While Raw was full of filler content last night, SmackDown Live has a stacked show ready for us. MizTV returns with John Cena as the featured guest, Becky Lynch and Mickie James square off in a 2-out-of-3 Falls match, and Luke Harper faces AJ Styles in the main event to determine who will challenge Bray Wyatt for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania.
MizTV feat. John Cena
Last week, The Miz and John Cena were part of the 10-man #1 Contender’s Battle Royal. John Cena would eliminate the Miz, then Miz would run back into the ring to throw Cena out. Cena ruined an opportunity for the Miz, and the 6-time Intercontinental Champion goes on a rant about how that has been the case for 10 years.
Cena fires back at the Miz, and Maryse has none of it. The former Divas Champion slaps Cena, then Nikki Bella rushes to the ring and the hosts of MizTV flee in retreat.
Becky Lynch vs. Mickie James – 2-out-of-3 Falls Match
Since Mickie James’ return to WWE, she has been feuding with Becky Lynch. Lynch would defeat James at Elimination Chamber, then James would pick up a win the night after. In the rubber match, it is 2-out-of-3 Falls, so you have to defeat your opponent twice to win the match.
After a mishap in the turnbuckle, James gets a head start in the match by hitting Lynch with the Mickie DDT. Winner of First Fall: Mickie James
James tries to go for a Thesz Press from the top rope, and Lynch avoids the attempt. The Irish Lasskicker sidesteps and rolls up James to bring this to sudden death.
After the second fall, Alexa Bliss comes down to the ring to distract the referee. Mickie James fails to take advantage of this, and Lynch locks in the Disarm-her for the win. Winner (via submission): Becky Lynch
Luke Harper vs. AJ Styles – #1 Contender’s Match (WWE Championship)
In the aforementioned Battle Royal from last week, there was controversy surrounding the ending. Luke Harper and AJ Styles were the last two men left, and according to the referees, both men hit the floor at the same time. However, anyone with eyes could see that Harper won the match. Regardless, two great wrestlers compete the a chance at the biggest match of their respective careers.
AJ Styles hits Luke Harper with the Phenomenal Forearm, and Styles pins Harper for the 3-count. However, the referee didn’t see that Harper put his foot on the rope. Shane McMahon comes down to the ring to restart the match. Styles argues with the Commissioner outside the ring, and moves at the right/wrong time, leading to Harper hitting McMahon with a superkick.
Styles takes advantage of the confusion, then he hits Harper with a springboard 450 Splash to become Bray Wyatt’s WrestleMania opponent. Winner, and NEW #1 Contender: AJ Styles
Announcement
Next week, John Cena and Nikki Bella will take on James Ellsworth and Carmella after Carmella convinced Ellsworth to insult Bella for her.
In-ring Segment
Dean Ambrose makes his way to the ring for a match against Curt Hawkins, and he hits Hawkins with Dirty Deeds before his entrance is even over. Instead of a match, we get a promo. Baron Corbin has cost Ambrose a chance at the WWE Championship, and has attacked the Intercontinental Champion over the past couple weeks. Ambrose calls Corbin out, but the Lone Wolf declines the invitation.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Apollo Crews – Chairs Match
Over the past several weeks, Dolph Ziggler has lost matches to Apollo Crews and Kalisto. Following his losses, Ziggler would take out his frustration of his losses by attacking his opponents with chairs. After weeks of this, Apollo Crews gets a chance at revenge in a match against The Showoff where chairs are legal.
Ziggler slams Crews’ throat onto a chair, then drops Crews right on his groin, getting the underhanded, but completely legal, victory. Winner: Dolph Ziggler
Bray Wyatt’s Invocation
After learning who his WrestleMania opponent is, Bray Wyatt is here for an invocation, whatever that means. Randy Orton interrupts on the Titantron, from within Wyatt’s home. Orton reveals his long-term intentions of destroying the Wyatt Family from within. Orton burns a shack down, that apparently has Sister Abigail underneath, or something… and that’s it for SmackDown.
