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‘WWE SmackDown Live’ Results: Carmella Attacks Nikki Bella — Randy Orton Vs. Bray Wyatt At ‘Backlash’

By Dustin Murrell
Published on: 11:23 PST, Aug 30, 2016

After it was declared last week on WWE SmackDown Live that Heath Slater would be teaming up with Rhyno and entering the tournament to crown the first-ever SmackDown Tag Team Champions, the WWE Universe speculated as to who Commissioner Shane McMahon and General Manager Daniel Bryan would find to face the One Man Band and The Man Beast. The surprising answer came in the form of former WWF Tag Team Champions Mosh and Thrasher: The Headbangers. Having spent the last five years or so on the indie circuit, will their failed attempt to advance in the tournament be the last time they compete in the WWE?

While everyone from SmackDown Live looks forward to crowning new SmackDown Tag Team Champions at WWE Backlash 2016 in less than two weeks, they are also looking forward to the first-ever SmackDown Women’s Champion, to be decided in a Six-Pack Challenge. As Nikki Bella was brought back to take Eva Marie’s place (after the “All Red Everything” diva was suspended for violating the WWE’s Wellness Policy), Carmella has turned heel by repeatedly attacking the Bella Twin from behind. This week was no different.

Nikki Bella: WWE SmackDown Live
Nikki Bella, minutes before being attacked by Carmella. [Image via WWE]
With Backlash just around the corner, several questions remained unanswered prior to this week’s SmackDown Live. After losing by TKO to Brock Lesnar in controversial fashion at WWE SummerSlam 2016, Randy Orton found himself being stalked by Bray Wyatt. WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz lost his temper on Talking Smack last week, causing co-host Daniel Bryan to leave the set. Orton, Wyatt and The Miz all had matches confirmed for Backlash by the end of SmackDown. At the same time, AJ Styles was granted a front-row seat at the commentary table to watch WWE World Heavyweight Champion Dean Ambrose take on Baron Corbin in the SmackDown Live main event.

WWE SmackDown Live Results

The following includes the results of all the matches and segments from SmackDown Live on August 30. This episode of SmackDown aired live from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Although they’re still doing much better than when the show aired on Thursdays, SmackDown Live hasn’t won the ratings war with Monday Night Raw since the week the blue brand hosted the WWE Draft. With new rivalries and storylines in place for WWE Backlash in just twelve days, how will Commissioner Shane McMahon and GM Daniel Bryan try to take the lead in the friendly rivalry with the red brand?

SmackDown Pre-Show On The WWE Network

The regular team of four was back at it for the half-hour warm-up to SmackDown Live, airing exclusively on the WWE Network. Scott Stanford was joined by three WWE Hall of Famers: Lita, Booker T, and Jerry “The King” Lawler.

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The hosts also welcomed former WWE Divas Champion Nikki Bella, who discussed the attacks she received from Carmella during last week’s SmackDown Live event. They also addressed the rumors of Brie Bella possibly returning, although Nikki couldn’t confirm that her twin would be joining her on the blue brand. Apparently, it may depend on whether or not she’s successful in getting pregnant with husband Daniel Bryan.

Dolph Ziggler On MizTV

The last time Ziggler was a guest on MizTV, he superkicked Dean Ambrose in the face as he prepared for a title match at SummerSlam. This time, Dolph had to interrupt the WWE Intercontinental Champion, who was ranting in the ring about his confrontation with Daniel Bryan on last week’s Talking Smack. Predictably, when The Showoff invited The Miz to fight, the former Real World star walked away from the ring.

The Hype Bros Defeated The Vaudevillains

Although Simon Gotch and Aiden English were able to get in a few good offensive spots, Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley made quick work of The Vaudevillains as they advanced to the second round of the tournament to crown the new SmackDown Tag Team Champions. Next week, The Hype Bros will face the winners of The Headbangers vs. Heath Slater and Rhyno.

AJ Styles Defeated Apollo Crews

The Phenomenal One came to the ring to cut a promo about defeating John Cena and earning a shot at the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Backlash. However, earlier in the show, he ran into Apollo Crews backstage. After Styles claimed that he couldn’t even remember Apollo’s name, the recent NXT call-up got permission from GM Daniel Bryan to face AJ on SmackDown. Styles got the pinfall victory after connecting with the Phenomenal Forearm.

Renee Young Visited Heath Slater’s Trailer Park Home

A prerecorded segment aired in which Renee Young went to Heath Slater’s trailer park to interview him in his home. Rhyno was there (and didn’t say a word the entire time), as was a woman playing Slater’s wife. The One Man Band recounted his experiences trying to earn a contract after failing to be selected by either brand in the WWE Draft. Of course, if he wins the SmackDown Tag Team Championship with Rhyno, he will have a guaranteed contract with SmackDown Live.

Randy Orton Answered Bray Wyatt’s Call

For once, Bray Wyatt kept his message short and sweet. As he sat in his rocking chair in the middle of the ring, he said that the reason he was drawn to Randy Orton was because The Viper is damaged. Orton came out and acknowledge that Wyatt had his attention, and Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt was set for WWE Backlash 2016. When Randy Orton went to the ring to try to make things physical, the lights went out and Wyatt was left unharmed.

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Natalya & Alexa Bliss Defeated Becky Lynch & Naomi — Carmella Jumps Nikki Bella Again

Nikki Bella joined the SmackDown Live commentary team for this match to address her ongoing issues with Carmella and the upcoming series premiere of Total Bellas. Just when it looked like Becky Lynch and Naomi had things under control, Carmella emerged from the live audience to attack the Bella twin from behind once again. The distraction — along with a handful of tights — is all that it took for Alexa Bliss to pin Lynch, giving her and Natalya the win.

Rhyno & Heath Slater Defeated The Headbangers

As he continues to try to earn a contract for SmackDown Live, Heath Slater advanced to the next round of SmackDown’s tag team tournament, thanks in large part to his tag team partner, Rhyno. The Headbangers’ return to WWE programming was unsuccessful. Will this be a one-time appearance, or will they continue to compete on the blue brand on Tuesday nights?

The Headbangers return to WWE SmackDown Live
Will The Headbangers be back after losing to Heath Slater and Rhyno? [Image via WWE]

Kane Chokeslams “The Milkman”

Before the main event could get under way, a man introduced himself in the ring as Gary “The Milkman” Millman, claiming he had a license to compete on tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live. Essentially offering an open challenge to anyone in the locker room, Kane came out in full demon gear. Kane delivered a patented chokeslam before leaving Millman lying in the ring. No match ever officially began.

AJ Styles Interrupted The Main Event

While Baron Corbin and WWE World Heavyweight Champion Dean Ambrose were going at it in the ring, the No. 1 contender for Dean’s title provided guest commentary. Eventually, when trying to kick Ambrose, Styles accidentally kicked Corbin, and the match was called. Before SmackDown ended, Dean hit Baron with the Dirty Deeds, and left AJ in a compromising position on the top rope.

Talking Smack On The WWE Network

Daniel Bryan and Renee Young hosted the post-SmackDown talk show once again. They used the opportunity to announce that The Miz would be defending the IC title against Dolph Ziggler at WWE Backlash in twelve days. Heath Slater and Rhyno were guests on the show, as they talked about their budding relationship as tag team partners and what the tag team tournament means to each of them as individuals.

Bryan and Young were also joined by AJ Styles. The Phenomenal One reminisced briefly with the GM about the time Daniel broke AJ’s finger in the indies. Styles then talked about his match against Cena at SummerSlam, and how it was more important to him than having wrestled at WrestleMania 32.

The above SmackDown Live results will be corroborated by WWE’s official SmackDown Live page.

Updated WWE Backlash 2016 Card

  • Dean Ambrose vs. AJ Styles — WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match
  • Nikki Bella vs. Becky Lynch vs. Carmella vs. Natalya vs. Naomi vs. Alexa Bliss — 6-Pack Challenge for the SmackDown Women’s Championship
  • The Miz (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler — WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
  • Tournament Finals for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship
  • Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt

Unless otherwise noted, the matches above were confirmed on WWE’s official Backlash preview page. WWE Backlash 2016 will air live from The Coliseum in Richmond, Virginia.

Where To Watch

WWE Backlash 2016 is set for Sunday, September 11. It will air exclusively on the WWE Network at 8/7c. The Backlash Kick-Off Show will begin at 7/6c.

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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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