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‘WWE SmackDown Live’ Results: Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler Set for ‘SummerSlam’

By Dustin Murrell
Published on: 12:18 PST, Jul 26, 2016

Tonight, John Cena made his first appearance on WWE programming since Sunday’s WWE Battleground 2016, where he pinned AJ Styles in his 6-Man Tag Team Match alongside Enzo and Big Cass against The Club. Having been selected by Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan in the WWE Draft, both Cena and Styles are now exclusively appearing on SmackDown Live as key components of the blue brand. As big players on SmackDown, they were a part of the show’s main event.

Randy Orton is another major name on the SmackDown Live roster, and he made a big comeback to WWE at Battleground when he insulted both Chris Jericho and Brock Lesnar. With his big match at SummerSlam 2016 less than four weeks away, Randy Orton returned to SmackDown and had his first WWE match since being injured nine months ago. Will it be enough to get the ring rust off before his match against The Beast next month?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbl9rCb2Ibo

Members of the WWE Universe who have been keeping up with weekly episodes of WWE NXT were also looking forward to the SmackDown Live debuts of American Alpha, Alexa Bliss, Mojo Rawley, and Carmella, who were all selected by the blue brand during the WWE Draft. American Alpha are fresh off of a program with The Revival over the NXT Tag Team Championship but won’t debut on SmackDown until next week. Mojo Rawley was a part of a battle royal, so the WWE Universe didn’t get a chance to see if he will be teaming up with Zack Ryder to reform the Hype Bros from their NXT past. Carmella and Bliss were allowed to introduce themselves to the WWE Universe, but both of their intros would be interrupted.

The preview posted at the WWE website left a lot to the imagination. Who will challenge Dean Ambrose for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship? How will Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon try to draw ratings to Tuesday nights on the USA Network? Which WWE Draftees for SmackDown will turn out be the sleeper picks?

WWE SmackDown Live results

The following includes the results of all the matches and segments from SmackDown Live on July 26. This is the first episode of SmackDown to feature the exclusive roster drafted by Commissioner Shane McMahon and General Manager Daniel Bryan. This historic episode of SmackDown was taped live at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York. Following the SmackDown Live results is an updated WWE SummerSlam 2016 card.

All-New Everything

Just like WWE Raw did, SmackDown Live started off with a new intro video, complete with WWE Superstars exclusive to the SmackDown brand and a new theme song to go with the new logo. Shane and Daniel welcomed everyone to the show from backstage, then walked the camera to the ring, which was full of SmackDown wrestlers. The show’s new commentary team consists of Mauro Ranallo, JBL, and David Otunga.

Shane broke news right away that SmackDown would have exclusive WWE Network Specials (formerly PPVs) beginning with WWE Backlash. Then, Daniel Bryan announced that at WWE SummerSlam 2016, Dean Ambrose would be facing the winner of tonight’s 6-Pack Challenge Match featuring John Cena, Bray Wyatt, Dolph Ziggler, Baron Corbin, AJ Styles, and the winner of a battle royal that begins next.

Apollo Crews wins battle royal — advances to 6-Pack Challenge main event

With so many of the top talents already scheduled for the No. 1 contender match, there weren’t a lot of WWE Superstars that seemed likely to win this match. The final four came down to Kane, Kalisto, Zack Ryder, and Apollo Crews. Putting Crews and Corbin in the spotlight, along with AJ Styles, shows that they will be putting an emphasis on talent and the WWE’s New Era. Before the commercial break, it was announced that Shelton Benjamin would be “coming soon” to SmackDown Live.

Becky Lynch defeated Natalya

In a rematch from WWE Battleground, Becky Lynch made a strong case for being the face of the Women’s Division on SmackDown Live. Without a Women’s Championship to chase after, this certainly won’t be the last time Lynch and Natalya cross paths. As Becky was being interviewed in the ring after the match, Alexa Bliss made her way out to introduce herself to the WWE Universe. She was interrupted by Naomi, who was interrupted by Carmella, who was interrupted by Eva Marie. Eva’s elaborate introduction was the end of the segment.

Randy Orton interrupted MizTV and then defeated The Miz

After a colorful appearance on The Highlight Reel Sunday night on Battleground, Orton came out unannounced as The Miz was trying to interview himself on his own show. After insulting the WWE Intercontinental Champion, his wife Maryse accepted Orton’s challenge to a match on behalf of The Miz. Orton hit not one but two RKOs in his official in-ring return to WWE SmackDown.

Free agents: Rhyno Gores Heath Slater

With an unnamed enhancement talent waiting in the ring, Heath Slater got on the mic to make his case for being the hottest free agent in sports entertainment. Shane McMahon came out to talk to him, and while Slater was focused on his potential boss, Rhyno appeared behind him and surprised the One Man Band with a signature Gore. Shane acknowledged that Rhyno may indeed be the hottest free agent in professional wrestling.

Dolph Ziggler defeats John Cena, AJ Styles, Baron Corbin, Apollo Crews, and Bray Wyatt

In what will be considered by most to be an upset of the same level as Zack Ryder at WrestleMania 32, The Show-Off wins the main event of the premiere New Era episode of SmackDown Live. Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler is set for WWE SummerSlam 2016 with the WWE World Heavyweight Championship on the line.

Additional notes

  • It was noted that NXT call-ups American Alpha will be making their SmackDown debut next week. A quick video package aired, telling the story of their rise to the top of the NXT tag team ranks. It will be interesting to see how they interact with Shelton Benjamin upon his return, as they are often compared to The World’s Greatest Tag Team.
  • The annual event WWE Backlash returns on Sunday, September 11, as a SmackDown Live exclusive program.

RELATED REPORTS BY THE INQUISITR

Updated WWE SummerSlam Card

WWE SummerSlam 2016 is set for Sunday, August 21. It will air exclusively on the WWE Network.

  • Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Orton
  • Dean Ambrose vs. TBD — WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match
  • Seth Rollins vs. Finn Bálor — WWE Universal Championship Match
  • The New Day vs. The Club — WWE Tag Team Championship Match (unconfirmed)
  • Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte — WWE Women’s Championship Match (unconfirmed)

Unless otherwise noted, the matches above were confirmed on WWE’s official SummerSlam preview page.

Where To Watch

WWE Battleground 2016 can be streamed on-demand exclusively via the WWE Network. It originally aired live on Sunday, July 24. WWE SummerSlam 2016 will air exclusively on the WWE Network on August 21 and will also be available to stream on-demand immediately.

WWE SmackDown Live airs Tuesdays on the USA Network at 8/7c. Replays of WWE SmackDown aren’t made available on the WWE Network until several weeks after the original air date. However, a replay of SmackDown Live is available to stream on-demand Wednesdays with a Hulu Plus subscription.

[Image via WWE]

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