WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from October 31

Every week on Bleacher Report, I take an in-depth look at WWE SmackDown to recap the action, offer analysis and grade the matches, segments and anything else that takes place on the show. I also provide some predictions on the direction of storylines.

This was a special Halloween-themed episode of SmackDown. The usual array of Divas in costumes and references to the holiday were present, but WWE also incorporated some humor into the proceedings.

Bray Wyatt and Erick Rowan really helped add to the creepy feel the show was going for, but it was Dean Ambrose and Cesaro who made the night memorable with a violent and entertaining main event.

There was a lot of talk about Survivor Series, and a couple of new feuds for the pay-per-view seemed to start up during the show, both of which revolve around titles.

Let's take a look at everything that happened on SmackDown this week.

Diva Battle Royal

Nikki Bella picked up a win in the Halloween Battle Royal after Alicia Fox eliminated herself and Paige at the same time.

Fortunately, AJ Lee was on commentary. Her wit provided some of the more entertaining moments of the match, but the match itself was exactly what you would expect.

Nikki is now the No. 1 contender for AJ's title, so it's just a matter of time before they officially set their showdown for Survivor Series.

Grade: D

Some notes from the match:

• If more paratroopers looked like Naomi, there would be an influx in enlistments.
• Rosa's entrance music is almost as bad as Brie Bella's.
• Layla's clown act was funnier than it should have been.
• Seeing Brie dressed as Daniel Bryan was really weird.

Dolph Ziggler vs. Kane

Dolph Ziggler and Kane had a really good match to get SmackDown back on track after the Divas' Battle Royal.

Kane seems like the perfect giant to put in the ring with the quicker, smaller guys such as Ziggler. He is big enough to pose a threat to anyone, but he's agile enough to keep up with a fast pace.

Kane won with a chokeslam, but it was not without some help from Jamie Noble's distraction. Ziggler also took some punishment after the match was over, but there was no John Cena to make the save this time.

Kane announced that Ziggler would have another match with Seth Rollins right then and there. Rollins hit the Curb Stomp immediately to get the win.

Some people might complain about this making Ziggler look like a weak champion, but it really doesn't. Nobody expects Ziggler to fight off four guys. This gives him a better reason to join Team Cena to get some revenge.

It would even be reasonable to expect that he might be one of the only survivors during the traditional elimination match at Survivor Series.

Grade: B+

Some notes from the match:

• Rollins looks like he is wearing a Halloween costume every single day with his weird ring attire and goody hair.
• It seems like a missed opportunity not to have Kane dress up as his character from See No Evil 2.
• If Jamie Noble and Joey Mercury were half as cool as Pat Patterson and Gerald Brisco, they would have been in costumes.

Ryback vs. Heath Slater

Heath Slater came out dressed as a scarecrow, complete with hay coming out of his clothes and a look of fear on his face once he saw his opponent.

This would have been a horrible match on any other night, but in this instance, it was a fun match. Not only is it great to see Ryback getting such a good reaction from the crowd but Slater's humor also actually worked in this situation.

He had a fake hand as part of his costume, which came off when Ryback tried to wrench his arm. They had a good laugh about it, but then Ryback gave Slater a huge spinebuster.

Ryback obviously won in the end. It might not have been a good match, but it was a good bit of fun for a Halloween episode.

Grade: C+

Some notes from the match:

• Slater is funnier than people give him credit for. He really gets to show his lighter side a lot on The JBL (Not Cole) Show.
• Ryback has had two whole matches without a Goldberg chant breaking out. He might actually get over this time.

The Miz and Mizdow in the Morning (At Night)

Mark Henry was the special guest for this week's episode of MizTV. He explained his heel turn by saying Big Show was jealous of his power. The Miz stirred the pot by showing a clip from Hell in a Cell where you could see Henry smile after Big Show lost the match.

Big Show didn't wait too long before coming out to brawl with his former BFF. They fought for a few seconds before Henry shoved Big Show through the barricade into the timekeeper's area.

It was a short segment, but it was very effective in making their feud seem really personal. We've seen them battle before, but this time it's about a friend betraying a friend.

These two have put on some great battles in the past. Hopefully they can live up to what they've already done together.

Grade: B-

Los Matadores vs. Gold and Stardust

Los Matadores defeated Gold and Stardust in a non-title match that definitely qualifies as the upset of the year.

The champions may have lost their focus when dealing with El Torito, but this is still a huge win for Fernando and Diego. It looks like they will now be in line for a title shot.

They're likely just being built up as contenders Gold and Stardust can easily defeat to retain their titles, but just being in the hunt for the Tag Team Championships is a big step up for a duo known mostly for their comedy feuds up to this point.

Grade: C

Some notes from the match:

• If you would have said that there would be a WWE match with two men wearing masks and two men wearing paint on their faces five years ago, you would have been called crazy.
• Los Matadores could be a great team if they were allowed to showcase everything they're capable of.

Khali vs. Rusev

Rusev made quick work of Khali before he gave a promo about his recent successes. Sheamus came out to defend the honor of the United States since he is the United States champion.

It was only a matter of time before this feud happened. With Rusev constantly bashing America, it's surprising he hasn't been involved in a feud for the title already. The U.S. title has all been ignored in recent months, so it's good that it's finally getting some attention.

Rusev avoided the Brogue Kick this time, but this is just the beginning for these two. They will probably end up in a match at Survivor Series, which could see a new U.S. champion crowned at the end of the night.

Grade: C

Some notes from the match:

• The pink suit makes Lana look like a Barbie doll.
• The grade for this one is for the overall segment not just the match. The match alone would have received an "F."

The Wyatt Family

Erick Rowan appeared in a short backstage segment with Kane where the two were watching See No Evil 2. It was one of the better uses of product placement WWE has attempted because the people involved were perfect for the part.

Rowan turning to Kane and saying that the movie scared him was just the right amount of funny, but it was Bray Wyatt who really stood out.

You never know how much you will miss something until it's gone, and Bray Wyatt's promos have been sorely missed. He was given ample time to address Dean Ambrose and remind the entire WWE Universe why he is one of the most intriguing characters on the roster.

Grade: A

Trick or Street Fight

The only way to describe this match is "fun." Cesaro and Dean Ambrose made great use of all the props at ringside, and they delivered a very brutal performance masked with a little bit of humor.

The way Cesaro suplexed a skeleton and the way Ambrose flew off the top rope with a broom in his hands were just a couple of the humorous moments this match provided.

WWE has taken some big swings with holiday-themed matches and missed in the past, but this was one time where it worked out. It's hard to remember the last time two men took as many shots from a kendo stick as Ambrose and Cesaro gave each other. They definitely went all out for this one.

Ambrose picked up the win with a pumpkin-assisted Dirty Deeds.

Grade: A

Some notes from the match:

• It would be interesting to see a list of everything WWE has ever called a "Street Fight." Things like "Miracle on 34th Street Fight" and all the times they have just added the name of a city to the name street fight.
• Ambrose and his kendo stick will bring up comparisons to The Sandman. What people need to remember is that Ambrose can actually wrestle.
• Whoever had the idea to color the kendo sticks like candy corn is a genius.
• Cesaro can claim he dressed like Bob Backlund for Halloween.

Final Thoughts and Predictions

This is one of the rare occasions that a holiday-themed episode of WWE television actually falls on the holiday being celebrated. WWE has long embraced celebrating Halloween, and this episode was full of references to the special day.

The Divas had their usual costume contest in the form of a Battle Royal, but it was Cesaro and Ambrose who stole the show in their "Trick or Street Fight."

Bray Wyatt's creepy speeches seemed even more appropriate during this kind of show, and he did not disappoint during his promo directed at Dean Ambrose.

For the most part, it was a good week for the blue brand.

Predictions:

• Randy Orton will join Team Cena.
• Gold and Stardust will recruit Hornswoggle to dress as a mini Goldust.
• If Rusev wins the U.S. title, he will rename it the Russian Championship.
• Dolph Ziggler will officially join Team Cena on Monday.
• The Usos will also join Team Cena.
• Nikki will force Brie to wrestle AJ with some kind of ridiculous handicap.
• Kane will try to recruit Erick Rowan for team Authority.

What did you think of this week's SmackDown? 

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