On this week’s episode of WWE SmackDown Live , the company’s biggest underdog, James Ellsworth, was supposed to challenge AJ Styles for the WWE World Championship. Meanwhile, as Nikki Bella tries to figure out who really attacked her at Survivor Series , she invited YouTube sensation Sophia Grace to attend SmackDown Live , an invitation that the teenager has accepted for this week’s show. And then, on 205 Live , Rich Swann defended the WWE Cruiserweight Championship in a rematch against The Brian Kendrick.
SmackDown Live & 205 Live Previews
As James Ellsworth explained on Talking Smack after WWE TLC 2016 on Sunday night, he fully believes that he will be able to defeat AJ Styles for the WWE World Championship. To give himself the best odds at becoming champion, he helped Styles retain the title against Dean Ambrose, and got his title match set up for SmackDown less than 48 hours after his heel turn. Without any friends left on the roster, does Ellsworth really stand a chance?
In the Women’s Division, a lot has happened since WWE TLC . Becky Lynch dropped the SmackDown Women’s Championship to Alexa Bliss at the PPV, and Carmella claimed that Natalya was Nikki Bella’s attacker. Natalya simply claims that Carmella is lying. Could Sophia Grace be coming to SmackDown to help Nikki Bella get to the bottom of things?
https://www.instagram.com/p/BNrvZ3XBGjB/
The SmackDown Tag Team Division was shaken up at WWE Tables, Ladders and Chairs as well, with Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt claiming the titles for the New Wyatt Family. Which team from SmackDown Live will stand up to The Viper and the Eater of Worlds?
On the series premiere of WWE 205 Live last week, Rich Swann became the new WWE Cruiserweight Champion when he defeated The Brian Kendrick in the main event. This week, Kendrick gets a rematch for the title.
WWE SmackDown Live Results
The following includes the results of all the matches and segments from SmackDown Live , 205 Live , and Talking Smack on December 6. SmackDown Live hasn’t won the ratings war with Monday Night Raw since the week the blue brand hosted the WWE Draft. With this week’s episode of SmackDown coming just two days after WWE TLC , will this be the first time Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan’s show defeats WWE Raw ?
AJ Styles claimed he’s injured — Dean Ambrose gave James Ellsworth the Dirty Deeds
AJ Styles came to the ring to kick off SmackDown Live , wearing a boot and claiming that he wasn’t medically cleared to face James Ellsworth. This brought out the new SmackDown roster member, who complained that Styles wouldn’t fight him this week. After the two talked about what Ellsworth did to Dean Ambrose in the main event of WWE TLC on Sunday, the Lunatic Fringe joined them in the ring. He immediately hit the Dirty Deeds on Ellsworth and then left the ring.
Well, THAT was quick! @TheDeanAmbrose gets revenge on @RealEllsworth just minutes into #SDLive ! #DirtyDeeds pic.twitter.com/hU6qVvk4Nq
— WWE (@WWE) December 7, 2016
The Wyatt Family defeated Heath Slater and Rhyno
In an obligatory rematch after the titles changed hands at Tables, Ladders and Chairs 2016 , Bray Wyatt set up for the Sister Abigail before throwing Heath Slater to Randy Orton for his patented RKO. The champions retained their newly-won titles and will move on to the next challengers.
The #SDLive Tag Team Championship is on the line, as the #WyattFamily defends its new gold from @HeathSlaterOMRB & @Rhyno313 ! pic.twitter.com/aaKc4EX8nY
— WWE (@WWE) December 7, 2016
Carmella ran away from Natalya
Natalya vs. Carmella barely got under way before the Princess of Staten Island ran to the back and lost the Queen of Harts. Instead, Natalya ran into Nikki Bella and started denying that she was the one who attacked her at Survivor Series . Bella walked off without responding.
The Hype Bros defeated The Ascension
As the tag teams on SmackDown try to prove they should get the next shot at the SmackDown Tag Team Championship, Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley picked up a win against The Ascension.
You do NOT want to mess with @ZackRyder when @MojoRawleyWWE is watching… #SDLive #StayHYPED pic.twitter.com/o8hufWZV7z
— WWE (@WWE) December 7, 2016
Daniel Bryan interrupted MizTV to book a title match
To help make up for the fact that AJ Styles vs. James Ellsworth wouldn’t be happening on SmackDown Live , General Manager Daniel Bryan came out during MizTV and decided that The Miz would defend the IC Title against Dean Ambrose later in the show.
Baron Corbin defeated Kalisto
In a rematch from WWE TLC 2016 , Baron Corbin got another decisive victory over Kalisto. This, presumably, puts an official end to their feud.
The high-flying @KalistoWWE wanted some payback after his defeat to @BaronCorbinWWE at #WWETLC . #SDLive pic.twitter.com/lsia6WRlLg
— WWE (@WWE) December 7, 2016
Sophia Grace talked to Nikki Bella backstage
The YouTube star Sophia Grace talked to Nikki Bella about something they recently worked on together.
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Chad Gable defeated Tyler Breeze
After Breezango approached American Alpha backstage prior to SmackDown Live to give them tickets for violating some fashion laws, things almost came to blows. Instead, a match was set up between Gable and Breeze, which Chad won quite convincingly.
. @MmmGorgeous aims to teach “Uggo” @WWEGable a “beautiful” lesson on #SDLive ! #AmericanAlpha pic.twitter.com/idV4SKIejL
— WWE (@WWE) December 7, 2016
Alexa Bliss denied Becky Lynch an immediate rematch
As the new SmackDown Women’s Champion came to the ring to celebrate her victory at WWE TLC 2016 , she was interrupted by Becky Lynch. The Irish Lass-Kicker challenged the new champ to a rematch right then and there, but Bliss simply walked away from the ring.
The Miz defeated Dean Ambrose after James Ellsworth interfered
In the second title match of the night, The Miz was forced to put up the WWE Intercontinental Championship against Dean Ambrose, just 48 hours after they both competed in grueling Ladder Matches at WWE TLC . When James Ellsworth came to the ring to try to prevent Maryse from helping The Miz, he created just enough of a distraction to allow The Miz to hit the Skull-Crushing Finale and pick up the win over Ambrose.
. @MikeTheMiz defends his Intercontinental Championship against @TheDeanAmbrose in the Main Event of #SDLive ! @MaryseMizanin pic.twitter.com/U9fIg5wFtH
— WWE (@WWE) December 7, 2016
The above SmackDown Live results have been corroborated by WWE’s official SmackDown Live page.
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WWE 205 Live Results
The second episode of 205 Live started with some brief clips about Rich Swann’s history and highlights of his victory over The Brian Kendrick to win the WWE Cruiserweight Championship on the 205 premiere last week. This week, Kendrick gets his rematch.
Noam Dar defeated Cedric Alexander
While Cedric may have a story line building with Alicia Fox on Monday Night Raw , it was his opponent Noam Dar who got the clean victory in the opening match of WWE 205 Live this week. Even Austin Aries, who was back on commentary this week, admitted that he was impressed with Noam. In a post-match interview Dar, he dedicated his victory to Alexander’s “girlfriend” Alicia Fox, getting in a dig on Cedric while also mocking Rich Swann’s dedication speech to his mother from last week’s title match.
The #ScottishSupernova @NoamDar faces @CedricAlexander in his @WWE205Live debut, LIVE on @WWENetwork ! pic.twitter.com/hXpIDUnB2i
— WWE (@WWE) December 7, 2016
Ariya Daivari defeated Jack Gallagher
After losing to Jack Gallagher twice — on 205 Live last week and then again on Monday Night Raw — Ariya Daivari attacked the gentlemanly Gallagher after his second loss. Playing up the resulting kayfabe knee injury during this match, Gallagher lost his third encounter to Daivari. It would appear the program between these two cruiserweights will continue.
Rich Swann defeated The Brian Kendrick
Former WWE Cruiserweight Champion TJ Perkins was at ringside to provide guest commentary for this rematch from the 205 Live series premiere. After a rather lengthy match, Swann threw Kendrick into Perkins at ringside. The momentary hesitation gave Swann a slight advantage to help pick up the win and retain the title against Kendrick. As Swann was leaving the ring, Kendrick took out his frustrations on Perkins, which caused Swann to return to ringside. The entanglement could mean a Triple Threat Match for the title in the near future.
WWE #Cruiserweight Champion @GottaGetSwann goes ALL OUT to defend his gold vs. @MrBrianKendrick , LIVE on @WWE205Live on @WWENetwork ! pic.twitter.com/ykbZUBjDAY
— WWE (@WWE) December 7, 2016
The above WWE 205 Live results have been corroborated by WWE’s official 205 Live page.
Talking Smack Recap
This week’s episode of Talking Snap started with The Wyatt Family in a darkened studio by themselves. As usual, they spoke cryptically the entire time. All three members got a chance to speak before they left and were replaced by Renee Young and General Manager Daniel Bryan. The first guest to join them was Carmella, who had plenty to say about Natalya, Nikki Bella and the entire SmackDown Women’s Division.
So, WHAT happened backstage at #SurvivorSeries ?! @CarmellaWWE breaks down exactly how @NatbyNature attacked Nikki @BellaTwins ! #TalkingSmack pic.twitter.com/E6ZNKkW7mm
— WWE (@WWE) December 7, 2016
Their final guests were former SmackDown Tag Team Champions Heath Slater and Rhyno. They discussed what their plans were now that they lost their titles and their rematch. Rhyno took an unexpected heel turn in the interview, essentially blaming Slater for their loss and telling Daniel Bryan to stay out of the conversation. Rhyno eventually left the set, indicating that things definitely aren’t looking good for their future as a tag team.
Predicted WWE Royal Rumble 2017 Card
- Brock Lesnar, Goldberg, and 28 others TBD — Royal Rumble Match (confirmed)
- Kevin Owens (c) vs. TBD — WWE Universal Championship Match
- AJ Styles (c) vs. TBD — WWE World Championship Match
WWE Royal Rumble 2017 will be the next PPV featuring stars from SmackDown Live . Aside from Goldberg and Brock Lesnar entering the Royal Rumble Match, very few details have been confirmed for the event. Royal Rumble 2017 will air live on Sunday, January 29, from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. As more information is confirmed, it will be updated at WWE’s official Royal Rumble preview page .
Where To Watch WWE
WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs 2016 is currently available to stream on-demand via the WWE Network, along with the WWE TLC Kickoff and Talking Smack that immediately preceded and followed the event. The WWE Royal Rumble 2017 will air live on the WWE Network on Sunday, January 29, at 8/7c.
The new show 205 Live , featuring the best of WWE’s Cruiserweight Division, will air weekly on the WWE Network at 10/9c on Tuesday nights. Replays of the show will be available to stream 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 via Hulu. WWE Talking Smack begins at 10:45/9:45c on the WWE Network, and is immediately made available to stream on-demand.
[Featured Image by WWE]