The Road to Survivor Series took a twisted and violent turn inside Denver’s Ball Arena last night. With the WarGames structure looming over the roster, the November 28 episode of Friday Night SmackDown delivered a go-home show that left the WWE Universe in absolute shock.
Fans tuned in expecting final confrontations, but what they got was a complete shift in power dynamics. The night featured high-stakes tournament bouts and a Women’s WarGames advantage match that lived up to the hype. However, it was the main event’s chilling conclusion involving Solo Sikoa and the spectral presence of Uncle Howdy that has social media buzzing this morning.
The balance of power has officially shifted.
Jey Uso Continues Main Event Run Against Returning Rusev
The night kicked off with deafening energy as Jey Uso made his entrance through the crowd. The “Yeet” chants were deafening in Colorado, setting the stage for a physical tournament clash against the brute force of Rusev.
Jey Uso has solidified himself as a top-tier singles competitor.
Rusev, looking more dangerous than ever since his return to WWE, wasted no time trying to ground the high-flying Uso. The match was a classic clash of styles. Rusev utilized his sumo background and raw power to toss Jey around the ring, targeting the lower back to set up for his signature submission.
The momentum shifted when Jey began to use his speed. He evaded a corner splash and began trading heavy right hands with the Bulgarian brute.
- Key Match Highlight: Jey delivered three consecutive superkicks that barely rocked Rusev, forcing him to dig deep for a Samoan Drop.
- The Finish: Rusev attempted to lock in the Accolade, but Jey slipped out the back door. After a rapid-fire exchange of reversals, Jey hit a spear out of nowhere to secure the three count.
This victory is massive for Jey Uso. It proves he can overcome heavyweights and maintains his momentum heading into the holiday season.
Solo Sikoa performing Sister Abigail wrestling move in ring fog
LA Knight Outsmarts The Miz in Battle of Wits
The second tournament match of the night featured two of the best talkers in the industry. LA Knight faced off against The Miz in a bout that was just as much about psychological warfare as it was about wrestling.
The Miz came into this match with a clear game plan. He tried to slow the pace down, using underhanded tactics and using the referee’s positioning to gain cheap shots. It worked for the first half of the match. The A-Lister targeted Knight’s legs, hitting a nasty Russian leg sweep and a series of kicks to keep the Megastar grounded.
LA Knight refused to stay down.
Feeding off the crowd’s energy, Knight mounted a comeback that showcased his resilience. He fought out of a chin lock and landed a powerslam that shook the ring ropes. The Denver crowd was firmly behind him, chanting “Yeah” with every strike.
The climax of the match was a chaotic sequence of reversals. The Miz went for the Skull Crushing Finale, but Knight rolled through. The Miz then attempted a DDT, but Knight blocked it.
Crowd Reaction: The arena erupted when Knight finally caught Miz with the BFT (Blunt Force Trauma) to secure the pinfall victory.
This win moves LA Knight forward in the bracket. It also serves as a reminder that while The Miz is a veteran strategist, Knight’s current wave of popularity and momentum is nearly impossible to stop.
Charlotte Flair Secures Critical WarGames Advantage
The stakes could not have been higher for the women’s division. In WarGames, the team with the numbers advantage usually wins. That pressure fell squarely on the shoulders of Asuka and Charlotte Flair.
These two women have a storied rivalry dating back to WrestleMania. They know each other’s movesets perfectly, which led to a stalemate in the early goings.
Asuka brought her signature aggressive style. She utilized stiff kicks and submissions, trying to wear down the Queen. At one point, Asuka locked in an armbar hanging over the ropes, damaging Flair’s shoulder.
Charlotte Flair reminded everyone why she is the measuring stick.
Flair responded with raw power. She hit a spear that nearly cut Asuka in half, followed by a moonsault to the outside that took out members of Asuka’s team at ringside. The match eventually returned to the ring where the physical toll became apparent.
Match Statistics:
- Stipulation: Winner earns 2-on-1 entry advantage for WarGames.
- Key Move: Natural Selection.
- Winner: Charlotte Flair.
Flair countered an Asuka Lock attempt by rolling through and hitting a snap Natural Selection for the 1-2-3. This victory gives her team a massive strategic edge at Survivor Series. The heels will now enter the cage first, but Flair’s team will enjoy periods of having the numbers game in their favor.
Solo Sikoa Embraces Darkness in Chaotic Main Event
The scheduled main event was a 5-on-5 Survivor Series Elimination match. It was pure chaos from the opening bell. The match featured The MFTs (Bloodline loyalists) going against a coalition of Sami Zayn, The Motor City Machine Guns, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Rey Fenix.
This match was a car crash in the best way possible. Bodies were flying everywhere.
- High Spots: Rey Fenix delivered a dive off the top turnbuckle to the floor.
- Eliminations: Shinsuke Nakamura was eliminated early by a Samoan Spike, putting the babyfaces at a disadvantage.
- Tag Team Excellence: The Motor City Machine Guns showed why they are legends, using tandem offense to eliminate one of the MFT members.
As the field thinned out, it came down to Solo Sikoa facing off against Sami Zayn. The history between these two added an emotional layer to the violence. Zayn fought valiantly, landing a Blue Thunder Bomb that nearly won the match.
Then the lights went out.
The arena plunged into darkness. The eerie sounds associated with Uncle Howdy filled the speakers. When the lights flickered back on, a thick fog surrounded the ring.
Solo Sikoa was not afraid. He stood in the center of the ring, eyes rolled back, seemingly in a trance. Uncle Howdy appeared on the ramp, pointing at the ring. In a shocking turn of events, Solo didn’t attack Howdy.
Instead, Solo grabbed a distracted Sami Zayn. He didn’t go for the Spike. Solo Sikoa executed a perfect Sister Abigail, the finishing move of the late Bray Wyatt.
The crowd gasped in collective silence before booing loudly. Solo pinned Zayn to win the match for his team.
The show went off the air with Solo Sikoa standing tall, staring blankly at Uncle Howdy, suggesting a terrifying new alliance or a supernatural possession that could doom everyone at Survivor Series.
Conclusion
SmackDown delivered one of the most intriguing cliffhangers of the year. Jey Uso and LA Knight picked up big wins, and Charlotte Flair earned a tactical edge for WarGames. But the headlines belong to Solo Sikoa. By using Sister Abigail, he has signaled a dark evolution for the Bloodline. Survivor Series is no longer just about brand supremacy or titles. It is about survival against a growing darkness.
What do you think about Solo Sikoa using Sister Abigail? Let us know in the comments below and use #SmackDown to share your theories on social media!
