SmackDown Live is ending 2016 with a huge show. The Wyatt Family, AJ Styles, and Alexa Bliss are all defending their respective championships. On top of all of that, John Cena makes his return to the blue brand.
Opening Segment
John Cena opens SmackDown to tell the WWE Universe what his plans are next. There is a triple threat match later tonight between Baron Corbin, Dolph Ziggler, and AJ Styles for the WWE World Championship, and whoever wins is challenged by Cena for a championship match at the Royal Rumble.
The Wyatt Family (c) vs. Heath Slater & Rhyno vs. American Alpha vs. The Usos – SmackDown Tag Team Championships (Elimination Match)
A few weeks ago, there was a tag team battle royal to determine the #1 Contenders for the SmakcDown Tag Team Championships. Zack Ryder would end up winning the match for the Hype Bros, but he would injure his knee during the match. Since Ryder is on the shelf for 4-9 months, a fatal four-way elimination match was made.
Heath Slater tries to hit a move from the top turnbuckle, but slips and lands on the ring canvas. One of the Usos takes advantage to hit Slater with a superkick, eliminating the former SmackDown Tag Team Champions. Eliminated: Heath Slater & Rhyno
Chad Gable manages to roll up one of the Usos to steal a victory, and now it is just American Alpha and a fresh Wyatt Family. Eliminated: The Usos
Randy Orton fails to superplex Chad Gable, and instead he falls onto Luke Harper. Jason Jordan gets a hold of Orton, then hits Grand Amplitude on the Viper to get the upset and the titles. Winners, and NEW SmackDown Tag Team Champions: American Alpha
Backstage Segment
Apparently Carmella finds James Ellsworth attractive. Moving on here…
Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Becky Lynch – SmackDown Women’s Championship
In the second of three championship defenses tonight, Alexa Bliss defends her recently captured SmackDown Women’s Championship. Lynch lost the title to Bliss in a Tables match at the TLC Pay-Per-View, and tonight she cashes in her obligated rematch clause.
During the match, someone came down to the ring as La Luchadora (the disguise Becky Lynch used last week) and helped attack Becky while the referee was attending to Bliss (who purposely dislocated her own arm), and Bliss took advantage to win the match. Bliss doesn’t seem to know who La Luchadora is, and we won’t find out now. Winner, and STILL SmackDown Women’s Champion: Alexa Bliss
Backstage Segment
Renee Young goes to the Miz’s locker room and distracts him with a question so Dean Ambrose (her boyfriend) could attack him from behind. It is interesting seeing the shift of Renee Young from interviewer to on-screen personality.
Match Announcement
Yet again, Daniel Bryan has scheduled The Miz to defend his Intercontinental Championship. Next week, The Miz will defend the belt against The Lunatic Fringe, Dean Ambrose.
AJ Styles (c) vs. Baron Corbin vs. Dolph Ziggler – WWE World Championship
A couple weeks ago, Dolph Ziggler defeated Dean Ambrose, Luke Harper, and The Miz in a fatal four way elimination match to become the #1 Contender for AJ Styles’ WWE World Championship. Last week, Baron Corbin returned to SmackDown after being named the Most Metal Athlete, and claimed that the reason he was not the #1 Contender because he was not around. Corbin would face Ziggler last week to try and take his #1 Contendership, but a “no contest” finish led to both men being put in a championship match tonight. Whoever wins this match could potentially defend the title against John Cena at the Royal Rumble.
Baron Corbin hits Dolph Ziggler with the End of Days, and while Corbin tries to capitalize, AJ Styles hits Corbin with the Phenomenal Forearm. Styles then pins Ziggler then retains the WWE World Championship. Winner, and STILL WWE World Champion: AJ Styles
As expected, John Cena comes down to the ring after the match and congratulates Styles with a handshake. Somehow, that makes it official that John Cena gets a championship match at the Royal Rumble.
