Show: WWE SmackDown Live
Location: Uncasville, CT at the Mohegan Sun Arena
Date: August 23rd, 2016
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 AJ Styles addressing the fans. Dean Ambrose Skyped in and talked about his win over Dolph Ziggler at SummerSlam. It was announced that Nikki Bella would wrestle Carmella in a singles match on SmackDown and that Randy Orton would not wouldnot appear on the show.
Welcome to SmackDown Live. AJ Styles is shown talking with Erick Rowan, Dolph Ziggler, Apollo Crews, Rhyno and Baron Corbin backstage. Styles kept Cena’s headband and said he is the new face that runs this place. Styles mocked Ziggler for being a loser. Ziggler headbutted him, and they were separated. All of the tag teams and the women’s division is in the ring with the new titles. Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan walked down to the ring. McMahon announced a six-pack Women’s Title match at Backlash. There would be Tag Team Title tournament that will culminate at Backlash. The tournament starts tonight. Heath Slater came out to the ring. Slater said that he has yet to get a contract with SmackDown. Slater wants to be in the Tag Team Title tournament. Bryan told him to get a partner, and he would add Slater to the tournament. Shane said if Slater doesn’t win the tournament then he wouldn’t get a contract. Styles walked down to the ring but was attacked from behind by Ziggler. Several wrestlers separated them.
-Commercial Break-
Singles Match: Becky Lynch vs. Natalya with Natalya and Naomi on commentary.
They do some mat wrestling to begin the match. Bliss with a back elbow but Lynch went for her submission finisher, but it was blocked. Bliss kicked her in the face. Bliss with a quick roll up for 2. Lynch fought back and locked in the Disarmer for the win.
Winner: Lynch.
Slater walked up to The Miz backstage and wanted him to be his tag team partner. Miz was on the phone and completely ignored him.
-Commercial Break-
Tag Team Tournament Match: The Usos vs. The Ascension.
The Ascension jumped them right out of the gate. Viktor put the boots to Jimmy and hit an uppercut. Konnor was tagged in and hit a splash in the corner for 2. Jimmy fought back and got the hot tag to Jey, who cleared house. Jey hit a splash off the top rope for the win.
Winners: The Usos
-Commercial Break-
Styles walked down to the ring showed photos of his win over John Cena at SummerSlam. Styles said that everyone could be his fans because he is the face that runs this place. Ziggler ran to the ring but was held back from security. Bryan announced Ziggler vs. Styles tonight. If Ziggler wins, then he will be added to the WWE Title match between Dean Ambrose and Styles at Backlash.
-Commercial Break-
Singles Match: Nikki Bella vs. Carmella.
Randy Orton walked to the ring and cut a promo about how he was in for one hell of a fight with Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam. He said that Shane thought he was doing the right thing by the match being stopped and one day maybe their paths will cross again. Bray Wyatt’s music hit and he walked down to the ring. Wyatt said that Orton is a man who can be hurt while he is a not a man but a god. Wyatt said that a God can never die and that Orton would find out all about in time. Orton told him to bring it on but the lights went out and came back on, and Wyatt was gone.
We see McMahon talking to referee backstage, and he was asked about Lesnar. McMahon said that he crossed the line and that Stephanie is not taking this serious. Shane said his thing with Lesnar is far from over.
-Commercial Break-
There was a backstage segment with Arn Anderson and Slater. Rhyno walked in and said that he would be his tag team partner.
Tag Team Tournament Match: American Alpha vs. Breezango.
Gable hit an arm toss on Breeze and tagged in Jordan, who took out Fandango. They hit a double belly-to-belly suplex. Jordan worked over the left arm of Breeze. Fandango knocked him down and tagged in Breeze to send us to break.
-Commercial Break-
We’re back with Jordan getting the hot tag and hitting a series of moves to Breeze. Gable and Jordan went for their finisher, but Breeze knocked down Gable. Breeze lifted up Jordan and Jordan rolled him up for 2. Breeze with a kick to the face of Jordan for 2. Jordan hit a power slam and he, and Gable hit their finisher to Breeze for the win.
Winners: American Alpha
There was a backstage segment with Ambrose wearing a big cowboy hat and getting a drink delivered to him while being interviewed.
-Commercial Break-
Singles Match: AJ Styles vs. Dolph Ziggler
They start brawling, and Ziggler took him down. Ziggler got back mount and Styles got out. Ziggler with a series of clotheslines and then a drop kick.
-Commercial Break-
We’re back with Styles in control of Ziggler. Styles sent him chest first into the corner and covered him for 2. Ziggler tried to fight back but was kicked in the head. Ziggler rolled him up for 2. Styles with a big forearm shot and a knee strike.
-Commercial Break-
Styles worked over the right arm of Ziggler when we came back from break. Ziggler fought back and hit a series of clotheslines. Ziggler hit an elbow drop for 2. Styles hit a clothesline, power slam and went for a 450 slam but missed it. Ziggler rolled him up for 2. Styles missed a clothesline and Ziggler hit the Zig-Zag for a near fall. Ziggler missed a superkick, Styles with a low kick and hit the Styles Clash for the win.
Winner: Styles.
Styles will challenge Ambrose for the WWE Title at Backlash. Styles and Ambrose have a staredown to close the show.
Thanks for watching along and we will see you next time.
