WWE & IC Championship Matches Announced For SmackDown

WWE Champion AJ Styles has been cleared for action as WWE just announced Styles vs. James Ellsworth for tonight’s SmackDown opener. WWE has also announced that The Miz will defend the Intercontinental Championship against Apollo Crews tonight.

BREAKING: @realellsworth gets a @WWE Title match vs. @AJStylesOrg TONIGHT to kick off #SDLive, and that's not all! https://t.co/om2Msb63Ax pic.twitter.com/enYUuxc3Jy

— WWE (@WWE) December 20, 2016

With those matches set, here’s what’s on tap for tonight’s SmackDown Live:

• WWE Champion AJ Styles vs. Ellsworth
• Intercontinental Champion The Miz vs. Apollo Crews
• Luke Harper vs. Dean Ambrose
• Wild Card Triple Threat To Determine #1 Contenders To The SmackDown Tag Team Titles: Konnor vs. Heath Slater vs. Tyler Breeze

Join us here later tonight for our SmackDown Live Results & Discussion.

Update: WWE posted this backstage video of James Ellsworth reacting to the news that he’ll be getting a shot at the WWE Championship later tonight.

EXCLUSIVE: Is @realellsworth PREPARED for his @WWE Championship match against @AJStylesOrg TONIGHT on #SDLive?! pic.twitter.com/DliU8nWUsm

— WWE (@WWE) December 20, 2016