Last week on SmackDown, James Ellsworth defeated AJ Styles (by disqualification) in a WWE World Championship match. Tonight, Styles gets his wish as he faces Dean Ambrose. Along with this big main event, SmackDown hosts the return of Becky Lynch, and Survivor Series qualifying matches.
Opening Segment
James Ellsworth is backstage with Dean Ambrose, and he thanks the Lunatic Fringe for helping him defeat AJ Styles two weeks in a row. When Ellsworth asks to be in Ambrose’s corner tonight, Ambrose thinks it would be better if Ellsworth stays in the back.
Bray Wyatt vs. Kane – No Disqualification
Last week, Luke Harper and Bray Wyatt looked to put Randy Orton into a casket, but that was foiled when Kane was already in the casket. After the Wyatts disappeared from a brawl last week, the Eater of Worlds faces the Devil’s Favorite Demon in a Backlash rematch.
Kane looks to chokeslam Wyatt through the announce table, when the lights go out. When they come back on, Luke Harper is on top of the table and helps Wyatt take care of Kane. Randy Orton comes down to seemingly even the odds, but he hits an RKO on Kane. Wyatt is just as confused as everybody else, but takes advantage to cover Kane for the win. Winner: Bray Wyatt
In-ring Segment
Becky Lynch returns to SmackDown Live for the first time since before No Mercy. Lynch was scheduled to defend the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Alexa Bliss, but due to an undisclosed medical issue, Lynch was out of action for a few weeks. As Lynch was about to get interviewed by Renee Young (or Katie Couric, according to Alexa Bliss), Bliss interrupts and accuses the champion of being a coward.
After plenty of trash talk, the two brawl, ending in Bliss hitting a DDT in the middle of the ring. She then sprays a yellow line of spray pain down Lynch’s back to represent her cowardice. Bliss will get her shot at the SmackDown Women’s Championship on November 8th in Glasgow, Scotland.
The Ascension vs. The Hype Bros – Survivor Series Qualifying Match
For the past couple weeks, the Ascension have been scouting the Hype Bros, and it could give them the advantage in this match. The winners of this match will be the first team to join Heath Slater and Rhyno in the SmackDown vs. Raw 10-team traditional Survivor Series match. So far, Raw has not decided any of their teams, but that process should start after Hell in a Cell.
Mojo Rawley clears house, then the Hype Bros hit the Hype Ryder on Viktor to qualify for the Survivor Series match. Winners: The Hype Bros
Backstage Segment
Randy Orton is asked about his actions earlier tonight, and he simply says, “if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.”
Natalya vs. Nikki Bella – Survivor Series Qualifying Match
Before this match, Daniel Bryan told Natalya that the winner of this match will be the team captain for SmackDown’s female Survivor Series team. The loser, however, will not even qualify for the team.
Natalya attempts a surfboard stretch, but Nikki Bella slips out and locks in the STF (shades of her boyfriend John Cena) to submit Natalya and become the captain of Team SmackDown. Winner (via submission): Nikki Bella
After the match, Carmella attacks Bella from behind and lays her out with the Bella Buster.
In-ring Segment
The Miz (along with Maryse and the Spirit Squad) comes down to the ring to address the state of the Intercontinental Championship. Dolph Ziggler and the SmackDown Tag Team Champions come down to the ring to try and shut the Miz up, but the former Intercontinental Champion turns things around. He issues a challenge: The Spirit Squad vs. Heath Slater & Rhyno for the Tag Team Championships. Slater is reluctant, but the Man-beast immediately accepts.
Heath Slater & Rhyno (c) (w/Dolph Ziggler) vs. The Spirit Squad (w/The Miz & Maryse) – SmackDown Tag Team Championships
If Slater and Rhyno lost tonight, not only would they lose the championships, but their momentum going into Survivor Series would be squashed instantly. Normally, it seems like Slater and Rhyno have the advantage, but Kenny did pin Slater in 6-man tag team action last week.
Slater knocks Mikey onto The Miz at ringside, and Rhyno hits a Gore on Kenny to retain the SmackDown Tag Team Championships. Winners, and STILL SmackDown Tag Team Champions: Heath Slater & Rhyno
AJ Styles vs. Dean Ambrose (w/James Ellsworth)
Right before the match, James Ellsworth managed to convince Dean Ambrose to let Ellsworth be in his corner tonight. The Styles/Ellsworth saga got to a point where Styles became tired of playing games, so he demanded a match against Ambrose. Bryan made the match, but if Ambrose wins, he becomes the #1 Contender for the WWE World Championship.
Styles takes time during the match to hit a basement dropkick on James Ellsworth. Styles get sent outside yet again, and Ellsworth’s frustration gets the best of him. When Styles gets back to his feet, Ellsworth hits him with No Chin Music (a superkick), causing Dean Ambrose to get disqualified. Winner (via disqualification): AJ Styles
