John Cena and A.J. Styles will go face-to-face one more time at WWE SummerSlam 2016 on Sunday. Since Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson of The Club were sent to Monday Night Raw in the recent WWE Draft, Styles has been on his own on SmackDown Live . While Cena faced Alberto Del Rio on SmackDown this week, how did The Phenomenal One try to build momentum during the final show before SummerSlam ?
Hope @Boomer_29 had a great time in #WWEMelbourne , even if The #Phenomenal @AJStylesOrg faked him out! https://t.co/sKQWMljB1y
— WWE (@WWE) August 13, 2016
The winner of Cena vs. Styles at SummerSlam will surely be on the short-list of potential No. 1 contenders for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. This week, current champ Dean Ambrose was joined by current No. 1 contender Dolph Ziggler on a new edition of Miz TV . Surprisingly, Bray Wyatt didn’t show up. Does this mean The Wyatt Family is finished with Ziggler, Ambrose, and the title? Is The Wyatt Family now a thing of the past? And will Bray Wyatt figure into the outcome of the title match at SummerSlam on Sunday?
For the third week in a row, Eva Marie was scheduled to make her in-ring debut as a member of the SmackDown Live women’s division. After a peculiar “injury” two weeks ago and a risque wardrobe malfunction last week, she ran into traffic issues this week. However, when she finally arrived, Eva Marie was booked as part of a six-woman tag team match at SummerSlam . How will the Total Divas cast member measure up when she finally sees some action in the ring with the rest of the women from SmackDown Live ?
WWE SmackDown Live Results
The following includes the results of all the matches and segments from SmackDown Live on August 16. This episode of SmackDown airs live from the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas. SmackDown Live hasn’t won the ratings war with Monday Night Raw since the week the blue brand hosted the WWE Draft. In the final program before WWE SummerSlam 2016 , what will Commissioner Shane McMahon and GM Daniel Bryan have in store for the WWE Universe as they try to reclaim the lead in the friendly rivalry?
SmackDown Pre-Show On The WWE Network
The regular team of four is back on the half-hour warm-up to SmackDown Live , airing exclusively on the WWE Network. Scott Stanford is joined by three WWE Hall of Famers: Lita, Booker T, and Jerry “The King” Lawler. Becky Lynch joined the show via Skype, answering questions that members of the WWE Universe had submitted via Twitter. They also announced the 12-man tag team match for SmackDown Live , in which American Alpha, The Usos, and The Hype Bros will take on The Vaudevillains, The Ascension, and Freezango.
Randy Orton Receives An Apple From Heath Slater
As Randy Orton was signing the contract for his match against Brock Lesnar at WWE SummerSlam 2016 with Shane and Daniel backstage, the proceedings were interrupted by Heath Slater. He brought a fruit basket as an apology for his outburst on SmackDown Live last week and tossed The Viper a shiny red apple. Although it wasn’t stated explicitly, Orton implied that he would face Slater later on in the show.
SIGNED. SEALED. DELIVERED! @RandyOrton has signed the contract to face @BrockLesnar at @SummerSlam ! #SDLive https://t.co/YcdvYkdrVK
— WWE (@WWE) August 17, 2016
Dolph Ziggler Lays Out Dean Ambrose On Miz TV
As WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz and former WWE Divas Champion Maryse watched, Dolph Ziggler and Dean Ambrose exchanged promos for their WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match at SummerSlam . Before the segment could really get started, Dolph Ziggler interrupted Dean Ambrose, who had already interrupted The Miz. In the end, mid-promo, Dolph Ziggler surprised Ambrose with a Superkick and left him lying in the ring as he walked off.
Can @TheDeanAmbrose defeat @HEELZiggler with ONE LAST MOVE at #SummerSlam ? @HEELZiggler thinks otherwise… #SDLive https://t.co/qeoPQ88fIE
— WWE (@WWE) August 17, 2016
It’s “Crews,” Not “Creed”
SmackDown GM Daniel Bryan has apologized for accidentally calling The Miz’s SummerSlam opponent “Apollo Creed” on Talking Smack . But as SmackDown Live went to commercial break, The Miz continued Miz TV , continually referring to the No. 1 contender as “Apollo Creed.” The recent NXT call-up didn’t take kindly to what he considered a blatant sign of disrespect. If Crews can hit his Spin-out powerbomb at SummerSlam , he could walk away with the IC title.
During the break … don’t call @ApolloCrews “CREED” again @MikeTheMiz , or else this happens…. #SDLive pic.twitter.com/5jTpxrN0ig
— WWE (@WWE) August 17, 2016
American Alpha Stand Out In The 12-Man Tag Team Match
Until Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon decide how to officially establish who the best team in their tag team division is, the teams will continue to try to out-perform each other week in and week out. General Manager Bryan hasn’t been shy about his belief that American Alpha was the best team in NXT. Chad Gable and Jason Jordan haven’t been shy about their belief that they’re the best team on the planet. As they teamed up with The Usos and The Hype Bros, they got the pinfall for their team, making The Vaudevillains, The Ascension, and Freezango the collective losers.
It was only a matter of time before the 12-Man Tag Team Match broke out into CHAOS! #SDLive https://t.co/ZGSnxEyvtq
— WWE (@WWE) August 17, 2016
Naomi Debuts New Look — Eva Marie Fails To Debut (Again)
Naomi received a good response from the crowd in Austin, Texas, as she made an entrance with a remixed theme song and a lot of black lights. As she awaited Eva Marie, it was announced that she was stuck in traffic and wouldn’t be able to compete on SmackDown Live this week.
Heath Slater Defeats Randy Orton (By Disqualification)
After taking Brock Lesnar’s F-5 on Monday Night Raw , Heath Slater found himself in the ring with Lesnar’s SummerSlam opponent on SmackDown Live . Orton was disqualified for not heeding the referee’s warning to let Slater out of the corner, but the beat-down continued anyway. Mocking The Beast, Orton delivered a German Suplex to the One Man Band before hitting him with his patented RKO. The victory almost meant a SmackDown contract for Slater, but he managed to screw it up once again.
. @RandyOrton refuses to heed the referee’s warnings … it’s a DQ WIN for @HeathSlaterOMRB! #TheViper pic.twitter.com/TfCMUx3fMA
— WWE (@WWE) August 17, 2016
Bray Wyatt Leaves Erick Rowan After He Loses To Dean Ambrose
After being on the receiving of Ziggler’s Superkick on Miz TV , the Lunatic Fringe took out his frustrations on Erick Rowan. When the match was over, Bray Wyatt appeared to be very disappointed in his Wyatt Family acolyte and left ringside without saying a word.
“Could this be THE END of the #WyattFamily ??!!” – @MauroRanallo #SDLive @ErickRowan pic.twitter.com/qPZ7ipgN2G
— WWE (@WWE) August 17, 2016
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Becky Lynch And Carmella Defeated Natalya And Alexa Bliss — Eva Marie Finally Shows Up
In the same way the 12-man tag team match displayed all that SmackDown has to offer in the tag division, six women were in the ring before this match was over, showing off the blue brand’s women’s division. Eva Marie showed up mid-match but was confronted and chased by Naomi, while Becky Lynch forced Natalya to tap out. Later in the show, a six-woman tag team match was announced for SummerSlam , featuring Becky Lynch, Carmella, and Naomi vs. Natalya, Alexa Bliss and Eva Marie.
. @BeckyLynchWWE had PLENTY of Irish Lass Kickings to dish out on #SDLive ! @NatByNature @AlexaBliss_WWE @CarmellaWWE https://t.co/vfhCfObzgp
— WWE (@WWE) August 17, 2016
Baron Corbin Attacks Kalisto Backstage
Before they replayed the video package from Raw highlighting the history between Brock Lesnar and Randy Orton, a backstage segment aired featuring Baron Corbin and Kalisto. The Lone Wolf wanted to make sure Kalisto remembers that Corbin still holds the luchador responsible for Baron not having a shot at the IC title at SummerSlam .
“Some people are just victims. So every time you get up, I’m going to put you BACK DOWN!” – @BaronCorbinWWE #SDLive https://t.co/OBJsvg2Irr
— WWE (@WWE) August 17, 2016
John Cena Defeated Alberto Del Rio
AJ Styles joined JBL, David Otunga, and Mauro Ranallo on commentary for the main event match featuring his SummerSlam opponent and Alberto Del Rio. The match lasted through two commercial breaks, and it was only a matter of time before things got physical between Cena and Styles. After the leader of the Cenation got the decisive victory over Del Rio, AJ Styles left his place at the announce table and hit Cena with a flying forearm. Styles cut a promo while Cena was laid out in the ring, but John wasn’t finished. Before SmackDown Live ended, Cena threw Styles through the announce table with an Attitude Adjustment from atop the steel steps.
. @AJStylesOrg has an ATTITUDE? Well, he’s about to get it ADJUSTED by his @SummerSlam opponent @JohnCena ! #SDLive https://t.co/O4eHXAYfPB
— WWE (@WWE) August 17, 2016
Talking Smack on the WWE Network
Once again, Renee Young and Daniel Bryan hosted the post- SmackDown show. They were joined by John Cena, who was obviously there to promote his match against A.J. Styles at SummerSlam on Sunday. They were also joined by Naomi and Becky Lynch. But it wasn’t long before Natalya crashed the party. They were all there to promote the latest addition to the SummerSlam lineup and the special on the WWE Network highlighting the revolution currently happening in the WWE women’s division.
. @BeckyLynchWWE , @NaomiWWE & @NatByNature join #TalkingSmack to discuss the #SDLive Women’s Division. https://t.co/5LdXy2q0aQ
— WWE (@WWE) August 17, 2016
The above SmackDown Live results will be corroborated by WWE’s official SmackDown Live page.
Updated WWE SummerSlam Card
- Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Orton
- Dean Ambrose (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler — WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match
- Seth Rollins vs. Finn Bálor — WWE Universal Championship Match
- Sasha Banks (c) vs. Charlotte — WWE Women’s Championship Match
- The New Day (c) vs. The Club — WWE Tag Team Championship Match
- The Miz (c) vs. Apollo Crews — WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
- Rusev (c) vs. Roman Reigns — WWE United States Championship Match
- John Cena vs. A.J. Styles
- Enzo and Big Cass vs. Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho
- Cesaro vs. Sheamus
- Becky Lynch, Carmella and Naomi vs. Natalya, Alexa Bliss and Eva Marie
Unless otherwise noted, the matches above were confirmed on WWE’s official SummerSlam preview page .
Where To Watch
WWE SummerSlam 2016 is set for Sunday, August 21. It will air exclusively on the WWE Network at 7/6c. The SummerSlam Kick-Off Show will begin at 5/4c.
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]