WWE SmackDown Report – 11/22/16

– Tonight’s WWE SmackDown opens up with a look back at Survivor Series.

– We’re live from Ottawa with Mauro Ranallo, JBL, David Otunga and Tom Phillips.

– We go to the ring as SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon makes his way to the ring. Greg Hamilton does the introduction.

Fans chant for Shane and he thanks them. He apologizes for not being himself but says he feels like he’s been in a car accident coming out of the Team RAW vs. Team SmackDown match. A “you still got it” chant starts. Shane gives a shout-out to the members of Team RAW and says they brought it. Shane goes on until Dean Ambrose’s music hits and out he comes with a mic.

Ambrose wonders what Shane has to complain about, Team SmackDown won and it’s a new day. Shane isn’t happy about Ambrose powerbombing WWE World Champion AJ Styles with Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins at Survivor Series. Ambrose brings out the man who took out Braun Strowman – James Ellsworth. Ellsworth comes out in a neck brace.

Ambrose reveals that Shane is planning on offering Ellsworth a SmackDown contract. Shane confirms this. Shane says Ambrose has been out of control as of late but he’s being given the night off. Shane then asks Ambrose to leave the building and a “no!” chant starts up. Ambrose leaves the ring and the music hits. Out comes AJ Styles. He passes Ambrose and they exchange looks. AJ says Ambrose deserves to be fired after what he did at Survivor Series, he doesn’t deserve the title shot at TLC. AJ also isn’t happy about Ellsworth getting a contract. Shane says Ellsworth deserves a contract. AJ disagrees and calls him a charity case. AJ says the contract is being given to Ellsworth but Shane says he earned it. AJ says he needs a warm-up match and challenges Ellsworth to prove his worth by competing in a Ladder Match tonight. AJ says if Ellsworth climbs the ladder and grabs the contract, he’s earned it. AJ says but that won’t happen because he will bring it down and tear it up in Ellsworth’s ugly, pathetic face. Ellsworth says he doesn’t have a problem with the match because he’s already beaten AJ twice but if he wins, he not only wants a full-time contract but he wants a future WWE World Title shot. Shane asks Ellsworth if he’s sure he wants to do this. Ellsworth says he wants it all or nothing at all. Shane makes it official – Ellsworth vs. Styles in a Ladder Match tonight. Shane’s music hits and AJ leaves the ring, confident about tonight’s main event. Ambrose is back in the ring now, talking with Ellsworth.

– We go backstage to Maryse and WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz at a photo shoot. SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan walks up and tells him to wrap it up. Miz says Bryan must have a big celebration planned for him. Miz mocks him. Bryan says Miz humiliated SmackDown by cheating to defeat Sami Zayn at Survivor Series. Bryan makes Kalisto vs. Miz with the title on the line for tonight. Miz protests but Bryan sends him to the ring because that match is next.

– Still to come, Tag Team Turmoil. We go to commercial.

– Back from the break and Shane is talking to Ambrose backstage. Ambrose asks Shane if he’s sure he wants him to leave the arena. Shane says it’s what we need tonight. Ambrose says he’s going to get some food and asks Shane if he wants some. More back and forth until Ambrose leaves the arena and Shane walks away.

WWE Intercontinental Title Match: Kalisto vs. The Miz

We go to the ring and Kalisto waits as WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz makes his way out with Maryse.

They lock up and go at it. Kalisto with a 2 count and some “lucha!” chants. More back and forth and pin attempts by Kalisto. Kalisto dumps Miz out to the floor and nails a dive for a pop. Kalisto stands tall as we go to commercial.

Back from the break and Miz mocks Daniel Bryan before missing in the corner. Kalisto with a kick to the face. Kalisto fights in from the apron and hits a springboard senton. Kalisto keeps control for another pin attempt. Kalisto counters a slingshot powerbomb and covers for a 2 count. Kalisto with more offense and another 2 count.

Kalisto goes to the top and looks around for Baron Corbin it appears. He leaps off the top but rolls through as Corbin is on the apron. He knocks Corbin off the apron, allowing Miz to hit the Skull Crushing Finale for the win.

Winner: The Miz

– After the match, Miz and Maryse celebrate before leaving. Corbin enters the ring and lays Kalisto out with End of Days. Corbin talks more trash and makes his exit as fans boo. Miz and Maryse applaud Corbin from the stage. Miz raises the title as fans boo. Dolph Ziggler appears from the back and Miz turns around to a big superkick. Ziggler’s music hits as Maryse tends to Miz and Ziggler heads back to the back.

– Shane and Bryan are backstage watching. Shane says they can’t have this and Bryan says he’s going to handle it. Alexa Bliss walks in. She starts talking but SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch walks up and reveals that their rematch will take place at TLC. Natalya walks in with her whistle. Natalya and her cat have determined that Becky was the reason they lost at Survivor Series because Bliss is in her head. Shane says they are all to blame and they still don’t know who attacked Nikki Bella. Shane makes Natalya vs. Becky for tonight. Natalya quotes Celine Dion lyrics and Bliss can’t take it. Natalya leaves. Ambrose walks in with a pizza. Shane asks him to leave. Ambrose gives him a slice but leaves.

– The announcers show us video from the WrestleMania 33 ticket party.

– Back from a break and Baron Corbin is walking backstage when Bryan walks up. He doesn’t mind Superstars making a name for themselves but he’s being reckless. Corbin says he is the bigger picture. Bryan says actions have consequences. He books Kane vs. Corbin for tonight.

#1 Contenders Tag Team Turmoil: The Ascension vs. The Hype Bros vs. The Usos vs. The Vaudevillains vs. Breezango vs. American Alpha

We go to the ring and The Ascension and The Hype Bros are in the ring. Konnor takes Mojo Rawley outside while Viktor unloads on Zack Ryder. The Ascension keeps control as Konnor levels Ryder on the floor. Mojo is still down. Konnor with a 2 count on Ryder.

Ryder manages to hit a double neckbreaker and in comes Mojo with offense. They hit the Hype Ryder on Viktor for the pin. The Ascension is eliminated.

Tyler Breeze and Fandango run down next but get dumped right out of the ring. Ryder runs the ring and Mojo propels him out onto Breezango. We go to commercial.

Back from the break and Breezango use a double team to get the pin on Ryder. The Hype Bros have been eliminated.

Chad Gable and Jason Jordan run down next and go right to work. Fandango with a quick 2 count on Gable. Gable ends up getting the pin on Fandango a few minutes later. Breezango has been eliminated.

Simon Gotch and Aiden English are out next. Jordan quickly hits a suplex for the squash pin. The Vaudevillains have been eliminated.

Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso are out next. They take their time getting to the ring, unlike the other teams.

SmackDown Tag Team Champions Heath Slater and Rhyno were shown backstage watching at one point. Gable starts off with Uso as we go to commercial.

Back from the break and The Usos are in control. The Usos keep control until Gable gets a hot tag. He runs wild and hits a German for a 2 count. Gable gets sent face first into the ring post. Uso brings Gable back in the ring but Gable rocks him. Jey tags in and comes off the top for a double team backbreaker. Gable kicks out at 2.

Jordan ends up getting Uso in the Electric Chair. Gable tags in for the top rope bulldog but Uso breaks the pin up. Gable takes Jimmy to the floor but Jey superkicks Jordan. Jey goes for the top rope splash but Jordan gets his knees up. Uso still kicks out at 2. More back and forth. The finish sees American Alpha hit the double team on Uso for the 3 count and the title shot.

Winner and New #1 Contenders: American Alpha

– As soon as the match ends, The Wyatt Family appears on the big screen. Bray Wyatt tells them not to celebrate because they haven’t faced all the tag teams. Randy Orton says they aren’t a team, they’re a family. Wyatt tells American Alpha that he and Orton are coming for them. Wyatt tells us to run and then disappears.

– Backstage segment with Ellsworth and Bryan. Ellsworth says maybe any guy with two feet can climb the ladder and live a childhood dream tonight. Ambrose appears and he’s dressed as The Mountie. He tells Ellsworth to be careful. Bryan asks Ellsworth to excuse them. Bryan says Shane is going to freak out if he sees Bryan. Shane walks up and he’s not happy. He says Ambrose’s behavior is dangerous and insubordinate, he’s tired of it. Ambrose says he will leave but asks Shane if he wants to know why he’s dressed as The Mountie. Shane doesn’t. Ambrose says it’s a good story. Bryan suggests some rest for Shane. He agrees and leaves for the night before he does something bad. Ambrose is also leaving but has a message for Bryan to deliver to AJ… The Mountie always gets his man. Bryan laughs and the crowd pops. Ambrose leaves. Back to commercial.

Natalya vs. Becky Lynch

Back from the break and Natalya waits as SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch makes her way out. Alexa Bliss is on commentary.

Natalya with some showing off early on. Becky ends up firing back and going to the top. Natalya cuts her off and brings her to the mat with a sitdown powerbomb for a 2 count. Natalya stands tall as we go to commercial with Bliss looking on.

Back from the break and Natalya is in control. Becky tries for a comeback but Natalya shuts her down and covers for 2. More showing off from Natalya. Natalya keeps control but Becky rolls her up out of nowhere for a 2 count.

Natalya runs into an elbow and then a boot. Becky with clotheslines and a dropkick now. Becky with a flying forearm. Natalya counters a kick. They trade holds and Natalya rolls her up for 2. Natalya fights off the Disarm-Her and gets another roll up. Becky with the Bexplex. Natalya with another roll up and a Sharpshooter attempt. Becky counters and applies the Disarm-Her for the win.

Winner: Becky Lynch

– After the match, Becky goes to celebrate but Bliss runs int he ring and lays her out. Bliss nails the DDT and stands tall over Becky as some fans boo. Alexa’s music hits as we go to replays.

– We go to a Christmas WWE Shop segment with The Hype Bros to promote the Black Friday sales.

– Still to come, our Ladder Match main event. Also, Baron Corbin vs. Kane. Back to commercial.

– Back from the break and Daniel Bryan is backstage with The Miz and Maryse, who want Ziggler suspended for what he did. Bryan says the two will do battle at TLC for the last time, with the title on the line, in a Ladder Match. Miz says he will put the Skull Crushing Finale on this feud for the last time.

– Backstage segment with Nikki Bella and Carmella that leads to Nikki revealing that they will face off at TLC in a No DQ Match.

Kane vs. Baron Corbin

We go to the ring and the pyro goes off as Kane makes his way out. Baron Corbin is out next. Back to commercial.

Back from the break and Corbin is finishing his entrance. The bell rings and they go at it. Kane with a big boot. Kane takes it to the corner and beats on Corbin. Corbin with a shot to the face. Corbin takes Kane to the opposite corner and unloads as the referee warns him. Corbin turns back around to a big right from Kane. Kane with the splash in the corner. Kane runs into a big boot. Kane chases Corbin back in the ring but gets knocked off the apron. Corbin turns around to Kalisto nailing a missile dropkick for the disqualification.

Winner by DQ: Baron Corbin

– After the bell, Kalisto ends up going to the floor as Kane comes back in. Kane chokeslams Corbin and makes the ring explode while standing over him. Kane leaves and Kalisto comes back in the ring. Kalisto stares at Corbin and goes out for a steel chair. He brings it back in but Corbin retreats Corbin runs back in and catches the chair. Kalisto kicks it into his face and sends him back out of the ring. Kalisto stands tall with the chair as his music hits. We go to replays.

– Still to come, the Ladder Match main event. Back to commercial.

Ladder Match: AJ Styles vs. James Ellsworth

Back from the break and James Ellsworth is in the ring, still wearing the neck brace. He looks up at his SmackDown contract hanging above the ring. WWE World Champion AJ Styles is out next for this non-title match.

Ellsworth misses to start and his neck is already giving him trouble. AJ beats him around and takes the neck brace off. It appears Ellsworth is also wearing a back brace. AJ sends him to the floor. AJ also goes to the floor and brings a ladder in.

Ellsworth tries to come in and AJ rams the ladder into him. AJ stands the ladder up and climbs. Ellsworth slowly comes over and AJ knocks him away. AJ climbs down the ladder and goes back to work on Ellsworth, ripping his shirt off. AJ with a backbreaker. AJ rips the back brace off now. AJ turns Ellsworth upside down on the ladder and kicks him in the gut.

AJ ends up going for the contract but Ambrose runs in wearing an Ottawa Senators jersey. Ambrose attacks and clotheslines AJ over the top rope. Ambrose helps Ellsworth recover now. AJ springboards in and takes Ambrose out with a Phenomenal Forearm. AJ climbs the ladder but Ellsworth tips it over and AJ flies out of the ring. Ellsworth stands the ladder up as fans cheer. AJ comes back in but Ellsworth nails No Chin Music. AJ’s leg gets stuck in the ropes. Ellsworth climbs and grabs the contract to win the match.

Winner: James Ellsworth

– Ellsworth falls to the mat with his contract while AJ is still trapped in the ropes. The referee comes to help him while Ellsworth leaves the ring and Ambrose takes a look at his contract. We go to replays. AJ clutches his title in the corner while Ambrose celebrates with an emotional Ellsworth. They stand on top of the announce table to celebrate. JBL is disgusted as SmackDown goes off the air with Ellsworth staring at his contract while AJ looks on.

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