CM Punk's challenge to The Wyatt Family thwarted by Curtis Axel

CHARLOTTE — With Survivor Series on the horizon, both The Champ and his new No. 1 contender, Alberto Del Rio, faced fierce adversaries on SmackDown, while CM Punk and Daniel Bryan stood united against The Wyatt Family.

CM Punk kicked off a blockbuster episode of the blue brand with a pointed message aimed directly at The Wyatt Family, who mysteriously targeted The Best in the World Monday on Raw. In the middle of challenging the terrifying trio to a showdown on SmackDown, however, The Second City Saint was interrupted by Intercontinental Champion — and Paul Heyman guy — Curtis Axel.

The Wyatts attack Punk | Photos of Second City Saint vs. third-gen Superstar

The third-generation Superstar began by thanking his “father figure,” Paul Heyman, who is currently laid up in a hospital bed in Europe and promised to make Heyman proud by defeating Punk in a one-on-one match on SmackDown made by General Manager Vickie Guerrero!

CM Punk def. Curtis Axel

CM Punk engages in a disturbing interaction with Bray Wyatt following a hard fought contest with Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel.

While CM Punk ultimately took control of his bout against Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel, the untimely distraction of The Wyatt Family’s creepy tone opened the door for the third-generation Superstar to rally. The Second City Saint doused the flames of the comeback, though, kicking out of the Perfect Plex to nail Axel with the GTS for the win.

But that wasn’t the end of the story, as Punk’s celebration was cut short by the ominous presence of Bray Wyatt, whose eerie laughter could be heard echoing through the arena.

R-Truth & The Usos def. 3MB

The hometown kid, R-Truth, teams with The Usos to face 3MB.

After choosing R-Truth to join them in accepting a Six-Man Tag Team Match challenge thrown down by the members of 3MB, the high-octane Uso brothers sailed to a big Friday night win over the wanna-be rock stars, with Truth driving Jinder Mahal into the canvas for the pin.

3MB silenced on SmackDown

AJ Lee & Tamina Snuka def. The Funkadactyls

Before battling The Funkadactyls on SmackDown, Divas Champion AJ Lee had some searing words for the cast of “Total Divas,” telling the stars of the hit E! program – the season premiere of which will take place this Sunday at 10/9 CT –  that they are taking away the attention from the only person who really matters … the Divas Champion.

The Funkadactyls clash with Divas Champion AJ Lee & Tamina Snuka on SmackDown.

After her diatribe, AJ & Tamina teamed up to overcome Cameron & Naomi for the first time ever in tag team action, clinching the victory when Tamina literally handed over Cameron so AJ could lock in the Black Widow.

World Title rematch at Survivor Series was made official

Former World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio called current titleholder, John Cena, a “thief,” claiming that he was sick and injured during his WWE Hell in a Cell Title Match against the Cenation leader.

But the 14-time World Champion himself arrived with some pointed words for his rival, saying that he — and the rest of the WWE Universe — is also sick: sick and tired of Del Rio “whining and complaining.”

When Del Rio chimed back in, Cena challenged his predecessor to an impromptu Title Match! But SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero made sure such an encounter would take place under a larger spotlight — Sunday, Nov. 24, at Survivor Series, to be exact!

| Survivor Series Match Preview

Before that, however, the GM made two matches for later in the night, pitting Cena against the monstrous Ryback in SmackDown’s main event and placing Del Rio in action against The Great Khali.

Alberto Del Rio def. The Great Khali

Alberto Del Rio has a tall task when "Mexico's Greatest Export" locks up with The Great Khali.

After spending the duration of the match trying to bring The Great Khali down, Alberto Del Rio finally locked the gigantic Superstar into the devastating Cross Armbreaker, forcing the Punjabi Playboy to tap out. Will John Cena suffer the same fate when he clashes with the ruthless Del Rio at Survivor Series?

Daniel Bryan def. Luke Harper via Disqualification

Daniel Bryan receives some much needed backup from CM Punk in his battle with The Wyatt Family.

After The Wyatt Family’s brutal Oct. 28 backstage attack on Daniel Bryan and the subsequent clash this past Monday on Raw that saw Bryan lend a helping hand to CM Punk, the bearded wonder battled Luke Harper one-on-one on SmackDown.

Or, at least, he tried to.

Still donning bandages over his injured right shoulder, Bryan valiantly put up a fight against the scarily aggressive Harper. When The Beard somehow managed to kick out after being planted with a thundering power bomb, the submission specialist snapped in the “YES!” Lock on the Wyatt disciple. But Bray Wyatt and Erick Rowan emerged to once again assault Bryan, this time leading to a Disqualification victory for the former World Champion.

Photos: Bruised Bryan battles Harper

Proving that one good turn does, indeed, deserve another, CM Punk rushed back down to the ring to help Bryan, returning the favor for the submission specialist’s Monday night save and scattering the creepy Wyatts to the wind.

John Cena def. Ryback

World Champion John Cena and Ryback collide in the SmackDown main event.

Vickie Guerrero may have been looking to feed World Heavyweight Champion John Cena to the insatiable Ryback in a huge SmackDown main event, but the Cenation leader looked for a way to rise above his destructive foe.

It was a rivalry renewed as Cena and Ryback traded massive blows, and in one thrilling moment, The Champ countered Shell Shocked with a ring-rocking DDT and “The Big Guy” countered the Attitude Adjustment with a Jackhammer!

But when Ryback connected with a meat hook clothesline and set Cena up for Shell Shocked yet again, the World Champion somehow wriggled out of imminent danger and hit The Human Wrecking Ball with the AA for the victory.

Cena/Ryback trade blows!

Before The Champ could catch his breath, however, Alberto Del Rio reemerged, leveling Cena with a cheap shot. But the Cenation leader was able to turn the tables, expelling Del Rio from the ring and sending the SmackDown faithful home happy.