WWE SmackDown Live: WWE World Champion AJ Styles Defends Against Dean Ambrose
The top story: WWE World Champion AJ Styles successfully defended his title against Dean Ambrose. John Cena, who was doing commentary during the match, was sucker-punched by Styles at one point and was later punched by Ambrose as well. After the match, Cena hit AA's on Styles and Ambrose.
Also newsworthy: A match between The Miz and Dolph Ziggler was announced for No Mercy with the stipulation that if Ziggler doesn't win, he will leave WWE.
Here's a segment-by-segment look at the show:
Segment One: Randy Orton Promo (Bray Wyatt on Tron) // Dean Ambrose Backstage Interview
The gist: Orton said Wyatt thinks mind games will make him lose his focus, but Orton knows that Wyatt is afraid of him. Orton told Wyatt to come down to the ring and face his fears. Wyatt appeared on the Tron. He told the story of Hansel and Gretel and said he's left behind his own trail of bread crumbs. He said they will lead Orton to a prison that is his own mind. He told Orton to come after him. Orton left the ring and headed to the back. ... Ambrose said that AJ Styles has been bragging about beating John Cena, but he beat Cena, too. He said that's old news, just like Cena. He said he will take back his WWE World Title from Styles tonight.
Analysis: Orton and Wyatt are repeating themselves, so I'm going to repeat myself: The performances were good, but we've heard it all before. ... I couldn't believe my ears when Ambrose dismissed his and Styles' victories over Cena as no big deal. That's the complete opposite of what he should have said. Defeating Cena is a huge deal, and treating it as anything less is just counterproductive. What Ambrose should have said is that defeating Cena is a great accomplishment, and he should know because he did it, too. Then he could've said: "The difference is that Styles is still talking about it, but you won't hear me harping on it because I let my actions speak for themselves and I don't live in the past. While Styles is still basking in his win over Cena, I'm laser-focused on beating Styles tonight and then going on to beat Styles and Cena at No Mercy."
Segments Two and Three: American Alpha, Heath Slater and Rhyno vs. The Usos and The Ascension // John Cena Backstage Interview // Backstage Vignette w/The Miz and Maryse // Backstage Vignette w/Randy Orton and Erick Rowan
Result: Usos and Ascension over via submission (Jimmy Uso forced Slater to tap out)
The gist: Cena said that AJ Styles is at the top of his game. He said that Dean Ambrose has guts, unlike Styles. He said he is going to watch their match closely in order to prepare to make history by becoming a 16-time world champion at No Mercy. ... Miz was instructing someone backstage to replace a picture of LeBron James on the wall with a picture of him (the show was taking place in Cleveland). ... Orton was in a spooky, dimly lit area searching for Bray Wyatt. Erick Rowan in a sheep mask was hiding in the shadows.
Analysis: Stop the presses! The Ascension was on the winning side of a match for the first time in more than a year! Since teaming with Stardust to defeat The Lucha Dragons and Neville on the Night of Champions Kickoff Show on Sept. 20, 2015, The Ascension failed to win in 99 consecutive matches (counting live events and televised matches) before this show. The match was decent, and one of the Usos beating one of the SmackDown Tag Team Champions was the right call. The Usos had a new look and music. I'm not sure the new look was an improvement, but the music was suited for them now that they're heels. ... Notice how Cena put over both Styles and Ambrose? That's how it's done.
Segments Four and Five: Bray Wyatt Backstage Promo // Carmella and Natalya Inset Promo // Nikki Bella and Naomi Inset Promo // Nikki Bella and Naomi vs. Carmella and Natalya // Backstage Vignette w/Randy Orton and Erick Rowan
The gist: Wyatt said that Randy Orton is being sucked into the underbelly of life. He said that's something Orton knows nothing about, but he just might find out tonight. ... Natalya said Naomi is all show and no glow. Carmella said Nikki can't hang with the real women on SmackDown. ... Naomi said haters like Natalya can't dim her light. Nikki said Carmella is fuel that will let her legacy burn forever.
Result: Carmella and Natalya over via pinfall (Carmella pinned Nikki)
The gist: Back in the spooky, dimly lit area, Orton saw a sign written in red paint (or blood) that said there was one way out so choose wisely. Orton opened a door that said "I am God" on it. Behind the door was a life-size cardboard cutout of Orton with white eyes. The word "prey" was written on the cutout. Orton went to open another door that said "Predator or Prey" on it. He only partially opened it, sensing someone was on the other side. There was. It was Rowan in his sheep mask. Orton decided against going inside. He closed the door and walked away. The door handle jiggled.
Analysis: Nikki Bella has been given some bad material the past couple weeks, and her delivery has been equally as bad. ... The match was OK. The story of Carmella always getting the better of Nikki continued. ... I went from being intrigued by the Orton-Wyatt thread to laughing at it. When Vince McMahon goes for creepy, it ends up being corny more often that not. The Orton cutout with the white eyes was unintentionally funny.
Segment Six: The Miz (w/Maryse) - Dolph Ziggler Promo
The gist: Miz came out to a huge pyro display and there were four large photos of him on display in the ring. Miz threw to a career highlights package of himself. He said 1.3 million people in Cleveland came out to a parade for the NBA Champion Cavaliers, but this is all he gets? He said the only two decent people in the arena are his parents, who were sitting ringside. He pointed out Ziggler's parents in the audience and said they created a world class loser. Ziggler came out. Ziggler told Miz not to talk to his parents. Ziggler said if Miz has something to say, say it to his face. Miz talked about how he has defeated Ziggler time after time. Ziggler said that Miz always cheated. Miz said Ziggler was good, maybe even great, but now he's just a loser. Miz said he would be embarrassed if he had Ziggler's career. He said Ziggler probably wants another Intercontinental Title match, but Ziggler has nothing to offer him. Miz left the ring. As he did, he stopped to taunt Ziggler's parents. Ziggler said he thought his career would've been better, but he can stop wrestling because it's what he loves. He said if Miz puts up the title one more time, he will put up his career. Miz accepted after making it clear that Ziggler can't go to Raw or NXT or take a sabbatical if he loses. Ziggler said he either walks out as champion or he's done. He said one way or the other, he'll be out of his misery.
Analysis: That was a strong segment that was well-written and well-performed. Miz continues to do great work on the mic, and Ziggler was very believable as someone who is at a crossroads. Having both guys' parents at ringside was a nice touch.
Segment Seven: Bray Wyatt Backstage Promo // Becky Lynch Entrance (Alexa Bliss) // Curt Hawkins Backstage Promo
The gist: Wyatt said when one door closes, another opens. He said the door is wide open and yet he sits here watching Orton behave like a mouse in a maze. ... As Lynch made her entrance, Bliss attacked her on the ramp and proceeded to beat her down. ... More Hawkins facts. He said he will be making a big announcement next week.
Analysis: Bliss' attack on Lynch was a nice follow-up to the scuffle that took place during the contract signing last week. ... My guess is that Hawkins' announcement will be that he's making his in-ring debut at No Mercy. I know it won't really be his debut, but it'll be his first match as this character.
Segment Eight: Bray Wyatt Backstage Promo (Randy Orton) // AJ Styles Backstage Interview
The gist: Wyatt said he was disappointed that Orton couldn't find him. He said "The Viper" has no fangs and was taking all the fun out of his game. Orton, wearing a sheep mask, appeared behind Wyatt. Wyatt turned around, and the two began exchanging punches. Wyatt quickly powdered. Orton sat down in a chair and put the sheep mask on. He began singing "He's Got The Whole World in His Hands" in a distorted voice. Then he laughed demonically. Wyatt was shown watching and rocking back and forth. ... Styles bragged about beating John Cena and Ambrose and said he will beat Ambrose again tonight.
Analysis: So is Orton possessed now or something? That was really silly.
Segments Nine, Ten and Eleven: WWE World Champion AJ Styles vs. Dean Ambrose (John Cena on Commentary)
During the match: Styles punched Cena. A furious Cena tried to enter the ring but the referee kept him from doing so. While that was going on, Ambrose had Styles rolled up. By the time the referee turned around and began to count the pin, Styles was able to kick out at two. Ambrose left the ring and punched Cena at ringside. After Ambrose got back in the ring, Styles rolled him up and held his pants for the win.
Result: Styles over via pinfall
Aftermath: Ambrose and Cena faced off. Ambrose went for Dirty Deeds but Cena turned it into an AA. Styles entered the ring and attempted the Styles Clash on Cena, but Cena AA'd him as well. Cena held up the title belt.
Analysis: A very good main event, although I never believed that Ambrose was going to win. Cena did a decent job on commentary. Him just being out there made the match feel bigger. Cena standing tall at the end allowed him to get something back after his recent losses to Styles and Ambrose.
Final thoughts: Despite the disappointing Randy Orton-Bray Wyatt show-long story line, this was a good show. Not only was it entertaining, but it did a nice job of promoting the matches at No Mercy.
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