Isenberg Reacts: WWE Smackdown Live “Surprising Switch for Survivor Series”

November 9, 2016

Baron Corbin Hurts His Knee

(Photo by Stephen J. Cohen/Getty Images)

This was the strangest part of Smackdown. Baron Corbin says that he will not compete in the main event of Smackdown, which makes Shane McMahon pull him from the Survivor Series match. Instead, he faces Kalisto and throws him all around the ring and to the outside. He “slips” and “hurts” his knee. Kalisto attacks him and targets the knee, which causes the match to be a No Contest.

Taking Baron out of the match was odd and not really logical to me. I was confused why they would make a change with only one week apart from the addition. If he was really hurt, I will understand more. It did not seem like it, especially when Kalisto went and attacked his knee after the slip. So, make your own conclusion. Did WWE realize that the Survivor Series match needed someone that would raise eyebrows? Are they not sold on Baron Corbin? I have more questions than answers regarding “The Lone Wolf.”

WZ 3

WWE Smackdown Women’s Championship

Results Via WZ Live Coverage:

Bliss irish whips Becky shoulder first into the steel ring steps. Bliss launches Becky back first to the steel ring steps. Bliss rolls Becky back into the ring. Bliss applies an armbar using the middle rope for leverage. Bliss keeps hold of the armbar. Bliss with a hair whip to the canvas for a one count. Bliss continues to work on the arm of Becky. Bliss with a drop toe hold that sends Becky face first to the bottom turnbuckle. Bliss bounces Becky’s wrist on the ring apron. Bliss continues to apply more pressure to shoulder of Becky. Bliss with a knee drop to the shoulder of Becky. Bliss applies a short-arm scissors hold.

Becky rolls Bliss up for a two count. Becky with a deadlift sitout powerbomb for a two count. Becky with a back elbow to Bliss. Becky with a boot to the face in the corner. Bliss goes for a leaping lariat, but Becky ducks out of the way. Becky with a series of running lariats followed by a side kick. Becky with a running corner forearm. Becky with a springboard side kick to Bliss in the corner. Becky plants Bliss with a exploder suplex for a two count.

Becky and Bliss battle for position on the top rope. Bliss goes for Tornado DDT, but Becky blocks it. Becky goes for a exploder suplex, but Bliss plants her with a DDT for a two count. Bliss goes for a flying splash off the second rope, but Becky drives her boot tot he midsection of Bliss in mid-air. Becky with a O’Connor Roll for a two count. Bliss responds with a rollup of her own for a two count. Becky gets Bliss in the DisArmHer and Bliss begins to tap, but her foot was on the bottom rope. The referee doesn’t see Bliss’s foot on the bottom rope and calls for the bell.

The Smackdown women’s division delivered tonight in a strong way. With the return of Becky Lynch, you had the champion really fend off a strong opponent, one who has a small but fierce offensive attack. She focuses more on the specific body parts, utilizing her knees and forearms. She is not looking to be the stronger opponent, but Alexa showed more versatility than in previous months. We know the sound offense and defense recovery from Lynch, so we know what to expect. I did think the finish was smart and keeps this feud going for another month. Also, when Triple H says you delivered, you damn well delivered. Good stuff from beginning to end and it felt like a main event, even though it was at the top of the second hour.

Josh controls most of the creative writing and ideas for the show on a weekly basis, as well as an on-air talent.
Aside from working with WrestleZone, Isenberg began his career in Broadcast Journalism interning at ESPN and worked with CBS Radio for three years. He has also had the opportunity to interview some of the best athletes and performers alive, including Andrew McCutchen, Ben Roethlisberger, Chris Jericho, Billy Gunn, Karl Anderson, Matt Hardy, Steven Strasburg and others.
Currently, Josh Isenberg works for Major League Baseball in their Advanced Media Productions. He grew up in Pittsburgh and went to Point Park University, which is where Chair Shot Reality is filmed each week.
His life outside of his obsession with wrestling include being a savant for Seinfeld, NFL, NBA, MLB and many television shows. He also has an undying love for musicals, which includes many shows he was a part of in high school. Some of his favorite wrestling moments can be linked to such superstars as Edge, The Rock, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels and The Great Khali.

Follow @JoshIsenberg4