Smackdown – December 20, 2016: Merry Effort
Smackdown
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December 20, 2016
Location: Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Tom Phillips, John Bradshaw Layfield, David Otunga
Opening sequence.
Smackdown World Title: AJ Styles vs. James Ellsworth
Styles is defending and it looks like this match is actually happening for a change. An early attempt at No Chin Music earns Ellsworth a strike rush for the pin at 43 seconds.
Back from a break, Ziggler is given a match against Corbin tonight. If Corbin wins, he gets the title shot next week.
Intercontinental Title: The Miz vs. Apollo Crews
John Cena is back next week.
Dean Ambrose vs. Luke Harper
Alexa Bliss vs. La Luchadora
Non-title and Luchadora is in a mask and full body suit. You know who it is, I know who it is, and we have to listen to the announcers not know who it is. Luchadora gets in some rollups for two each until Bliss pounds her in the back to take over. The fans chant SI as Luchadora slaps on the Disarm-Her for the tap at 3:06.
Ryan Phillippe (of Shooter, a show which guest starred Randy Orton) arrives and tries to find Orton. Instead he gets Curt Hawkins and Mojo Rawley so some trash can be talked between the two wrestlers. A match is announced for later.
Mojo Rawley vs. Curt Hawkins
Phillippe is on commentary so hopefully this is short. Mojo runs him over to start as the announcers praise Phillippe and we hear a bit about Shooter. That shifts to a discussion of Otunga being married to Jennifer Hudson (rarely discussed in WWE) as Rawley hits some Stinger Splashes and the Pounce. A running right hand in the corner ends Hawkins at 2:28. Phillippe was fine here and seemed to be having a good time, which is all you can ask for from a celebrity.
Baron Corbin vs. Dolph Ziggler
The winner gets Styles, on commentary here, for the title next week. Corbin takes over to start and takes Ziggler outside for some trash talk to the champ. A chest first whip into the buckle has Ziggler in even more trouble and Corbin does his slide under the ropes for a forearm to the back. Ziggler is sent shoulder first into the post and we take a break.
Post match Styles lays them both out with a chair. Cue Bryan to make the triple threat for the title next week.
Results
AJ Styles b. James Ellsworth – Backfist to the face
Miz b. Apollo Crews – Skull Crushing Finale
Dean Ambrose b. Luke Harper – La majistral
La Luchadora b. Alexa Bliss – Disarm-Her
Mojo Rawley b. Curt Hawkins – Running right hand in the corner
Dolph Ziggler vs. Baron Corbin went to a double countout
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