Tonight’s WWE Smackdown from the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, RI on FOX at 8/7C.
WWE invades the XL Center in Hartford, CT for tonight’s episode of SmackDown at 8/7c on FOX.
Kevin Owens is reportedly set to appear.
Kevin Owens appears to be in good shape for War Games at WWE Survivor Series.
As PWMania.com previously reported, Owens suffered a sprained MCL during Sunday’s WWE live event in Madison, WI, while defeating Austin Theory. This threw his Survivor Series status into doubt.
In an update, PWInsider reports that Owens will be at Friday’s SmackDown in Hartford, as well as all TV tapings leading up to the Survivor Series Premium Live Event on Saturday, November 26. This would imply that he’s also working the November 25 go-home SmackDown in Providence, unless he’s also scheduled for RAW tapings.
We also noted that the Wrestling Observer Radio reported this week that Owens was rehabbing his injury at the WWE Performance Center. He was scheduled to have the injury checked on Monday morning, so this PWInsider update indicates he was medically cleared to compete at the pay-per-view.
According to reports, Owens will compete inside War Games alongside Sheamus, Drew McIntyre, Butch, and Ridge Holland against Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos, Solo Sikoa, and Samy Zayn.
Source: PWMania
The Men’s WarGames match for Survivor Series was set up last week on WWE SmackDown, with The Bloodline (Roman Reigns, the Usos, Solo Sikoa, and Sami Zayn) taking on the Brawling Brutes (Sheamus, Butch, and Ridge Holland), Drew McIntyre, and a fifth partner.
Kevin Owens is out due to a sprained MCL suffered in a single match against Austin Theory at Sunday’s live event.
According to The Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer, Owens suffered a MCL sprain in his right knee after coming down awkwardly on his leg during a matchup against Austin Theory. The untelevised match took place during a live house show at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Meltzer reported that “the way it was worded was that hopefully that is all the injury is with the idea it could be more than that,” noting that Owens and Theory finished up the match, with the former WWE Universal Champion landing a pinfall on Theory after hitting him with a stunner. However, as Meltzer reported, Owens “needed help from the referee to get to the back” afterwards.
Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that WWE had surprise plans for Owens, who has been off television for some time. Although not confirmed, his unexpected return would almost certainly have resulted in his inclusion in the WarGames match.
“I only heard he has a sprained MCL, but he was going to get it examined…..I believe he was going to be in the WarGames match. That’s not 100% confirmed, but it is certainly the talk, and he was supposed to be in something as a surprise. So it all adds up that it would be the WarGames match…If that was the case, this could cost him that.”
Sources: PWMania and Wrestling Inc.
Tonight’s WWE SmackDown live on FOX at 8/7C from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Over the weekend, Natalya noted that she suffered a dislocated nose last week on SmackDown during her match against Shayna Bazsler. The bout was taped over a week ago.
On Monday, Natalya noted that she underwent surgery for the injury and breathe again. She wrote the following:
“We moved my dislocated nose back to the center of my face where it belongs!! I love the shape of my nose and it will stay the same, thank goodness! Can finally breathe again. Pain is beauty! LFG!”
It’s unclear how long she will be sidelined.
Source: EWrestlingNews
WWE taped tonight’s episode of SmackDown last week from the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO. Airing tonight at 8/7c on FOX.
Last show before the Crown Jewell premium live event from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, exclusively on Peacock in the U.S. and on the WWE Network everywhere else.
Another former WWE star returned to the company tonight on Friday Night SmackDown.
As was noted last week, Ronda Rousey wanted to face all challengers and she issued an open challenge for this week. Before her match Friday night, Rousey was in full-blown heel mode as she talked about being an active champion.
After Rousey’s promo, Tenille Dashwood was revealed as her opponent and she is back to using the name Emma. This is Emma’s first time in a WWE ring in almost 5 years. Emma was very competitive but after raking the eyes, Rousey won after hitting the Piper’s Pit and the armbar submission.
Emma took to social media and reacted to Friday night’s match.
“5 years ago today I was heartbroken feeling like my dream had come to an end. Today my heart is so full! I’m overwhelmed by the amount of support I have. You guys are the best. Now… I’ve got some unfinished business to take care of!” wrote Emma.
Before last night’s match, Emma’s last WWE match was on the October 23, 2017 edition of “Raw,” where she lost to Asuka. A day earlier, on October 22, she lost to Asuka at WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs.
Emma recently left Impact Wrestling after three years with the company. During her time there, she held the Impact Knockouts Tag Team Titles.
After her WWE release and before Impact Wrestling, Emma had a stint in Ring of Honor. She was part of the ROH Women of Honor Title 2018 tournament. A year later, Emma made her All Elite Wrestling debut at AEW All Out 2019. She was one of the participants in the Casino Battle Royale. The winner ended up being former AEW Women’s Champion Nyla Rose.
WWE is now interested in bringing back “several” more former WWE Women’s Superstars including Tegan Nox. Nox was released on November 18, 2021.
Tonight’s WWE SmackDown is live from the Enterprise Center, St. Louis, MO at 8/7c on FS1. SmackDown is airing on FS1 due to the MLB World Series airing on FOX.
Tonight’s WWE SmackDown live from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA at 8/7c on FOX.
I’m sure there will be more on the feud between Drew McIntyre and Karrion Kross, plus more from Bray Wyatt.
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