Smackdown Thread

American Alpha was working out backstage. Dasha Fuentes approached them. She asked if they’re prepared for the unpredictable Wyatts. Chad Gable assured she they were. Jason Jordan said they have a lot in common with Randy and Bray. He wondered if they could levitate, and Alpha said they could help them with that…via suplexes. And the lights going out with the Wyatts? Gable will help them take care of that as well. Jordan said the Wyatts should heed their own warning – when they see Alpha, run.

Back in a smoky area of the arena, The Wyatt Family appeared. Wyatt said Alpha is delusional. Randy Orton said he used to be close-minded like Alpha, but now he feels as if he truly belongs. Orton turned to Luke Harper and asked if he would be able to finish the job tonight. Wyatt instructed Harper to send Kane back to Hell

Ambrose walked out to his theme music. Inside the ring were a table, ladder, and two chairs, along with a small rug and a handwritten “Ambrose Asylum TLC Edition” sign. Ambrose quickly introduced the newest member of the Smackdown roster, James Ellsworth. Ambrose playfully criticized Ellsworth’s boots, saying it looked like he made them in 4th grade sewing class. He asked Ellsworth if he ever thought he’d be in the position he’s in. Ellsworth said no, but he kept fighting until he was in the right place at the right time. More joking from Ambrose before he asked Ellsworth who James is cheering for on Sunday, him or A.J. Styles. Ellsworth said it’d be fun to face Ambrose for the title, but on the other hand, he has beaten Styles three times, so maybe he can do it again. “He’s drunk with power ladies and gentlemen, I don’t know what else to say,” deadpanned Ambrose. A.J. Styles then walked out.

Styles took a shot at the quality of entertainment we were getting with this segment. He called Ellsworth a ventriloquist dummy. So of course Ambrose shot back that the dummy has beaten him three times. Styles demanded respect and threatened to beat it out of Ambrose on Sunday. He finally entered the ring and stood toe-to-toe with Ambrose. He said he’ll beat Ambrose ‘til he can’t stand anymore. Then, he’ll have something special for the Superstar (Ellsworth). He dared Ellsworth to show up at TLC, where he can use tables, ladders, and chairs on him. Ambrose said championships are won in one square foot of space (the brain). He talked of Styles being rattled. Ambrose said he’ll reclaim the WWE World Title on Sunday while Styles is still trying to clear the cobwebs.

Styles pushed Ellsworth into Ambrose and thus into the ladder. He put Ellsworth on the table, then attacked Ambrose outside the ring. He dropped the steel steps onto Ambrose. Back in the ring, Ellsworth was on his feet. Styles took him down and smashed the ladder into his back. Ellsworth slipped out of the ring, hanging on the bottom rope by his toes. Chair to the back of Ellsworth, followed by a Styles Clash from the steps onto the floor. Styles seemed to make sure to land more on Ellsworth’s legs than he usually does, perhaps keeping in mind the last time he tried that move on Ellsworth. The attack on Ambrose and Ellsworth was replayed. Referees and medics tended to Ellsworth, who was being placed on a backboard as they went to break

Outside the trainer’s room, Renee Young was with Lynch. She asked Lynch how she’s doing and if she can defend the title on Sunday. Lynch said doc told her she has a spinal bruise, but no matter her condition, she’ll defend the title on Sunday. Young relayed the message that Bliss has challenged Lynch to a Tables Match at TLC. Lynch said she doesn’t care what kind of match it is, she’ll get revenge on that “little bitch.”

A.J. Styles came out in street clothes, without the camera even panning the crowd. He was in a walking boot on his left foot/lower leg. Mauro Ranallo, JBL, David Otunga, and Tom Phillips were shown at ringside. Styles was booed before he could speak. He said some called it a travesty, some called it a blessing. Then he cued up a photo of his ripped pants in mid-match from Sunday. Styles called the fans “gullible” for thinking he was talking about his injured ankle. Not much of a reaction to that, nor his Seth Rollins-like cackling. He said he wasn’t medically cleared to face Ellsworth tonight for the championship. That brought out Ellsworth to his music.

Ellsworth began shadow-boxing once he entered the ring, reminding me of the Chicken Hawk from the Looney Tunes cartoons. Ellsworth questioned the legitimacy of A.J.’s injury. He wondered aloud if Daniel Bryan is protecting Styles, reminding A.J. that he has beaten him there times. He accused Styles of ducking him. He also mentioned that if it weren’t for him, Styles wouldn’t have won on Sunday night. Styles called Ellsworth “delusional.” He said everything Ellsworth has in WWE is because of Dean Ambrose. And now, he’s burned that bridge. He said Ambrose won’t stop seeking revenge until he’s caved in Ellsworth’s face to look like his chin. Ambrose was next out.

Ellsworth was gesticulating wildly in the ring as Ambrose walked down the aisle. As he entered the ring, Ellsworth extended a hand (Styles had left the ring). Ambrose nonchalantly delivered Dirty Deeds to Ellsworth, then walked out of the ring and to the back

The Wyatt trio was backstage in a darkened room. Wyatt laughed and said “we’re here.”

Carmella came out for her match with Natalya. She grabbed the mic pre-match and talked about revealing at TLC who really attacked Nikki Bella before the Women’s Survivor Series match. She talked about Nattie bragging to her about pulling a “Tonya Harding” on Nikki. She said Nattie is jealous of Nikki supposedly stealing her spotlight. The crowd started a bit of a “what” chant here. She said Natalya is always second-best, and by virtue of denying that she attacked Nikki, she’s also a deceiving con-artist.

Natalya came down and entered the ring, immediately brawling with Carmella. The two rolled around on the mat, then went outside the ring. Nattie chased Carmella backstage. A camera caught up with Natalya, who was still on the warpath. She eventually ran into Nikki Bella just standing in the hallway. Nattie told Nikki she can’t believe anything Carmella says. Nikki just stared at her and walked away in a huff

Maryse and The Miz were introduced ahead of Miz TV. “What, no ‘you deserve it’ chants?” Miz asked. Good one. He first spoke of putting Dolph Ziggler in his rearview mirror by retaining the Intercontinental Title at TLC. Miz said his guest tonight put everything into his match for the World Title on Sunday, but came up just short. He then introduced Ambrose. I was kind-of hoping Ambrose would repeat his part of the opening segment here: Come out, Dirty Deeds to Miz, leave. They all took a seat in the director’s chairs set up in the ring. Miz asked Ambrose about his anger level.

Ambrose said he’s not angry; in fact, we haven’t ever seen Ambrose angry. But he did say he was shocked at Ellsworth’s actions. Miz brought up the fact that Ambrose manipulated Ellsworth for his own agenda and treated him like a puppet. He said by hitting Ellsworth with Dirty Deeds, Ambrose robbed us of seeing Ambrose vs. Ellsworth tonight. Miz asked if Ambrose could really be surprised with what Ellsworth did. Ambrose rose out of his seat and said he’s always surprised when someone intentionally tries to piss him off.

Miz bestowed upon Ambrose a framed certificate: The Miz Participation Award. The crowd hilariously chanted “You deserve it.” Miz said Ambrose may not have won, but he tried. Miz and Maryse both gave huge, phony smiles. Ambrose said he’d like to try to see if he can shove the entire frame down Miz’s throat. Before he could make good on that, Daniel Bryan’s music hit and the Smackdown Live General Manager walked out. He made Dean Ambrose vs. The Miz in the main event. The crowd chanted “yes!” and Bryan asked if it was because they wanted an I.C. Title Match