Show: WWE SmackDown
Location: Austin, TX at the Frank Erwin Center
Date: 8/16/16
Airing on the USA Network
Welcome to the WWE SmackDown pre-show, and we are live on the WWE Network. Scott Stanford, Booker T, Lita, and Jerry Lawler hype what we will see tonight, which is John Cena vs. Alberto Del Rio as well as Dean Ambrose and Dolph Ziggler appearing on Miz TV. Becky Lynch and Carmella vs. Alexa Bliss and Natalya in a tag team match is set for tonight’s show.
Welcome to SmackDown Live. Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan open the show in the back with Randy Orton. They offer Orton a contract to fight Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam. Orton said that his match with Lesnar might not last long. Heath Slater walked in with a fruit basket. Slater wanted a contract with SmackDown and talked about going toe-to-toe with Lesnar. Bryan told him no.
We go live into the arena with Maryse and Miz in the ring for Miz TV. Dean Ambrose and Dolph Ziggler walked straight to the ring. Ziggler and Ambrose started arguing, and Miz had to calm them down. Ziggler cut a promo about scratching and clawing his way up the ladder. Ziggler vowed to beat Ambrose at SummerSlam. Ambrose said that even if Ziggler beats him, then his life won’t change. Ambrose said when you become WWE Champion it gets really hard. Ziggler said that Ambrose would have to dig deep, but it won’t be enough to be him. Ziggler knows that Ambrose doesn’t have what it takes to retain the WWE Title. Ziggler super kicked Ambrose and stood tall.
Orton vs. Slater is booked for later.
-Commercial Break-
12-Man Tag Team Match: The Ascension, Tyler Breeze, Fandango and The Vaudevillains vs. The Usos, Hype Bros, and American Alpha.
Viktor beat down Gable to begin the match. Gable reversed a slam and hit an arm drag. Rawley was tagged in and hit a clothesline. A brawl breaks out.
-Commercial Break-
Things pick up when things break down in the ring. The Usos hit a superkick to Breeze and then hit an outside dive taking out the heels. American Alpha hit their tag team finisher on English for the win.
Winners: The Usos, Hype Bros, and American Alpha.
-Commercial Break-
Eva Marie was supposed to wrestle Naomi in a singles match, but Marie couldn’t make it to the ring because she was stuck in traffic.
A flashback video of Alberto Del Rio defeating John Cena at the 2015 HIAC PPV was shown. We see AJ Styles talking with Del Rio backstage. Styles said that he is jealous but can’t wait to beat up Cena at SummerSlam. Del Rio said that he has been beating up Cena for a while now and will do it again tonight. Styles noted that he is in the main event of SummerSlam while Del Rio isn’t even on the card.
-Commercial Break-
Singles Match: Randy Orton vs. Heath Slater.
Orton started beating him down right away. Orton put the boots to him in the corner and wouldn’t break the count, so he was DQ’d.
Winner: Slater.
Post-match, Orton continued to beat him down and hit a german suplex then an RKO.
-Commercial Break-
McMahon and Bryan tried to offer Slater a contract backstage, but Slater was concussed and thought they were Mick Foley and Stephanie McMahon. Slater did not sign the contract.
Singles Match: Dean Ambrose vs. Erick Rowan.
They lock up, and Ambrose tossed him to the floor. Ambrose got him back into the ring and hit a series of right hands. Ambrose with a back slam. Ambrose went to the top rope and hit an elbow drop for 2. Rowan caught him with a spinning heel kick. Ambrose fought back and hit a clothesline. Ambrose hit Dirty Deeds for the win.
Winner: Ambrose.
-Commercial Break-
Tag Team Match: Carmella and Becky Lynch vs. Natalya and Alexa Bliss.
Natalya and Carmella started things off. Carmella hit a hurricanrana, but Natalya cut her off with a clothesline. Bliss and Natalya beat Carmella down until she fought back and got the hot tag to Lynch. Lynch and Natalya collided with a crossbody. Eva Marie walked down to the ring. Naomi chased her down. Back in the ring, Lynch locked in the Disarmer on Natalya for the win.
Winners: Carmella and Becky Lynch.
-Commercial Break-
Baron Corbin attacked Kalisto in the back until security pulled Corbin off of him.
There was a video hype package for Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Orton at SummerSlam. Natalya, Eva Marie, and Alexa Bliss will wrestle Naomi, Carmella and Becky Lynch at SummerSlam.
-Commercial Break-
Singles Match: John Cena vs. Alberto Del Rio with AJ Styles on commentary.
They lock up, and Cena hit a shoulder block then a hip toss.
-Commercial Break-
We’re back with Del Rio in control of Cena. Del Rio hit a suplex and went for a superkick but Cena blocked and landed a series of right hands. Del Rio cut him off with a clothesline. Del Rio hit a snap DDT for 2.
-Commercial Break-
We’re back with Del Rio going for a dive, but Cena cut him off with a drop kick. Del Rio went for a super kick, but Cena blocked and went for the STF. Del Rio blocked and hit a backbreaker. Del Rio went for the armbar, but Cena blocked and locked in the STF, but Del Rio got to the bottom rope. Del Rio kicked him in the gut and the head. Cena went for an AA but Del Rio reversed and locked in the armbar, but Cena fought out and hit a powerbomb. Cena hit an AA for the win.
Winner: Cena.
Post-match, Styles hit a springboard forearm to Cena. Styles cut a promo about how he is tired of hearing that the future goes through Cena. Styles said that he would beat Cena and be the face of the WWE. Styles told Cena his time is up and his time is now. Styles went for the AA, but Cena reversed and hit an AA. Cena cleared the commentary booth. Cena hit an AA off the steel steps sending Styles through the table to close the show.
