SmackDown: November 28, 2014

Bryan interrupted “Miz TV” with special guest Big Show

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — With the WWE Universe still digesting the Thanksgiving holiday, the returning Beard fed SmackDown an Intercontinental Championship Match, a United States Title Battle Royal and an explosive showdown pitting Ryback against Seth Rollins.

Daniel Bryan interrupts "Miz TV" to make special announcements for SmackDown.

Newly crowned WWE Tag Team Champions The Miz & Damien Mizdow kicked off SmackDown with “Miz TV.” After expounding on how “he” won the titles at Survivor Series, The Awesome One introduced another Superstar who made a huge impact that night by knocking out John Cena and turning traitor to Team Cena, Big Show.

Bryan's big plans | Watch Bryan's WWE.com exclusive

Encouraged by Miz, the giant explained that he never should have joined Team Cena and expressed his outrage over Superstars like Erick Rowen judging him. Before he could continue, though, Daniel Bryan emerged and declared the show to be “Daniel Bryan’s SmackDown” — as he was running things for the evening!

The former WWE World Heavyweight Champion set up a series of matches. They included Ryback vs. Seth Rollins, an Intercontinental Title Match between Luke Harper and former titleholder Dolph Ziggler and — because Rusev failed to say the Pledge of Allegiance on Raw — a 20-Man Battle Royal for the United States Title.

Rusev defended the United States Championship in an Over-the-Top Battle Royal

Rusev looks to defy all odds and retain his United States Championship in a Battle Royal.

After Jack Swagger eliminated Tyson Kidd in the closing moments of the SmackDown Battle Royal for the U.S. Title, the remaining three competitors were The Real American, Cesaro and Rusev. While it looked like the Swiss Superman would dispose of the Russian titleholder, Rusev was able to keep one foot off the ground and reenter the action. Then, seconds after Swagger eliminated Cesaro, Rusev reengaged and kicked him out of the ring for the victory.

Battle for the United States | Bizarre Battle Royals

Bray Wyatt celebrated his upcoming TLC Match against Ambrose

Bray Wyatt explains he is excited to face Dean Ambrose in a TLC Match.

Claiming that while the demons molded Dean Ambrose, he controlled the demons. Brat Wyatt shared his goal of  sending The Lunatic Fringe “back where he belongs” at WWE TLC.

Nikki Bella def. Emma

Nikki Bella looks to send a message to AJ Lee.

Five days after capturing the Divas Title from AJ Lee at Survivor Series, Nikki Bella overcame Emma with the Rack Attack. The titleholder then fired back at AJ’s controversial comments from Raw, saying that her adversary will always just be that “pathetic girl from New Jersey.” The dig brought AJ charging to the ring to attack Brie as the Divas Champion made her escape.

Nikki fires back at AJ | Hall of Divas Champions

Ryback def. Seth Rollins by Disqualification

Ryback takes on Seth Rollins for the first-time-ever on SmackDown!

Santino Marella attempted to get a laugh at Kane’s expense as the agitated Superstar was forced to sell T-shirts to the WWE Universe, but the intimidating former Director of Operations ultimately made The Milan Miracle scream and run without saying a word. Later, the same T-shirt area was shown in absolute turmoil, with the table broken as if someone had been thrown through it.

Ryback runs into a monster | Watch Consessions Kane on Raw

Back in the ring, just when it looked as if Ryback was about to overcome Seth Rollins with Shell Shocked, Kane emerged with a steel chair and caused the match to end in a disqualification. While The Human Wrecking Ball fought back after the bell, he found himself on the wrong end of a 2-on-1 disadvantage and ended up suffering an excruciating chair assault and a chokeslam onto the chair from Monster Kane.

The New Day def. Heath Slater, Titus O’Neil & Curtis Axel

The New Day looks to make an impressive debut on SmackDown.

The New Day dawned on SmackDown, as Big E, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods  worked together with absolute precision in their debut match as a group — soundly defeating Heath Slater, Titus O’Neil & Curtis Axel.

Dolph Ziggler def. Luke Harper by Count-out in an Intercontinental Championship Match

Dolph Ziggler looks to reclaim the Intercontinental Championship from Luke Harper.

In the height of SmackDown’s Intercontinental Championship main event, Dolph Ziggler suffered a fierce assault from Luke Harper around the SmackDown announce table. Nevertheless, with the help of a thunderous kick, the resilient Showoff had enough presence of mind to get back in the ring at the last second and overcame the titleholder by count-out.

Dolph does it again | Dolph battles to become lone survivor at Survivor Series

While the finish allowed Harper to hold onto the illustrious title, when he tried to attack Ziggler with it afterward, he ended up with a post-match Zig Zag for his trouble.