PreviewThe Headliner(s) Deciding the #1 contenders for Heath Slater & Rhyno’s tag team titles might seem like it would be low on most General Manager’s “to do” lists, but not Daniel Bryan’s! And that makes sense, especially since two-thirds of his singles belts have clear-cut feuds, and the pairs scene has been kind of neglected with the popular Beauty & the Man-Beast up top and a ten-man elimination tag to worry about at Survivor Series. Perhaps part of the reason Bryan is throwing the Usos, American Alpha, Breezango and Hype Bros into this tag turmoil match (along with the Ascension and the Vaudevillains) is to make them kick each others butts for failing to bring home that match for team blue. The practice from this past Sunday should serve them well, however, as turmoil stips usually involve eliminations. Who will earn a chance to be on the second pair of tag champs in this era of SmackDown history? The Title Scene ► TLC’s World championship match is already set, and the tensions are going to be even higher after Dean Ambrose broke ranks with his team to join with former Shield-mates Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns to attack AJ Styles after a tussle with the champ led to Ambrose’s elimination at Survivor Series. ► Alexa Bliss and Women’s titleholder Becky Lynch actually played nice during their elimination tag match, for the most part. But expect that to be over, as Alexa is still Blissed off about the officiating error that cost her a championship when she faced the Lasskicker in Glasgow. ► Thanks to his wife Maryse, and Vince McMahon’s love of callbacks to the Montreal Screwjob whenever he’s in Canada, Miz brought the Intercontinental title back to SmackDown with a win over Sami Zayn. Now, he’ll probably have to answer to old rival Dolph Ziggler for the various shenanigans he employed to take the strap from the Show-Off just last Tuesday. Other stuff to keep an eye on: ► It’s not clear if the motivational speech from his old rival the Undertaker helped, but Bray Wyatt picked up one of the biggest wins of his career when he kept Team Blue from being swept in traditional Survivor Series matches this year. ► His newest recruit, Randy Orton, was integral in that, too, taking a Roman Reigns spear to protect his patriarch. Now if only Luke Harper would trust the Viper... ► Speaking of trust, the women should watch their back around Natalya - especially Nikki Bella. The captain was taken out backstage on Sunday in a move that just so happened to open a spot on the squad for Natty. ► Once he addresses the tag title picture, Bryan will need to turn his attention to Baron Corbin. The Lone Wolf’s hatred of Kalisto, smaller men and guys with independent wrestling appearance cost SmackDown the cruiserweights at Survivor Series.
Blue Vagina