The WWE Raw crew might have been in Brooklyn last night for the penultimate episode of the flagship show on the Road to WrestleMania, but that certainly doesn’t mean that the superstars of SmackDown LIVE had the night off. The blue brand was in Worcester, Massachusetts for a live event featuring a stacked roster and some top quality matches, as SmackDown continues to make a compelling argument for being the best show on WWE television right now.
The card featured three championship matches along with a Worcester Street Fight, and the full results and review can be found below.
#1 Randy Orton vs. The Miz
The show opened with two former World Champions doing battle in the shape of Randy Orton and The Miz. Whilst The Viper may well be towing the line between heel and face on television, he was in full babyface mode here, picking up the win over the former Intercontinental Champion with a crowd-pleasing RKO.
Result: Randy Orton defeated The Miz
#2 Kalisto, Heath Slater & Rhyno vs. Curt Hawkins & The Vaudevillains
Could there be a SmackDown LIVE team of three lower guys than Curt Hawkins & The Vaudevillains? The babyface trio of Kalisto, Heath Slater & Rhyno had little trouble putting away Hawkins, English and Gotch in what was a throwaway match between six men with little direction.
Result: Kalisto, Heath Slater & Rhyno defeated Curt Hawkins & The Vaudevillains
#3 Apollo Crews vs. Dolph Ziggler
Speaking of SmackDown LIVE stars with little direction, Dolph Ziggler and Apollo Crews continued their frustrating feud at the live event in Worcester, with The Showoff picking up the win over Crews. Neither man has much on their plate at WrestleMania 33 and will be hoping for renewed focus in the post-WrestleMania landscape.
Result: Dolph Ziggler defeated Apollo Crews
#4 SmackDown Women’s Championship: Alexa Bliss vs. Mickie James vs. Carmella vs. Natalya vs. Tamina Snuka
The first title match of the evening was something of a WrestleMania teaser, as Alexa Bliss defended her SmackDown Women’s Championship against four competitors in the shape of Mickie James, Carmella, Natalya and the recently-returned Tamina Snuka. Bliss was able to escape Worcester with her title, but will she be able to survive even more foes at the Show of Shows?
Result: Alexa Bliss defeated Mickie James, Carmella, Natalya and Tamina Snuka and retained her championship.
#5 WWE World Championship: Bray Wyatt vs. Luke Harper
The Wyatt Family imploded once again at Worcester as Bray Wyatt defended his WWE World Championship against his former protege, Luke Harper. Wyatt and Harper’s break-up has been overshadowed somewhat by Randy Orton’s insidious meddling but Harper (and his new attire) got a title shot here, a title shot that Wyatt managed to survive after hitting the former Intercontinental Champion with Sister Abigail for the three count.
Arguably of more interest was the fact that Bray gave a pre-match promo that was far more WWE-heel than anything he has done in recent weeks. Was this a hint at Bray sticking on the dark side for the time being?
Result: Bray Wyatt defeated Luke Harper to retain the WWE World Championship.
#6 Mojo Rawley vs. Viktor
Mojo Rawley and Viktor found themselves in the post-world title come-down spot, and as Mojo has something approaching direction heading into WrestleMania 33, he was the clear choice to win this match. Mojo picked up the win.
Result: Mojo Rawley defeated Viktor
#7 WWE Intercontinental Championship: Dean Ambrose vs. Baron Corbin
The bathroom break match was followed by the final championship bout of the evening, as WWE Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose and Baron Corbin gave the Worcester fans a preview of their presumed WrestleMania 33 match. Ambrose picked up the win via disqualification, and the ‘Mania bout between the two is expected to be made soon.
Result: Dean Ambrose defeated Baron Corbin to retain the WWE Intercontinental Championship
#8 Worcester Street Fight: John Cena vs AJ Styles
John Cena and AJ Styles have magical chemistry inside the ring and all reports suggest that the two eschewed the usual house show match in favour of putting on a pay-per-view quality main event in Cena’s home state. The match was a back and forth classic in the usual Cena/Styles mould, and The Face That Runs The Place eventually defeated The Phenomenal One after an AA through a table.
Result: John Cena defeated AJ Styles
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