SmackDown: November 14, 2014

Chris Jericho’s “Highlight Reel” with special guests The Authority

LIVERPOOL, United Kingdom — A truly explosive SmackDown from across the pond saw the return of Y2J, an incredible Triple Threat Elimination Match for the Intercontinental Title, Bray Wyatt’s backstage assault on Dean Ambrose and a vicious main event that pit Ryback against Corporate Kane.
 

Chris Jericho returns to SmackDown for a special "Highlight Reel" with guests Triple H & Stephanie McMahon.

The returning Chris Jericho opened SmackDown, welcoming The Authority’s Triple H and Stephanie McMahon onto a special edition of “Highlight Reel.”

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While Stephanie preferred to expound on the virtues of their being in charge, the outspoken Y2J and the WWE Universe seemed more interested poking fun at the power couple - as well as what would happen if WWE’s head honchos lost their  Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Tag Team Match against Team Cena and were ousted from power.

Eventually, The Game had enough of Jericho and, after taking his longtime adversary to task, the WWE power couple elected to make their exit. The Ayatollah of Rock ’n’ Rolla would send them off in style, leading the crowd in a humiliating rendition of “Na Na Na Na Hey Hey Hey Goodbye.”

Bray Wyatt def. Sin Cara

Sin Cara goes one-on-one with Bray Wyatt.

Set to battle Dean Ambrose at Survivor Series, Bray Wyatt made short work of Sin Cara on SmackDown with Sister Abigail.

See a "light" in the darkness

As the dust cleared, The Eater of Worlds once again addressed The Lunatic Fringe, his absentee father and the “darkness” that he believes consumes his adversary’s life. As Wyatt pleaded with Ambrose to accept him as the light, he emerged. Rather than run off, however, Wyatt continued his taunting and eventually reentered the ring to engage the focus of his torment. Though Ambrose knocked his ominous foe back to the ringside floor, Wyatt was still playing his mind games as he made his exit.

Later, the “New Face of Fear” launched a  sneak attack on Ambrose as he was conducting a backstage interview.

Gold & Stardust def. Adam Rose & The Bunny

The Bunny joins Adam Rose in the ring against the WWE Tag Team Champions.

Despite clear issues between them on Monday’s Raw, Adam Rose and The Bunny teamed up against WWE Tag Team Champions Gold & Stardust on SmackDown. But seconds after The Bunny opted not to tag in Rose in the height of the action and instead attempting an aerial attack off the top rope, Stardust countered and hit Dark Matter for the three-count.

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As a result, a furious Rose delivered a post-match Party Foul to his fury friend after the bell.

Dolph Ziggler def. Tyson Kidd and Cesaro — Intercontinental Championship Triple Threat Elimination Match

Dolph Ziggler defends his Intercontinental Title against Cesaro and Tyson Kidd in a Triple Threat Elimination Match.

In a continuation of the punishment he has endured at the hands of The Authority in recent weeks over joining Team Cena at Survivor Series, Dolph Ziggler was forced to defend the Intercontinental Title in a fast-paced Triple Threat Match Elimination Match against both Cesaro and Tyson Kidd.

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The awesome contest that followed saw everything from a double suplex to a Cesaro Swing to a powerbomb delivered on top of a superplex to a combination Sharpshooter-Crossface. Kidd would ultimately triumph in the first fall, capitalizing on Ziggler’s Zig Zag of Cesaro to pin The King of Swing.

Then, as the already intense showdown went into overdrive to determine the second fall, Ziggler hit a second Zig Zag for the incredible victory.

Natalya def. Layla

Layla returns home and clashes with Natalya.

After slapping Summer Rae and hurling Layla into a clapping Diva outside the ring, Natalya made her English opponent tap out to the family Sharpshooter.

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Ryback def. Kane by Disqualification

Triple H sends Corporate Kane to take out Ryback.

Amid a sea of Survivor Series controversy, the “hottest free agent in WWE” Ryback battled Corporate Kane in SmackDown’s main event — with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon looking on.

"Wrecking Ball" wreaks havoc

The action came to a sudden halt, though, when WWE’s Director of Operations brought a chair into the action, forcing the referee to call for the bell. But Ryback would reclaim the advantage, using a spinebuster to set up a chair counter-assault on his Big Red opponent.

The Human Wrecking Ball then engaged in a staredown with Triple H on the apron, a silent conflict that nearly turned violent before WWE’s COO opted to back away.