WWE SmackDown: Results, Highlights and Grades for Nov. 1

Bayley (c) vs. Nikki Cross – SmackDown Women’s Championship

In our first match of the night, Bayley is accompanied to the ring by Sasha Banks to face challenger Nikki Cross before defending her championship in a somewhat impromptu match.

Lock up at the start. Bayley aggressively pushes Nikki away. Another lockup into the corner. Bayley pushes Nikki away again, but Nikki pushes back. Nikki then attempts a series of quick roll ups (all for a two count) until Bayley whips Cross to the mat. Cross recovers and hurricanranas Bayley out the ring, followed by a tornado DDT on the floor. Cross rolls Bayley back in the ring for a two count to send us to a commercial break.

Back from the break, Bayley has Cross in a rest hold, but Cross triumphs out of it into a school girl pin. Bayley kicks out and immediately clothesline Bayley back to the mat for a two count. Bayley picks Cross up, but Cross fights back with forearms, running Bayley out the ring. She attempts a baseball dropkick, but Bayley catches her feet and drives Nikki into the steel steps.

Back into the ring, Bayley tries to capitalize with a pin attempt, but Cross kicks out before Bayley shoulder blocks her into the corner. She then runs at Nikki, but Nikki evades and Bayley goes shoulder first into the ring post. Cross mounts a comeback spot.

After a bulldog, Cross goes to the top rope and nails a crossbody, but Bayley kicks out. She sets up her Neckbreaker finisher, but Banks grabs Bayley’s feet. Cross knocks Banks off the apron, but Bayley knocks out Cross. She goes to the top and hits an elbow drop for a near fall. She then sets Cross atop the top rope. Cross attempts a DDT reversal, but Bayley fights her off. Cross slides to the outside.

Bayley slides outside, but Cross does her Finlay reversal. Fights off Sasha some more.

Cross hits the top rope while the ref checks on Bayley, but Banks knocks Cross off. Bayley capitalizes with Dean Ambrose’s old Dirty Deeds finisher, and wins.

After the match, Shayna Baszler blindsides Sasha Banks from the crowd and hits the ring, attacking Bayley and laying out the champion. The NXT Women’s Champion has made her debut and has made a statement.

Winner (And STILL): Bayley

Grade: B+

Good match, but of course, the big talking point that boost the grade up just a smidge is the surprise run-in from Shayna Baszler. As revealed yesterday, NXT is going to have its presence known at Survivor Series, so now with half the roster gone, we set up the building stages to introduce NXT to the mainstream audience. In a silver lining to the unfortunate circumstances, this could prove some exciting TV, and a great way to showcase the best of NXT.