WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from October 22

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, as well as make a few predictions for future events.

The final show before a pay-per-view can often suffer from too many video packages and matches that have no real impact on anything, but this week's show broke that pattern.

Almost every match was worth taking the time to watch, and an NXT Superstar made his main-roster debut and entered into a feud that will certainly help him get off to a great start.

It was somewhat surprising how little they hyped Hell in a Cell throughout the night, but it helped this week's episode of SmackDown break a recent trend of mediocrity.

Let's take a look at everything that happened on Thursday's show.

Seth Rollins vs. Cesaro

SmackDown opened with Kane booking Seth Rollins into a match in a backstage segment that also saw him mock the New Day and Xavier Woods' injury.

It took Rollins all of 30 seconds before he tried to bail, but he was worried Demon Kane was going to come stop him, so he got back in the ring.

Cesaro and Rollins worked well together. They are two of the most athletic Superstars on the roster, and pitting them against each other was the perfect way to kick off the final show before Hell in a Cell.

Putting these two into a real feud at some point would give WWE a licence to print money. Both men have more skill in their little finger than most do in their entire body. It probably helps they have known each other for a long time thanks to their stints in Ring of Honor.

Cesaro put up a great fight, but in the end, Rollins picked up the win with a Pedigree. Starting off the show with a match like this was a great way to get the crowd in the right mindset, but it made it nearly impossible for anyone to live up to the standard they set.

Grade: A+

Notes and Highlights

• Stardust and the Ascension were in the crowd cheering on Cesaro. It looks like we know the Cosmic Wasteland's next target.
• Did people stop bringing "Cesaro Section" signs to the shows?
• Cesaro got some insane elevation when he drop-kicked Rollins off the top rope.

Paige vs. Nikki Bella

Paige came to the ring and gave a quick promo expressing sadness over how Team PCB has fallen apart because of her actions. She asked Charlotte and Becky Lynch to join her in the ring so she could apologize.

Lynch didn't seem too open to accepting the olive branch, and she even accused Paige of attacking Natalya. Charlotte was also unreceptive, but there was no resolution because Team Bella interrupted.

Nikki Bella and Paige ended up having a match because Paige stuck up for Charlotte and said anyone who wanted to get to the Divas champion had to go through her first.

They ended up having a physical encounter that showcased how much Nikki has improved. She looked smooth in her execution of every move, both offensively and defensively, and that is not something you will see written about either Bella very often.

WWE gave them three segments: one for the promo and two for the actual match. Giving the women this much time shows management still views the Divas Revolution as a priority.

Nikki picked up a clean win with her Rack Attack finisher. It was going to be hard for anyone to follow Rollins and Cesaro, but Paige and Nikki did a great job.

Grade: B+

Notes and Highlights

• Lynch's hair color is starting to fade. The bright-orange look suits her. She should touch it up.
• Nikki is so much better at playing the stereotypical mean girl than Brie.
• Admit it: You laughed a little when Nikki called Paige "Baby Beetlejuice."

MizTV

The Miz hosted another episode of MizTV with Summer Rae and Dolph Ziggler as guests. The Miz asked all the questions you would expect about the situation with Rusev and Lana.

Summer looked like she was trying to get Ziggler to be her man, but she ended up bringing out NXT Superstar Tyler Breeze instead.

For anyone who doesn't watch NXT, Breeze is what you would get if you tried to combine the Miz and Ziggler into one person. It's almost strange they all ended up in the ring like this.

Prince Pretty attacked the Show Off and went after Ziggler's neck with his selfie stick the same way Rusev did with a crutch. This was a good way for Breeze to make his main-roster debut.

Ziggler is the perfect first feud for Breeze. They share many of the same qualities and will undoubtedly produce some stellar matches.

Grade: B+

Notes and Highlights

• It seems like the Miz is the most sporadically used Superstar in the entire company. It's sad WWE can't find a better way to utilize his talents.
• It was kind of funny how excited Ziggler looked to see the Miz.
• Did Breeze pick up a new accent between his last NXT appearance and now? He sounds different somehow.

The Lucha Dragons vs. Sheamus and King Barrett

Rusev accompanied King Barrett and Sheamus to the ring for this match, which makes it look like a new stable may be emerging.

The Lucha Dragons hit some impressive offense at different points, but Barrett and Sheamus dominated them for the most part.

It was a short match, but it was good for what it was. Sheamus and Barrett picked up the win and gave themselves a little momentum heading into Hell in a Cell.

Grade: B-

Notes and Highlights

• Even if Rusev doesn't stay with them for long, Barrett and Sheamus should become a permanent tag team.
• Let's think of some names for the possible stable with Sheamus, Barrett and Rusev. My pick is the European Union. Leave your ideas in the comments section, and I will list some of the best on the next recap.
• Kalisto and Sin Cara need a manager. They never speak, and it's important for them to have someone who can give promos for them. It's not required, but having someone with a similar background would be good because they could deliver the promos in both English and Spanish, which would give the group international appeal.

Bo Dallas vs. Ryback

Bo Dallas gave a quick promo in which he said he would be accepting John Cena's Open Challenge at Hell in a Cell, but after Ryback was done with him, he probably won't be in any shape to be wrestling the U.S. champion.

Ryback picked up a quick win with Shell Shocked. It wasn't a memorable match, but it did its job of making the Big Guy look intimidating before Hell in a Cell.

Kevin Owens was interviewed backstage about his upcoming Intercontinental Championship match with Ryback, and he put over Ryback's intensity and respect, but he did it in a cocky way.

Grade: C

Notes and Highlights

• After seeing how well they got along on an episode of Unfiltered, it's weird seeing Owens be so mean to Renee Young.
• Embracing the fact he is a heel makes Owens a better bad guy than most of the heels who pretend they are righteous.

The New Day vs. Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose

The main event saw Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose battle Big E and Kofi Kingston. Given how much momentum all four of these men have right now, it was a little surprising to see this match at all.

Both teams hit all the moves you would expect them to use, and they seemed to have good chemistry no matter which combination of Superstars was in the ring.

While it wasn't a bout people will be talking about tomorrow, this was a fun way to end what was mostly a great episode of SmackDown.

It was a little weird to see Big E and Kingston try to leave without finishing the match, but the Dudley Boyz made sure they didn't make it very far.

Reigns and Ambrose used this to their advantage and picked up the win with a Road Warriors-style Doomsday Device to Big E and a Spear to Kingston.

Grade: B+

Notes and Highlights

• Xavier Woods' absence was very noticeable. That proves how important his role is in this group.
• The black armbands to honor their fallen partner was a nice touch by Kingston and Big E.
• Bray Wyatt appeared on the big screen after the match to address Reigns before they enter Hell in a Cell on Sunday.

Final Thoughts and Predictions

SmackDown has been stuck in a rut recently, but this was a great episode. There was something to like about every match, and it felt like there was some real storyline progression in a few of the feuds.

Tyler Breeze's debut was a nice surprise, and finding out his first feud would be against Dolph Ziggler made it even better.

Cesaro and Rollins had the match of the night by a wide margin. They can do wrong when they are in the ring with each other, and it would be awesome if they had a real feud at some point.

With Hell in a Cell coming up on Sunday, all of this week's predictions will be about the outcomes of the scheduled matches.

Predictions

• Neville, Ziggler and Cesaro will defeat Sheamus, Rusev and Barrett.
• Seth Rollins will defeat Kane.
• Brock Lesnar will either defeat the Undertaker or someone will interfere on Taker's behalf.
• Reigns will defeat Wyatt.
• The Dudleys will win the Tag Team Championships from the New Day.
• Charlotte will defeat Nikki Bella.
• Kevin Owens will defeat Ryback.
• Whoever challenges Cena for the U.S. title will win it.

What did you think of this week's SmackDown, and what are your predictions for Hell in a Cell?

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