October 25, 2016
Episode 897
(aired live)
City: Green Bay, WI
Venue: Resch Center
Commentary: Mauro Ranallo, JBL, David Otunga
Ring Announcer: Greg Hamilton
Video
Last week, Dean Ambrose helped James Ellsworth beat AJ Styles in the main event. Tonight, Styles wants revenge on Ambrose.
Backstage
James Ellsworth thanks Ambrose for all he’s done for him over the last few weeks. Ellsworth wants to return the favor by being in Ambrose’s corner in his match against Styles tonight. Ambrose doesn’t accept the offer.
Match 1
No DQ Match
Bray Wyatt vs Kane
(referee: Mike Chioda)
Result: Bray Wyatt wins via pinfall after Randy Orton hits Kane with an RKO
Time: 7:44 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
An okay match, but this was mostly all for storyline purposes. Luke Harper appeared fairly early in the match to help Bray. He repeatedly interjected himself in the match, but it was Randy Orton who made the bigger impact when he showed up towards the end. It looked like Orton and Kane were about to gang up on Bray (with Luke Harper strangely sliding out of the ring), but Orton gave an RKO to Kane instead.
Backstage
Andrea D’Marco welcomes AJ Styles and mentions the two victories Ellsworth has over him. Styles is frustrated with that “goober.” He’s also frustrated with Ambrose, but Ambrose won’t be laughing after what Styles does to him tonight.
Ring Area
In the ring, Renee Young welcomes Becky Lynch back to SmackDown. As Becky begins to speak, Alexa Bliss interrupts her and heads to the ring. Alexa dismisses Renee. She calls Becky a coward and a con-artist, saying Becky knows that she’s going to lose her title. She suggests that Becky hand over the Women’s title to her, the “rightful champion.” Alexa then attacks Becky, giving her a DDT in the middle of the ring. Alexa then gets some spray paint and paints a yellow strips down Becky’s back.
Match 2
Survivor Series Qualifying Match
The Ascension vs Hype Bros
(referee: Ryan Tran)
Result: Mojo Rawley pins Viktor after a Hype Ryder
Time: 3:49
Match Thoughts
Pretty good match. Ryder got beat up for most of the match, then Mojo came in and ran all over the place. It felt like a fairly straightforward match. Nothing special, but nothing wrong with it.
Backstage
Andrea D’Marco asks Orton to explain himself. He says, “if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.”
Backstage
Natalya tells Daniel Bryan that she’s concerned about RAW stealing SmackDown’s thunder. She has a solution though: appoint her team captain for Survivor Series. Bryan tells her that Nikki already suggested the same thing, so the winner of Natalya versus Nikki will be team captain. The loser will not be on the team.
Match 3
Nikki Bella vs Natalya
(referee: Dan Engler; stipulation: winner becomes Survivor Series team captain, loser is off the team)
Result: Nikki Bella wins via submission with a Fearless Lock
Time: 6:41
Match Thoughts
An okay match. Unsurprising, but not bad.
Ring Area
After the match, Carmella attacks Nikki and hits her with a Bella Buster.
Backstage
Andrea D’Marco asks Dean Ambrose about what he said earlier tonight. Ambrose says tonight isn’t about fun and games, it’s about becoming number one contender for the title Styles stole from him with a low blow.
Ring Area
The Miz heads to the ring along with Maryse and The Spirit Squad. Kenny and Mikey introduce The Miz with a cheer. Miz says these are dark times. He feels sorry for the WWE legends who have held the IC Title having to watch Ziggler diminish that once great title.
Dolph Ziggler quickly interrupts and challenges Miz to a title match right now. Miz will take his rematch when he’s ready, but if Ziggler wants a fight then Miz and the Spirit Squad will oblige. Heath Slater and Rhyno then come out to even the odds.
Miz positions Maryse in front of himself and the Squad. Slater thinks that’s funny, and he asks Miz what his problem is. A champion wouldn’t turn away from a challenge. Miz says that if Slater and Rhyno are such great champs, why not put their titles on the line against the Spirit Squad. Slater hesitates, but Rhyno accepts.
Match 4
SmackDown Tag Team Title Match
The Spirit Squad vs Heath Slater & Rhyno (SD Tag Champs)
(referee: Jason Ayers; guest commentary: Dolph Ziggler, The Miz w/ Maryse)
Result: Rhyno pins Mikey after a gore
Time: 4:08 (joined in progress)
Match Thoughts
An okay match. The Spirit Squad seemed frantic in their attack, but it played out a lot like a typical Slater/Rhyno match. Slater got beat up and Rhyno came in at the end. The constant bickering on commentary from Ziggler and Miz also dominated the match.
Backstage
Ambrose asks Ellsworth why he’s sulking. Ellsworth again asks to be in his corner, and Ambrose reluctantly agrees.
Match 5
AJ Styles (World Champ) vs Dean Ambrose w/ James Ellsworth
(referee: Mike Chioda; stipulation: if Ambrose wins he becomes number one contender)
Result: AJ Styles wins via DQ after James Ellsworth hits him with a superkick
Time: 12:40 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. Ellsworth mostly stayed out of the match which is a good thing. Of course he got involved which affected the outcome of the match, but that was expected. The match itself was good with Styles in particular pulling off some nice moves.
Show Impressions
I liked this show. The main event was sufficiently good and interesting, and the rest of the show had some good moments. This episode set up a lot of things for the future, but it felt like a complete show on its own as well.
Match of the Night
AJ Styles vs Dean Ambrose
This was surprisingly good for an obviously story-driven match.