WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from November 14

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.

WWE was still in the UK, which meant another night of "where's my network?" chants for the production staff to attempt to edit out.

We were treated to a Triple Threat Elimination Match for the Intercontinental Championship that tore the house down and made the show worth the price of admission all by itself.

It was a pretty light card with only five matches, but one of them lasted a very long time, so it's a little more understandable.

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

Y2JUK

Chris Jericho returned to SmackDown to host a special episode of the Highlight Reel, featuring the Authority.

Stephanie McMahon, Triple H and Y2J have so much history that every time they get together, they just fall back into their old routine of trying to one-up each other.

They did a great job playing to the Liverpool crowd while promoting the big match at Survivor Series. Triple H got so upset that he threatened not to pick up the phone the next time Jericho called to make a return.

In turn, Jericho got the crowd to sing Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye. It was a solid opening segment, especially for SmackDown.

Jericho is perfect for these kinds of appearances between his usual runs because he can control the crowd to keep the segment moving in the right direction.

Grade: B+

Notes and Highlights:

• Jericho's joke about Funaki being Adam Rose's bunny should have received a louder reaction from the crowd.
• They actually kept in the "where's out network?" chant in the beginning, but they probably edited out a lot of more than what we heard.
• Stephanie is as good as any heel in history on the mic. She can play a crowd to the extent that they don't even realize she is controlling them.

Bray Wyatt vs. Sin Cara

Bray Wyatt was given an easy victory against one half of the NXT Tag Team champions. Sin Cara didn't stand a chance from the moment the bell rang.

Cara was able to hit a couple of quick offensive maneuvers, but he was literally run over by the much larger Wyatt.

At one point, Wyatt just rolled around on the ground laughing before popping up into his weird yoga pose and then hitting Sister Abigail for the win.

He brought the lights down and gave a speech about Dean Ambrose missing his father as a child. It didn't take long for Ambrose to make an appearance and go for Wyatt.

He got in one good shot to Wyatt's face before the larger of the two lunatics chose to retreat.

Grade: Match C, Post-Match Segment B+

Notes and Highlights:

• Every time I have to type "Wyatt hits Sister Abigail", it feels like I am saying that he is striking a nun.
• It feels like they may have broken up the Wyatt Family a little too soon. Wyatt is good on his own, but the ring looks empty when he doesn't have his deciples with him.

Gold and Stardust vs. Rose and Rabbit

Stardust was able to get a little bit of retribution after losing to Rose in singles competition by scoring the win over the Bunny in this tag team match.

This really wasn't about giving the tag champs the win; this was all about Rose turning heel and attacking the Bunny for losing.

The Rosebuds all seemed surprised, but then they just danced like nothing happened when Rose's music hit. It was a strange heel turn, and not just because someone was wearing a bunny costume.

The sad fact is that someone in a costume is getting more attention than some really talented and deserving wrestlers on the roster.

This will probably lead to a match on the Survivor Series pre-show between Rose and his furry new rival.

Grade: C-

Notes and Highlights:

• Let's just all be grateful that Rose and the Bunny never became contenders for the Tag Team Championships.
• Stardust needs to change his finisher. It takes too long to set up and it's just not believable.
• Who has the worse gimmick, the Bunny or the Gobbledy Gooker?

Triple Threat IC Title Match

The Authority decided to keep punishing Dolph Ziggler by making him defend his IC Championship again, but this time he had two opponents instead of just one.

Tyson Kidd and Cesaro had the chance to win gold in an Elimination Match, but Ziggler was able to keep his title in the end.

This much talent in one ring was bound to lead to some great moments, and they did not disappoint. No one person stood out; all three of the participants made this match special.

The crowd was into everything, and it really felt like everyone was at the top of their game. Thankfully, they were given a lot of time to put on what was definitely a show-stealing performance.

The one surprising thing that happened was Kidd pinning Cesaro for the first fall. With their recent history, you would normally expect Cesaro to be the one coming closest to winning the belt.

Ziggler surviving so many different close finishes definitely made him look like a strong champion. The only complaint anyone could have about this match is that it didn't take place at a major PPV.

Grade: A+

Notes and Highlights:

• Cesaro suplexing Kidd and Ziggler at the same time was impressive, but he almost didn't pull it off.
• The moment when Cesaro tried to pin Ziggler while he was locked in Kidd's sharpshooter was priceless.
• Kidd's amazing performance should tell the people in charge that they have been booking him the wrong way for years.

Natalya vs. Layla

Natalya and Layla put on one of the best Divas matches in recent memory, but the crowd didn't seem all that into it.

Layla really showed what she was made of by matching the technically proficient Natalya every step of the way. It was nice to see her show more of her aggressive side than we typically see.

Natalya picked up the win with a Sharpshooter—a move her husband was unable to close the deal with in the previous match.

Grade: B

Notes and Highlights:

• It was great to see something that didn't revolve around Total Divas or Paige and AJ.
• Layla is about the only Diva left who isn't part of that show other than Tamina and Emma. She seems like a natural fit.
• Summer Rae is a great bit-part player. She works very well in small doses.

Kane vs. Ryback

The main event of SmackDown saw Kane take on Ryback in an attempt to gain some sort of retribution for what Ryback did to the Authority on Monday.

Kane got himself disqualified with a steel chair, but Ryback turned the tables and used the chair against Kane. The Big Guy came nose to nose with Triple H to end the show.

It looks like Ryback is still not making any decisions about joining Team Cena, but he clearly has no intention of siding with the Authority at this point.

The match itself was pretty average. It definitely didn't stack up to the IC title match from earlier in the evening, but it did help Ryback continue to look like a threat to the powers that be.

Grade: C+ 

Notes and Highlights:

• It's great that Kane is so willing to help the new generation of guys get over, but the fact that he loses so much makes him a lot less intimidating.
• England was a big test for Ryback. If anyone was going to give him Goldberg chants, it would be them. It looks like he may have finally moved past those comparisons.

Final Thoughts and Predictions

Shows that take place in Europe usually feel a little more exciting because WWE is trying to give them something special, given they are only over there a few times a year, but this felt like any other week.

Natalya and Layla did a good job in their match, but the standout performances were delivered by Cesaro, Tyson Kidd and Dolph Ziggler. The IC title bout those three men put on would be able to stand next to any match we've seen on pay-per-view this year.

Survivor Series is just over a week away, but we still only have three matches announced, with one of them still awaiting the final two participants to be revealed.

Expect almost all of next week to be devoted to rounding out the card and tying up storylines heading into the PPV.

Predictions:

• The Bunny and Adam Rose will face each other on the Survivor Series Kickoff.
• Ryback will be the final member of Team Cena.
• Cesaro will be the final member of Team Authority.
• Gold and Stardust will defend their titles in an Elimination Match against the Usos and Los Matadores at SS.
• Another traditional Elimination Match will be thrown together at the last minute.
• Brie Bella will inadvertently cost her sister the Divas title.

What did you think of this week's SmackDown?

Thanks for reading, and follow me on Twitter @BR_Doctor.