September 20, 2016
Episode 892
(aired live)
City: Birmingham, AL
Venue: Legacy Arena
Commentary: Mauro Ranallo, JBL, David Otunga
Ring Announcer: Greg Hamilton
Video
Tonight, Dean Ambrose will face John Cena. Plus, the IC title is on the line as The Miz defends against Dolph Ziggler.
Ring Area
Already in the ring, Daniel Bryan promises that things will stay civil in the first ever SmackDown Live women’s contract signing. The crowd boos civility. He then welcomes Becky Lynch and Alexa Bliss to the ring.
Alexa tells Becky that her role is to fail miserably and be the person who can never quite make it. Becky agrees that she wasn’t born to be a champion, but she poured her heart and soul into becoming one.
Alexa isn’t impressed. She says that she’ll expose Becky as a one-hit wonder. She then signs the contract before hitting Becky and dumping the table over onto her. Becky chases Alexa off before signing the contract herself.
** Not a bad segment. Becky is sometimes hit or miss with her time on the mic, but this was good. She put some good emotion into it. **
Backstage
The Miz is not happy with Daniel Bryan about having to defend his title tonight. Daniel says that they can cancel the match, but Miz’s contract will be canceled as well.
Match 1
The Usos vs American Alpha
(referee: Ryan Tran)
Result: Jey Uso pins Jason Jordan after a Samoan Splash
Time: 6:43 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. American Alpha usually have a lot of energy, but with the addition of anger towards the Usos, this match was very explosive. I liked the story of Gable’s knee injury coming into play about halfway through the match. Good story, good match.
Backstage
Heath Slater tells Rhyno about his idea for a new chant to get the crowd behind them. The Usos show up and Jimmy threatens to knock the crackers out of Rhyno’s hands. Jey also threatens to injures Slater.
** I like it. The Usos didn’t allow Slater and Rhyno to joke their way to the match. They made it serious. That’s a good thing. **
Match 2
Apollo Crews vs Baron Corbin
(referee: Dan Engler; guest commentary: Jack Swagger)
Result: Baron Corbin wins via pinfall after End of Days
Time: 2:46
Match Thoughts
It was short, but it was pretty good. I liked seeing Crews fight angry, and I liked the viciousness of both guys.
Backstage
Curt Hawkins delivers more facts about himself:
When Curt Hawkins makes a fist, the Doomsday Clock ticks ahead three minutes.
At night, dreamcatchers hang Curt Hawkins catchers above their beds.
2016’s most popular baby names are: Curt Hawkins, Curt Hawkins, and Curt Hawkins.
Backstage
Charly Caruso asks Nikki Bella and Naomi about their upcoming match. Naomi feels amazing because of “the glow.” Nikki has the glow. Natalya does not. Also, Nikki is tired of Carmella.
Backstage
Renee Young welcomes Dolph Ziggler and asks him how tonight’s title match will be different. Dolph says anything can happen on SmackDown Live. He wasn’t supposed to be World Champ, but he was. Tonight, he plans to shut Miz up.
Match 3
WWE Intercontinental Title Match
Dolph Ziggler vs The Miz (IC Champ) w/ Maryse
(referee: Jason Ayers)
Result: The Miz wins via pinfall after a Skull Crushing Finale
Time: 13:03 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. This one had a big fight feel. It was nicely competitive, and as it went along it built up to an entertaining final act. There were some shenanigans, but they all worked very well in the context of the match to make the ending pretty exciting.
Match 4
Erick Rowan vs Randy Orton
(referee: Mike Chioda)
Result: Randy Orton wins via pinfall after an RKO
Time: 2:22
Match Thoughts
Pretty short and unsurprising. Rowan showed some impressive power, but there just wasn’t much to the match.
Ring Area
After the match, the lights go out. When they come back up, Rowan’s clown/sheep mask is lying in the ring. Bray Wyatt appears on the tron and says that he is a god and that he can never die. Also, “run.”
Match 5
Natalya & Carmella vs Nikki Bella & Naomi
(referee: Ryan Tran)
Result: Nikki Bella and Naomi win via DQ after Carmella attacks Nikki
Time: 0:33
Match Thoughts
Carmella was more interesting in attacking Nikki than having a match. Therefore, nothing much happened here. The DQ finish was kind of strange though. I would have gone with a countout instead. It just happened too quickly and for something that is almost never considered a DQ.
Backstage
Charly Caruso asks AJ Styles about his rivalry with Ambrose and Cena. Styles says he doesn’t have a rivalry with either of them. He’s already beaten them both. But he will enjoy watching the two of them beat each other up.
Match 6
John Cena vs Dean Ambrose
(referee: Dan Engler)
Result: Dean Ambrose wins via pinfall with a sunset flip
Time: 6:55 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Pretty good match, though I think having both guys kick out of the other’s finisher in a match like this was a little too much. They could have put over how evenly they’re matches up without doing that. Still, the match was fine.
Ring Area
After the match, Styles attacks both Cena and Ambrose. Daniel Bryan comes out and tells Styles that he’ll have to defend his title against Ambrose next week. Styles wants to go right now, but Ambrose sneaks up from behind and hits Styles with Dirty Deeds.
Show Impressions
Not a bad show. I feel like the first half was better than the second half, pretty much segment for segment.
Match of the Night
Dolph Ziggler vs The Miz
This match definitely felt the most important. The action was good and the shenanigans towards the end of the match worked well.