This week’s Smackdown comes one day after Goldberg’s return to WWE after 12 years on Smackdown, can the show live up to the high standards that RAW has set this week following Goldberg’s return. Will we see any new developments in the RAW vs. Smackdown Survivor Series matches?
The biggest question. Will James Ellsworth be able to pull off the upset of the millenium by defeating AJ Styles for the World Title? Let’s find out!
Segment: Randy Orton
Smackdown started off with Randy Orton delivering a promo talking about how Bray Wyatt was even more evil than he had expected and further going on to add that Bray Wyatt had more evil in him than anything Orton had ever experienced before. He warned Bray that he was coming for him.
Wyatt and Luke Harper then appeared on the Titantron, followed by Wyatt cutting his promo from inside a casket. He laughed Randy’ s threats off and warned him back saying ‘You don’t have to come for me because I’m coming for you’, he also reminded Orton of Luke Harper having returned.
He then sent out Luke Harper to have a match against Randy Orton.
Match: Luke Harper vs. Randy Orton
Randy Orton started off strong, trying to take revenge for what happened the last time Luke Harper was in the ring with him. Following a superplex by Randy Orton on Luke Harper, the lights went dark and Bray Wyatt made a full entrance in an open casket being carried by his minions in sheep masks towards the ring as we cut to commercials.
Smackdown comes back on air and it appears that Randy Orton was lying outside of the ring with a smiling Bray Wyatt looking down on him. He barely beats the count-out and makes it back in the ring. After a brief scuffle with Luke Harper, Randy Orton kicks out of a nearfall!
Bray Wyatt is shouting instructions at Luke Harper from the outside and instructs Luke Harper to put Randy Orton in the open casket lying open ringside. Randy Orton reversed the clothesline and sent Luke Harper outside instead. Luke made it back in after narrowly avoiding the casket only to be pulverised by Randy Orton's power slam.
Randy Orton then tried to go for a DDT off the ropes, when Bray Wyatt interfered and distracted Randy Orton. The referee at this point ended the match in a Disqualification win for Randy Orton. Luke Harper capitalised on the distraction by delivering a big boot to a distracted Orton. Bray and Luke then made preparations to throw Randy Orton in the casket.
When Bray Wyatt opened the casket, however, much to his surprise he found a waiting Kane inside. Kane, who had disappeared from Randy Orton’s side last week rose from the casket and punched Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper as Randy Orton took to Wyatt and went for a DDT off the ropes as he had originally intended.
Kane also delivered a flying clothesline off the top rope to Luke Harper. Randy Orton and Kane both seemed prepared to go for their respective finishers as the lights went out and both members of The Wyatt Family disappeared.
The Big Red Machine and the Apex Predator were left standing in the ring by themselves as we moved on to the next segment.
Result: Randy Orton defeated Luke Harper via disqualification due to Bray Wyatt's interference
Segment: Interview with AJ Styles
The interviewer asked for AJ Styles' thoughts on the WWE World Title matchup with James Ellsworth. AJ Styles remarked that he couldn't believe that the match was even happening and called James Ellsworth a "fat, skinny turd".
He then went on to remark that Dean Ambrose would probably find a way to interfere in his match and said that a James Ellsworth win would be akin to what happened in WCW, comparing the possibility to David Arquette winning the WCW championship.
He then remarked that it was ‘embarrassing’ to be in the ring with James Ellsworth.
AJ Styles then threatened Dean Ambrose that should he end up costing him the title, he would find Ambrose regardless of wherever he might be and would take him apart piece by piece, AJ Styles then left while tightly clutching on to his championship belt.
Match: Naomi vs. Alexa Bliss
Naomi made a dancing and glowing entrance as Alexa Bliss was patiently waiting for her in the ring. She got a cheering response from the crowd.
Naomi and Alexa Bliss started off the action by locking up and getting into a shoving match with each other. Alexa Bliss utilised the referee to make an attempt at distracting Naomi. The referee was being used as a tool of deception in this case.
Naomi hit back shortly thereafter, only to be countered by a knee from the 'five feet of fury" Alexa Bliss. Naomi got back up and delivered a fury of kicks to Alexa Bliss followed by a high kick from ringside as well as a diving springboard off the top rope.
The commentators remarked how Naomi had a lot more experience than Alexa Bliss but wasn't the #1 contender yet.
Nearfall on Alexa Bliss!
Naomi then goes for a lockup as Alexa Bliss powers out of it. Naomi goes right back to the offensive and kicks Alexa Bliss as she gets whiplash on the bottom turnbuckle. Realising this might be too much for her, Alexa Bliss slides out as the referee stops Naomi from following up and starts counting her out.
We return from commercials as Alexa Bliss is back in the ring and the two women are locked up in the middle of it. Alexa is trying to go for a submission move, wearing Naomi down. Naomi tries to go for a reversal which Alexa Bliss wasn't having any of.
Naomi eventually powered out of the hold with a back-breaker on Alexa. after both women recovered, Alexa tried to go in for an assault again but Naomi delivered a series of acrobatic clotheslines on Alexa Bliss, followed by a moonsault off the top rope.
Nearfall!
Naomi, realising she hadn't done enough damage, went on the top rope again, but Alexa Bliss recovered in time and threw her down. Alexa then went on the top rope and connected with a Twisted Bliss. She then went for a pin and finally got the better of Naomi.
Result: Alexa Bliss wins by Pinfall!
Alexa was interviewed in the ring after the victory about the match with Becky Lynch for the Women’s Championship scheduled to happen on 8th November edition of Smackdown in Glasgow, Scotland. Alexa responded by saying that the fairytale run of Becky Lynch will come to an end in three weeks. She promised to become the champion.
Match: Curt Hawkins vs. Apollo Crews
Curt Hawkins got inside the ring to an entrance where the crowd were informed the ringside announcer that the reason Curt Hawkins didn’t come out last week was because he ‘didn’t want to see’ the fans even though they wanted to see him.
Curt Hawkins cut a promo before the match started, informing Apollo Crews that he had to face the facts and Curt Hawkins, this was followed by Hawkins telling him that he will have to change his name to “Apollo Lose” after the match ended. Apollo Crews responded with a punch to the face of Curt Hawkins.
Curt Hawkins, slid out of the ring and continued his promo ringside accusing Apollo Crews of trying to ruin his debut, he told Apollo that he was leaving and subsequently left after dropping the mic.
Result: No Contest as the match never began.
Segment: Carmella addresses the situation
We’re shown a flashback of last week when Carmella attacked Nikki Bella backstage, which was followed by Nikki Bella interfering in her match with Naomi that ended with Carmella running into the crowd to escape her assault.
Carmella, the princess of Staten Island, got in the ring and started talking about how she didn’t understand the crowd’s obsession with Nikki Bella. The promo is cut midway by Nikki Bella’s entrance. She got into the ring and asked Carmella to say it to her face. Carmella accused her of stealing the spotlight and accused her of being fearless only because she was John Cena’s girlfriend.
Nikki Bella then called Carmella akin to every jealous hater she has ever had and stated that she was not hiding her relationship with John Cena. Carmella accused her of being a gold-digger. Carmella then showed a vignette consisting of Nikki Bella’s candid moments with John Cena on Total Divas and Total Bellas on the Titantron, in an effort to prove that she had been clinging to John Cena.
Nikki Bella replied, stating that she ‘wore the pants’ in her relationship and spoke of coming back from her potentially career-ending injury and fighting her own battles. Carmella then accused Nikki Bella of using her looks, her sister and her boyfriend to becoming a diva and a celebrity. She then exited the ring, leaving a bemused Nikki Bella scoffing.
Segment: Interview with James Ellsworth
Upon being asked how he felt about his victory last week and his upcoming match. James Ellsworth said he was trembling at the prospect of facing AJ Styles and stated how he was fortunate to be having the opportunity.
He also expressed how emotional he was to be in the match and said that even though he didn’t see himself in the same league as AJ Styles, referring to him as ‘the champ who runs the camp’, he revelled in the fact that he would one day be able to tell his grandkids about the match.
Match: Six match Tag Team match between The Miz (accompanied by Maryse) and Spirit Squad vs. Dolph Ziggler (Intercontinental Champion), Heath Slater and Rhyno (Tag Team champions)
A vignette aired as the team of Heath Slater and Rhyno made their entrance with Dolph Ziggler, where Heath Slater revealed that he helped the Miz ‘for his kids’ while Rhyno justified his actions by stating that he just didn’t like ‘male cheerleaders’, referring to the Spirit Squad.
The match began with Rhyno and Mikey in the ring. Rhyno went for a side headlock on Mikey which was reversed by Mikey with a headlock of his own. The headlock didn’t last very long as the ‘Big Brute’ Rhyno followed by an assault on Mikey. Kenny was tagged in, only to be slammed by Rhyno.
Rhyno then tagged in Heath Slater, which was followed by a combined clothesline and a nearfall on Kenny. Heath, after landing some offence, tagged Dolph Ziggler in, who started off strong before being struck by a leaping back elbow by Kenny. Kenny appeared to be wanting to continue fighting, but the Miz barked at him to be tagged in on a downed Dolph.
Miz was then tagged in by Kenny only to be welcomed with a drop kick by Dolph Ziggler. Miz eventually got back on his feet and threw Dolph in his corner. Kenny and Mikey wasted no time punching down Dolph as Miz distracted the referee. The two appeared wary of tagging themselves in by accident.
Miz was then superkicked by Dolph as we cut to commercials.
Back from commercials, Dolph seemed to still be attacking the Miz as the Spirit Squad attempted to interfere. Dolph overpowered them all as Maryse ended up distracting him which allowed The Miz to land some offence on Dolph to get back into the match.
Dolph was then held in a lock by The Miz and he appeared to be desperate to make a tag, which was denied by The Miz. Kenny was then tagged in by The Miz, who wore down Dolph Ziggler even further before tagging in Mikey. Who was eventually overpowered by Dolph Ziggler via a reversal.
Dolph then superkicked Miz who was almost tagged in. Both men then tried to go for the tag, crawling to make it just in time. Heath Slater was successfully tagged in by Dolph just before the Miz could make it, Heath appeared to be firing on all cylinders as he took out both members of the spirit squad.
A Hangman neckbreaker was hit by Heath Slater and a Nearfall was broken up by Mikey who interfered.
Rhyno delivered a ‘Gore’ spear to Mikey. He was quickly pushed out of the ring by Kenny. The action was very fast paced at this point as a Roll-up attempt was made by Heath Slater on Kenny, he then got cheap-shotted by The Miz outside of the view of the referee after Kenny kicked out.
Kenny then rolled-up Heath for a pin and the trio exited victorious!
Result: The Miz (accompanied by Maryse) and Spirit Squad defeated Dolph Ziggler, Heath Slater and Rhyno
Segment: Daniel Bryan backstage
Daniel Bryan appeared to be talking to Shane McMahon on the phone backstage, discussing that since Stephanie McMahon had accepted the challenge, they had to start making teams for the upcoming Survivor Series Smackdown vs. Raw matches.
Daniel Bryan also stressed that the roster would come together despite their differences for the big challenge.
Natalya appeared and asked Daniel Bryan to be entered in the 5 vs. 5 Smackdown vs. Raw Women’s Elimination match. Daniel Bryan asked Natalya what was it about her that made her worthwhile of being in the match to which Natalya delivered a Whitney Houston quote.
Daniel Bryan said he would take it into consideration, Natalya then started talking to Daniel Bryan about her cat’s Instagram as we cut to commercials.
Match: Jack Swagger vs. Baron Corbin
Jack Swagger was already in the ring as members of the Denver Broncos were shown attending the event. Baron Corbin made his entrance. A vignette aired with Baron Corbin accusing Jack Swagger of being a phoney and said that he would have fun at Jack Swagger’s expense.
The two get into a back and forth in the middle of the ring that ended with Jack Swagger clotheslining Baron off the top rope outside, before following him outside and throwing him back into the ring. While attempting to make his attempt back, Swagger was thrown to the outside again by Baron Corbin.
A forearm assault by Baron Corbin continued outside on the barricades as the two men finally got back in the ring. Baron Corbin then finished off Jack Swagger with an Irish whip into his finisher End of Days, thus ending this squash match.
Result: Baron Corbin defeated Jack Swagger via Pinfall
Segment: Daniel Bryan backstage
Backstage, Natalya is still showing Cat pictures to Daniel Bryan, as Dean Ambrose came out dressed as a referee and declared to Daniel Bryan that he was going to take his referee responsibilities for the World Title match seriously without any ‘hijinks’.
Daniel Bryan informed Dean that he couldn’t allow him to be the special guest referee for a World Title match. After some persuasion, Daniel Bryan told Ambrose that he could be the timekeeper, ring announcer or the commentator for the match.
Dean seemed to like the idea and replied affirmatively saying that he would do ‘that’ and walked off. A perplexed Daniel Bryan was left behind wondering ‘Which one?’
Match: AJ Styles (WWE World Champion) vs. James Ellsworth for the WWE World Title
Dean Ambrose makes his entrance, now out of his referee gear and headed over to ringside. Picking up a microphone as he took a seat near the timekeeper.
AJ Styles walked out next. appearing sceptical of Dean Ambrose being ringside and threatened him to not ‘dare’ interfere in the match.
James Ellsworth then entered the ring wearing a shirt with his own face on it, being welcomed by chants of “Ellsworth” by the crowd.
Dean Ambrose got in the ring, as the ring announcer and introduced both the competitors, hyping up James Ellsworth and introducing AJ Styles as the ‘master of taking the easy way out’ as well as a ‘current and temporary’ World Champion.
He then went ringside and assumed the duties of the timekeeper, ringing the bell constantly without stopping (thus stalling the start of the match) until AJ Styles got frustrated and was distracted, resulting in a hold from James Ellsworth which AJ quickly powered out of and reversed into a hold of his own.
This prompted Dean Ambrose to get on the mic and stop the match, stating that the match had to be stopped for a ‘commercial break’, further infuriating AJ who screamed at Dean Ambrose, who replied with ‘Gotta pay the bills brother’ as the show did actually cut to commercials.
We’re back as AJ Styles appears to be beating down James Ellsworth some more. He then placed James Ellsworth on the top turnbuckle, before climbing it himself and was just setting up to deliver a move until Dean Ambrose then got on the mic and diverted the crowd’s attention to the Titantron.
He then started advertising the James Ellsworth’s shirt that was available on WWEShop.com. A distracted AJ Styles was nearly attacked by Ellsworth as a consequence, as AJ quickly got to his senses and started beating down Ellsworth again, which was followed by a clothesline and a dropkick. Ellsworth’s chin appeared to be hurt.
AJ Styles continued to accuse Dean of excessively interfering in the match as he then delivered a Suplex into the corner turnbuckles to Ellsworth. AJ Styles then went outside the ring and accused Dean Ambrose of being responsible for the beatdown on James Ellsworth.
Back in the ring, AJ Styles was about to start his offence again as Dean Ambrose got on the mic and made an announcement about a Blue Toyota Corolla’s lights being on in the parking lot. He then announced that Smackdown was being sponsored by Verizon.
James Ellsworth tried taking advantage of the distracted AJ Styles by delivering a splash off the top rope which AJ Styles easily avoided. AJ Styles then threw Ellsworth out of the ring, trying to get a victory by count out. Dean Ambrose threw him back in.
The back-and-forth of AJ throwing Ellsworth out of the ring and Dean Ambrose throwing him back in continued for a few more times until Ellsworth finally got to his feet and pulled AJ’s leg as he was on the top rope, shouting at the ringside Dean Ambrose and delivered a ‘No Chin Music’ superkick, followed by a pin attempt,
Nearfall!
Dean Ambrose then started hyping up James Ellsworth from ringside as the crowd broke into ‘Ellsworth’ chants again.
A Spinebuster by AJ Styles on James Ellsworth quickly killed the hype, followed by forearms to his head in the corner. Dean Ambrose then accused AJ Styles of not hitting Ellsworth hard enough. AJ then landed a bunch of kicks on a downed Ellsworth which were accused by Ambrose of being ‘like a soccer mom’.
AJ then began a vicious barrage of strikes on Ellsworth, expressing his frustration. The referee attempted to stop AJ Styles from assaulting Ellsworth unsuccessfully as he was doing so against the ropes, AJ did not stop, thus causing the referee to disqualify him from the match.
Ambrose announced AJ Styles as the loser of the match. He then got in the ring and upon a frustrated AJ attacking him, delivered a Dirty Deeds before finally announcing James Ellsworth as the winner of the match. The world title didn’t change hands due to the victory being by means of disqualification, however.
Result: James Ellsworth defeated AJ Styles via Disqualification
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