One of the several surprises that SmackDown promised on this unique episode ended up being the arrival of multiple NXT stars.
Starting off, NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler made her presence known after Bayley retained her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Nikki Cross. Baszler attacked Bayley, Cross and Sasha Banks before leaving the ring.
THE #WWENXT WOMEN'S CHAMPION @QoSBaszler IS HERE AND SHE IS TAKING EVERYBODY OUT!!!!#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/IsISDyZHdT
— WWE (@WWE) November 2, 2019
Afterwards, in a backstage segment with Sami Zayn, the duo of Matt Riddle and Keith Lee also made an appearance, eventually chasing Zayn to the ring and then attacked him. Riddle and Lee teamed together on the October 30 episode of NXT in a non-title match against NXT Tag Team Champions Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish.
What were you saying about ANYONE from #WWENXT getting in your face, @SamiZayn???#SmackDown @RealKeithLee @SuperKingofBros pic.twitter.com/SeUltTFEB2
— WWE (@WWE) November 2, 2019
.@RealKeithLee and @SuperKingofBros weren't going to let @SamiZayn get away that easily... #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/FGWFIAHhHD
— WWE (@WWE) November 2, 2019
The surprises didn't stop there as former NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa appeared in the middle of Miz TV, challenging him to a match. The two had their match resulting in Ciampa picking up the victory.
.@NXTCiampa is showing @mikethemiz how #WWENXT does things tonight on #SmackDown... pic.twitter.com/j8eoZKPZxs
— WWE (@WWE) November 2, 2019
Maybe the most significant appearance from the NXT brand is from NXT Champion Adam Cole, who accepted a title challenge from Daniel Bryan.
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— WWE (@WWE) November 2, 2019
.@WWEDanielBryan will battle @AdamColePro for the #NXTChampionship TONIGHT on #SmackDown! pic.twitter.com/J78VW2YVXC
Three more women from NXT then appeared on SmackDown. First, Bianca Belair attacked both Dana Brooke and Carmella and with Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville having no opponents, Rhea Ripley and Tegan Nox came out to face them. The NXT duo won after Ripley submitted Rose.
#WWENXT's @BiancaBelairWWE just DECIMATED @DanaBrookeWWE & @CarmellaWWE backstage on #SmackDown! pic.twitter.com/JMpBfVdcXS
— WWE (@WWE) November 2, 2019
This match definitely didn't start the way @WWE_MandyRose or @SonyaDevilleWWE thought it would... #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/knZcooB9fZ
— WWE (@WWE) November 2, 2019
In the main event of the show, Cole successfully retained his NXT Championship against Bryan. Once the match was over, Triple H and several wrestlers from NXT entered the ring where Triple H called out both Raw and SmackDown to a war as all three brands will be competing against each other at the upcoming Survivor Series pay-per-view on November 24.
PANAMA SUNRISE. LAST SHOT. @AdamColePro is STILL #NXTChampion!#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/PPig73UKMR
— WWE (@WWE) November 2, 2019
You heard it here first... @TripleH warns #Raw and #SmackDown because #WWENXT is coming for a BATTLE at #SurvivorSeries. pic.twitter.com/ZXDJNpbqOE
— WWE (@WWE) November 2, 2019
Fightful’s ongoing coverage of SmackDown can be seen at this link. After SmackDown goes off the air, Fightful will have a live post-show podcast.
