WWE SmackDown delivered its final chapter before Crown Jewel with a brutal No Holds Barred main event, an increasingly complicated women's division, and several developments that could have consequences extending well beyond Saturday's premium live event.
Friday's episode aired from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, following its November 2 taping. Kevin Owens defeated CM Punk, Damian Priest continued his destructive campaign, Shinsuke Nakamura scored an important victory over Tama Tonga, and the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship match descended into chaos. Meanwhile, Charlotte Flair returned, Chelsea Green confronted her insecurities ahead of facing Liv Morgan, and Sami Zayn made a decision that may reveal more about his character than anything he could have said on the microphone.
With Crown Jewel approaching, WWE had an opportunity to reinforce its most important rivalries while establishing meaningful consequences for the weeks ahead. Some developments accomplished exactly that. Others raised questions that will require considerably more than another backstage confrontation to answer.
Kevin Owens Defeats CM Punk in a Brutal No Holds Barred Main Event:
Kevin Owens and CM Punk entered Friday's main event with a rivalry that had become increasingly personal. Owens' interference in Punk's NXT Championship opportunity against Grayson Waller earlier in the week provided another reason for Punk to seek retaliation, while the No Holds Barred stipulation ensured neither competitor would be protected by the traditional restrictions of singles competition.
The match featured weapons, considerable punishment, and dangerous exchanges around ringside. Both competitors took advantage of their surroundings, including the use of chairs, a trash can, and tables. Punk eventually connected with the GTS, but Owens rebounded off the ropes and struck him with a chain-wrapped fist to secure the pinfall victory.
Result: Kevin Owens defeated CM Punk by pinfall in a No Holds Barred match.
From a wrestler's perspective, I appreciate when a stipulation serves an actual purpose rather than functioning as an elaborate decoration for an otherwise conventional match. The chain-assisted finish would ordinarily create an immediate controversy involving a disqualification. Here, it was entirely legal. That doesn't necessarily make Owens' victory admirable, but it makes the finish consistent with the environment these competitors agreed to enter.
The larger question concerns what happens next. Punk has now suffered significant setbacks in consecutive championship-related developments, while Owens leaves Brooklyn with a major victory over an established star. Does this finally settle their rivalry, or has Owens simply given Punk another reason to pursue him? And if Owens intends to position himself for a championship opportunity, this is precisely the kind of victory that can strengthen his argument.
Charlotte Flair Returns as the Women's Tag Team Championship Match Ends in Chaos:
WWE Women's Tag Team Champions B-Fab and Michin defended their titles against Fatal Influence's Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid. The encounter presented an opportunity for the champions to establish their reign against former titleholders, but the match ultimately ended without a decisive winner following outside interference involving Alexa Bliss and Tatum Paxley.
Result: B-Fab and Michin vs. Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid ended in a no contest. B-Fab and Michin retained the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship.
The confrontation continued after the match, with Bayley entering the situation before Jade Cargill attacked her. Charlotte Flair then made her return, confronting Cargill and adding another significant rivalry to an already crowded championship picture.
There is considerable potential here, particularly with the possibility of a larger multi-woman confrontation developing. However, one of the challenges of booking several talented women within the same storyline is ensuring their individual motivations don't become interchangeable. A collection of recognizable names can create excitement, but recognizable names alone don't guarantee meaningful storytelling.
As someone who has worked within women's wrestling, I believe the strongest rivalries give each competitor something personal to fight for. Whether that's championship ambition, unfinished business, loyalty, or outright resentment, those motivations should influence how the women interact. Charlotte's return brings star power, but her confrontation with Jade Cargill deserves its own identity rather than becoming another interchangeable component of a larger brawl.
And while the champions retained their titles, another unresolved defense raises an important question: when will B-Fab and Michin receive an opportunity to establish themselves through a decisive championship victory?
Chelsea Green Confronts Her Self-Doubt Ahead of Liv Morgan:
SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis introduced WWE Women's Champion Chelsea Green ahead of her Crown Jewel confrontation with Women's World Champion Liv Morgan. Rather than relying entirely on the exaggerated confidence frequently associated with her character, Green acknowledged that she sometimes struggles to believe in herself. She expressed her determination to prove she belongs among WWE's champions and establish a meaningful legacy.
Morgan interrupted, mocking Green's vulnerability and questioning the legitimacy of her success. Her remarks included dismissing Green as a paper champion, reinforcing the psychological pressure surrounding their upcoming match.
This was one of the more interesting character developments of the evening because professional wrestling doesn't always allow its champions to acknowledge insecurity. We're accustomed to performers projecting confidence, delivering threats, and promising victories. But the reality of being a professional wrestler is considerably more complicated. Criticism, comparisons, and the pressure to prove yourself can become difficult to separate from your own expectations.
That's why I find this direction compelling for Chelsea. Her personality has always provided opportunities for humor, but humor and emotional depth aren't mutually exclusive. A performer can be entertaining, dramatic, and occasionally ridiculous while still having insecurities that audiences recognize within themselves.
The question is whether WWE will build upon that vulnerability or treat it as a temporary detail before returning to business as usual. Green doesn't necessarily need to defeat Morgan for this development to matter, but the outcome should contribute to a larger character journey. Otherwise, why invite the audience to see beneath the surface?
Damian Priest Defeats Nathan Frazer by Referee Stoppage:
Damian Priest continued his increasingly aggressive behavior against Nathan Frazer, who entered the encounter seeking payback following Priest's treatment of R-Truth. Frazer's speed and athleticism provided a contrast to Priest's physical advantage, but the match ended when Priest delivered a devastating Razor's Edge onto the commentary table.
The referee stopped the contest, awarding Priest the victory. Unfortunately for Fraxiom, the punishment didn't end there, as Priest subsequently attacked Axiom.
Result: Damian Priest defeated Nathan Frazer by referee stoppage.
Priest's presentation is becoming increasingly dangerous, and there is an important difference between establishing a wrestler as dominant and establishing one as unpredictable. Dominance makes a competitor credible; unpredictability makes audiences wonder how far that competitor might go. Priest is currently benefiting from both qualities.
United States Champion Trick Williams also appeared backstage alongside Lil Yachty, with Priest becoming part of the championship conversation. That potential confrontation could provide an intriguing direction, especially if Priest's aggression becomes the catalyst for a title opportunity.
However, I would caution against allowing this version of Priest to become repetitive. Destructive behavior is most effective when it produces escalating consequences. Otherwise, eventually, the audience becomes accustomed to the destruction rather than invested in its implications.
Shinsuke Nakamura Defeats Tama Tonga:
Shinsuke Nakamura continued the ongoing rivalry between Bakusai and the MFTs with a singles match against Tama Tonga. The conflict has extended beyond individual competition, incorporating the respective factions and their increasingly personal disagreements.
Nakamura ultimately secured the victory after connecting with the Kinshasa.
Result: Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Tama Tonga by pinfall following the Kinshasa.
The victory strengthens Nakamura's position within the rivalry, but the larger opportunity may involve the tag team division. If Bakusai eventually challenges for championship gold, WWE will need to demonstrate that the partnership possesses more than individual talent.
Successful tag team wrestling requires chemistry, trust, timing, and an understanding of how to create opportunities for your partner. Two talented wrestlers aren't automatically a great team. That chemistry needs to be established through their performances and the obstacles they overcome together.
Could this rivalry become the foundation for a meaningful championship pursuit? Absolutely. But the eventual payoff should reflect the investment WWE has made in developing the conflict.
Sami Zayn Walks Away as Jimmy Uso Is Attacked:
Undisputed WWE Champion Sami Zayn addressed his upcoming Crown Jewel confrontation with Roman Reigns, emphasizing his determination to establish himself as a champion who would no longer be overlooked. Jimmy Uso interrupted and questioned Zayn's recent actions against Reigns, particularly considering their complicated history together.
The confrontation became increasingly personal as Zayn reminded Jimmy of his own role in removing him from The Bloodline. Jimmy warned Zayn about the consequences awaiting him at Crown Jewel, but the situation escalated when the 946 attacked Jimmy. Zayn watched the assault unfold, appeared conflicted, and ultimately walked away rather than intervening. The attack continued, with Cruz Montana appearing in full 946 attire.
What makes this development interesting isn't simply that Jimmy was attacked. It's that Zayn had an opportunity to intervene and chose not to.
Professional wrestling often communicates character development through dramatic betrayals, unexpected alliances, and physical confrontations. But sometimes inaction can be equally revealing. Zayn didn't have to participate in the attack to demonstrate that his priorities may be changing.
The difficult question is whether his championship ambitions are beginning to compromise the principles that once made him such a compelling figure. Is he becoming more ruthless because he believes it's necessary to survive at the top, or is he gradually becoming the kind of competitor he previously opposed?
That's a considerably more interesting question than simply determining whether Zayn can defeat Roman Reigns.
GUNTHER and Finn Bálor Continue Their Psychological Warfare:
GUNTHER opened the evening by addressing his recent confrontation with Finn Bálor, dismissing the intimidation associated with Bálor's Demon persona and challenging him to confront him directly. Bálor appeared without the supernatural presentation, and their confrontation quickly became physical.
Bálor gained the advantage during the brawl, forcing GUNTHER to retreat.
The contrast between these performers offers an intriguing foundation for their rivalry. GUNTHER's presentation emphasizes discipline, physical dominance, and an uncompromising approach to competition, while Bálor has increasingly incorporated psychological manipulation into his character.
But intimidation only becomes truly effective when it produces meaningful consequences. Bálor standing tall creates an important moment, although the eventual in-ring confrontation will determine whether WWE can translate that psychological tension into a satisfying rivalry.
Complete WWE SmackDown Results — November 6, 2026:
Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Tama Tonga by pinfall following the Kinshasa.
WWE Women's Tag Team Champions B-Fab and Michin vs. Fatal Influence's Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid ended in a no contest following outside interference. The champions retained their titles.
Damian Priest defeated Nathan Frazer by referee stoppage following a Razor's Edge onto the commentary table.
Kevin Owens defeated CM Punk by pinfall in a No Holds Barred match following a chain-assisted punch.
Additional developments: Charlotte Flair returned to confront Jade Cargill after Cargill attacked Bayley. Chelsea Green and Liv Morgan exchanged words ahead of Crown Jewel. Sami Zayn refused to intervene when the 946 attacked Jimmy Uso. GUNTHER and Finn Bálor brawled, while Trick Williams appeared backstage alongside Lil Yachty and addressed Damian Priest.
Final Thoughts: Did SmackDown Deliver Before Crown Jewel?
Friday's episode successfully reinforced several important rivalries while introducing developments that could have consequences beyond Crown Jewel. Kevin Owens secured a significant victory over CM Punk, Damian Priest continued establishing himself as a dangerous competitor, and Charlotte Flair's return added another compelling dimension to the women's division.
However, the strongest developments weren't necessarily the most physically spectacular. Chelsea Green acknowledging her insecurities provided an opportunity for meaningful character growth, while Sami Zayn's decision to abandon Jimmy Uso suggested that his championship ambitions may be changing him in ways he hasn't fully acknowledged.
Those are the details that interest me most as both a wrestler and a writer. Championships establish stakes, but character development gives those stakes emotional weight. Audiences need reasons to care about what happens after the referee counts three, not simply who receives the victory.
With Crown Jewel approaching, WWE has an opportunity to turn these developments into meaningful payoffs. The challenge will be ensuring those outcomes feel earned rather than simply convenient. Because winning a match can create a moment, but telling the right story is what makes that moment matter...
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