This is the Fightful.com live coverage for tonight's episode of WWE Smackdown! Live! Tonight we have a great show as the new WWE World Champion, John Cena returns to Smackdown! Live after having been crowned champion for a record tying 16th time this past Sunday at the Royal Rumble! Luke Harper looks to try and take out Randy Orton once and for all and Jason Jordan sets his sights on Dean Ambrose and his Intercontinental title! Be sure to come back here at 8PM EST for all of the action!
-We open with a video package for the Royal Rumble this past Sunday then we go backstage where AJ Styles talks to Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan, asking for a rematch tonight, but they end up announcing that he, John Cena, Baron Corbin, Bray Wyatt, The Miz and Dean Ambrose will be in the Elimination Chamber match. We then go to the arena where John Cena comes out to talk about winning the WWE title a record tying 16th time. Cena apologizes to AJ and says that he's not just a guy from Atlanta and is an elite WWE Superstar that brings out the best in him. Cena says it's not time to celebrate because the belt will be back on the line in the Elimination Chamber, saying that he'll celebrate by doing what he loves most. Cena is then interrupted by Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton on the ramp,
Bray mocking Cena's "The champ is here!" chant then says that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Bray says it's his destiny to win the title and he will in the Elimination Chamber match. Bray says things are changing and if you don't believe him, ask Randy. Randy says that if he somehow makes it out of the match with the belt, he'll see John at Mania. Bray then tells John that "We're here." and they head to the ring, but Luke interrupts them right before they get in the ring, appearing behind Cena. Randy and Bray retreat then Shane comes out and makes a tag match that starts as soon as we come back from commercial.
Randy Orton & Bray Wyatt vs John Cena and Luke Harper
Cena starts off with Bray then Cena teases an Attitude Adjustment, Bray quick to counter and tag in Randy to a chorus of cheers. Harper tags himself in and hits a senton from the outside onto Randy then dropkicks him. Luke backdrops Randy onto the announce table after he faces off with Bray then Randy tags in Bray before ducking out of the ring. Luke and Bray face off again then Luke tags in Cena before Harper stands at ringside. Bray drops Cena Bray and Randy tag in and out and send Cena to the outside as we go to commercial.
Bray hits a senton as we come back for a quick 2 count as they show how Randy dropped Cena onto the announce table during the commercial. Randy gets tagged in and hits the draping DDT then goes for an RKO, but Cena counters and drops Randy. Randy tags Bray in and Bray drops Cena for another quick 2 count, Luke showing that he's either unable or unwilling to tag in when Bray is in the ring. Bray misses a senton then tags in Randy who hits Cena with a powerslam for a quick 2 count of his own. Randy knocks Harper off the apron then Cena drops Randy repeatedly before hitting the Five Knuckle Shuffle then goes for an AA, but Randy counters into a neckbreaker that sends Cena out of the ring. Harper and Randy square off the Luke takes out Randy before Bray hits Sister Abigail on Luke then Randy hits an RKO on Cena for the pin and the win when Cena tries to AA Bray.
Winner: Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton via pinfall
-James Ellsworth comes out and introduces Carmella for her match.
Carmella vs Delilah
Carmella beats on her then Delilah rolls her up for a quick 1 count. Delilah then hits Carmella with a forearm, but Ellsworth pulls her feet out from under her at ringside, tripping her then Carmella applies the Code of Silence for the tap and the win.
Winner: Carmella via submission
Dolph Ziggler vs Kalisto
Dolph drops Kalisto immediately then beats on him before hitting an elbow drop then Kalisto fights back with a series of kicks. Kalisto hits a springboard cross body for a near fall as we see Apollo Crews looking on from backstage then Dolph starts focusing on the arm of Kalisto. Dolph hits a neckbreaker for a 1 count then Kalisto drops him with a roundhouse kick before Dolph shoves him away then hits a superkick for the pin and the win.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler via pinfall
-After the match Dolph tries to take the mask off of Kalisto, but Apollo comes out and stops him then chases Dolph into the crowd. We then have an interview with Becky Lynch and Naomi backstage about their match tonight as we go to commercial.
Becky Lynch & Naomi vs Alexa Bliss & Mickie James
Becky and Mickie start it off then she tags in Alexa. Becky ragdolls Alexa then tags in Naomi who gets a 1 count then gets another one off of a leg drop. Alexa tags in Mickie when Naomi runs into the ropes then Mickie tags Alexa back in, the two tagging in and out frequently and keeping Naomi isolated in their corner. Naomi finally tags in Becky then Mickie gets back in and Becky drops her repeatedly before hitting her with a series of strikes in the corner then an exploder suplex for a near fall. Becky goes to the top, but Alexa grabs her foot then Mickie whips her off of it before hitting her with a big boot for a near fall as we go to commercial.
Alexa is in control of Becky then she tags in Mickie who chokes Becky in the corner before they exchange strikes and Mickie hits a huricanrrana for a near fall. Mickie tags Alexa back in then Becky manages to get to Naomi after rolling Alexa up for a near fall. Naomi then takes out both Alexa and Mickie, getting a near fall on Alexa then Alexa and Mickie double team Naomi until Becky tackles Mickie out of the ring. Naomi then hits a springboard moonsault for the pin and the win on Alexa.
Winner: Naomi and Becky Lynch via pinfall
-American Alpha are then interviewed before we go to commercial.
-American Alpha come out and issue an open challenge and every tag team on the roster comes out then brawls around the ring as we go to commercial.
-We come back and they're still brawling in the ring then ends with AA and Heath Slater and Rhyno as we go to a video for Nikki and Natalya.
-Natalya and Nikki argue backstage then Daniel says he's making a match for the Elimination Chamber then Natalya leaves.
Dean Ambrose vs AJ Styles
They grapple to start the match then Dean drops AJ with a shoulder block before they exchange wrist locks then Dean takes AJ down into a side headlock that he's quick to get out of. AJ puts a headlock on Dean then he gets out before AJ drops him. Dean drops AJ repeatedly with arm drags then a scoop slam before putting him in another side headlock. Dean then puts AJ in the Walls of Jericho, but AJ is quick to get to the ropes. AJ then rolls to the outside before Dean follows him then AJ slams Dean's face into the announce table before rolling him back into the ring. AJ hits Dean with a series of strikes then a leg lariat for a 1 count. AJ then chops Dean in the corner before Dean fires back and stomps AJ down in the opposite corner. Dean goes shoulder first into the ring post when he misses AJ then AJ gets a near fall out of it before putting Dean in a reverse chin lock that Dean is quick to power out of. Dean drops AJ then hits him with a series of right hands before back dropping AJ when he runs at him. Dean then clotheslines AJ over the top rope and out of the ring before Baron Corbin comes out to the ring as we go to commercial.
AJ is in control as we come back, AJ back dropping Dean for a 1 count then hits a knee drop for another one. AJ misses a splash in the corner then Dean goes for Dirty Deeds, but AJ hits a flurry of strikes before Dean drops him with a neckbreaker. Dean drops AJ repeatedly once they're back up then AJ is sent to the floor when Dean catches him about to do the Phenomenal Forearm. Dean goes to dive through the ropes, but AJ hits him with a forearm from the apron. They each tease their finishers then Dean gets a near fall off of a release suplex. AJ gets a near fall of a crucifix then hits the ushigaroshi for another near fall. AJ hits a Pele kick then Dean turns AJ inside out with a lariat before AJ goes to the outside, Dean diving off the top rope and hitting AJ with an elbow drop once he's up. Dean rolls AJ back into the ring then Miz and Corbin start fighting at ring side before Dean breaks them up by diving through the ropes and sending Miz into the barricade. Once he's back in the ring AJ hits the Styles Clash for the pin and the win.
Winner: AJ Styles via pinfall
