The SmackDown exclusive live event came to us from New York, NY and was held at the renowned Madison Square Garden. The event featured eight bouts with three titles (WWE World Championship, SmackDown Women’s Championship and SmackDown Tag Team Championship), on the line. The leader of the Cenation made his much-awaited return and was a part of the main event of the night, which also featured AJ Styles and Dean Ambrose in a WWE Championship match.
So without further ado, let us find out how the entire event unfolded:
#1 The Wyatt Family vs. The Usos vs. American Alpha vs. The Ascension vs. Breezango vs. Heath Slater & Rhyno (Tag Team Turmoil match )
Heath Slater & Rhyno and The Ascension started off the proceedings but the latter soon got eliminated after Rhyno hit Viktor with a Gore, for the pin. The Usos were out next, and they eliminated Slater & Rhyno. Breezango suffered a similar fate as they were quickly eliminated by the Samoan duo.
The Champions Orton and Wyatt, were out next and they eliminated The Usos, despite a valiant effort from the latter. The top two teams of the blue brand, The Wyatts and American Alpha rubbed shoulders next. But the match ended after Orton hit Gable with an RKO.
A bad start to an otherwise well-rounded show. The tag teams of SmackDown inspired zero reaction from the crowd, as they felt bogged down due to the longevity of the match.
Result: The Wyatts retained as the were the last team standing.
#2 Alexa Bliss vs. Becky Lynch (Singles match for the SmackDown Women's Champion)
A good show put up by the ladies! Both of them received huge pops. Bliss retained via quick roll up after she used Becky's tights for leverage. After the match, The Irish Lass Kicker dismantled Bliss and raised the belt high for a massive pop.
Result: Alexa Bliss retains via pinfall.
#3 Apollo Crews, Mojo Rawley & Jack Swagger vs. Curt Hawkins and The Vaudevillians (Six-man tag team match)
The match felt like a filler, as a bunch of mid-carders were thrown into the mix for no apparent reason. The crowd was dead for this match. It ended after Crews landed a spinning power bomb on Hawkins, for the pin.
Result: Apollo Crews, Mojo Rawley & Jack Swagger won via pinfall.
#4 Curt Hawkins vs. James Ellsworth (Singles match)
Subsequent to the loss in the six-man tag team match, Hawkins called out the MSG crowd and referred to him getting pinned- a fluke. He called out all the wrestlers from the locker room and to everyone’s surprise, James Ellsworth came out to a huge pop. He defeated the loudmouth Hawkins within 20 seconds! As he caught him off guard with a No Chin Music, right after the bell rung.
The crowd got behind the chinless wonder and this is the place where he belongs. STAY AWAY FROM AJ STYLES #StupidIdiot
Result: James Ellsworth won via pinfall.
#5 The Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler ( Singles match)
This is exactly why The Miz is the top heel of SmackDown Live. The Hollywood bound star delivered a brilliant promo, that direct major heat towards him. Much to the despise of Ziggler, he was once again given the ‘participation award’ and The Miz told the fans present in the arena, that there won’t be a title match as the crowd does not deserve it! What a legend!
Ziggler won the match with a Superkick after Maryse made a blunder and slammed the cage door on her better half’s face! Great match. probably the best of the night.
Results: Dolph Ziggler won via pinfall.
#6 Nikki Bella vs. Natalya (Singles match)
Huge pop for Nikki and Natalya. The events that transpired on the last edition of SmackDown, have got the fans invested in the feud. Carmella tried to interfere, but Nikki somehow managed to come out on top with the Rack Attack.
Result: Nikki Bella won via pinfall.
#7 Baron Corbin vs. Kalisto (Singles match)
The match was a major drag for those who were present in the arena. The David vs. Goliath angle isn’t working out here and both Superstars deserve a lot better! With everything said and done, there was a fun spot where Kalisto used the 619 and Hurricana, as a tribute to the master of 619: Rey Mysterio!
Baron Corbin scored the win with End of Days.
Result: Baron Corbin won via pinfall.
#8 AJ Styles vs. Dean Ambrose vs. John Cena (Triple Threat for the WWE World Championship)
The three mega stars of sports entertainment were well received by the crowd as they got massive pops. The children present in the arena were sporting the attire of Cena, while the usual chants "Let's go, Cena, Cena Sucks" filled the MSG. Surprisingly, The Phenomenal One inspired a similar mixed reaction as the chants of "Let's go AJ, AJ Sucks!", erupted for a brief moment.
Styles won the fight in a typical heel fashion, as he laid his opponents to the ground with a series of brutal chair shots. After the match, Styles threatened to put Cena back out of action but The Lunatic Fringe came to his aid and hit the champ with Dirty Deeds.
Once Ambrose left, Cena and Styles engaged in a short tug of war, for the belt. It resulted in The Phenomenal One getting hit with an AA; and that my friends was the end of the night!
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