While the RAW roster was busy putting on a show for the German fans, the SmackDown roster resumed their live event obligations with a show in Moline, Illinois. It featured all the top stars of the blue brand in action barring AJ Styles, who was absent for some unknown reason.
Bray Wyatt defended the WWE title in a Triple Threat main event match, Alexa Bliss put her strap on the line against 4 other women of the roster and Ambrose faced The Miz in what was a solid showcase of SmackDown’s in-ring potential.
Here are the results and highlights from the show:
#1. The American Alpha (C) vs. The Usos vs. Breezango (WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match)
The tag team title match kicked off the night’s proceedings in which the champions successfully retained. Alpha played the role of the fighting babyfaces well while the ghetto team of Usos continued to impress in their heel avatar. Breezango, were well....Breezango.
Result: The American Alpha retained
#2. Heath Slater and Rhyno vs. The Ascension
Another tag team match followed as the former SD Tag Champs took on The Ascension. Nothing much happened in this match apart from the customary Gore and the fact that Slater and Rhyno were over with the fans.
Result: Heath Slater and Rhyno def. The Ascension
#3. Curt Hawkins vs. Kalisto
Yes, Hawkins lost to Kalisto in the blink of an eye. The interesting thing (or maybe not) happened after the match when Dolph Ziggler came out and attacked Kalisto. This forced Apollo Crews to come out to make the save, effectively transitioning to the next match of the night between Ziggler and Crews.
Result: Kalisto def. Curt Hawkins
#4. Apollo Crews def. Dolph Ziggler
Apollo Crews exacted revenge against The Show Off by beating him with the obvious assistance of Kalisto. Ziggler got some good heat while Kalisto did his job by rallying the crowd with the Lucha chants. As for Crews, a lack of character is hurting him bad. WWE better hit the reset button soon.
Result: Apollo Crews def. Dolph Ziggler
#5. Dean Ambrose (C) vs. The Miz (WWE Intercontinental Championship Match)
Ambrose put the strap on the line against the man whose been all too familiar about being the IC Champion in recent times. Both men combined well to give the fans a pretty good bout.
Result: Dean Ambrose retained
#6. Alexa Bliss vs. Natalya vs. Tamina vs. Carmella (w/ James Ellsworth) vs. Becky Lynch (Fatal 5-Way for the WWE SD Women’s Title)
Alexa Biss defended the title for the first time since winning it last week on SmackDown Live, after Naomi was forced to relinquish the belt due to an injury. The match was decent and thankfully, didn’t end up becoming an overbooked disaster.
Lynch was the most over among all the competitors. There were no surprises here as Bliss retained the title successfully.
Result: Alexa Bliss retained
#7. Randy Orton vs. Luke Harper
These two have great chemistry, which was evident from their Elimination Chamber match. As expected, Harper and Orton didn’t disappoint and put together the match of the night with great story telling, impactful move-sets and countless false finishes.
Orton came out on top at the end of the battle. On a side note, both Orton and Harper were cheered by the fans.
Result: Randy Orton def. Luke Harper
#8. Bray Wyatt vs. John Cena vs. Baron Corbin (WWE Championship Match)
Although the Triple Threat main event missed AJ Styles’ invaluable services, the match was a solid way to close the show. Corbin got to be in a world title match, Wyatt got more experience of defending te title under his belt and a veteran Cena lead from the front.
The match ended with Wyatt low blowing Cena for the win. Cena, though, got retribution as he laid out Bray with the Attitude Adjustment after the match. As you may have noticed, Corbin was protected in the bout. Also, it’s surprising that Corbin was added to the WWE title match instead of the IC Championship match, which is what The Lone Wolf is going to be contesting for at WrestleMania.
Result: Bray Wyatt retained
