WWE Live moved to Atlanta this week after some power packed shows in Nashville and New York. The SmackDown Live roster tore the house down with some great in ring action and enthralled the WWE Universe in Atlanta.
#1 Tag Team Turmoil – SmackDown Tag Team Championship
SmackDown Live Tag Team champions American Alpha defended their title against The Usos, The Ascension, The Vaudevillains, Breezango and the team of Heath Slater & Rhyno in a nail-biting tag team turmoil.
The Ascension and the team of Slater and Rhyno got things started. Rhyno sent the Ascension packing with a Gore and scored the pinfall. The Vaudevillains came out next but didn't last long. Breezango came out to the forefront and eliminated Slater and Rhyno. However, Tyler Breeze and Fandango were pinned by the tag team champions. The Usos were the last team out and gave Gable and Jordan a run for their money with a lot of back and forth. Finally, the American Alpha retained after a good show.
Result: The American Alpha retain SmackDown Tag Team Championship
#2 SmackDown Women’s Championship
SmackDown Live Women's Champion Alexa Bliss had her work cut out when she faced Becky Lynch. Bliss, however, managed to win by cheating and getting the better of Becky Lynch. Becky was furious after the match and took out the champion.
Result: Alexa Bliss defeated Becky Lynch to retain SmackDown Women’s Championship
#3 Curt Hawkins vs. James Ellsworth
In what can be termed as a shocker of a match, James Ellsworth defeated Curt Hawkins. Hawkins came out to the ring with an open challenge and his challenge was accepted by none other than Ellsworth. The crowd seemed to cheer Ellsworth on as he scored the pinfall with a “No Chin Music” just about 5 seconds into the match.
Result: James Ellsworth defeated Curt Hawkins
#4 Barbon Corbin vs. Kalisto
‘The Lone Wolf’ Baron Corbin made short work of Kalisto. Corbin got a loud pop as he entered the arena. He cleaned the house with Kalisto before pinning him to the mat with the End of Days.
Result: Baron Corbin defeated Kalisto
#5 Dolph Ziggler vs The Miz – Steel Cage Match
The Miz cut a promo before the match and said that his lawyers would not let him defend the Intercontinental Championship in towns like Atlanta. So he took on Dolph Ziggler in a non-title steel cage match. The match was high energy right from the get-go, and Dolph pinned the champion after some back and forth.
This match felt like a PPV level match and stole the show. Ziggler got a huge pop because even with the title not being defended no one thought he would win. After the match, he spent a few minutes going around and high fiving/cheering with fans.
Result: Dolph Ziggler defeated the Intercontinental Champion The Miz
#6 Nikki Bella vs Natalya
Nikki Bella and Natalya put on a great show that included a failed interference by Carmella. Nikki had got Natalya in the STF at one point in the match. Natalya somehow managed to escape the hold but fell victim to a modified version of the Rack Attack.
Result: Nikki Bella defeated Natalya
#7 The Wyat Family vs Apollo Crews, Jack Swagger and Mojo Rawley
Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton and Luke Harper defeated the team of Jack Swagger, Apollo Crews and Mojo Rawley. The Wyatts picked up the victory when Bray Wyatt launched Crews into an RKO from Randy Orton.
Result: The Wyatt Family defeated Apollo Crews, Jack Swagger and Mojo Rawley
#8 WWE Championship: AJ Styles vs John Cena vs Dean Ambrose
WWE Champion AJ Styles defended the championship against Dean Ambrose and John Cena in a Triple Threat match. In what turned out to be a very good main event, AJ took Cena out with a chair shot and hit a low blow to Ambrose for the win. Once the match was over, AJ took the mic to cut a promo but ‘The Phenomenal One’ was cut off by a Dirty Deeds and an Attitude Adjustment with Ambrose and Cena standing tall.
The crowd was pretty split between Styles and Cena, with the Ambrose supporters getting drowned out. Some great spots, although not a lot we haven't seen before. Basically the same ending as the No Mercy match, with Styles using a steel chair. Of note, Styles botched a Stylin' DDT on Ambrose but quickly went for a pinfall after, making it just look like a springboard moon sault that was a bit off (he didn't get all of it!).
Result: AJ Styles defeated John Cena and Dean Ambrose to retain the WWE Championship
