5 takeaways from this week's SmackDown Live: October 24, 2017

The insane week in professional wrestling continued with the latest episode of SmackDown Live, with the WWE Universe filled with intrigue and curiosity after last night's Monday Night Raw.

Survivor Series is fast approaching, and WWE is making sure that this PPV makes for an unforgettable. Every match that has been announced so far for the PPV carries a SmackDown vs Raw theme bringing back good old memories of the late 2000s.

SmackDown delivered a decent, if not amazing, two hours of sports entertainment, with Sami Zayn continuing his assault on authority figures and proving his ability to play a heel character to the finest.

We look at five significant talking points from this week's episode of the rowdy blue brand.

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#5 Faces or Heels?

Their Day One is H

The Usos seem to have returned to being faces once again, and WWE has done a great job by keeping their character intact in spite of this change. Usos have been one of the finest teams in WWE over the last year, producing high-quality action during their run as smack talking heels.

The Samoan Twins have turned faces but similar to Sami Zayn, have kept their complete character intact. They still have the brash attitude from their heel turn, and this is a wise decision on WWE's part.

Usos are scheduled to face off against 2\3rd of the Shield at Survivor Series, and expect an instant Match of the Year contender between these two fascinating tag teams

#4 Shane McMahon likes to strike hard.

Shane McMahon hasn't forgiven Sami Zayn for his actions.

Shane McMahon, the commissioner of SmackDown Live, made his return to the blue brand for the first time since his match at Hell in a Cell against Kevin Owens. It wasn't his first appearance on WWE television since HIAC though, as he led a "siege" on Monday Night Raw last night, creating havoc and taunting his old rival Kurt Angle.

He explained his actions in the opening segment of the episode, before being interrupted by Sami Zayn, who continued his verbal assault on the administration of SmackDown Live.

Shane McMahon could join the Survivor Series line up once again this year, and the fans will surely love the junior McMahon joining the fray. A fearless warrior in the form of McMahon can add more intrigue to an already stacked PPV and the WWE Universe is bound to love it!

#3 The perfect counterpart

The LassKicker will lead from the front.!

Alicia Fox won the right to lead the Monday Night Raw's women team for Survivor Series last night. A surprising but a worthy choice, Fox, will bring her antics to the fore as the captain and it only fits to have a crazy superstar in the form of Becky Lynch to be her counterpart.

Becky Lynch has been hovering around for the past few months without any real direction to her character and giving her the opportunity to lead the blue brand's charge at the Survivor Series is a sensible decision.

Becky is one of the most talented superstars in the company and has brought out her A-game everytime she is given the opportunity. Her role as the captain will be exciting in the weeks leading to the PPV.

#2 Styles vs Mahal is on the cards. But when?

Brock or AJ?

AJ Styles, who has assumed the role of a workhorse in WWE off late, continued his feud with Jinder Mahal this week on SmackDown. He was up against Sunil Singh, one half of the Singh Brothers and defeated him in less than a minute.

Styles seems ready to challenge the "Modern Day Maharaja" for the WWE Championship soon, but with Survivor Series nearing, this feud currently makes little sense. Jinder Mahal has to juggle between Brock Lesnar and AJ Styles, which is a confusing decision on WWE's part.

Styles' confrontation with Mahal looks to be a filler feud while Mahal challenges the Beast, and this is a puzzling choice for WWE. Styles is a top superstar in the company and should be having a full blown out feud instead of being a side character in a bigger story.

#1 Once a viper, always a viper

The Viper had a tough match against Zayn.

Sami Zayn faced Randy Orton in the main event of the evening with the winner gaining the rights to join the Survivor Series lineup. Zayn wrestled his first singles match since turning heel and brought out the perfect heel tactics for the match.

Zayn's heel turn has brought a new dimension to his character which is thoroughly enjoyable for the WWE Universe, and the "Underdog from Underground" produced a quality match with the "Apex Predator", Randy Orton.

Orton lost to Zayn last week after a low blow and gained revenge by hitting a low blow of his own and winning the match. Orton employing villainous tactics while being a face was an odd but satisfying sight to end the evening.