Tonight is a huge night for SmackDown Live. Even though No Mercy is just a couple of weeks away, Dean Ambrose is cashing in his WWE World Championship rematch clause on AJ Styles tonight.
Opening Segment
To start this episode of SmackDown, Randy Orton comes down to the ring. He says that Bray Wyatt talks so much about fear because he himself is afraid (specifically of Orton). After calling Wyatt out, the Eater of World appears on the Titantron. As expected, he calls himself an omniscient, all-seeing god.
Heath Slater, Rhyno, & American Alpha vs. The Ascension & The Usos
This match consists of the top tag teams that SmackDown has to offer, and The Ascension. Slater and Rhyno are probably the biggest targets in this match, since they hold the SmackDown Tag Team Championships. There is also a feud between American Alpha and The Usos that goes into this match that stems from when Jimmy and Jey Uso injured the leg of Chad Gable.
The Usos make a tag without Heath Slater seeing, and double team on the leg of Slater, forcing the tag champ to tap out. Winners (via submission): The Ascension & The Usos
Carmella & Natalya vs. Nikki Bella & Naomi
This match was supposed to take place last week, but it ended in a no contest after Carmella assaulted Nikki Bella outside the ring. Carmella and Nikki Bella have had their problems over the past few weeks, and this tag match is not going to end them.
While Nikki Bella and Carmella battle inside the ring, Natalya interferes. While the referee tries to get Natalya out of the ring, Carmella rolls up Nikki Bella and gets the win. Winners: Carmella & Natalya
The Miz’s Hometown Celebration
Since The Miz retained the Intercontinental Championship last week against Dolph Ziggler, he celebrates tonight in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. Because it’s his hometown, his parents are at ringside. However, it is also Dolph Ziggler’s hometown, and his parents are at ringside as well. Miz talks to Ziggler’s parents about how their son is a “loser,” then Ziggler immediately comes down to the ring.
Ziggler gives perhaps one of his most impassioned promos, and challenges Miz for yet another Intercontinental Championship opportunity. The Miz brushes it off at first, but Ziggler then puts his career on the line. The champion accepts, and the match is set for No Mercy.
Becky Lynch vs… Nobody
SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch makes her way to the ring for a match, but before she can even get to the entrance ramp, Alexa Bliss attacks her from behind. The #1 Contender for the Women’s Championship ends the assault by telling Lynch that she does not deserve the title, and that she (Bliss) does. Becky Lynch and Alexa Bliss will face each other in a title match at No Mercy.
Backstage Segment
Throughout the entire night, Bray Wyatt has been challenging Randy Orton to meet him in his “lair,” so to speak. Orton had to go through a labyrinth to get to Wyatt, and managed to attack the Eater of Worlds. After attacking Wyatt, Orton would put on the sheep mask and start singing “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.”
AJ Styles (c) vs. Dean Ambrose – WWE World Championship
Before Styles and Ambrose face John Cena (who is currently on commentary) in a triple threat match at No Mercy, Dean Ambrose is cashing in his rematch tonight. At Backlash, Styles defeated Ambrose for the title with the help of a low blow. No matter who walk out of tonight’s match as the champion, they might only have the belt for two more weeks.
Styles hits Cena during the match, then Cena tries to get in the ring, but is stopped by the referee. This prevents the referee from seeing Dean Ambrose’s roll-up of Styles, then Styles rolls up Ambrose while using his jeans for leverage to retain the title. Winner, and STILL WWE World Champion: AJ Styles
