WWE Smackdown Live results and observations (10/31/17): Shinsuke Nakamura, Bobby Roode, Shane McMahon headed to Survivor Series

Smackdown Live has not been stellar lately, but it has been very solid and we got another solid edition of the show this week at the Norfolk Scope Arena in Norfolk, Va.

Since Survivor Series is still weeks away, both Raw and Smackdown Live have a lot of time on their hands to properly build to the pay-per-view.

While playing the long game is somewhat outside of Raw's comfort zone, it seems to be well within Smackdown Live's wheelhouse, as the creative minds behind the blue brand seem to do quite well by taking a slower, more methodical approach to its storytelling.

With that said, here are the full match results:

- 2-out-of-3 falls – Bobby Roode def. Dolph Ziggler

- Baron Corbin def. Sin Cara via disqualification

- AJ Styles def. Samir Singh

- Rusev def. Big E

- Shinsuke Nakamura def. Kevin Owens

Smackdown Live's men's Survivor Series team takes shape

Three more men were added to Smackdown Live's men's Survivor Series team Tuesday, as commissioner Shane McMahon, Roode and Nakamura all secured their respective spots.

Shane McMahon secured his own spot during the show's opening segment when he named himself the captain of Smackdown Live's team, which now puts an authority figure on each side.

As you may recall, Raw commissioner Stephanie McMahon sternly anointed general manager Kurt Angle as the brand's captain.

Shane McMahon represented Smackdown Live in last year's men's Survivor Series match between the two brands and didn't serve his brand all that well, as he was speared out of the air and concussed to the point that Randy Orton had to comfort his children sitting at ringside.

Despite being knocked out cold and being eliminated, Shane McMahon was technically part of the winning as Smackdown Live triumphed over Raw.

Roode clinched his spot at Survivor Series by defeating Ziggler in an entertaining opening match. It was easily Roode's best outing since being called up to the main roster.

Joining Shane McMahon, Roode and Orton will be Nakamura after he defeated Owens with an assist from Orton.

The loss for Owens means both he and his best friend Sami Zayn will not represent Smackdown Live at Survivor Series, which instantly caused fans to predict that they will conspire against Smackdown Live and cost the brand its match at the pay-per-view.

The fifth and final spot on the team will be decided next week when Styles, who was decimated by WWE champion Jinder Mahal after his victory over Samir Singh, will take on Rusev, who defeated Big E Tuesday.

Also happening next week is an Smackdown Tag Team title match with The Usos defending against Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable.

Corbin-Sin Cara rivalry heating up

In the "rivalry I never thought I would remotely care about" category is Corbin versus Sin Cara.

Although the two men have faced each other three weeks in a row, WWE has managed to keep this feud at least somewhat interesting each time.

This week was by far the most interesting, as Sin Cara gained a measure on Corbin by taking the fight to him, much like what Corbin did to him last week.

What set Sin Cara off was Corbin attempting to tear off his mask. Luchadors take that as a sign of disrespect and Sin Cara is no different, as he quickly commenced to beat the crap out of Corbin and was promptly disqualified for kicking too much butt.

Sin Cara's beating was so bad that it forced Corbin to escape through the fans.

For what this was, this was actually well done. Moving forward, I fully expect there to be a Hair vs. Title match between Sin Cara and Corbin.

I think it would be even better if instead of putting Corbin's United States title at stake, WWE would put Corbin's hair on the line like what is traditionally done for big matches in Mexico.

I know people make fun of Corbin's receding hairline, so why not have him cut his hair in a hair match.

But I also understand that putting the United States title on the line makes sense, too.

Vaughn Johnson has a podcast with Nick Piccone called the Straight Shooters on WildfireRadio.com. Check it out here HERE.