With a few weeks until the Royal Rumble, SmackDown Live still has plenty of things to take care of before the big cross-brand event. We kick off tonight’s show with James Ellsworth finally getting his WWE World Championship match, as well as The Miz yet again having to defend his Intercontinental Championship, this time against Apollo Crews.
AJ Styles (c) vs. James Ellsworth – WWE World Championship
After weeks and weeks of games and shenanigans, Jame Ellsworth finally has his chance at the WWE World Championship without Dean Ambrose at his side. Technically, Ellsworth is up 3-0 on Styles, but every single victory has been assisted by Dean Ambrose in some way.
Styles hits a striking combination on Ellsworth, cockily covers him and retains the gold. Winner, and STILL WWE World Champion: AJ Styles
Immediately after the match, Styles assaults Ellsworth outside the ring, showing that he is tired of everything he has had to go through for the last couple months. Styles grabs a mic to say that he’s moving on to 2017, but Dolph Ziggler interrupts, since he has a match for the WWE World Championship next week. While they go back and forth, Baron Corbin makes a surprise appearance to say that the only reason Ziggler has the opportunity is because Corbin was not there. Corbin hits Ziggler with a cheap shot and ends it with the End of Days.
Backstage Segment
Dolph Ziggler demands a match against Baron Corbin tonight, and Daniel Bryan gives it to him, but with a catch. If Baron Corbin defeats Dolph Ziggler tonight, he will take Ziggler’s place in the WWE World Championship match next week.
The Miz (c) (w/Maryse) vs. Apollo Crews – Intercontinental Championship
At Tribute to the Troops, Gabriel Iglesias interfered in a singles match between Apollo Crews and The Miz, and Crews would take advantage to roll up the Miz. This win convinced Daniel Bryan to give Crews a championship opportunity, and to keep giving The Miz a hard time during his reign.
Maryse gets ejected from ringside, but that doesn’t stop The Miz from poking Apollo Crews in the eye, then hitting him with the Skull Crushing Finale to pick up the win. Winner, and STILL Intercontinental Champion: The Miz
In-ring Segment
Natalya calls Nikki Bella out to dispel rumors that she attacked Nikki Bella at Survivor Series, and Carmella shows up to stir the pot. After attacking Carmella for calling her out, Natalya finally admits it, clearly jealous of all the attention Nikki Bella is getting. She blames her success on John Cena and her looks, and calls her a “bitch” twice.
Dean Ambrose vs. Luke Harper (w/Randy Orton & Bray Wyatt)
Last week, Dean Ambrose eliminated Luke Harper from the #1 Contender’s fatal four-way match, so it seems like Harper wants some revenge.
Dean Ambrose rolls up Harper with a cradle to win the match, and the Wyatt Family attacks him to lay him out after the match. The Miz makes his way down to the ring to pick up the pieces, and hits Ambrose with a Skull Crushing Finale to finish the job. Winner: Dean Ambrose
Alexa Bliss vs. The Luchadora
Alexa Bliss, in preparation for her SmackDown Women’s Championship title defense against Becky Lynch, takes on an unnamed woman in a purple lucha mask. The Luchadora gets the best of Bliss, making her tap out with the Disarm-her. This is not suspicious at all. Winner: The Luchadora
While The Luchadora is celebrating, she takes off her mask (which is very embarrassing for true masked luchadores) and reveals that she was Becky Lynch the whole time.
Curt Hawkins vs. Mojo Rawley
Last week, Zack Ryder won a #1 Contender’s Battle Royal for the Hype Bros, but he got injured during the match and will be out of action for 4-9 months. Curt Hawkins talked some trash to Mojo Rawley backstage, and Rawley wants to take it to the ring.
Rawley hits a vicious running elbow on Hawkins for the win in a match that gave much needed air time to both members. Winner: Mojo Rawley
Dolph Ziggler vs. Baron Corbin – #1 Contender’s Match (WWE World Championship)
Even though Dolph Ziggler won a #1 Contender’s Match last week, he willingly risked that opportunity just to have a match with Baron Corbin tonight. If Corbin wins, he becomes the new #1 Contender, and will face Styles for the title next week.
Both men fight outside the ring, and Corbin throws Ziggler into AJ Styles at the announce table. They both fail to get into the ring by the referee’s count of 10 and end the match in a draw. Result (via double count-out): Draw
Daniel Bryan appears at the top of the entrance ramp to announce a match for next week. Instead of a singles match, AJ Styles will defend the WWE World Championship against both Dolph Ziggler and Baron Corbin in a triple threat match.
