Last week on SmackDown Live, John Cena and AJ Styles signed their World Heavyweight Championship match contract for the Royal Rumble, and Dean Ambrose shocked the world when he defeated The Miz for the Intercontinental Championship. Tonight’s episode of SmackDown features Baron Corbin facing his toughest opponent yet, John Cena.
The Ambrose Asylum feat. The Miz & Maryse
Before things get heated, both Dean Ambrose and The Miz announce that they will enter the Royal Rumble match. The Miz demands his Intercontinental Championship back, and he instead gives the former champion his Participation Award back. They brawl, and Maryse accidentally slaps her husband, giving Ambrose the chance to hit Dirty Deeds.
Backstage Segment
Nikki Bella is backstage on the way to her match with Natalya, when Natalya attacks her from behind and throws Bella into a wall. Whether or not Nikki Bella can wrestle in her match, she is definitely going to be banged up.
Nikki Bella vs. Natalya
Instead of waiting for the match to start, Nikki Bella spears Natalya as soon as she gets in the ring. The two women have an intense brawl, which ends with Natalya locking in the Sharpshooter outside the ring with only referees forcing her to stop. We are far from done with this feud, which has potential to be one of the greatest feuds of the year.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Kalisto
Last week, Dolph Ziggler lost to Baron Corbin, and Corbin was about to assault the Showoff after the match with a chair, but Kalisto ran out to make the save. Instead of thanking the Lucha Dragon, Ziggler snapped and attacked the former United States Champion, saying that he didn’t need anybody to help him out.
Kalisto sneaks a win with a crucifix pinfall, then Ziggler clothelines him out of frustration, and follows the assault with a chair. Winner: Kalisto
Apollo Crews tries to save Kalisto, but he suffers the same fate. Ziggler can beat people up as much as he wants, he still can’t win matches.
American Alpha vs. Bray Wyatt & Randy Orton (w/Luke Harper) – SmackDown Tag Team Championships
In a Four Corners Elimination match two weeks ago, miscommunication between Randy Orton and Luke Harper led to American Alpha hitting Grand Amplitude on Orton to win the SmackDown Tag Team Championships. Tonight, the Wyatt Family cashes in their rematch clause in hopes to regain the gold. Having Randy Orton team up with Bray Wyatt this time could help prevent the miscommunication, giving them a better chance at the win.
Luke Harper isn’t even in the match, and the tension between him and Randy Orton costs the Wyatt Family the match. Winners, and STILL SmackDown Tag Team Champions: American Alpha
After the match, Bray Wyatt tries to restore order, and while nothing physical happened between Orton and Harper, the tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife.
Announcement
Since Alexa Bliss (in La Luchadora getup) tapped out to Becky Lynch last week, Lynch gets another championship opportunity. Next week, for the first time ever on SmackDown Live, the Women’s Championship will be defended inside a steel cage.
Carmella (w/James Ellsworth) vs. CJ Lunde
Last week, Carmella brought James Ellsworth to ringside with her, and he helped her defeat NXT’s Aliyah. Tonight, Ellsworth follows the Princess of Staten Island to the ring in hopes to help her out again, this time against local talent CJ Lunde.
Ellsworth grabs Lunde’s ankle when she tries to get in the ring, and Carmella takes advantage to submit Lunde with the Code of Silence. Winner (via submission): Carmella
John Cena vs. Baron Corbin
Baron Corbin crashed the contract signing between John Cena and AJ Styles last week, and his confrontation between Corbin and Cena led to this match. If Corbin wins this match, it could do wonders for his career. Cena needs to avoid a loss here if he wants to build momentum toward his WWE World Championship match at the Royal Rumble.
Baron Corbin gives John Cena a hell of a fight, but Cena ultimately puts the Lone Wolf away with the Attitude Adjustment. Winner: John Cena
