With Survivor Series in the record books, SmackDown has to look ahead to TLC in two weeks. While most of the night isn’t known yet, the Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan have scheudled Tag Team Turmoil to find out the new #1 Contenders for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships.
Opening Segment
Shane McMahon, the man who almost got killed by a Roman Reigns spear on Sunday, makes his way to the ring. He congratulates Team Raw and SmackDown in the men’s Survivor Series elimination match, and is interrupted by the Lunatic Fringe, Dean Ambrose. They invite James Ellsworth down to the ring and offer him a SmackDown Live contract after his work over the past few weeks, and on the contrary, Ambrose gets the night off.
AJ Styles comes to the ring and hates the fact that Ellsworth has a contract for SmackDown. After some negotiating, a match is made: AJ Styles vs. James Ellsworth in a ladder match. If Ellsworth wins, he “earns” his contract and a future opportunity at the WWE World Championship, but if he loses, he gets nothing at all.
The Miz (c) (w/Maryse) vs. Kalisto – Intercontinental Championship
Kalisto was cheated out of the Cruiserweight Championship at Survivor Series, and The Miz cheated to retain his title on the same night. Daniel Bryan decided to rectify both situations by giving Kalisto an Intercontinental Championship opportunity.
Baron Corbin appears out of nowhere, distracts Kalisto, and gives The Miz a chance to finish the luchador off. Winner, and STILL Intercontinental Champion: The Miz
The Miz celebrates on the stage, and turns around right into a superkick from Dolph Ziggler.
Tag Team Turmoil
Starting with The Hype Bros and The Ascension, each time a team takes a fall, a new team comes in until the entire tag division has competed in the match. The winning team at the end will face Heath Slater and Rhyno for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships.
Eliminations: The Ascension, The Hype Bros, Breezango, The Vaudevillians, The Usos
American Alpha eliminate the Usos with Grand Amplitude, and The Wyatt Family appear on the Titantron. Next week, Tag Team Turmoil will continue with the Wyatts against American Alpha. Winners (for now): American Alpha
Becky Lynch vs. Natalya
Earlier tonight, Natalya blamed Becky Lynch for Team SmackDown’s loss on Sunday, and Shane McMahon made this match to see if Natalya can live up to her ego.
Although Natalya had the home field advantage of being in Canada, Becky Lynch locks in the Disarm-her and picks up the victory. Immediately after the match, Alexa Bliss gets up from the commentary table and attacks Lynch from behind. One week from Sunday at TLC, Alexa Bliss will get her deserved rematch for the SmackDown Women’s Championship. Winner (via submission): Becky Lynch
Backstage Segment
The Miz wants Dolph Ziggler to be suspended, but Daniel Bryan does the opposite. Dolph Ziggler gets his owed Intercontinental Championship rematch at TLC in a ladder match against the Miz. No matter who wins, that will be the last match in their feud.
We switch gears to the women’s locker area, and Nikki Bella accuses Carmella of attacking her before the Survivor Series match on Sunday. Carmella says that it isn’t her, but either way, they have a score to settle. At TLC, Nikki Bella will have a match against Carmella in a much deserved No Disqualification match.
Kane vs. Baron Corbin
Since Baron Corbin ruined two championship opportunities for Kalisto, Daniel Bryan put him in a match against Kane. What was supposed to be a punishment for Corbin ended up being a punishment for the audience.
To return the favor, Kalisto interferes in the match and dropkicks Baron Corbin. Kane then chokeslams the Lone Wolf for good measure. After the match, Kalisto grabs a chair and hits Corbin with the Van Daminator. Winner (via disqualification): Baron Corbin
AJ Styles vs. James Ellsworth – Ladder Match
Although James Ellsworth is in a neck brace because of Braun Strowman throwing him through a table on Sunday, he agreed to have this match. Like his previous matches with Ellsworth, AJ Styles is going to take him time and have fun with this match.
Styles almost grabs Ellsworth’s contract, but Dean Ambrose sneaks into the arena in a hockey uniform to attack Styles and help his chinless friend. Styles hits Ambrose with the Phenomenal Forearm, but Ellsworth is able to knock Styles off of the ladder. Styles then gets tied up in the ropes after No Chin Music, and Ellsworth manages to climb up the ladder to grab the contract. Winner: James Ellsworth
