Last week on SmackDown, Randy Orton revealed his true plans and attacked the Wyatt Family from within. Now that he has reinvoked, we have a new #1 Contender’s match between Randy Orton and the man that became #1 Contender last week, AJ Styles. Also, John Cena and Nikki Bella team up for the first time to take on James Ellsworth and Carmella.
Opening Segment
Since Randy Orton threw a wrench into the WWE Championship plans, Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan come down to the ring to figure things out. McMahon wants Styles in the championship match, while Bryan is in Orton’s corner due to Royal Rumble tradition. In order to figure out who will face Bray Wyatt at WrestleMania, they announce a match that was already announced a few days ago: Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles in the main event.
James Ellsworth & Carmella vs. John Cena & Nikki Bella
Last week, John Cena and Nikki Bella were being interviewed about their feud with The Miz and Maryse when James Ellsworth and Carmella stuck their noses where they don’t belong. Unless there is some pretty fishy stuff going on, it’s pretty obvious how this match is going to go.
After they both hit their finishers, John Cena and Nikki Bella force James Ellsworth and Carmella to both tap out to STFs. During the post-match celebration, The Miz and Maryse (who were on commentary) attack Cena and Bella, leaving them laid out at ringside. Winners: (via submission): John Cena & Nikki Bella
Announcement
Mojo Rawley announces that he is the first entrant in the third annual Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
Backstage Segment
Dean Ambrose walks around the backstage area looking for Baron Corbin, and the Lone Wolf attacks him from behind with a pipe. Corbin finishes off the assault by lowering a forklift onto the Lunatic Fringe, with only referees and security guards helping him out.
Blissertation
After becoming a two-time SmackDown Women’s Champion, Alexa Bliss comes down to the ring alongside Mickie James to announce her opponent for WrestleMania. Becky Lynch and Natalya come down to the ring to stake their claim for the title match, and Mickie James thinks she was being given a match.
Daniel Bryan sorts out this mess by deciding that Bliss will defend her title against “every available woman on the SmackDown roster.” Before we get there, Bryan channels his inner Teddy Long and makes a tag team match.
Alexa Bliss & Mickie James vs. Natalya & Becky Lynch
It seems clear that Alexa Bliss and Mickie James have the advantage in this match because of their friendship. Natalya and Becky Lynch used to be friends, but they had a falling out last year.
Becky Lynch spends most of the match as the legal member of her team, and Natalya doesn’t like that she wasn’t tagged in. The former Divas Champion enters the ring without being tagged in, then hits her own partner with a German suplex. This gives Mickie James the pinfall on a silver platter, but Alexa Bliss tags herself in and pins Lynch so she cold get the credit. After the match, James hits Bliss with the Mick Kick. Winners: Alexa Bliss & Mickie James
Announcement
After the assault from Baron Corbin, Tom Phillips reveals that Dean Ambrose is suffering from trouble breathing, potentially broken ribs, and other minor injuries. There will be updates on WWE.com.
AJ Styles vs. Randy Orton – #1 Contender’s Match (WWE Championship)
Somehow, this is the first time that AJ Styles and Randy Orton are squaring off. They are, without a doubt, two of the smoothest in-ring competitors WWE has to offer and it is with WrestleMania on the line. Whoever wins gets to face Bray Wyatt for the WWE Championship, and the loser probably gets the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
After winning a chance last week to be in the main event of WrestleMania, one RKO takes that away from AJ Styles, and Randy Orton goes on to face his former “master,” Bray Wyatt. Winner, and NEW #1 Contender: Randy Orton
