Tonight is the last episode of SmackDown before the Royal Rumble, and unlike Raw, this should be interesting. AJ Styles calls out John Cena before their World Championship match, Randy Orton takes on Luke Harper, and we find out a little more about Mickie James’ actions from last week.
Opening Segment
We kick off the show with The Miz storming into Daniel Bryan’s office. Miz demands a private dressing room, but instead, Bryan awards him his Intercontinental Championship rematch. Instead of going with Miz’s idea of a No Disqualification match, Daniel Bryan makes it a Lumberjack Match.
Randy Orton vs. Luke Harper
All the way back in October, Randy Orton joined the Wyatt Family. Since the Viper joined, Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper captured tag team gold for the first time on the main roster, but they would lose the belts just as fast because of miscommunication and tension between Randy Orton and Luke Harper. In both of their last Tag Team Championship matches, as well as Orton’s match against Dean Ambrose last week, tension between the two has led to matches lost. Bray Wyatt called for this match so that they can get it out of their systems, and the issues can be set aside.
Luke Harper attempts a discus clothesline, but Randy Orton counters into the RKO for the pinfall. Winner: Randy Orton
Bray Wyatt seems to console Luke Harper after the match, but instead he hits him with Sister Abigail. What this means for the future of the Wyatt Family is still unknown, but definitely intriguing.
In-ring Segment
Last week, Becky Lynch lost a SmackDown Women’s Championship Steel Cage Match because of the interference of Mickie James (dressed as La Luchadora). Tonight, Renee Young asks her why she interfered, and she doesn’t answer the question. Instead, the 5-time Women’s Champion says this is about the reinvention of Mickie James, and she immediately gets interrupted by Lynch.
Lynch rushes the ring to attack James, and James books it towards the stands. As soon as Lynch hops the barricade, she is ambushed by Alexa Bliss, who alongside James, lays her out in the center of the ring.
Aiden English vs. Simon Gotch vs. Heath Slater vs. Rhyno vs. Fandango vs. Tyler Breeze vs. Konnor vs. Viktor vs. Mojo Rawley vs. Curt Hawkins – Royal Rumble Qualifying Match (10-Man Battle Royal)
Baron Corbin, who is already in the Royal Rumble match, joins the commentary team to see who will take one of the several spots left. Only one man in this match will enter the Rumble, while nine will have to watch from the sidelines.
Eliminations: Aiden English, Simon Gotch, Curt Hawkins, Viktor, Heath Slater, Konnor, Rhyno, Fandango, Tyler Breeze
Tyler Breeze accidentally superkicks his own partner out of the match, then Mojo Rawley throws Breeze over the ropes to secure a spot in the Rumble match. Winner: Mojo Rawley
Backstage Segment
There’s a video of Nikki Bella making her way to the arena, when she is asked a couple questions for an interview. Natalya interrupts, asking why her face isn’t on the big WWE truck next to them, but Bella’s is. Nikki Bella knows Natalya is up to no good, so she attempt a clothesline, but Nattie counters and slams the longest-reigning Divas Champion into the truck.
In-ring Segment
AJ Styles and John Cena battle in one last war of words before their WWE World Championship match this Sunday. It’s pretty much the same stuff they have been saying for a few weeks, but they do a good job at selling the Royal Rumble Pay-Per-View. Other than the Rumble match itself, Cena vs. Styles seems like the main reason to watch.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Kalisto
Dolph Ziggler and Kalisto used to be friends, but that all changed a couple weeks ago. Kalisto saved Ziggler from getting assaulted by Baron Corbin, and Ziggler snapped, attacking the Lucha Dragon. Tonight, Kalisto looks to settle the score with his former friend.
Unfortunately for Kalisto, he doesn’t get much of a chance. About two minutes at most into the match, Ziggler hits Kalisto mid-air with a superkick for the win. Ziggler looks to assault Kalisto further with a chair after the match, but Apollo Crews (friend of Kalisto) stops Ziggler in his tracks, laying out the Showoff outside the ring. Winner: Dolph Ziggler
Naomi vs. Natalya
After being out of action for months, Naomi makes her return to SmackDown Live. It also looks like she is is going to be out of action tonight, too. When Natalya is supposed to enter, we see Nikki Bella attacking her backstage. Naomi is tired of not having opportunities, so she grabs a microphone and issues an open challenge.
Alexa Bliss makes her way to the ring, but she doesn’t answer the challenge. Naomi wants a SmackDown Women’s Championship match, and Bliss starts to enter the ring, but she inevitably declines.
Dean Ambrose (c) vs. The Miz (w/Maryse) – Intercontinental Championship (Lumberjack Match)
Instead of preventing interference in this championship match, Daniel Bryan encouraged it by surrounding the ring with WWE Superstars. The match has to be settled inside the ring, by pinfall or submission.
After being shoved into the ringpost by Dean Ambrose, Baron Corbin enters the ring and breaks up a pinfall. All of the lumberjacks enter the ring and chaos ensues. Once the ring is cleared, Ambrose hits Miz with Dirty Deeds to retain the gold and kick Miz out of Intercontinental Championship title contention for the first time since last WrestleMania. Winner, and STILL Intercontinental Champion: Dean Ambrose
