WWE SmackDown Live Preview: November 14, 2017

Rapid developments impacting Survivor Series unfolded on Raw, with the Shield calling out New Day for a showdown, Triple H returning and inserting himself as the fifth member of Team Raw and Paul Heyman delivering a sermon to AJ Styles on the ramifications of stepping up to the Beast.

It was as strong a go-home show as anyone would have expected from the Red brand and that now leaves SmackDown Live with the onus of stepping up their own game, just days removed from Survivor Series.

Will we see unexpected Title changes, a reshuffle of the respective men's and women's teams or perhaps both?

And what part will a returning Daniel Bryan have to play in all of this?

Find out as we preview this week's episode of SmackDown Live.

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#1 SmackDown Live Women's Championship on the line

What lengths will Natalya go to retain her Championship?

Charlotte Flair has a golden opportunity to upset the applecart and win the SmackDown Live Women's Championship from Natalya when she challenges for it in her hometown.

Natalya has shown herself capable of going to any lengths to retain her belt, as evinced by her sickening chair attack on Charlotte's knee.

But if she does retain her Title using similar means, how much damage would she be doing Team SmackDown's chances at Survivor Series by injuring Charlotte again?

And what will Alexa Bliss, who's hinted at being present for the match, have to play in its outcome?

An intriguing situation, whichever way you look at it.

#2 AJ Styles responds

The WWE Champion is no joke...and Brock Lesnar had better realise that quickly

After Paul Heyman pontificated for around 20 minutes about how AJ Styles will meet his demise at Brock Lesnar's hands, the Phenomenal One will be itching to get in on the microphone and express his mind on the matter.

He may not be the strongest or the biggest competitor Brock Lesnar has had to overcome...but he certainly is up there with the best.

And if you cast your mind back a few years, you'll remember that the ones who gave Brock Lesnar the most trouble were quick ring wizards like Kurt Angle.

AJ Styles is very much cut from the same cloth, and he will be eager to let Lesnar and Heyman know that.

Only... will the former WWE Champion Jinder Mahal have something to say about it?

#3 Will Baron Corbin still be US Champion?

Sin Cara seems to be a man on a mission

Miz and Baron Corbin have been going back and forth on social media like rabid wolves, with the A-lister only adding fuel to the fire with a stinging volley of words directed at the US Champion on Raw.

But for all of the build-up, the Miz may not even be going up against Corbin at Survivor Series if Sin Cara has his way.

The masked Superstar squares off with Baron Corbin for a US Title match on SmackDown Live this week, with the winner going on to face the Miz at the weekend's pay-per-view.

Will it still be Corbin standing opposite the Hollywood A-Lister or is there a fresh twist in the tale?

#4 Daniel Bryan returns

D-Bry was blindsided by Kane on Raw

After being locked inside Kurt Angle's office, subjected to a blackout and subsequently a Chokeslam from Hell, I think it's fair to say that Daniel Bryan has had a rough couple of weeks.

But he returns to SmackDown Live just in time for Survivor Series when the preparations for the traditional 5 on 5 match are in full swing.

The last time he interacted with Shane McMahon, they didn't see eye to eye on how SmackDown Live was approaching the mega event.

Will that change now that Bryan has had a first-hand taste of what Raw is all about?

Or will he have yet another bone to pick with the Commissioner, thereby distracting him from one of the most important crusades he's ever led?

#5 New Day come up against the BFFs

Will they reach Survivor Series unscathed?

The Shield called out New Day on Raw and the former SmackDown Live Tag Team Champions were quick to respond, accepting the challenge on social media almost immediately.

But before they can shift their attention to the Hounds of Justice, the New Day have to first negotiate the challenge of Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens on SmackDown Live.

Kofi Kingston claimed a singles victory over Sami Zayn and was rewarded with a sneak attack by Kevin Owens last week.

Clearly, Sami and Kevin aren't the most sporting of losers.

And if they end up losing again this week, who's to say they won't go out of their way to injure one of the members of New Day before their blockbuster showdown against the Shield?

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