Welcome to the Fightful.com live coverage for tonight's episode of WWE Smackdown! Live! We now have a new WWE Intercontinental champion and it is Dolph Ziggler, The Miz and Maryse tried everything to keep the belt and retire Dolph, but he overcame all of the odds to win and keep his career! AJ Styles did what he had to to retain his title Sunday by finishing the match by attacking John Cena with a chair for the pin.
-We open with a recap of No Mercy. Dolph Ziggler comes out to a big pop and says "we" did it, that the weeks that led up to No Mercy he let his emotions get the best of him, but he won. He says he knew about the tv guide description saying he was going to lose. Dolph says he knew this is where he belongs and no matter what he was gong to leave No Mercy the Intercontinental champion. The Miz comes out next and he and Maryse come out to mourn the death of the IC belt. Miz asks if everyone is happy that his 188 day reign ended and he was the person to make the belt so prestigious. Miz says Dolph's victory is the funeral of tie belt's legacy. Miz says this isn't over and he wants a rematch. Dolph has them roll a video of his victory Sunday night. Dolph implies that Miz was and is crying. Miz says he's not done with Dolph and neither are the Spirit Squad who come out next, saying Dolph has to fight them in a handicap match.
Dolph Ziggler vs The Spirit Squad
Dolph sends them over the top rope as we go to commercial, but we have a split screen so you can kind of see what's going on, not even split screen it's like a fourth of a screen. From the looks of it they're winning, it's hard to see with a car commercial taking up most of the screen.
We come back with Kenny and Dolph, Kenny with a rear chin lock on Dolph as they recap the commercial where Miz distracted Dolph and SS got the upper hand. Dolph takes out Kenny on the outside then Mikey tags Kenny in after Dolph rolls him up. Dolph hits a double DDT then Kenny gets a quick 2 count off of a distraction by Mikey. Dolph hits a super kick as Mauro says "HE KILLED KENNY!"
Winner: Dolph Ziggler via pinfall
-The Miz attacks Dolph and hits the Skull Crushing Finale after the match then Heath Slater and Rhyno come out to save him when Miz and SS go to attack him more.
-We get a plug for Becky Lynch's match with Alexa Bliss in Scotland then we get a plug for Kane and Randy Orton versus Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper. Finally we have a plug for an announcement Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon will be making for Survivor Series as we go to commercial.
-We come back with them making Miz and Dolph in the new video game, pretty much recreating the match exactly in what they showed. Daniel and Shane announce a five on five traditional elimination match, RAW versus Smackdown! Live as well as a tag team version and a women's version.
Carmella vs Naomi
-We get an interview from earlier today where Nikki was interviewed and Carmella threw her into a forklift.
Carmella attacks Naomi before the match starts as we go to commercial.
Carmella gets a quick 2 count as we come back, in control since we went to commercial, no split screen this time. We have Alexa Bliss watching in the back as Naomi hits a jawbreaker then a series of kicks then a bulldog. Naomi hits a cross body off the top rope for a quick 2 count. Nikki comes out to attack Carmella, but a bunch of referees stop her then Naomi rolls her up off the distraction for the pin and the win.
Winner: Naomi via pinfall
-Carmella escapes after Nikki chases her around the ring after the match. Alexa is interviewed in the back then Daniel says she'll have another match against Naomi next Tuesday. We then get a plug for AJ Styles' victory speech later tonight.
Chad Gable vs Jimmy Uso
Gable focuses on the left arm of Jimmy then Jimmy hits a kick to the stomach before a samoan drop for a quick 2 count. Jimmy puts a side headlock on then Gable does a headscissor that sends Jimmy over the top rope. Gable his a back body drop once Jimmy gets back in then hits a reverse clothesline into an exploder suplex. Chad puts Jimmy in an armbar in the ropes then Jimmy rolls him up with the leverage of Jey for the pin and the win.
Winner: Jimmy Uso via pinfall
-After the match Hype Bros and The Ascension face off then Ascension leave.
-AJ Styles comes out as we come back from commercial as they show the recap of the triple threat match he had against John Cena and Dean Ambrose Sunday. Aj says the champ is here, saying he beat Dean, Cena, then both at the same time, saying that's phenomenal and tells the crowd to cheer for him, calling them a bunch of losers and that there's room for only one on the band wagon. AJ tells them to cheer for Cena to a chorus of boos. AJ says you can't do that because Cena isn't there and then tells them to cheer for Dean, saying they're pathetic for cheering him. Aj says he beat them and he is a winner and found a way to win. AJ says he beat Dean Ambrose and John Cena at the same time. AJ says he's giving someone an opportunity to face him as Dean Ambrose comes out; it appears AJ was expecting James Ellsworth. Dean comes out with a mic and AJ tells him to leave. Dean says AJ doesn't want any of him and AJ asks Dean why he's there. Dean says AJ belongs to him and no one is jumping him in line. AJ says his opponent isn't on the roster as James Ellsworth comes out. The crowd pops big for James as AJ has his arm around James, saying he'll give him the opportunity to face him in a non-title match and tells Dean to leave. Dean says he wants to watch the match at ringside, but AJ says he's not going to let Dean ruin it.
Daniel Bryan comes out next and says he makes the matches and says the match is happening right now, but Dean will be the referee of their match.
AJ Styles vs James Ellsworth
Dean steals the referees shirt then Dean takes a bunch of stuff out of his jeans. The match starts as we go to break with Dean examining them both before he starts the match, seemingly giving AJ a sobriety test.They lock up and Dean breaks them up then Dean tries to teach James some moves. James stays behind Dean as AJ tries to get to him. They lock up again and AJ puts a side headlock on James and we get a break as we come back from commercial. AJ stomps him in the corner then Dean checks on him. AJ goes for a right hand, but Dean stops him and AJ and Dean argue about the legality of closed fists. AJ chases James around the outside of the ring then they get back in and James gets a close 2 count from a fast count by Dean.
James backs AJ into the corner then AJ puts the Calf Crusher on, tapping, but Dean starts taking a phone call. AJ tosses Ellsworth out of the ring then into the barricade then a scoop slam onto the floor. Dean does a fast count while they're on the outside then AJ tosses Ellsworth back out of the ring, Dean tossing him back into the ring as Dean goes to flirt with some woman they planted in the audience. AJ hits the Styles Clash, but Dean stops at 2 and three fourths, Dean hitting AJ with Dirty Deeds then tosses Ellsworth on AJ for a very close 2 count, but Aj gets out. Dean takes a coffee break at ringside then puts another Dirty Deeds on AJ and tosses Ellsworth back onto him for the pin and the win.
Winner: James Ellsworth via pinfall
-Randy and Kane are backstage and Randy tells him about his voices in his head and asks him to tag with him as we go to commercial.
-As we come back from commercial AJ yells at Shane and Daniel in the back, but Shane tells him to be mad at himself. AJ says he's going to have takes into his own hands and Daniel says he has an idea for James for next week. James and Nikki will be on Talking Smack after the show goes off then they tease the main event once more as we go to commercial.
Randy Orton & Kane vs Bray Wyatt & Luke Harper
Luke gets on the mic and says he's seen the light and Bray says the light is shining brighter than it ever has. Bray tells Randy to bring on his monster because Bray has his as we go to commercial.
Bray and Kane start it off and Kane goes for a chokeslam early, but Bray goes to the outside as we go to commercial; two commercials with two minutes of action between I believe.
Randy and Luke Harper are in the ring as we come back, Randy hitting a superplex then tags in Kane. Kane hits a dropkick then Bray gets in after throwing him into the barricade. Bray hits a senton for a quick 2 then tags Harper in who stomps on Kane then tags Bray back in. Bray stomps on Kane and tags Luke back in who puts a front headlock on Kane then Kane hits a DDT as Randy is dying to get in the ring. Randy and Bray get in and Randy drops him repeatedly, pounding on Bray who then goes to the outside. Randy smashes his head into the announce table then sends Harper over the announce table. Randy throws Bray into the barricade and the stairs then plays to the crowd. Randy hits his draping DDT then goes for the RKO, but Harper hits a superkick on Randy. Just when Randy goes to tag in Kane the lights go out and Kane is no longer on the apron, Harper on it. Bray hits Sister Abigail for the pin and the win out of no where as Randy turns around.
