WWE SmackDown Live opened with a look back at what happened at the end of RAW when Becky Lynch and the rest of the women's roster from SmackDown attacked. As the pyros go off, there is a live shot in the arena, and then Tom Philips mentions that Becky Lynch is not clear to wrestle on Sunday due to a broken face and concussion thanks to a Nia Jax forearm.
"I do not feel sorry for Becky; she needs an attitude adjustment," Kayla said as Mike chuckled. Byron wonders who will face Ronda Rousey, but we will find out later tonight. Finally, we go to the ring; WWE Champion AJ Styles makes his way to the ring.
AJ Styles hits the ring, gets a mic, and says, "For the second year in a row, he steps into the ring with Brock Lesnar at the Survivor Series."
"For 371 days, AJ has defended the WWE Championship against the best WWE offers. He has done it on television and house show. He has faced dream opponents who have taken him to his limits and nightmare opponents who have threatened his family, and he has defeated them all, except for Brock Lesnar."
AJ tells the fans he has a second chance. Most don't survive to a second chance, but he will. AJ sees Paul Heyman with Greg Hamilton, and AJ tells Greg to give Paul the mic.
Paul Heyman introduces himself and then mentions his client, Brock Lesnar. Paul says, "He came here tonight because on the premier show in WWE, RAW, he told AJ and the entire WWE Universe there is no one that his client wants to fight on Sunday more than AJ Styles."
Paul says, "It is because you talk about Ricky Steamboat, Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, and the WWE Champion AJ Styles when you think of the greatest in-ring performers in WWE history."
AJ says, "He knows that Paul is trying to get under his skin. He has nothing but respect for Daniel Bryan. He didn't just beat Daniel Bryan, and he tapped him out. He didn't forget last year when Brock won."
AJ says, "He walked out with his head hung high. Brock may have walked out with the victory; no, he limped out, which means Brock is vulnerable. For 371 days, he has gotten better at tapping people out. For 371 days, Brock has become more vulnerable to tapping out."
He says, "He has two wins of beating Brock and pinning his shoulders to the mat or tapping him out. So it will not be about Brock Lesnar or Daniel Bryan on Sunday. It will be about AJ Styles."
Daniel Bryan makes his way to the ring.
Mike said, "Oh, look, it's the whiner himself." Kayla chuckles beside him, and Vicky and Kathy smiles
Bryan does not know why they are talking about him. They had their title match two weeks ago, and you tapped him out.
Daniel says, "He can accept that. Before that match, he respected AJ, and he meant that. He has been looking for a reason to punch AJ in the pace, and he meant that. You mention my name again without reason, and he will punch AJ in the face again."
Daniel thanks AJ and says, "good night."
AJ says, "Paul Heyman brings up Daniel's name, not him. If you were still upset about two weeks ago, he wants to clear things up."
AJ mentions Daniels's name…. Daniel punches AJ
AJ takes Daniel down. Bryan and AJ are punching each other as Shane McMahon makes his way to the ring and tries to break things up. WWE Agents and officials make their way down to the ring to help separate Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles. WWE officials separate AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan. Daniel goes across the ring, dragging Shane to get to AJ Styles.
SmackDown goes to commercials. SmackDown returns from the break; Shane and Daniel Bryan are arguing in the office while Paige watches.
"it amazing the Miz is not here," Daniel said spitefully
"Miz is at home, Bryan, due to the attack by Baron Corbin. And stop bringing up Miz's name when you are being reprimanded for your action. And when Miz does return, he will be receiving a title match."
AJ Styles enters the room, and officials have to hold AJ back.
Shane says, "If you want, Bryan. The title is on the line tonight." Paige wants to know what is going on.
Corey mentions that it is official, and AJ Styles will face Daniel Bryan for the WWE Championship tonight. Bryon mentions that Paige and Shane have brought extra security after last night. SmackDown finally has its first match of the night, and it was Andrade Almas with Zelina Vega vs. Jeff Hardy.
There was nonstop action, and until Almas with a knee to Hardy, Hardy came back with a kick. Hardy then tries to for a Twist of Fate, but Almas escapes, hits a spinning back elbow, and covers him for a near fall. Next, Almas sets for a DDT but Hardy escapes and hits a Twist of Fate, and Hardy goes up to for the Swanton and hits it and covers him for the three counts.
They see Shane and Paige in the locker room, watching a monitor. Paige asks Shane to clarify that Daniel Bryan is not on the team for SmackDown and confirms it. Paige says, "This is a great day since Marine 6 is out on Blue Ray."
Shane says, "The last member of Team SmackDown is Jeff Hardy."
Mike and Kayla see Samoa Joe and Rey Mysterio in the locker room talking about Daniel Bryan's attitude of late and say, "He is an obsession with Miz and sickening to them."
They show Randy talking with his wife, Carol.
"Have you spoken with your sister-in-law Stephanie about Miz's condition?"
"Yes, I spoke with Steph, and she told me that Miz is all right, but Kayla is fuming mad."
Randy chuckles and says, "I don't blame her one bit. Corbin will find out that you do not mess with the McMahon family."
"Yep, Corbin is going to meet one angry wife."
SmackDown went back to commercials. When SmackDown returns from the break, Shinsuke Nakamura is in the interview area. Nakamura asked how they would beat Seth Rollins. Nakamura says, "Last night Seth said he was not thinking about him and Seth broke his heart."
Nakamura says, "All he has thought about is Seth. Seth is not thinking about him, and it breaks his heart. At Survivor Series, he will break Seth's face."
Back to the ring for Rey Mysterio vs. Aiden English, the announcers mention that Aiden English is a replacement for Miz, who was posted to be Rey Mysterio's opponent but because of what happened to Miz, at the hands of Baron Corbin. The bell sounds, and there is nonstop action until Rey sends English into the ropes, and English is caught in the rope for the 619. English gets his knees up when Rey goes for a splash, and English gets a near fall. Rey comes back with a crucifix for the three counts. After the match, Randy Orton tries to clothesline Rey Mysterio and misses. Orton bumps into English and hits an RKO on English. Rey gets out of the ring.
Mike and Kayla see security standing at one of the exits if RAW tries to retaliate for what happened last night. They see Becky Lynch in the back showing last night's invasion wounds.
"She is lucky that I didn't do that to her," Kayla said.
Mike chuckled and said, "Yes, Becky would look worse if it was you, baby."
SmackDown goes back to commercials. SmackDown returns from the break, and Paige asks for all of the Women on the SmackDown roster to make their way to the ring.
Paige says, "Becky Lynch suffered a server concussion last night fighting for SmackDown. She is unable to compete on Sunday. Becky will come out and pick her replacement to face Ronda Rousey." Becky Lynch makes her way to the ring.
Becky says, "She is angry right now because she took a good beating last night, and it has never stopped her before. But, unfortunately, the medical team will not clear her to fight on Sunday."
WWE Universe chants "Mrs. Awesome," and Becky doesn't like that.
Becky says, "She has been knocking on doors to find someone who will let her fight, but she has run out of time. She tasted blood last night when she beat up half of the RAW Locker room. She had Ronda screaming last night, and that was just a taste of what she was going to do in Survivor Series. Even with a severe concussion and a broken face, she still kicked Ronda's ass."
Becky says, "She is sorry that she cannot finish what she started… yet, Ronda, you are not the baddest bitch on the planet. You're the luckiest. She has to pick her replacement. Someone she knows who can get the job done." Becky looks at the SmackDown roster.
Becky tells Charlotte to beat Ronda the way that she will beat Ronda. Then, she tells Charlotte to tap out Ronda the way she would tap out Ronda. Becky hugs Charlotte and leaves the ring. SmackDown goes back to commercials.
SmackDown returns from the break, and Charlotte is stopped in the back and asked about being chosen by Becky lynch to replace her against Ronda Rousey. Charlotte says, "For half of her career, she has fought against Becky. Last night, she fought with Becky. On Sunday, she will fight for Becky. On Sunday, she will beat Ronda to prove that SmackDown is the superior brand."
"SmackDown will always be second best to RAW."
Back to the ring for six-man tag action, and there was nonstop action in the match until Cesaro blocks Trouble in Paradise and Big Show is tagged in, and Kofi comes off the turnbuckles and is met with a punch, and he covers him for the three counts. Mike and Kayla see security standing by a door. The other tag team is in the back, and the Usos arrive and say, "Sunday is all about survival." They welcomed The Colons, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows, and Sanity to the team. SmackDown goes back to commercials.
SmackDown returns from the break and main event AJ Styles vs. Daniel Bryan for the WWE Championship. Daniel Bryan comes out to boo, heads to the ring, and enters the ring. AJ Styles comes out next and heads to the ring, entering and posing for the fans cheering him. Greg Hamilton does the introduction, and Bryan is booed while Styles is cheers.
The bell rings, and we are underway. AJ drives Daniel Bryan into the corner, but Bryan throws AJ in the corner. Both men duke it out. Daniel runs towards AJ, but AJ lifts him and throws him over the top rope onto the outside. AJ Styles jumps over the top rope and delivers a forearm smash onto Daniel Bryan. SmackDown goes back to commercials.
SmackDown returns from the break, and Daniel Bryan with an inzighuri onto AJ Styles. Daniel runs towards AJ, but AJ kicks him off. Styles jumps off the top rope, but Bryan pushes him to the outside. Bryan throws AJ Styles into the ringpost, AJ hitting their left shoulder first. Bryan throws AJ back into the ring and starts working on the left arm of AJ Styles.
Daniel Bryan goes for the cover, but AJ Styles kicks out. A right forearm but AJ Styles but Bryan with a right hand. Both men exchange fists. Both men run to the ropes and clash, hitting each other in the middle of the ring. SmackDown goes back to commercials. SmackDown returns from the break, and Daniel, with a hurricanrana, off the top rope onto AJ Styles. Bryan goes for the cover, but AJ kicks out again. Bryan climbs the top turnbuckle, but AJ Styles trips him up and slows him down. Bryan with right hands of his own but an overhead kick by AJ Styles to Bryan, who remains on the top turnbuckles. AJ climbs the top rope, but Bryan slides underneath him and trips up AJ.
Daniel Bryan gets AJ in the tree of woe, and a low dropkick by Bryan onto AJ Styles. Daniel Bryan gets AJ Styles up on the top rope and a backdrop off the top rope. Daniel goes for the cover, but AJ Styles kicks out again. Daniel Bryan with kicks to the chest AJ Styles Bryan goes for the roundhouse kick, but Styles duck the last one and tries to set Bryan in the Styles Clash, but Bryan fights out of it. He's an uppercut, but Daniel Bryan lifts AJ on his shoulders, but AJ gets him in a victory roll; Bryan kicks out. Both men get up, and an overhead kick by AJ Styles. Both men are down as AJ gets on the ring apron.
He jumps off the top rope and makes a springboard splash, but Bryan gets his knees up, and the Yes lock-in, but AJ Styles reaches the bottom rope. Daniel Bryan runs towards AJ Styles, but Styles dropkicks Bryan's knee. AJ gets the calf crusher locked in. Bryan reverses it into an armbar and the Yes lock. AJ reverses it, and a slingshot sends Bryan into the turnbuckles. AJ runs towards Bryan and gets on the ring apron. He goes for the Phenomenal Forearm, but Bryan moves out of the was,y and AJ hits the referee. The referee didn't see Daniel Bryan with a low blow onto AJ Styles. Daniel Bryan with the running knee to AJ Styles. He goes for the cover and gets the win. The fans boo. After the match, Daniel Bryan attacks AJ Styles, and the fans continue booing as Bryan holds the belt with an evil smirk on his face.
