5 things WWE SmackDown got right this week: Sami Zayn destroyed again, Xia Li debuts

Brock Lesnar’s return was the talk of the town last week on WWE SmackDown. This week, fans waited for Xia Li’s debut to see what she brings to the table.

Sami Zayn was also expected to show up on SmackDown after losing his Universal Championship match against Roman Reigns. Zayn was beaten down by Lesnar before he was made to submit by Reigns to end the show.

Naomi once again hoped to face Sonya Deville. However, most fans knew that the WWE official would have a trick or two up her sleeve again.

This week, SmackDown had some good moments and some dull ones. Charlotte Flair and Toni Storm competed in a lackluster contest that saw The Queen get disqualified.

Take a look at the five things WWE SmackDown got right in the buildup to Day 1.

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#5. Brock Lesnar got the push he needed on WWE SmackDown

Sami Zayn kicked off WWE SmackDown once again. The Conspiracy Theorist came out in a wheelchair with two nurses after losing his Universal Championship match against Roman Reigns last week.

Zayn called himself the toughest man in WWE after taking a beating from Brock Lesnar last week on SmackDown before losing to Reigns. He said it took two top men to take him down.

The former Intercontinental Champion claimed that the beating did not hurt as much as Brock Lesnar’s betrayal. He was ready to start a rant before Paul Heyman interrupted him.

Heyman and Zayn got in a war of words before Lesnar’s music played. The Beast Incarnate made his way to the ring and sat right across Zayn.

The WWE Universe erupted in chants of "Suplex City" as the two men exchanged some words. Lesnar invited Zayn to go hunting with him, but The Conspiracy Theorist said that he’s a vegan.

Heyman tipped Lesnar over the edge, and The Beast unleashed hell on the male nurses, followed by Zayn. He hit an F-5 before heading to the back to end the segment.

Once again, SmackDown delivered a top segment. Zayn was fantastic, and Lesnar is fitting into his new role very well. Heyman seems to have awakened The Beast Incarnate, and it will be interesting to see which side he takes at WWE Day 1.

Did Heyman deliberately push Lesnar over the edge to make him more dangerous? Or will he regret his actions at the upcoming pay-per-view?

#4. Sami Zayn remained the top performer on WWE SmackDown

Last week’s WWE SmackDown shined a lot of spotlight on Sami Zayn. He opened up the show and had a top segment with Brock Lesnar. Later, Zayn was beaten down by Lesnar before Roman Reigns finished him off.

Zayn came out as the star of a show where both Lesnar and Reigns showed up for big segments. This week on SmackDown, WWE allowed Zayn to do something similar.

He opened up the show again and had a great war of words with Lesnar and Paul Heyman. It ended with him taking another beating from the Universal Champion.

The Conspiracy Theorist has proven his worth on SmackDown time and time again. He is an underrated performer who has only won the Intercontinental Championship twice on the main roster.

However, he continued to play his role on SmackDown extremely well and was at the top of his game. At no point did it look like Zayn was unhappy with his position on the roster.

The segment once again proved that Zayn is capable of holding his own on the main roster and can become a top star someday. It’s incredible to see someone like Zayn become the bridge in the rivalry between Lesnar and Reigns.

#3. Drew McIntyre and Sheamus put on another good contract on WWE SmackDown

Drew McIntyre and Sheamus prepared to compete on SmackDown this week. McIntyre was forced to leave Angela behind after what he did on the Black Friday Battle Royal. He stuck it through Adam Pearce’s desk before heading out for the match.

The Scottish Warrior and Sheamus delivered thunderous blows to each other before McIntyre took the upper hand. They threw everything at each other to raise the bar on SmackDown.

Sheamus turned the tides by delivering an Irish Curse for a near-fall. McIntyre fought back and hit a Future Shock DDT. He looked to deliver the Claymore, but Sheamus countered.

The Celtic Warrior set up to hit a Brogue Kick, but McIntyre rolled him up for two. Soon after, McIntyre flattened Sheamus with a Claymore to pick up the win.

It was a hard-hitting contest that showed just how good Sheamus and McIntyre are. Hopefully, the momentum will help McIntyre get in a rivalry with Roman Reigns. Meanwhile, it made no sense why Sheamus was taken out of his rivalry with Cesaro to compete against McIntyre.

#2. Xia Li made an impressive debut on WWE SmackDown

Sonya Deville was ready to return to the WWE SmackDown ring for a match against Naomi this week. However, she’d set up another trap for The Glow. She revealed Natalya as the special guest ring announcer and Shayna Baszler as the timekeeper for the match.

Naomi took out Baszler and Natalya early in hopes of making it a clean contest. Deville tried to stall the contest, and a newcomer made her debut on SmackDown.

Xia Li came out to the ring to help out The Glow. She fought off the heels with Naomi and cleared the ring.

Li flattened Devile out and Naomi hit a moonsault, but the heels rescued Deville on SmackDown. Li showed respect to Naomi to end the segment.

It was a good way to bring out Li in an ongoing rivalry. She is new and can help Naomi take out Deville for good. WWE has already built Li up as The Protector through various vignettes. It will help the overall storyline grow.

Unfortunately, Aliyah has been removed from the picture. WWE could look to add her to the storyline once again to even the odds and give her a big push.

#1. New Day fought off The Usos and RK-Bro to prove itself on WWE SmackDown

The title for the best tag team in WWE was up for grabs on SmackDown this week. RAW Tag Team Champions RK-Bro came over to take on SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos and New Day.

The Usos got a headstart as they worked over Xavier Woods and isolated him. Riddle came in and suffered the same fate at the hands of the brothers. The Original Bro tried to tag Randy Orton, but the heels wiped him off the apron.

New Day worked over Riddle for some time before knocking off Orton to prevent him from tagging in. Riddle finally tagged in Orton, who erupted as SmackDown fans cheered for him

The Viper went on a roll, and it looked like he would pick up the win for his team. Jey Uso hit a superkick to level him and tried to go for the Uso Splash. Orton moved out of the way and took down Jimmy Uso with the RKO.

King Woods took advantage of the situation as he was the legal man. New Day hit their finisher and Woods pinned The Usos for the win. It was an exciting contest and WWE did well to keep RK-Bro out of the pin.

New Day has proven itself once again. They will challenge for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships at WWE Day 1.