This is the Fightful.com live coverage for tonight's episode of WWE Smackdown! Live! Tonight we have the contract signing for John Cena's title shot against AJ Styles, The Miz is set to defend his WWE Intercontinental Championship against Dean Ambrose and Dolph Ziggler is set to take on Baron Corbin! Be sure to come back here at 8PM EST for all of tonight's action!
-The Miz comes out to start the show as they recap what's been going on between Miz and Dean the past few weeks. Miz demands that Renee Young comes out and issues an apology to him. Miz says that Smackdown! Live with not continue until he gets one, essentially holding the show hostage. Miz goes onto accost Renee, prompting Dean to come out to the ring in her stead. Dean goes right after Miz, but Maryse goes in the way, Maryse slapping him across the face. Dean says that she hits harder than Miz does then Miz and Maryse leave as we go to commercial.
Baron Corbin vs Dolph Ziggler
Dolph runs right at Baron and hits him with a series of strikes before Corbin counters a dropkick then stomps on Dolph before choking him in the ropes. Corbin whips Dolph across the ring into the opposite corner then drops Dolph again with a back elbow for a quick 2 count. Corbin sends Dolph outside then backs him into the apron before rolling him back into the ring. Dolph starts coming back, dropping Corbin with a dropkick that sends him to the outside as we go to commercial.
Corbin is in control as we come back, but Dolph fires back until Corbin drops him with a right hand in mid-air for a close 2 count. Dolph builds a bit of offense and hits a splash in the corner then a swinging neckbreaker for a quick 2 count. Dolph goes for the famouser, but Corbin counters and turns him inside out with a clothesline for another close 2 count. Corbin misses a shoulder tackle then Dolph hits a famouser for a very close 2 count of his own. Corbin goes for The End of Days, but Dolph counters into the Zig Zag for another very close 2 count. Corbin then hits The End of Days for the pin and the win.
Winner: Baron Corbin via pinfall
-After the match Corbin grabs a chair, but Kalisto runs out and sends Corbin over the top rope, Corbin opting to leave then Dolph superkicks Kalisto with a chair out of no where, saying he doesn't need his help and that he doesn't need anyone as we go to commercial.
-We come back to Dolph in the locker room, he then turns on Apollo Crews who is friends with Kalisto.
Becky Lynch vs La Luchadora
Becky is in control early then the masked Luchadora goes underneath the ring. She comes back out and hits an STO on Becky then misses a move off the top rope, Becky putting her in the Disarmer for the tap and the win.
Winner: Becky Lynch via submission
-After the match it is revealed that Alexa is one of the luchadoras, but the other one isn't revealed as we go to commercial.
-Daniel Bryan comes out as we come back for the contract signing between AJ Styles and John Cena who then come out. Cena sits down while AJ prefers to stand then asks Daniel why they're doing this, trying to convince Daniel to change his mind about the match. AJ says that John isn't like he and Daniel and says that John doesn't deserve a title shot. Daniel then leaves after saying among other things, no then AJ says John is lucky and that he's been gifted by someone who is nearly his brother-in-law. AJ says the tables have turned and says that John doesn't deserve to be in the company and that they can do it without him. AJ goes on to say that Cena will never be as good as The Rock in Hollywood and as good as AJ in the ring. AJ sings the contract then John says that AJ has made him mad and that's the biggest mistake he could make. Cena then tells AJ to bring everything he has for Royal Rumble before they're interrupted by Baron Corbin.
Corbin comes out and says that he's the first person for Smackdown! Live entering the Royal Rumble match, saying that he's going to win it and that he doesn't care who's champion because he'll win the match at Mania. Cena gets in the face of Corbin allowing AJ to attack him from behind then leave as Corbin stands over Cena, saying that his time is up. Corbin then leaves after AJ does as we go to commercial.
Carmella vs Aliyah
They lock up to start the match then exchange side headlocks before Aliyah drops Carmella for a quick 2 count. Carmella mounts Aliyah and hits her with a series of right hands for a quick 2 count of her own then his the bronco buster for a close 2 count. Aliyah comes back and drops Carmella repeatedly for a quick 2 count off of a bridging pin then James Ellsworth distracts her, allowing Carmella to hit her from behind. Carmella puts the Code of Silence on Aliyah for the tap for the win as we go to commercial.
Winner: Carmella via submission
American Alpha vs Breezango
Breeze and Gable start it off, Gable quickly tagging in Jordan who takes out Fandango. AA then hit Grand Amplitude for the pin and the win.
Winner: American Alpha via pinfall
-After the match Bray appears on the screen and tells them to cherish the time they have as champions and that they'll get the belts back as we go to commercial.
-Natalya and Nikki are in the ring as we come back, Nikki saying that she feels bad for her and that she's living off of her family's legacy. Natalya goes on to say she's better than Brett Hart ever was and says Nikki got everything from her sex appeal. Nikki then lays Natalya out when she says she'll lose her looks then Cena will leave her and she'll die alone.
The Miz vs Dean Ambrose WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Dean goes right after Miz then they run around outside of the ring before Dean gets him back into the ring. Dean then chops Miz in the corner then goes for Dirty Deeds, but Miz rolls to the outside. They go in and out of the ring then Dean tosses Miz out of the ring, slamming his face into the steps then hangs him up on the barricade before dropping him with a running forearm. Dean rolls Miz back into the ring for a quick 2 count then Miz rolls back outside, Dean right behind him. Dean tosses Miz over the announce table then back into the ring before Miz drops him off of the distraction by Maryse. Miz then tosses Dean into the steps as we go to commercial.
Dean sends Miz to the outside as soon as we come back then Dean hits an elbow drop off the top rope and to the outside. They get back into the ring and Dean drops Miz repeatedly before splashing into him. Dean misses a bulldog then Miz rolls him up, but counters before the referee can count. Dean goes for Dirty Deeds, but Miz backs him into the corner then puts on a form of a leg submission before going for the figure four only for Dean to push him away. Miz goes for The Skull Crushing Finale, but Dean counters that for a quick 2 count. Dean goes to the top rope, but Miz meets him there then Maryse distracts Dean after Miz is pushed off. Dean goes for a move anyway and Miz catches him into The Skull Crushing Finale for a very close 2 count. Miz kicks Dean repeatedly then Miz hits a big boot, but Dean counters with a lariat that turns Miz inside out. Dean sends Miz out of the ring then dives out after him as Maryse slaps Dean. Dean has the referee send her to the back rather than disqualifying Miz then Miz hits Dean from behind with the belt for a very close 2 count. Dean then hits Dirty Deeds for the pin and the win.
Winner: Dean Ambrose via pinfall
