This week’s episode of SmackDown Live comes in from Birmingham, AL from the BJCC.
We start things off with the GM Daniel Bryan in the ring, ring is set up for a contract signing for the Women’s title at No Mercy. Bryan introduces Alexa Bliss and Becky Lynch and as expected trash each other. Alexa is about to sign the contract, and goes to grab the contract but hits Becky with the clipboard and flips the table over on Becky. Alexa proceeds to the back, only to be attacked by Becky from behind, prompting Alexa to run away. Becky heads back to the ring and signs the contract.
The Miz confronts Daniel Bryan about his Intercontinental title defense tonight. Daniel Bryan says he hopes that Miz has gone through the fine print of his newly negotiated contract and says that if the Miz refuses to defend the contract, it would be a violation of the contract. Miz storms off along with Maryse.
The Usos vs American Alpha: American Alpha return to action after being ‘injured’ by the Usos couple of weeks back. The tag champions Heath Slater and Rhino are watching the match backstage. Gable starts off by dropping both Jimmy and Jey. The American Alpha continue their offense for most of the match till Jimmy works on Gable’s injured leg. Gable fights out and makes the tag to Jordan, who connects with a couple of suplexes, including a T-bone on Jey for a near-fall. Jordan tries to go the top with Jey, but Jey fights it off with a super kick. Jimmy tags himself in and hits the splash on Jordan.
He goes for the pin, but it is broken up by Gable, who immediately rolls out to recoup from his knee injury. Jimmy connects with a super kick on Jordan, while Jey drops Gable with a shot to the injured knee. Usos connect with a double suplex on Jordan and Jey follows it up with a splash off the top rope for the win. Looks like we will see another match between the two at No Mercy!
Backstage, Rhyno and Slater are chilling! The Usos walk up to them and challenge them for the tag titles. Usos try to act tough by grabbing the food Rhino is eating. They back off when Rhino angrily crushes the food! Haha!
Baron Corbin vs Apollo Crews: Jack Swagger is at commentary for the match, to build his feud with Corbin. Crew is in control for most of the match. Corbin makes a comeback by kicking Crews to the outside. Corbin starts working on Crews’ lower back and eventually finishes off the match with a Deep Six. There is a stare down between Swagger and Corbin after the match, but Corbin eventually retreats.
The Miz vs Dolph Ziggler: This is for the nth time we are seeing the Intercontinental title being defended by the Miz against Dolph. Meh. Ziggler is in control initially, and takes Miz outside with a clothesline. Miz catches Ziggler on the ropes and turns the tides with a super kick. Miz connects with a double axe handle. Ziggler goes for a super kick, but Miz blocks it and hits a face buster. Miz starts mocking Daniel Bryan by hitting ‘YES!’ kicks to Ziggler. Ziggler blocks one and connects with a right hand. Ziggler goes for the spear and misses, allowing Miz to hit a big boot. Ziggler on the offense with a couple of clotheslines, following it up with a splash in the corner, only to be thrown into the ring post by Miz. Miz follows it up with a couple of clotheslines and goes for another double axe handle, but Ziggler catches him with a drop kick for a two count.
Miz avoids the Fameasser while Ziggler avoids the skull crushing finale. The brawl goes to the outside. Ziggler gets only a two count. The referee catches Maryse trying to spray something into Ziggler’s eyes and ejects her from ring side. Ziggler connects with a Zig Zag. Miz rolls out and tries to leave with the title but is chased down by Ziggler who throws him into the ring steps. Miz sprays Ziggler with the spray that Maryse tried to use in the middle of the chaos and connects with the skull crushing finale for the win.
Randy Orton vs Eric Rowan: Good to see Orton back in action. Rowan on the offense with a back suplex. Rowan throws Orton to the outside and tries beating him up, but Orton connects with a kick and follows it up with a DDT. Orton follows it up with an RKO for the win. Post-match, lights go out and when the lights are back, there is a mask lying next to Orton’s feet. Wyatt appears on the big screen and cuts a promo on Orton.
Nikki Bella and Naomi vs Natalya and Carmella: Immediately after the bell, Carmella assaults Nikki at ring side, prompting the referee to call for the bell. Winners by DQ, Nikki and Naomi.
AJ Styles is in the ring, to talk about John Cena and Dean Ambrose. He says they are not competition to him anymore since he defeated both of them and is superior to them. He questions the rationale behind the triple threat match at No Mercy. He says he is going to sit back and enjoy Cena and Ambrose tear each other apart.
Dean Ambrose vs John Cena: Cena escapes an early dirty deeds attempt, but Ambrose controls most of the initial moments. Cena briefly gets Ambrose in the STF, but Ambrose gets to the ropes. Cena rolls out, and Ambrose follows him with a suicide dive. In the ring, Ambrose goes for a splash off the top rope, but Cena turns the tables by rolling out and putting Ambrose in the Attitude Adjustment, for a near-fall. Cena goes for another AA, but Ambrose counters with the dirty deeds for a near-fall of his own. Cena goes for another AA, but Ambrose rolls out and pins Cena with a sunset flip for the win.
Post-match, AJ comes off with a flying forearm onto John Cena. AJ lays out Dean Ambrose next. Bryan comes out and mentions that Shane McMahon promised a one on one re-match between Styles and Ambrose. He books a re-match for next week, with the title on the line. AJ turns around into a dirty deeds, with Ambrose standing tall.
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