levels Benjamin for a 2 count. Benjamin with a spinebuster. Gable tags in and goes to the top. Benjamin goes down after Kofi comes in to stop the double team. Gable has to come off the top as things fall apart for a second. This leads to Benjamin kicking Woods in the back of the head while the referee isn’t looking. Gable takes advantage and gets the pin.
Winners: Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable
– After the match, Gable and Benjamin leave as we go to replays.
Sin Cara vs. Baron Corbin
Cara runs the ropes and nails a suicide dive but Corbin is still standing. Cara goes back in and nails another suicide dive to bring Corbin down. Cara goes to the top and hits a missile dropkick for a 2 count. Corbin goes out of the ring for a breather. He comes back in and drives Cara into the corner.
Corbin unloads now as the referee warns him. Corbin mounts Cara on the mat and unloads with strikes. The referee warns him and finally calls the match.
Winner by DQ: Sin Cara
– After the bell, Corbin finally stops beating on Cara. Corbin retains but Cara has picked up another non-title win over Corbin.
Sunil Singh vs. AJ Styles
Styles hits the ring as fans pop. Jinder stalls leaving the ring, as does Samir Singh. The referee orders Jinder to go to the backstage area and he does after arguing.
The bell rings ans AJ starts with a headbutt. Samir immediately gets on the apron to interfere. AJ grabs him and kicks Sunil as he comes from behind. AJ sends Samir off the apron and then applies the Calf Crusher on Sunil for the quick win.
Winner: AJ Styles
– After the match, AJ stands tall and celebrates the easy win.
Fatal 5 Way to Crown a Team Captain: Becky Lynch vs. Naomi vs. Carmella vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Tamina Snuka
Flair ends up getting dumped into the crowd over the barrier. Becky brawls with Tamina. Naomi is the first to make it back into the ring. Naomi dropkicks Tamina through the ropes. Becky joins Naomi in the ring. Becky rolls Naomi for a close 2 count. Naomi with a 2 count. Carmella comes in now and sends Naomi into the ring post hard, forcing her to land on the floor. Carmella with 2 pin attempts on Becky. Carmella argues with the referee as we get a replay.
Carmella works over Becky and talks some trash now. Becky catches Carmella in the Disarm Her for the win.
Winner and SmackDown Team Captain for Survivor Series: Becky Lynch
– After the match, Becky stands tall as her music hits.
Sami Zayn vs. Randy Orton
Sami misses the Helluva Kick as Orton moves. Orton hits the second rope draping DDT. Fans pop as Orton hits the mat now. Kevin Owens runs down and Orton goes for a DDT but Sami rolls him up from behind for a 2 count. The referee argues with Owens, who is standing on the outside now. Orton with a low blow on Sami while staring at Owens. The referee is still distracted by Owens. Orton, still staring at Owens, picks Sami up and hits the RKO for the pin.
Winner and SmackDown Team Captain for Survivor Series: Randy Orton
– After the match, Owens stares at Orton as we go to replays. Orton stands tall as his music hits.
– We go backstage to Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan reflecting on a successful show. RAW didn’t strike tonight but Bryan believes they will eventually. Bryan says Shane better be ready when they do because that’s in his job description. Bryan walks off and SmackDown goes off the air.
