Betrayals were the theme of WWE's post-Crown Jewel edition of SmackDown.
Asuka and Santos Escobar both turned heel on last night's show. Asuka aligned herself with Damage CTRL, turning against Bianca Belair & Charlotte Flair during a six-woman tag team match. Escobar betrayed Rey Mysterio following dissension within The LWO.
At least for the moment, Damage CTRL remained on the same page last night with Kairi Sane now part of their ranks. Sane said she respects Bayley as the leader of Damage CTRL and forgives Bayley for the attack that sent Sane out of WWE in 2020. Sane, IYO SKY & Bayley then teamed up against Belair, Charlotte & Asuka in last night's main event.
The match ended in a no contest when Asuka turned against her partners. Asuka pulled her hand away when Belair was reaching for a tag. She then spit mist into Belair's face. Asuka reunited with Sane before SKY and Bayley also joined in with them. They beat down Charlotte and then did the same to Shotzi when she tried to make the save.
Asuka, Sane, SKY, Bayley & Dakota Kai stood united to close last night's show. While not yet officially announced, it looks like Asuka, Sane, SKY & Bayley will be teaming up in WarGames at Survivor Series against a team that will include Belair, Charlotte & Shotzi.
Escobar's turn happened after Carlito blamed him for Mysterio losing the United States title to Logan Paul at Crown Jewel. After that, Escobar refused to save Carlito from being laid out by Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits.
That led to an argument between Mysterio and Escobar. Escobar then attacked Mysterio from behind.
"I love you. You were my hero. You made me do this," Escobar said to Mysterio. "It was supposed to be me and you. All the way. Me and you. For life. You did this."
When asked why he attacked Mysterio, Escobar said that Mysterio had it coming.
More coverage from last night —
LA Knight vs. Jimmy Uso set for next WWE SmackDownAsuka aligns with Damage CTRL on WWE SmackDownSantos Escobar attacks Rey Mysterio on WWE SmackDownWWE SmackDown live results: LA Knight vs. Grayson Waller
WWE SmackDown video highlights —
Carlito blames Santos Escobar for Rey Mysterio's Crown Jewel loss
Carlito vs. Bobby Lashley
Santos Escobar betrays Rey Mysterio
Rey Mysterio gets helped to the back after Santos Escobar's attack
Kairi Sane respects Bayley as the leader of Damage CTRL
Dragon Lee vs. Cedric Alexander
Logan Paul travels the world with his newly won United States title
LA Knight won't be done with The Bloodline until he's WWE Champion
LA Knight vs. Grayson Waller
Video package recaps Solo Sikoa's demolition of John Cena
Grayson Waller and Austin Theory provoke Kevin Owens into getting suspended
Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair & Asuka vs. Damage CTRL
Damage CTRL and Asuka beat down Charlotte Flair, Bianca Belair, and Shotzi
SmackDown fallout: Nick Aldis officially suspends Kevin Owens
SmackDown fallout: Zelina Vega isn't ready to talk about Santos Escobar's betrayal
SmackDown fallout: Dragon Lee has learned a lot from Cedric Alexander