WWE presented the penultimate episode of SmackDown ahead of TLC: Tables, Ladders, and Chairs and there were still several questions surrounding the event that the WWE Universe hoped would be answered.
Contract Signing – Women’s Championship
WWE’s first show inside the Tropicana Field kicked off with Sasha Banks in the ring waiting to sign the contract for her Women’s Championship match, but Carmella had the contract backstage and sent it out to The Boss. Banks then changed the rules and challenged Carmella to a match later in the night on SmackDown which was then made official.
Dolph Ziggler def. Montez Ford
With TLC on the horizon, Montez Ford needed to defeat Dolph Ziggler this week on SmackDown to prevent The Street Profits from having to defend the titles on December 20th.
It was a very athletic match between the two men, but it was Bobby Roode’s interference that changed the complexion of the match. After Ford climbed the ropes looking for the splash, Roode attacked Angelo Dawkins on the outside and allowed Ziggler to deliver the Superkick for the victory.
Sami Zayn def. Big E via Count Out
Zayn was annoyed backstage when he found out that Big E had merchandise before him. Zayn made the mistake of mocking Big E mid-way through the match which then saw the former New Day member set up for The Big Ending before he had his eyes raked.
After delivering a slap to Big E, Zayn ran under the ring, and while Big E followed, the official began to count, and The Intercontinental Champion was able to make his way back into the ring to answer the count.
Reigns Sends a Message to Owens’ Family
Kevin Owens made his way to the ring and interrupted a moment backstage between Jey Uso and Roman Reigns. Uso asked to sort Owens and headed out to the ring while Owens made it clear that he would use every weapon at his disposal this weekend to take back his Universal Championship.
Uso interrupted the promo when he attacked Owens with a steel chair but KO fought back and Pop Up Powerbombed Jey Uso through a table. Roman Reigns finally headed out to the arena but decided against approaching an angry Kevin Owens.
Owens chased Reigns backstage where The Champion gained the upper-hand and left Owens laying after a beatdown. Reigns then addressed Owens’ family and told them to talk to him because Reigns is the head of the table and he can take everything they have away.
Liv Morgan and Ruby Riott def. Billie Kay and Natalya
Billie Kay was interestingly able to find a partner for this tag match and it was Natalya. Kay and Natalya seemingly didn’t work well together and The Riott Squad easily managed to pick up the victory.
Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura def. Otis and Chad Gable
Otis and Gable looked to show that their new partnership was an effective one, but Otis only had a short time in the ring and Gable took a Kinshasa to mark the loss. Interestingly, Otis was on the apron and didn’t even attempt to make the save.
SmackDown Women’s Championship: Carmella def. Sasha Banks via DQ
Carmella debuted a new entrance as part of her Women’s Championship match and was then able to dominate the opening exchanges, hitting a sit-out facebuster on the apron.
After Carmella’s new assistant, who she called Tommy, involved himself in the match, Banks snapped and refused to stop the beat down in the corner. After the bell, Banks locked in the Bank Statement on Tommy before Carmella attacked The Boss and then broke a champagne bottle on her back to end the show.
