Tonight’s episode of Smackdown features several “firsts” for the WWE. In singles competition, AJ Styles and Alberto Del Rio will face each other for the first time ever, as well as Chris Jericho and Sami Zayn. In tag team action, there are two matches in the #1 Contender’s Tag Team Tournament, where the winners will face The New Day for the WWE Tag Team Championship.
MizTV feat. Maryse
Maryse returned the night after WrestleMania on Monday Night Raw, when Zack Ryder defended the Intercontinental Championship against The Miz. Ryder’s dad was in the audience, and pushed the Miz. As a response, Maryse showed up out of nowhere and slapped Ryder’s dad, causing a distraction, which led to The Miz winning the Intercontinental Championship. Last week on Smackdown, The Miz would benefit from the aid of his wife yet again, to successfully retain his title against Ryder.
After The Miz and Maryse compliment each other for a few minutes, Zack Ryder comes down to the ring and interrupts them. Ryder challenges Miz to an Intercontinental Championship rematch, but Miz informs Ryder that he was scheduled for a match already, against Baron Corbin.
Zack Ryder vs. Baron Corbin
Corbin has made quite the impact since making his main roster debut at WrestleMania. Corbin would go on to win the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, and would then destroy Dolph Ziggler in a no-contest the following night on Monday Night Raw. Corbin even returned to NXT for some in-ring action, defeating Tucker Knight last night.
Ryder would get some offense in, but “The Lone Wolf” would hit the End of Days to end the match. Winner: Baron Corbin
After the match, Corbin goes to attack Ryder, but Dolph Ziggler runs down to the ring and makes the save, sending Corbin retreating to the back.
Paige vs. Emma
Paige and Emma arguably started the “Divas Revolution” when they faced each other for the NXT Women’s Championship. Since then, Paige has gone on to become the youngest Divas Champion ever, and Emma has made some waves in NXT.
Emma has been quite active on WWE and NXT television recently, feuding with Asuka, the current NXT Women’s Champion, for several weeks. Paige, on the other hand, has not really been featured in the ring as much, other than when her team (Team Total Divas) faced Emma’s team (Team B.A.D. & Blonde) at WrestleMania 32.
Paige seems to go for a super hurricanrana, but Emma slips out, and smashes Paige’s face onto the turnbuckle, and picks up the pinfall. Winner: Emma
Enzo Amore & Colin Cassady vs. The Ascension – #1 Contender’s Tag Team Tournament Match
Amore and “Big Cass” made their main roster debut last Monday on Raw, talking smack to the Dudley Boyz, and followed it up again this week. Tonight, as part of the #1 Contender’s Tag Team Tournament, Enzo Amore and Big Cass make their in-ring debut on the main roster.
The Ascension had a very dominant run in NXT, and eventually became the longest reigning NXT Tag Team Champions of all time. However, since they joined the main roster, they have gotten lost in the shuffle.
Colin Cassady hits Viktor with a Boss Man Slam, then tag in Amore for “Air Enzo,” picking up the victory. Winners: Enzo Amore & Colin Cassady
With this victory, “The Realest Guys in the Room” advance to face the Dudley Boyz in the semifinals.
AJ Styles vs. Alberto Del Rio
On the Raw after WrestleMania, AJ Styles defeated Kevin Owens, Cesaro, and Chris Jericho in a fatal four-way match to become the new #1 Contender for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Del Rio has not seen as much success as Styles since forming the League of Nations. When Del Rio returned to WWE, he defeated John Cena to win the United States Championship, and after his title run, he has been on the losing end more often than not.
Del Rio goes for the Cross Armbreaker, but Styles rolls out, and rolls up Del Rio to win his first-ever match against Del Rio. Winner: AJ Styles
Golden Truth Update
Goldust is backstage with R-Truth, and lets Truth know that they won’t be teaming tonight. Instead, Goldust found a new partner, Fandango, to create the team of “Goldango”.
Goldango vs. The Vaudevillains – #1 Contender’s Tag Team Tournament Match
The Vaudevillains made their main roster debut last week on Smackdown, when to picked up a victory over the Lucha Dragons.
Tonight, they make quick work of Goldango, after they hit Fandango with the Whirling Dervish to advance to the semifinals, where they will face The Usos. Winners: The Vaudevillains
Sami Zayn vs. Chris Jericho
To round out the night of firsts is a match featuring two of the most popular Canadian wrestlers facing each other for the first time ever.
Before the match really gets going, both Kevin Owens and Dean Ambrose come down to ringside. Owens was probably going to distract Sami Zayn, but Ambrose decides to hand out “Ambrose Asylum” flyer, and joins the commentary team. After the commercial break, Owens joins the commentary team as well.
Zayn gets ready for the Helluva Kick on Jericho, when Owens attacks Zayn to cause the disqualification. Winner (via disqualification): Sami Zayn
After the match, Dean Ambrose joins the fight and evens the odds, leaving him and Zayn standing tall to end Smackdown.
Want to give your comments about this article? You can either leave them here or you can join us on the Get More Sports Forum and talk about this article and many more! Brag about your favorite team, argue about an athlete’s performance or tell us about a game you saw. Join a new community of sports fans who live and breathe sports and sports entertainment. It’s free! Join now!
