WWE SmackDown Notes: Results, Corey Graves & Kayla Braxton Absent, Santos Escobar Turns on LWO, Asuka Joins Damage CTRL

WWE SmackDown Results – Nov. 10, 2023

November 10, 2023
Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena
Commentary – Kevin Patrick, Michael Cole, and Kevin Owens

Quick Match Results

  1. Bobby Lashley defeated Carilto via Spear (pinfall)
  2. Dragon Lee defeated Cedric Alexander via Standing Slice Bread (pinfall)
  3. LA Knight defeated Grayson Waller via BFT (pinfall)
  4. Damage CTRL (Bayley, IYO SKY, & Kairi Sane) vs. Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair, & Asuka went to a No Contest

Corey Graves & Kayla Braxton Absent from Friday’s SmackDown Show

Friday’s SmackDown show in Columbus featured Corey Graves being noticeably absent from SmackDown’s commentary team and was replaced by Kevin Owens.

The reason for Graves’ absence was due to the recent birth of his and Carmella’s baby boy Dimitri Paul Polinsky this past Thursday.

Besides Graves, backstage interviewer Kayla Braxton was also absent from Friday’s show. Braxton announced earlier today on Twitter that the reason for her absence was due to her not feeling well today. Braxton also stated that she currently expects to return for next week’s show.


Santos Escobar Attacks Rey Mysterio & Turns Heel on LWO

Friday’s SmackDown show in Columbus also featured Santos Escobar turning heel on the LWO and leaving the group.

This was initially setup following an in-ring promo segment involving the LWO. Rey Mysterio stated that the only reason he lost his United States Championship was due to Logan Paul’s usage of the brass knuckles that was given to him by one of his friends at ringside. Carlito’s music played and he interrupted stating that instead of blaming Paul and his friend, he should really blame Escobar for leaving the brass knuckles on the ring before chasing off Paul’s friend. This led to an upset Escobar confronting Carilto and then storming out of the ring.

Following Carlito’s loss to Bobby Lashley, the Street Profits and Lashley attacked Carlito resulting in Escobar running out for the save but stopped on the apron and just looked on. This led to Mysterio running out with a chair to save Carlito and chase Lashley and the Street Profits out of the ring. After some bickering by Mysterio towards Escobar for doing nothing to save Carlito, Mysterio turned his back on Escobar to check upon Carlito. This led to Escobar launching a sneak attack on Mysterio and only stopped after Zelina Vega pulled him away. Escobar then walked away while the rest of the LWO attended to Mysterio and Carlito.

In a follow up backstage interview segment, Escobar stated that the reason why he attacked Mysterio was because he deserved it and walked away.


Asuka Joins Damage CTRL at Friday’s SmackDown Show

Friday’s SmackDown show in Columbus also featured Asuka joining Damage CTRL as their newest member.

Near the end of the main event Six-Women Tag Team match of Damage CTRL (Bayley, IYO SKY, & Kairi Sane) vs. Asuka, Bianca Belair, & Charlotte Flair, Belair reached over to Asuka for a tag. Asuka pulled back her hand and started laughing leading to Belair being puzzled. Asuka then leaned over the ropes and gave a mist attack to Belair turning on her team in the process. This led to Asuka, SKY, and Sane hugging in the ring while Bayley looked confused at first before joining in on the group hug.

The new look Damage CTRL proceeded to attack Belair and Flair in the ring resulting in the referee throwing out the match. Shotzi ran out trying to save Belair and Flair only to get quickly attacked and laid out instead. The show ended with all of Damage CTRL standing tall in the ring and celebrating over what they just did.