Welcome one and all to Friday Night SmackDown! Your host tonight is just plain ol' Mike Hogan. Refresh this page frequently as we'll have live coverage with updates every five to seven minutes.
Our official preview noted that tonight marks Ridge Holland's in-ring debut on the blue brand, against the Swiss Cyborg Superman Cesaro. We'll also see tag action as Jeff Hardy & Drew McIntyre team up to take on Happy Corbin & Madcap Moss. Will the duo adopt the moniker HapCap? Also, fresh off his victory over WWE Champion Big E at Survivor Series, Universal Champion Roman Reigns is on the lookout for the next challenger to smash. And he'll get just that tonight when the Black Friday Battle Royal determines the new number one contender for the Universal Championship!
All this and much more, next on SmackDown! So with all that said, let's get things started! For those of you who want just the results and not the novella, click here!
WWE Friday Night SmackDown Live Results (November 26, 2021): Greensboro Coliseum Complex - Greensboro, NC
Welcome to SmackDown!
Pat McAfee and Michael Cole welcome us to SmackDown, coming to you live from Greensboro. We're informed that the Black Friday Battle Royal will be our main event tonight. Kayla Braxton welcomes us all to the post-Survivor Series episode of SmackDown. Kayla notes that "rumors begin to heat up about Brock Lesnar's suspension--" and is cut off when the Head of the Table's theme begins!
In the Ring: Universal Champion Roman Reigns w/ Paul Heyman and Kayla Braxton
Reigns is on day 453 of his run per Cole. Reigns gets a pretty decent pop from the crowd. The piped-in audience is all boos but the Greensboro crowd acknowledges their tribal chief. As he makes his lengthy entrance, we were treated to still shots and video clips from the battle between Reigns and Big E. Both top champions battled valiantly but Reigns won after a few dozen or so Superman Punches and Spears. As per recent weeks, Reigns' entrance only takes roughly four minutes. Kayla Braxton gives her mic to Paul Heyman. "Rumorsssss? Rumors about Brock...Lesnar?" The crowd pops as Heyman continues. "That's the best you got? Rumors? We don't do rumorssss on the Island of Relevancy. See, that's your problem, you parade around here like you're a journalist...like you got breaking news about Brock Lesnar....but you just want to come out here (and) get some spotlight for yourself." The crowd boos loudly and Heyman tells the crowd not to boo Braxton. Heyman continues on, insulting Braxton and tells her to leave the ring and not come back until she's a "legit journalist." Braxton leaves and the crowd loudly boos Heyman before starting a loud "we want Brock" chant.
Roman gets on the mic. "Wise man? Would you like to know the problem with rumors? Rumors give losers false hope. When compared to me, everyone's a loser around here." Loud boos and lots of "what" chants. "Because I've beaten them all. And Brock Lesnar is the number one loser around here." Huge boos. "I beat him and it wasn't even ideal conditions. I flew all the way around the world and I smashed his ass." Boos except from Lars Sullivan. "So I'll repeat it, Brock Lesnar's a loser." He pivots to Big E. "I smashed him last week at Survivor Series. But these fools are just a part of a long list. I beat them all! As a matter of fact, I'm running laps around this roster. It's getting embarrassing now. Management's getting desperate now." He asks Heyman about tonight's main event, the Black Friday Battle Royal, and grimaces. "How about we just let three of them win tonight, huh, how 'bout four of 'em 'cause I'll smash 'em all! And I can do that...because I'm the best of the best. I'm the Universal Champion, I'm the Head of the Table, I'm Your Tribal Chief, and I'm the Greatest of All Time....sooner than later, the whole world will acknowledge me." Reigns and Heyman soak up the boos as we move on.
Tag Match: Jeff Hardy & Drew McIntyre vs Happy Corbin & Madcap Moss
Drew McIntyre makes his way out with Angela the Sword, as usual. Cole sends us to a break and upon returning, we find Hardy in the ring with McIntyre as Corbin & Moss come out. We start with Hardy and Corbin. The bell rings and Hardy presents his back to Corbin, watching Drew instead of the ring. Corbin hits a running clothesline and takes a brief lead. Corbin's cockiness and taunting get the best of him as the 44-year-old Jeff Hardy takes control. Hardy with the inverted Atomic Drop followed by the double leg drop combo. Corbin brings in Moss. Hardy tags in McIntyre and the duo hit a double team move on Moss. McIntyre covers for two. Drew manhandles Madcap and yells "You're next!" to Corbin. McIntyre tags in Hardy. Huge "Hardy" chant from the hometown crowd. Hardy battles Moss and Corbin to the outside. Hardy's caught off guard by a running attack from Moss and we head to break.
Back from the break. Corbin is in control of Hardy, working him over in the corner. Corbin whips Hardy then performs his Misdirection Clothesline--the move in which he charges the corner, slides out, circles the ring and comes in to hit his opponent from behind, fyi--and levels Hardy. After a few moments Hardy is able to tag in McIntyre. McIntyre hits multiple belly-to-belly suplexes on both Madcap Moss and Happy Corbin. Corbin attempts his Misdirection Clothesline but McIntyre has it scouted! McIntyre levels Corbin and posts up in the corner. The crowd counts down with McIntyre but, just as Drew is ready to sprint, Madcap grabs his foot. The delay prevents McIntyre's Claymore and Corbin hits the Deep Six. Cover for two. Drew gets his second wind after Moss comes in. Drew lays out Moss and tags in North Carolinian Jeff Hardy as the crowd goes wild in anticipation. Hardy connects with a Swanton Bomb to pick up the win!
Your Winners, Drew McIntyre and Jeff Hardy
Singles Debut Match: Ridge Holland w/ Sheamus vs Cesaro
This match marks the in-ring debut of Ridge Holland on SmackDown. Sheamus escorts his number one fan out and we go to a break. Upon returning, Cesaro's out to a decent pop and the Swiss Cyborg is down to clown. Sheamus has joined McAfee and Cole on commentary. Sheamus brags about Holland's physique and ability and the fact that Sheamus is the mentor. Cesaro and Holland lock up, with Cesaro pushing Holland back int multiple corners. In one corner, Cesaro fires off multiple forearm uppercuts; in another, Cesaro mounts a turnbuckle and pounds Holland's face. Sheamus manages to distract Cesaro, allowing Holland to get the upper hand. Holland beats Cesaro in the corner. Holland with a chop block that sends Cesaro flying. The powerhouse Holland uses strong working holds to wear down Cesaro's neck. Holland with a suplex toss. Cesaro attempts to fire up but Holland hits a brutal clothesline. Holland continues to use powerful strikes and kicks to wear down Cesaro. Suddenly, without any warning, Cesaro just grabs Holland's legs and rolls him up, stealing the win.
Your Winner, Cesaro!
Thanksgiving Leftovers Throwdown Match: Rick Boogs w/ Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura vs Angel w/ Humberto
Pat McAfee flips the fuck out, his voice raising an octave in excitement as he hears Boogs introduce Shinsuke and play out the Intercontinental Champion. McAfee really loves his job; hope that never ends. We head to break but this match is up next and expect it to be messy! When we return we find Angel & Humberto out and the ringside decorated with a few tables of food and cheap festive decorations. The bell rings and Angel starts off aggressive, taking it to Boogs. Angel fights Boogs outside and attempts to put him through the table. Boogs blocks it and military presses Angel up, threatening to send him through the table covered with leftovers. Garza escapes and hits a running apron kick. The action heads back into the ring. Angel uses a wear-down grapple, working Boogs' neck. The crowd starts a loud and lengthy "we want tables" chant. Boogs screeches and hoists Angel up, holding him cross-body, then spins multiple times before dropping Angel. Boogs with an impressive gut-wrench move, hoisting Angel and turning him from left to right and back as if he were a toy. Boogs avoids a Humberto distraction and again hits the unique gut-wrench move on Angel. Humberto begins to play Boogs' guitar while standing on one of the tables. Boogs yells for him to put the guitar down. Nakamura runs and chops the legs out from under Humberto, dropping him back and through the table. Angel, however, catches an unsuspecting Boogs with a Superkick followed by his Wing Clipper finisher to pick up the win.
Your Winner, Angel!
Backstage Interview: Kayla Braxton w/ WWE Official Adam Pearce
Braxton asks Pearce for his thoughts regarding Brock Lesnar. She throws us back to video clips of Lesnar destroying Pearce, which led to his record $1 million fine and a suspension. Pearce states he's not heard of any changes to Brock's indefinite suspension, you never know around here. He states that Brock did all sorts of damage, including Pearce's medical bills and therapy.
Exclusive In-Ring Interview w/ SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair
The self-ordained Queen blesses us with her presence in our humble ring. They just made the Black Friday Battle Royal a Black Friday Invitational Battle Royal. Michael Cole tells Charlotte that she has to be disappointed in her loss to Lynch at Survivor Series. Flair states that all of Greensboro saw (cheap pop) that it was bad officiating. She states that Lynch only won by luck, and Lynch knows deep down that Flair is the better woman. Again, Flair takes credit for Lynch's success. Cole asks Flair what's in her near future. Flair states she's the most dominant woman in sports entertainment. Toni Storm comes out on a mic. "Wow! I just didn't realize how badly (this went to your head). I called it last week, your obsession with her made you vulnerable and just as I predicted, Becky won." Storm makes her way into the ring. She states Flair is coming after her, and tells Flair she figured she'd make things easy for Flair, as she's right here. Flair mocks Storm, stating she barely even knows who Storm is, let alone is "coming after" her. Flair asks Storm how would she like to be embarrassed tonight, and then attempts a cheap shot. Storm ducks under and sends Flair outside. Storm follows and Flair engages in a food fight with Storm. Flair throws a cream pie all over Toni Storm's face and hair and walks off.
Backstage: Boss versus Boss
Sasha Banks is upset backstage and states that if Naomi had been on the SmackDown Women's Survivor Series team, they'd have won. WWE Official Sonya Deville approaches her and the two exchange words, with Banks accusing Deville of lying. She states Deville's lucky she's not competing and is in a suit. Deville states that yes, she is in a suit and that makes her...the boss.
Video Package: Xia Li the Protector
We get another comic book-looking video of stills, telling the story of a woman whose quiet, kind brother was too good for this world. She goes on to state that she hates vultures. She reiterates her hatred of vultures before we see Xia Li, the Protector, "defender of those who are wronged."
Tag Match: Naomi & Sasha Banks vs Natalya & Shayna Baszler
We get to feel the glow as Naomi comes out first. We head to break. When we return, Banks makes her way out. WWE Official Sonya Deville has joined commentary and Shayna and Naomi start us off before Nattie tags in. The match starts off pretty technical, with Baszler looking for an early Kirifuda clutch and Naomi attempting a leg sleeper on Nattie. Nattie and Naomi fight to the outside, where Nattie slams Naomi down hard on her butt. Baszler is tagged in and takes Naomi into the ring. Baszler's attempted move is countered by Naomi and both women are down on the mat, in pain, as we go to a break.
Back from the break. Natalya attempts an abdominal stretch but Naomi executes a hip toss. Natalya tags in Baszler, who runs over and attacks Sasha Banks. Banks collapses to the outside. Baszler begins working Naomi's left knee, kneeling on her thigh and wrenching the leg. Baszler transitions to an ankle stomp attack effortlessly. Baszler tags in Natalya and the duo hit a double suplex. Nattie covers but only gets one. The crowd tries to encourage Naomi. Baszler tags in and picks the leg. Cover for two. Baszler twists the left foot, a wicked grin on her face as she twists Naomi's foot in unnatural angles. Naomi kicks Baszler back and Natalya tags in. Naomi fights back, hitting a double reverse bulldog. The crowd pops up as Naomi gets close. Baszler rips Banks off the apron; Banks knocks her off and hops up on the apron. Naomi again attempts a tag but again Baszler interferes. Banks drives Baszler into the barricade, with both women taking a hard crash. In the ring Naomi rolls Natalya up for a close two. Natalya stomps Naomi. Natalya with a perfect Michinoku Driver for a close two-count. Naomi hits a desperate jaw breaker and catches Natalya off guard, rolling her up for the win.
Your Winners, Naomi & Sasha Banks!
Black Friday Battle Royal Number One Contender's Main Event Match
The winner of this match will become the new number-one contender. The participants of this match are Sami Zayn, Jinder Mahal, Sheamus, Mansoor, MACE, Humberto Carrillo, the Viking Raiders (Erik & Ivar) who now sport new music, Happy Corbin, Jeff Hardy, Ricochet, Cesaro, Drew McIntyre, Drew Gulak, Madcap Moss, Boogs, Shanky and possibly more. Drew McIntyre, not officially apart of this match, came to the ring with his sword and chased everyone out. Drew then took a knee in the ring with his sword and yelled that this match could not go on with out him despite WWE Official Adam Pearce's pleas. We go to yet another break.
Back from the break. We're told Drew McIntyre left the ring voluntarily. This match starts and we're at it. Cesaro fights off Drew Gulak and Sami Zayn. Gulak turns on Zayn and attempts to get rid of Zayn. Drew Gulak is eliminated by Sami Zayn via a Helluva Kick. Mansoor uses his agility to hang in there but it's not enough as Mansoor is eliminated. Madcap Moss struggles with Mace. A big elbow eliminates MACE. Madcap is on a roll as he eliminates Shanky! Cesaro brawls with his opponent from earlier tonight and eliminates Ridge Holland. Madcap Moss gets back at it and eliminates Cesaro. After Madcap attempts to eliminate Happy Corbin, fails and pretends he was just teasing, Corbin eliminates Madcap Moss. We go to break.
When we return, Kayla Braxton has joined the commentary table as she'll announce the new number-one contender after this match. Ricochet tries to fight off Ivar and Corbin.Sheamus mostly holds back, watching Zayn as he dodges around the ring. Sheamus has zero interest in teaming up with Zayn and beats him up. Sheamus continues after Zayn. Boogs and Angel battle, with Angel hitting a springboard kick on Boogs followed by a clothesline to eliminate Boogs. The Viking Raiders work together to eliminate Angel & Humberto Carrillo. The Viking Raiders look to double team Sheamus but he escapes. Sheamus clotheslines Erik over the top rope and dumps Ivar over with a back drop, eliminating the Viking Raiders! We're down to Ricochet, Jeff hardy, Corbin and Sheamus. Zayn, as well, who is outside the ring legally. Happy Corbin throws knees into Ricochet's midsection. Ricochet and Corbin slug it out. Corbin shuts it down with a Chokeslam back-breaker. Corbin whips Ricochet into the corner and catches Ricochet as he attempts to float over. Ricochet uses the top rope to hit a missile drop kick and gain some space. Corbin eats a step-up Enziguri from Ricochet. Ricochet eats a Brogue kick from Sheamus. Sheamus eliminates Ricochet.
Sheamus and Corbin begin to slug it out. Sheamus gains the upper hand and attempts to dump Corbin over the top rope. Corbin catches Sheamus with an elbow to the face. Jeff Hardy gets back into the fight, attack each man in turn in different corners. Sheamus shuts Hardy down with a big arm. Hard throws an elbow that stuns Sheamus, then climbs up top. Whisper in the Wind on Sheamus! Corbin rushes over, attempting to take advantage but Hardy hits Corbin with a Twist of Fate! Sheamus stomps away at Hardy then begins a shoving war with Corbin. The duo then decide to work together to eliminate Jeff Hardy. Hardy throws elbows and Corbin surprisingly eliminates Sheamus! Jeff Hardy immediately dumps Corbin over the top, eliminating Happy Corbin. Jeff Hardy celebrates and his theme plays. As Hardy celebrates on the top turnbuckle, Sami Zayn hits the ring and dumps Hardy over the top. Jeff Hardy has been eliminated!
Your Winner, Sami Zayn!
Order of Elimination*
Drew Gulak (Zayn), Mansoor (??), MACE (Madcap Moss), Shanky (Madcap Moss), Ridge Holland (Cesaro), Cesaro (Madcap Moss), Boogs (Angel), Angel (the Viking Raiders), Humberto Carrillo (the Viking Raiders), the Viking Raiders (Sheamus), Ricochet (Sheamus), Sheamus (Happy Corbin), Happy Corbin (Jeff Hardy), Jeff Hardy (Sami Zayn).
* Disclaimer: there may be a name or two out of order.
Breaking News; The Suspension Has Been Lifted
Braxton interviews Zayn but quickly cuts to the bigger breaking news--the suspension has been lifted and Brock Lesnar will be at SmackDown next week. The crowd starts a loud "we want Brock" chant as we want the Bloodline in the back, nervously staring into the monitor.
In Closing
And that's a wrap! Have a great weekend, stay warm, always stay frosty and stay safe out there, Rajahmaniacs. See you all Monday Night for Raw.
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