The latest Live Event featuring the SmackDown Live! roster took place in the Bossier City on 7th January.
All three individual titles present on the brand were defended in the Live Event, with Dean Ambrose defending his newly won Intercontinental Championship for the first time. The arena was reportedly full for the show.
Daniel Bryan opened the showed by addressing the crowd. He went on to lead the crowd into the show with a chorus of Yes! chants hijacking the arena.
#1 Intercontinental Championship (Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler)
Dean Ambrose opened the night with a huge ovation. He defended his newly won Intercontinental Championship against Dolph Ziggler. In what was considered to be a solid opener for the night The Lunatic Fringe retained the title after planting the Show Off with a devastating Dirty Deeds.
The match was reportedly good and both Dean and Dolph had a great chemistry in the ring. Both superstars were welcomed with a tremendous ovation. It is also to be noted that this is the first match Dolph had after turning heel on the last SmackDown Live! episode.
Result: Dean Ambrose retains his Intercontinental Championship
#2 Kalisto vs Curt Hawkins
This was reported to be a quick match. The matched boasted Kalisto’s high flying style and was reported to be a fun watch. Curt Hawkins continued his losing streak into 2017 without missing a beat and Kalisto picked up his first victory in 2017.
Result: Kalisto defeated Curt Hawkins
#3 James Ellsworth vs Curt Hawkins
In what is becoming a tradition during the Live Events, James Ellsworth again tried to prove that “Any Man with Two Hands Has A Fighting Chance”
Unfortunately, Curt Hawkins was the victim for him. Curt was once again fed to cater to the popularity of Ellsworth and once again the “No Chin music” toppled Curt, who was demanding another opponent after Kalisto.
Result: James Ellsworth defeated Curt Hawkins
#4 Heath Slater, Rhyno, The Usos, Mojo Rawley and Jack Swagger vs The Ascension, The Vaudevillains and Breezango
The tag teams of SmackDown Live! were in next as a 12-man tag team match took place. Due to Ryder’s injury Rawley teamed with Jack Swagger instead. The match was reported to be a typical tag match with occasional hot tags and house cleanings.
The proverbial faces defeated the heels to start the new year with a bang. The pairing of The Usos with the faces was a little off here. And once again the losing streak of the three heel teams continues.
Result: Heath Slater, Rhyno, The Usos, Mojo Rawley and Jack Swagger defeated The Ascension, The Vaudevillains and Breezango
#5 Nikki Bella vs Natalya
The match between Nikki Bella and Natalya was reportedly very good. Natalya indulged in a lot of trash talking and mind games to get into the head of Nikki Bella. Carmella was in Natalya’s corner supporting the one she snitched to Nikki.
Carmella tried to provide a distraction for Natalya during the end of the match, but Nikki Bella proved to be too strong for Natalya to get a victory with a rollup. Nikki Bella then overcame the odds to deliver the Rack Attack 2.0 to get the victory.
Result: Nikki Bella defeated Natalya
#6 SmackDown Live! Women’s Championship
Alexa Bliss defended her SmackDown Live Women’s Championship against Becky Lynch in the second women’s match for the night. The match was reported to be a good one with both superstars getting in quite a bit of offence.
But compared to Natalya and Nikki’s match, the crowd was said to be less enthusiastic for this one. Alexa Bliss retained her title after a hard fought battle.
Result: Alexa Bliss retains SmackDown Live! Women’s Championship
#7 American Alpha and Apollo Crews vs The Wyatt Family
In the next match of the night, SmackDown Live Tag Team Champions American Alpha teamed up with Apollo Crews to take on the sinister Wyatt Family. The six-man tag team match was reportedly over with the fans and it was deemed a good one.
American Alpha were on fire during the match, and eventually, they toppled the Wyatts to pick up the victory. It may be a foreboding as to what we can expect on next week’s SmackDown.
The American Alpha are scheduled to face the Wyatts for the Tag Team Championships next week.
Result: American Alpha and Apollo Crews defeat The Wyatt Family.
#8 WWE Championship – Triple Threat Match
The final match of the night was the Triple Threat match between John Cena, AJ Styles and Baron Corbin for the WWE Championship. Corbin amazingly held his own against the two veterans in the match and he even managed to look strong.
Unfortunately for Corbin, during a top rope spot in the match, AJ lost his balance on the top rope and Corbin took a nasty bump outside. Reports suggest that he is fine and even managed to finish up the match.
The match ended when Styles took the low road to victory over his formidable opponents. John delivered an AA to Corbin towards the end of the match. Styles then came in and delivered a low blow to Cena to pick up the victory. John Cena got the biggest pop of the night.
Result: AJ Styles retains his WWE Championship
Send us news tips at [email protected]
