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WWE SmackDown Results & Discussion (8/23)

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Written by

Eric Lynch

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The first episode of SmackDown after SummerSlam ’16 aired live on the USA Network from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT on August 23rd, 2016.

– SmackDown opens up with AJ Styles entering the SmackDown locker room and telling the other wrestlers that he is now the face that runs the place. He puts on Cena’s headband, then makes fun of Dolph Ziggler for losing to Ambrose on Sunday. Ziggler jumps up and hits AJ with some right hands then they’re separated almost immediately.

– Several members of the SmackDown roster are in the ring along with two title belts. Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan come out to announce the new title belts. Bryan announces the new Smackdown Women’s Championship, which is a blue and white belt. McMahon announces that they will also be crowning new SmackDown Tag Team Champions. Both titles will be awarded at Backlash. Heath Slater interrupts from the crowd on a mic and makes his way into the ring. Slater complains that Bryan and McMahon keep taking his opportunities away from him. Slater says he can get any tag partner he wants to go after the new SmackDown Tag Titles. Bryan says if Slater can find a partner by the end of the night, they can enter the tournament next week. McMahon says the only way Slater will get a spot on the roster is if he wins the entire tournament. Slater tells them they won’t regret it, and goes off to look for a partner. AJ Styles interrupts next to complain to McMahon and Bryan, but Ziggler attacks him from behind. McMahon instructs the wrestlers in the ring to break up the brawl, and we go to commercial.

– Becky Lynch def. Alexa Bliss: Natalya and Naomi are at ringside for this one. After several minutes of back and forth action, Alexa takes control of the match after a kick to the head. Becky hits a flying clothesline in the corner, but Alexa is able to come back with a sunset flip off for a two-count. They run the ropes and Becky gets Alicia in the Dis-arm-her out of nowhere for the win.

– Slater is in the back on the hunt for a tag partner. He approaches The Miz and Miz seems pleased, but then it’s revealed that he’s been talking to someone on his bluetooth headset instead of Slater. He takes it off and Slater walks away to keep looking.

– The Usos def. The Ascension: The Ascension immediately goes on the offensive after the opening bell rings. Conor hits a shoulder block off the middle rope followed up by a running clothesline in the corner on Jimmy. The Ascension members use frequent tags to stay in control over Jimmy. Jey gets the hot tag and hits a splash off the top rope on Victor for a near-fall. Jey follows up with a superkick and a Samoan Drop. Connor interferes and gets superkicked out by Jimmy, who follows up with a suicide dive on Connor on the outside. Back in the ring, Jey hits a superkick and a splash off the top for the win.

– AJ Styles is out to the ring next. He calls out Dolph Ziggler for being jealous of what he did at SummerSlam. AJ tells the crowd that they don’t have to be Cena fans anymore, they can now be AJ Styles fans. AJ says he should be the #1 contender for the WWE World Title. Ziggler comes out and is held back by referees. Daniel Bryan comes out and says AJ and Dolph seem like they want to fight. The crowd chants “yes,” and Daniel Bryan says tonight they’re going to fight. He says the winner gets a title shot.

– Nikki Bella vs. Carmella: Before the match, Renee Young tries to interview Nikki, but Carmella attacks her from behind. Referees separate them and it looks like this one is a no contest.

– Randy Orton comes out to address his loss at Sunday’s SummerSlam. Orton says he’s not happy with how the match ended, and that he’ll cross paths with Lesnar again. The lights cut and Bray Wyatt makes his way out to interrupt. Bray sits at ringside with a mic and mocks Orton for losing. Bray says Orton is just a man, but Wyatt is a God who can never die. Bray says Orton will find out all about him in time. The lights cut and Wyatt disappears.

– Backstage, Shane McMahon says his sister Stephanie probably won’t take Brock Lesnar’s attack on him seriously. He says Stephanie only fined Lesnar $500 for Lesnar’s attack on him at SummerSlam. Shane says the beef between him and Lesnar is far from over.

– Heath Slater is in the locker room trying to recruit Arn Anderson as his tag partner, but Anderson declines. Anderson says he is a tag team specialist, but says even he can’t help Slater. Slater sits down and looks defeated, but then Rhyno taps him on the shoulder and says he’ll be his partner. They shake on it and walk away.

– American Alpha def. Breezango: American Alpha dominates the opening moments of the match with double team moves. Gable works on Breeze until Fandango drops Gable behind the referee’s back to turn the tides. Jordan catches Fandango when he comes off the top rope with a belly to belly overhead suplex, then drops Breeze with another suplex. Jordan climbs the turnbuckle but Breeze superkicks him for a near-fall. Gable takes Fandango to the floor while Jordan and Breeze fight in the ring. Breeze goes for a superkick but Jordan hits another belly to belly suplex, then tags in Gable for the Grand Amplitude for the win. American Alpha advances in the Tag Team Titles tournament.

– Dean Ambrose comes down from the casino in the arena and says he’s going to watch Ziggler vs. Styles tonight.

– AJ Styles def. Dolph Ziggler: Ambrose joins the commentary table at ringside for this one. Ziggler starts off aggressively and controls the opening moments of the match. Ziggler takes AJ to the outside and beats him down around ringside, but back in the ring he misses a splash in the corner and AJ is able to take control. AJ hits a roundhouse kick to the head of Ziggler, then continues working on Dolph with right hands and chops. AJ takes things outside to whip Ziggler into the ring steps, then gets Ziggler in an arm lock back in the ring. Ziggler starts coming back with right hands, then drops AJ with a big dropkick. Dolph hits a splash in the corner, then follows up with a neckbreaker and an elbow drop for a two count. AJ gets Ziggler on his shoulders then spins him around for a backbreaker over his knee. Styles goes to follow up with a springboard 450 splash off the top, but Ziggler rolls out of the way and hits a tornado DDT for a near-fall. Ziggler goes for a superkick but AJ blocks it. Dolph escapes a Styles Clash attempt, then drops AJ with the Zig Zag for another two count. AJ avoids another superkick and then successfully hits the Styles Clash for the win.

– After the match, AJ gets in Dean Ambrose’s face at ringside. AJ knocks Ambrose’s headset off, and Ambrose gets in his face. The referee gets in between them and AJ walks to the back as SmackDown goes off the air.

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