While Raw has Roadblock: End of the Line on Sunday, SmackDown has plenty of time before their next Pay-Per-View, the Royal Rumble. Tonight could be a filler show, but instead, we get #1 Contender’s matches for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships as well as the WWE World Championship.
Opening Segment
James Ellsworth looks like he is suffering from a serious cold, so Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan decide to postpone his WWE World Championship match against AJ Styles for the second week in a row (this is probably their way to give Styles a little more time to heal his ankle).
MizTV feat. AJ Styles
What a way to kick off SmackDown, featuring the current Intercontinental Champion (and 6th best Superstar of 2016), The Miz. While AJ Styles isn’t defending the World Championship tonight, he at least is making an appearance on the most must-see talk show in WWE history.
The Miz starts to suggest that he’s above Styles’ level, and he wants to make the WWE World Championship “legendary.” Before a usual talk show fight gets underway, both Dean Ambrose and Dolph Ziggler (for some reason) make their ways down to the ring.
The Miz hits Ziggler with a Skull Crushing Finale, Dean Ambrose hits Dirty Deeds on Miz and Ziggler, then Luke Harper shows up out of nowhere to hit Ambrose with a discus clothesline and stares down Styles.
Natalya vs. Carmella
Nikki Bella is on commentary because she has some issues with both of these women. Bella has had issues with Carmella since SummerSlam, which culminated in a No Disqualification match at TLC. After that match, Carmella accused Natalya of being the one to attack Nikki Bella, preventing her from competing at Survivor Series.
Natalya spends too much time trying to convince Nikki Bella that she didn’t attack her, and Carmella takes advantage to roll her up for the win. Winner: Carmella
America Alpha vs. The Hype Bros vs. The Vaudevillains vs. Breezango vs. The Ascension – #1 Contender’s Battle Royal (SmackDown Tag Team Championships)
This match is a battle royal, but with a twist. Even if one member of a team is eliminated, the other member can still compete and win the match for his team. It is rumored that one of the Usos is healing an ankle injury, which would explain why they aren’t in the battle royal. Whichever team wins will be next in line to challenge The Wyatt Family for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships.
Eliminations: Simon Gotch, Viktor, Chad Gable, Rhyno, Mojo Rawley, Aiden English, Fandango, Jason Jordan, Heath Slater, Tyler Breeze, Konnor
Zack Ryder manages to beat the odds for the second time this year (after winning the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania) and eliminates Konnor with a Hurricanrana of sorts to win the match for him and Mojo Rawley. Winners, and NEW #1 Contenders: The Hype Bros
Alexa Bliss vs. Deonna Purrazzo
Bliss doesn’t want to waste her time by wrestling someone who isn’t contracted to SmackDown, so during a pre-match promo, she sucker punches Purrazzo and sends her out of the ring to get out of the match. Immediately, Becky Lynch jumps at the opportunity to ask for her SmackDown Women’s Championship rematch. Bliss backs down from the challenge, but Commissioner Shane McMahon decides to make that match official, up next.
Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Becky Lynch – SmackDown Women’s Championship
Bliss clearly wasn’t ready for this rematch, and wants to get out of losing her title to Lynch. She seemingly fakes a knee injury, and takes a count-out loss so that she can retain the SmackDown Women’s Championship. Winner (via count-out): Becky Lynch
Dean Ambrose vs. The Miz vs. Luke Harper vs. Dolph Ziggler – #1 Contender’s Elimination Match (WWE World Championship)
On the December 27th edition of SmackDown Live, AJ Styles will defend the WWE World Championship against the winner of this match. Unlike a typical Fatal Four Way match with no disqualification, if there is interference, whoever is getting the help will be eliminated. For example, if Randy Orton hits anyone with an RKO, Luke Harper will get eliminated without getting pinned or submitted (unless Orton RKO’d Harper).
Eliminations: The Miz, Luke Harper, Dean Ambrose
After being eliminated, The Miz returns at the end of the match with unfinished business. Miz distracts Ambrose at ringside, and when Ambrose gets back into the ring, he eats a superkick from Dolph Ziggler. Winner, and NEW #1 Contender: Dolph Ziggler
