WWE SmackDown, going head-to-head with a special Friday version of AEW Collision, advertised LA Knight vs. Jimmy Uso, the new-look Damage CTRL following Asuka’s heel turn, the Brawling Brutes vs. Pretty Deadly vs. The Street Profits in a No. 1 Contender’s match and Solo Sikoa’s rise to power.
Last week’s broadcast of WWE SmackDown garnered 2.195 million.
WWE SmackDown Results | November 17, 2023
- The Street Profits def. The Brawling Brutes and Pretty Deadly
- Dragon Lee def. Axiom
- Grayson Waller def. Cameron Grimes
- LA Knight def. Jimmy Uso
WWE SmackDown Ratings
- November 10, 2023 | 2.195 million
- November 3, 2023 | 2.119 million
- October 27, 2023 | 1.145 million
- October 20, 2023 | 2.253 million
- October 13, 2023 | 2.417 million
WWE SmackDown Ticket Sales
MORE FROMFORBES ADVISOR
- WWE SmackDown Venue: Ford Center (Evansville, In.)
- WWE SmackDown Tickets Distributed: 5,441
- Available Tickets: 935
WWE To TNT? | Pro Wrestling Bits
WWE SmackDown Winners and Grades
Damage CTRL Kicks Off SmackDown
With Corey Graves still out on paternity leave, the Road Dogg Jesse James appeared in Graves’ seat.
A crowded Damage CTRL kicked off SmackDown, and it already feels like another Bloodline rerun.
Bayley took credit for being the mastermind behind Asuka joining Damage CTRL, and the rest of the members didn’t seem to agree.
Asuka, Kairi Sane and Iyo Sky talked and cackled about Bayley in Japanese. Dakota Kai, who apparently understands the language, translated by saying one of the people in the ring was not a member of Damage CTRL, teasing they didn’t want Bayley in the group. She then clarified that the group still needed to initiate Asuka, who officially joined.
Damage CTRL will take on Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair, Shotzi and a mystery partner in WarGames. I can’t think of a more fitting setting for Shotzi’s tank.
Shotzi’s tank made its own entrance, but was empty, only for Shotzi to blitz Damage CTRL from the crowd.
Opening Segment Grade: B
The Street Profits Def. Brawling Brutes And Pretty Deadly
Pretty Deadly now gets the slow-motion treatment during their entrance.
There really doesn’t seem to be anything different about the Street Profits outside of their more sparkly gear and the fact that they wear suits now.
The Street Profits winning this match sets up a heel vs. heel showdown with the Judgment Day. There won’t be much heat for that match.
WWE teased a split between Ridge Holland and Butch after their latest loss.
Backstage, Damage CTRL took out Michin just as it seemed Michin would be joining forces with the babyface team at WarGames.
Tag Team TISI Triple Threat Grade: B
Dragon Lee Def. Axiom
In one of the most random main roster call-ups ever, Axiom made his SmackDown debut against Dragon Lee.
This segment was filled with luchadors across WWE and AEW, with Kommander and Penta El Zero M wrestling in a Fatal 4-Way on Collision. Both matches were spectacular.
The best spot of this match was a pop-up powerbomb counter into a Canadian Destroyer by Axiom.
Dragon Lee vs. Axiom Grade: A
Santos Escobar Explains His Actions
Santos Escobar used his old Legado Del Fantasma theme music, which is so much better than the LWO theme.
Santos Escobar got a ton of heat for this promo, only to be peppered with “what” chants.
Santos Escobar said “Dominik was right” about Rey Mysterio, and it only made Escobar a bigger heel to this crowd.
Instead of apologizing, Escobar said he hopes Rey’s surgery goes wrong and he gets an amputation. Michael Cole had heard enough and begged “somebody to cut this guy off.”
Joaquim Wilde and Cruz Del Toro couldn’t have looked any worse as Escobar beat them both down by himself. Carlito had to make the save before he finally backed down.
Santos Escobar Segment Grade: B+
Grayson Waller Def. Cameron Grimes
Grayson Waller beat a “frustrated” Cameron Grimes with a front flip into an Unprettier. All Waller’s big moves are such productions.
Backstage, even Bianca Belair didn’t care about Legado Del Fantasma, who was in the trainer’s room from the 1-on-2 attack. Belair consoled a weeping Zelina, and seemed to be propositioning her to join Team Bianca at WarGames. Right on cue, Vega was attacked.
Grayson Waller vs. Cameron Grimes Grade: B
Solo Sikoa’s Rise to Power
Paul Heyman teased an appearance from John Cena, and the generous amount of people who popped aught to have been ashamed of themselves. Of course, it turned out to be a ruse.
This felt like the gloating Paul Heyman who cut that great promo after Brock Lesnar ended the Undertaker’s streak.
LA Knight interrupted Heyman wearing sweatbands on his wrists and forearms just like John Cena.
Solo Sikoa’s Rise to Power Grade: B-
LA Knight Vs. Jey Uso
Backstage, Bianca Belair told Charlotte Flair to “make that call.” Could it be Becky Lynch? Heyman and Solo left the arena after receiving a call of their own, which may confuse people into thinking that Charlotte called them.
After an LA Knight victory, only for Solo to attack Knight, amd CodyRhodes (who made an accidental cameo backstage earlier) to make the save. This was nor building up LA Knight vs. Roman Reigns, it was building up Cody vs. Roman.
In the main event segment, Becky Lynch was announced as the mystery partner for the babyface team.
