This week’s episode of Smackdown opened up with James Ellsworth thanking Dean Ambrose for all he has done for him. Ellsworth asked if Dean Ambrose would allow him to be in his corner tonight. Ambrose didn’t seem to like that idea and said that Ellsworth should just chill backstage. The crowd booed as Ambrose walked away from Ellsworth who looked disappointed.
No Disqualification Match: Kane vs Bray Wyatt
The match started out back and forth. The action spilled outside the ring and Bray Wyatt grabbed a chair. Kane blocked Wyatt’s attempt at using the chair and sent Bray flying into the steel steps. Kane then cleared off the announce table and was going Chokeslam Bray through the table but the lights in the arena went out. When they came back on, Luke Harper was standing on the announce table and he kicked Kane in the face. Smackdown went to a commercial break with JBL freaked out that Harper appeared out of nowhere.
When Smackdown returned, Bray Wyatt was in control of the match. Kane battled back and hit a Jawbreaker. Wyatt then hit a Clothesline and applied a Chin Lock to Kane. Once again, Kane battled back and laid out Wyatt with a boot to the face. Kane followed that up with a DDT and a Clothesline off of the top rope. Kane was setting up for a Chokeslam but Harper dragged Wyatt out of the ring. This angered Kane and he went outside the ring to attack Harper.
Back in the ring now, Wyatt regained control after Kane was distracted with Harper. Bray went for the Sister Abigail but Kane blocked it. Harper jumped up on the ring apron but Randy Orton sprinted down to the ring and had a stare down with Harper. Orton was able to intimidate Harper and Harper left the ring. Orton set up for the RKO and Kane set up for the Chokeslam while Bray Wyatt was getting up. Out of nowhere, Orton hit an RKO on Kane and left him lying in the ring. Bray Wyatt then pinned Kane for the victory. Harper and Wyatt looked confused as they watched Orton walk backstage.
Winner: Bray Wyatt
AJ Styles was interviewed backstage. Styles claimed that Ambrose was going to have to be carried out the arena tonight after their match. Styles also stated that if he sees Ellsworth, he will wind up missing more than his chin after tonight.
Becky Lynch made her return from injury. She was immediately interrupted by Alexa Bliss. Alexa accused Becky of faking an injury to get out of their title match at No Mercy. Bliss guaranteed that she will be taking the Women’s Championship from Becky in two weeks. Bliss then went for a cheap shot but Becky Lynch blocked it. Bliss wound up getting the upper hand anyway and rammed Lynch’s back into the LED post several times. Bliss then hit a DDT on Lynch in the ring and spray painted a yellow stripe down Becky’s back.
Survivor Series Qualifying Match: The Ascension vs Hype Bros
The Ascension started off in control of the match and beat the hell out of Zack Ryder. Konnor began to taunt Mojo Rawley and also told the crowd to shut up. The crowd started getting into the match and cheered on Ryder. Finally, Ryder tagged in Rawley and he cleaned house. Rawley sent Konnor flying into the ring post. Ryder and Rawley then hit the Hype Ryder on Viktor for the victory. Hype Bros are now a part of Smackdown’s tag team at Survivor Series.
Winners: Hype Bros
Randy Orton was interviewed backstage. Orton was asked why he attacked Kane and helped Bray Wyatt. Orton stated that if you cannot beat them, join them.
Reaction: The first hour of Smackdown was very solid. I cannot tell if Randy Orton has actually joined the Wyatt Family or if he is still playing mind games with Bray. I also enjoyed the Alexa Bliss and Becky Lynch promo. Alexa Bliss is great on the microphone and also makes facial expressions that just get under your skin. She is very good at being entertaining and annoying at the same time. Dana Brooke may want to take notes on Alexa Bliss. I know Charlotte asked her to take notes a few weeks ago, she may want to give that another whirl.
Natalya vs Nikki Bella (Winner Becomes Team Captain & Loser Is Not On Women’s Team For Survivor Series)
Natalya started off the match in control. Natalya continually slowed down the pace of the match and taunted the crowd. She asked the crowd if they liked Nikki Bella several times. She also took every oppurtunity to pose for the crowd and annoy them. Natalya locked in the Sharpshooter but Nikki was able to reach the ropes to break the hold.
Finally, Nikki Bella picked up some momentum and kicked Natalya in the head. Natalya applied an Inverted Surfboard on Bella but Nikki countered it into an STF and Natalya tapped out.
After the match, Carmella attacked Nikki Bella from behind. Carmella then hit Nikki with a Bella Buster and posed for the crowd.
Winner: Nikki Bella
The Miz, Maryse and the Spirit Squad all came down to the ring. The Spirit Squad performed a special cheer to introduce the Miz. Immediately, the Miz started to diss Dolph Ziggler. Miz stated that it was day 16 of the Intercontinental Championship burial tour because he is no longer champion. Dolph Ziggler came down to the ring and stated that the Miz should have his rematch for the IC title right now.
Naturally, the Miz wasn’t interested in fighting on Ziggler’s terms. The Miz and Spirit Squad went to attack Ziggler but Heath Slater and Rhyno came down to the ring. The Miz then asked Slater and Rhyno to defend their Tag Team titles against the Spirit Squad. Heath Slater seemed to be trying to talk his way out of the match but Rhyno grabbed the microphone and accepted the challenge.
Smackdown Tag Team Championship Match: Heath Slater & Rhyno (c) vs Spirit Squad
The Miz and Dolph Zigger joined commentary for this match. The Spirit Squad dominated the beginning of the match. Slater was trapped in the ring but eventually he tagged in Rhyno and the momentum turned. Rhyno hit Mikey with a Belly to Belly Suplex. The Miz and Ziggler began arguing by the announce table. Slater pushed Kenny off the ring apron and he landed on the Miz. Rhyno then hit a Gore on Mikey for the victory.
Winners & Still Tag Team Champions: Heath Slater & Rhyno
Dean Ambrose was walking backstage when he stumbled upon James Ellsworth sulking. Ellsworth begged that Ambrose allow him to be in his corner tonight. Ambrose reluctantly agreed and instructed Ellsworth to be careful.
AJ Styles vs Dean Ambrose (If Ambrose Wins, He Gets WWE World Championship Match)
The match started out with Ambrose capturing the momentum. Ambrose knocked Styles outside the ring. Styles then shoved Ellsworth into the steel steps. Ambrose got out of the ring to check on Ellsworth. This allowed Styles to hit a Phenomenal Forearm on Ambrose outside the ring. Smackdown went to a commercial break with Styles in control of the match.
When Smackdown returned, Ambrose was in control and he laid out Styles with a Suicide Dive outside the ring. Ambrose locked in the Cloverleaf int he middle of the ring. Styles eventually was able to reach the bottom rope to break the hold. Styles hit Ambrose with a vicious Suplex on the ring apron. Ambrose barely hit the apron and fell quite hard to the ground.
After the commercial break, Styles and Ambrose were battling on the turnbuckle. Styles went for a Superplex but Ambrose blocked it and sent AJ flying face first to the mat. Ambrose then hit an Elbow Drop on Styles. Dean then hit AJ with a Swinging Neckbreaker. Styles battled back and hit a Springboard Inverted DDT.
Ambrose and Styles traded punches but Dean powered off the ropes and connected with the Lunatic Lariat. Once again, both men were on the top rope and Ambrose hit Styles with a Superplex. Ellsworth was outside the ring jumping around and cheering for Ambrose. Styles locked in the Calf Crusher and Ellsworth began slamming on the mat to pump up Ambrose.
Dean smashed AJ’s head off the mat several times but Styles would let go of the hold. Ambrose did not submit and was able to make his way to the bottom rope and the referee broke up the hold. Styles then hit Ellsworth an amazing looking Dropkick. Ambrose knocked Styles outside the ring. Ellsworth took this oppurtunity to get his revenge on Styles and hit him with a Superkick. This caused the referee to disqualify Dean Ambrose. Ellsworth looked devastated and Ambrose was visibly frustrated.
Winner: AJ Styles
Reaction: The main event was a good match. My only complaint is that I saw the finish coming a mile away. There was no real reason for Ellsworth to be out there and you knew that he would wind up costing Ambrose the match. The only thought that I allowed to creep into my head while watching the match was that Styles somehow paid off Ellsworth to cost to Ambrose the match. That thought quickly went away when Styles almost murdered Ellsworth several times during the match.
Overall, this week’s episode of Smackdown was good. I’m pretty sick of watching the Spirit Squad. The Ziggler and Miz feud has lost all of it’s momentum. Other than that, I have no complaints. I don’t understand how Monday Night Raw can be so painfully boring and Smackdown is consistently entertaining. On paper, Monday Night Raw has more stars on their roster. However, it seems like every week Smackdown is able to do much more with much less.
What did you think of this week’s episode of Smackdown? Let us know in the comments below.
