A clip from WWE.com was shown from before the show, where Natalya slammed Nikki Bella’s head against a production truck. AJ Styles calling out John Cena was announced as next.
AJ Styles calls out John Cena
AJ got loud “AJ Styles” chants. He said that before he called out Cena, he needed to get something off his chest. He addressed the Royal Rumble poster and the fact that he was all the way at back.
He sarcastically praised Shane McMahon for his treatment of the WWE champion. He demanded Cena come out, and out Cena came. “Let’s go, Cena! Cena sucks” chants started from the crowd.
Before Cena could talk, AJ cut him off. He played a video recap from Cena’s appearance on the Today Show on Monday. He trashed AJ and he and the hosts called him “Guy from Atlanta”. AJ seemed furious and reminded Cena who he was.
AJ then told Cena that nobody missed him when he was gone. And it was met with “Cena” chants from the younger demographic. AJ told Cena that he didn’t just take his place, he was the “face that replaced you”. He said that he’s the man on SmackDown Live and not Cena.
He told Cena that it eats him up because he knows AJ is better in the ring. He said that Cena would always come up with an excuse, but the only excuse he had is that he is a pathetic excuse of a wrestler.
Cena then fired back at AJ Styles and his complaining, telling him that while he has been hot for 6 months, he held the place up for over a decade. He began trash talking AJ Styles and the indie scene and said that he wasn't on Cena’s level. He said that his time is now, and left standing tall to a flustered AJ Styles.
Dolph Ziggler vs Kalisto
Kalisto started off aggressively against Dolph Ziggler. Ziggler superkicked Kalisto when he attempted a springboard crossbody, picking up the win in no time.
Dolph Ziggler defeated Kalisto
Right after the match, Ziggler took a steel chair, and before he entered the ring, JBL got up and tried to verbally stop Ziggler. Apollo Crews came from behind and attacked Ziggler, slamming him against the pole. He tried hitting him with a steel chair, but Ziggler escaped. Apollo Crews stood tall while helping out a fallen Kalisto.
Naomi vs Natalya
Naomi made her way out to the ring. As Natalya was supposed to enter the ring, Nikki Bella attacked her backstage.
A frustrated Naomi said that she came back because SmackDown Live is the land of opportunity, and she wasn’t leaving until she someone came out. Alexa Bliss came out and started trashing Naomi, saying she wasn’t there for a match
Naomi told her to step in the ring so she can show who she is. Alexa teased a title match, but walked away, and shut the crowd out who was booing her. It appears that Alexa vs Naomi is the next title program.
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