WWE Backlash Recap #WWEBacklash

By Brandon Albright, @B_Rock1978

We have returned to the Windy City for night number two of the WWE's two night extravaganza in Chicago, Illinois. WWE Backlash, was live at the Allstate Arena on the WWE Network. NXT set things up with yet another incredible show on Saturday night. Can WWE deliver on their half with Smackdown Live's roster looking to grab the spotlight.

** WWE Backlash Card **

- WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton defended his title against Jinder Mahal.
- WWE United States Champion Kevin Owens defended his title against AJ Styles.
- WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Champions The Usos defended their titles against Breezango.
- Shinsuke Nakamura made his Smackdown Live wrestling debut battling Dolph Ziggler.
- Charlotte, Becky Lynch and WWE Smackdown Live Women's Champion Naomi battled Carmella, Nattie Neidhart and Tamina in a Six Woman Tag Team Match.
- Baron Corbin battled Sami Zayn.
- Luke Harper battled Erick Rowan.
- Tye Dillinger battled Aiden English.

** WWE Backlash Pre-Show **

- Tye Dillinger vs. Aiden English: The match closes out with Dillinger hitting ten corner punches on English. English escapes to the floor and gets Dillinger to follow him, allowing English to toss Dillinger outside. English goes to the top rope, but gets tossed off by Dillinger. Dillinger misses a top rope splash then gets sent into the mat by English for a near fall. English gets frustrated and starts talking trash to Dillinger. English slams Dillinger then goes to the top rope. English misses the aerial move and then misses again charging at Dillinger. Dillinger hits the Tye Breaker on English and scores the pinfall.
Winner: Tye Dillinger, by pinfall.

** WWE Backlash **

- Dolph Ziggler vs. Shinsuke Nakamura: The match closes out with Ziggler getting a near fall Zig Zag. Ziggler and Nakamura trade counters until Nakamura hits a knee and a kick to the head on Ziggler. Ziggler counters an Exploder suplex and plants a super kick on Nakamura, getting a near fall. Ziggler and Nakamura trade offensive moves until Nakamura plants a knee to the face of Ziggler. Nakamura attempts a Kinshasa off the ropes, but Ziggler moves. Nakamura dodges a Ziggler super kick and hits an inverted Exploder suplex. Nakamura delivers the Kinshasa on Ziggler and scores the pinfall.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura, by pinfall.

- "WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Championship Match: The Usos (c) vs. Breezango: The match closes out with Fandango landing a kick on Key for a near fall. Jey misses a corner splash allowing Fandango to get a near fall DDT. Breeze and Fandango double team Jey until he fights back and tags in Jimmy. The Usos double team Breeze and catch a near fall. Breeze and Jey trade offense until Breeze hits an Unprettier for a near fall. Breeze leaps off the apron onto The Usos, but gets dumped over the barricade. Fandango flies off the apron and takes out The Usos next. Back in the ring, Fandango gets shoved off the top rope by Jey, allowing Jimmy to hit the Uso Kick for the pinfall.
Winners: The Usos, by pinfall, to retain the WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Championship.

- Baron Corbin vs. Sami Zayn: The match closes out with Zayn blocking a superplex off the ropes and hits Corbin with a sunset flip power bomb for a near fall. Corbin blocks a corner DDT by Zayn. Corbin then blocks an Exploder suplex attempt by Zayn next. Zayn rolls up Corbin and gets a near fall. Corbin catches Zayn and drills him with Deep Six for a near fall. Corbin unloads stomps on Zayn and then unloads forearms. The referee warns Corbin as he begins to land more stomps on Zayn. Corbin charges, but Zayn tosses Corbin out to the floor. Corbin gets back into the ring and eats a kick by Zayn. Zayn hits the Helluva Kick on Corbin and scores the pinfall.
Winner: Sami Zayn, by pinfall.

- Backstage, Jinder Mahal and The Singh Brothers arrive. Mahal mocks Chicago, says he'll take the fans hatred for him and make it a positive and he's going to make everyone across the world understand what the 1.3 billion people of India already know, that Mahal is the modern day Maharaja.

- "Six Woman Tag Team Match": Naomi, Charlotte and Becky Lynch vs. Carmella, Tamina and Nattie Neidhart: The match closes out with Naomi hot tagging Becky. Becky unloads on all three members of the Welcoming Committee. Becky hits uppercuts and the Bexploder suplex on Nattie for a near fall. Tamina tries to knock Becky off the top rope, but gets sent flying off the apron. Nattie takes control of Becky and attempts the Sharpshooter submission. Becky counters and locks Nattie in the DisArmHer submission. Carmella breaks up the submission, but gets tossed outside by Charlotte. Tamina plants a super kick on Charlotte then hits a head butt on Naomi. Becky and Nattie trade offense until Becky drops Tamima, as she tries to interfere again. Nattie drops Becky, locks in the Sharpshooter submission and makes Becky tap out. 
Winners: Carmella, Nattie Neidhart and Tamina, by submission.

- "WWE United States Championship Match": Kevin Owens (c) vs. AJ Styles: The match closes out with Styles failing on a Phenomenal Forearm attempt as his leg that Owens worked on in the match goes out. Owens gets a near fall, kicks Styles around and talks trash. Styles catches Owens right in the face with a Pele Kick as Owens talked trash. Styles goes to the corner, but Owens attacks and takes Styles down with a suplex for a near fall. Owens climbs the ropes, but Styles rolls onto the apron. Styles counters Owens and suplexes him on the apron, sending himself and Owens to the floor. Owens tosses Styles into the timekeepers area, but Styles flies back and nails a forearm. Styles grabs Owens and attempts the Styles Clash right on the announcers table. Owens counters by grabbing Styles' leg and trapping it in between a gap in the table. Styles is trapped as Owens rolls back into the ring and wins by countout. After the match, Owens drills Styles with a super kick to the head while he's still trapped in the table, as he leaves ringside.
Winner: Kevin Owens, by countout.

- Erick Rowan vs. Luke Harper: The match closes out with Harper hitting a tilt a whirl slam for a near fall. Rowan hits a spin kick and then a power bomb on Harper for a near fall. Rowan unloads on Harper, but Harper comes back and gets another near fall. Rowan and Harper trade shots back and forth, Harper unloads chops and then Rowan lands a gut shot on Rowan. Harper counters a power bomb and tosses Rowan across the ring. Harper hits a super kick on Rowan. Rowan looks to his sheep mask for motivation. Harper hits the Harper Lariat and scores the pinfall.
Winner: Luke Harper, by pinfall.

- "WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match": Randy Orton (c) vs. Jinder Mahal: The match closes out with Orton hitting the hanging DDT and measures up for the RKO. Mahal rolls outside where the Singh Brothers are. Orton heads outside and goes after Mahal from behind. Orton lands a slap and a kick on both Singh Brothers. Orton tosses one Singh Brother into the barricade and the other into the apron. Mahal attacks Orton from behind and tosses Orton back into the ring. Orton pops up and hits the RKO outta nowhere on Mahal. The Singh Brothers grab Mahal and pull him out of the ring before Orton can make the cover. Orton attacks the Singh Brothers again, tosses one over the announcers table and the other on top of the announcers table. Orton drags both Singh Brothers into the ring and drills them both with draping DDT's. Mahal grabs Orton from behind, hits the Cobra Clutch Slam and scores the upset pinfall to win the title.
Winner: Jinder Mahal, by pinfall, to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

Wrestling Lockup With Brandon 4/26/17: Smackdown Live Des Moines Recap

By Brandon Albright, @B_Rock1978

Remember the old WWE slogan...."Where Anything Can Happen"? Well that is exactly what's going on over on Smackdown Live. The current #1 Contender to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship is Jinder Mahal.....let that sink in a minute.....Jinder Mahal! The same Jinder Mahal that was jobbing with Heath Slater and Drew McIntyre in 3MB a few years back. What would this week's Smackdown Live have in store for us live in Des Moines, Iowa.

** This Weeks Card **
- AJ Styles battled Baron Corbin. 
- American Alpha battled The Shining Stars in a Beat The Clock Challenge Match to determine a new #1 Contender to the WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Championship.
- WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton battled Erick Rowan in a non title No DQ Match.
- Breezango battled The Ascension in a Beat The Clock Challenge Match to determine a new #1 Contender to the WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Championship.
- WWE Smackdown Live Women's Champion Naomi defended her title against Charlotte.

- Promos By: Shinsuke Nakamura, WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton and a video promo from Rusev.

** Smackdown Live **

- Shinsuke Nakamura Promo: Before Nakamura can talk Dolph Ziggler interrupts and heads to the ring. Ziggler says most of us don't know Japanese so he'll translate for us. Ziggler says that Nakamura looks up to Ziggler, thinks his dance moves are stupid and is feeling really intimidated right now being close to his idol, Dolph Ziggler. Ziggler says Nakamura's real name is Michael and he grew up poor in Indiana. Ziggler continues the story making Nakamura out to be Michael Jackson. Nakamura grabs the microphone, asks Ziggler if he has a problem and then mocks Ziggler in Japanese. Ziggler lands a cheap shot on Nakamura and then goes for the super kick. Nakamura counters it and goes for the Kinshasa, but Ziggler escapes out of the ring.

- AJ Styles vs. Baron Corbin: Kevin Owens is at the commentary table for this match. The match closes out with Corbin dropping Styles and then sending him into the corner. Styles plants a boot on a charging Corbin. Styles goes for a springboard, but Owens talks trash to Styles. Styles has to back off and land on his feet when he attempted the Phenomenal Forearm due to the distraction. Corbin goes for a power bomb, but Styles counters and scores a roll up pinfall. After the match, Owens helps Corbin double team Styles. Sami Zayn hits the ring and sends Corbin into the ring post. Zayn drops Owens and then hits the Helluva Kick on Corbin. Owens attacks Zayn from behind and then plants Styles with the Pop Up Power Bomb. Owens stands tall with his WWE United States Championship in hand.
Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall.

- Backstage, Charlotte says she dominated RAW and needed a new place to dominate. Tonight she'll show Naomi that she's the greatest of all time when she takes her WWE Smackdown Live Women's Championship.

- "Beat The Clock Challenge Match": American Alpha vs. The Colons: The match closes out with Primo planting Gable with a power slam and hits a leg drop for a near fall. Primo lands a cheap shot on Jordan and Primo and Epico go for a double team Back Stabber on Gable. Jordan makes the save and he and Gable hit Grand Amplitude on Primo to score the pinfall. The time to beat is 5:17.
Winners: American Alpha, by pinfall.

- Rusev Video Promo: Rusev says he hates that he was drafted to Smackdown Live and the only way he'll come work for Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan is if he gets a WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match at WWE Money In The Bank in June.

- Backstage, Tamina Snuka, Nattie Neidhart, Carmella and James Ellsworth try to intimidate Becky Lynch to join their new stable.

- "No DQ Match": Randy Orton vs. Erick Rowan: The match closes out with Orton hitting the draping DDT on Rowan. Rowan counters the RKO, plants Orton then tosses him out of the ring. Rowan grabs the steel steps and smacks Orton in the side of the face with them. Rowan tosses Orton back into the ring and then grabs a steel chair. Rowan wedges the chair in the corner and sends Orton towards it. Orton counters, tosses Rowan head first into the chair and then hits the RKO to score the pinfall.
Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall.

- Randy Orton Promo: Orton still has no clue what a House of Horrors Match is, but Bray Wyatt will be sent to his eternal hell by Orton at WWE Payback. Jinder Mahal interrupts and feels disrespected that Orton is thinking about Bray Wyatt and not Jinder Mahal being his next challenger. Mahal says he has more wealth, talent, class and culture and feels disrespected by Orton for looking different. Mahal says he will win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, take the title home to Punjabi and be given respect. Mahal tries to attack Orton, but Orton counters the attack and goes for the draping DDT. The Singh Brothers hit the ring and grab Orton. Mahal plants Orton with the Cobra Clutch Slam and leaves Orton laid out. Mahal and the Singh Brothers leave in possession of Orton's WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

- Backstage, Jinder Mahal and The Singh Brothers drive away in an SUV, Mahal still has the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

- "Beat The Clock Challenge Match": The Ascension vs. Breezango: The match closes out with Fandango unloading on Viktor, but gets distracted by Konnor and then hit with a knee by Viktor for a near fall. Breezango regain control of the match after being double teamed and score the pinfall in 2:36 to win the Beat The Clock Challenge and become #1 Contenders.
Winners: Breezango, by pinfall, to become the new #1 Contenders.

- Backstage, Naomi respects Charlotte, but hates her trash talking. Naomi says she'll prove why she's the champion and make Charlotte feel the glow.

- "WWE Smackdown Live Women's Championship Match": Naomi (c) vs. Charlotte: The match closes out with Naomi landing a kick on Charlotte for a near fall. Naomi hits the Rear View on Charlotte and gets another near fall. Charlotte catches Naomi in mid air and hits a sit down power bomb for a near fall. Charlotte attempts a moonsault off the top rope, but Naomi blocks it with her knees. Carmella, Tamina Snuka and Nattie Neidhart suddenly hit the ring and attack Charlotte, causing a DQ. After the match, Naomi and Charlotte both get beat down by the trio of girls and are left laid out to end the show.
Winner: Charlotte, by DQ.

Wrestling Lockup with Brandon 3/22/17: Smackdown Live Uncasville Recap

By Brandon Albright, @B_Rock1978

Wrestling Lockup with Brandon, brought to you by Triple Threat CLE, brings you the Smackdown Live Recap for the week.

This week Smackdown Live was live in Uncasville, Connecticut. The AJ Styles and Shane McMahon feud continues heading into Wrestlemania 33. WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Champions American Alpha defended their titles against The Usos. The Miz and Maryse presented Total Bellas Bull****, a parody show making fun of John Cena and Nikki Bella's Total Bellas Show. Baron Corbin battled #1 Contender Randy Orton in a one on one match. John Cena battled Fandango in a one on one match. Becky Lynch battled Carmella in one on one Women's Division action.

** Smackdown Live **

- Backstage, Daniel Bryan gets interrupted by AJ Styles. Styles asks where Shane McMahon is. Bryan says if it was up to him Styles would still be fired. Bryan then informs Styles that Shane is on his way to the arena tonight. Styles says he's going to attack Shane again when he arrives.

- AJ Styles Promo: Styles talks about attacking Shane McMahon last week and accepts Shane's challenge to a Wrestlemania 33 match. Styles says that if you thought his attack on Shane was bad last week, tonight will be phenomenally worse.

- Backstage, Daniel Bryan is on the phone with Shane McMahon. Bryan warns Shane of AJ Styles' intentions. Shane says not to worry, he has a plan. Baron Corbin interrupts and is wondering if Dean Ambrose accepted his Wrestlemania 33 challenge. Bryan says Ambrose hasn't been seen in two weeks and then books Corbin in a match tonight against Randy Orton.

- "WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Championship Match": American Alpha (c) vs. The Usos: The match closes out with Jordan stopping double Uso Splashes and then Jordan and Gable hit Grand Amplitude on Jey. Jimmy stops the pinfall, but gets planted with a Jordan belly to belly on the floor. Jey sends Jordan off the apron as Gable hits a moonsault. Gable gets clotheslined over the barricade as Jordan tries to take control and help Gable. Back in the ring, Jordan gets double teamed and then ends up eating an Uso Kick. The Usos score the pinfall and walk out the new tag team champions. 
Winners: The Usos, by pinfall, to win the WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Championship.

- Backstage, Luke Harper claims that Randy Orton opened Pandora's Box when he burned Sister Abigail's bones. Harper plans on facing and destroying WWE World Heavyweight Champion Bray Wyatt next week.

- Total Bellas Bull****: Maryse is dressed as the Bellas and mocks their "Brie Mode" and "Fearless" sayings. The Miz shows up dressed as John Cena and reminds "Nikki" of the John Cena Rules of the house she's broken and fakes her out on marriage proposals.

- Baron Corbin vs. Randy Orton: The match closes out with Orton hitting the draping DDT and goes for the RKO. Corbin blocks and hits Deep Six for a near fall. Dean Ambrose suddenly arrives on a forklift and distracts Corbin. Orton hits the RKO and scores the pinfall. After the match, Ambrose hits Dirty Deeds on Corbin and then accepts Corbin's Wrestlemania 33 challenge.
Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall.

- Backstage, Randy Orton talks Bray Wyatt when the lights begin to flicker. An army of Wyatt followers in sheep masks attack and beat down Orton. Bray Wyatt appears and tells Orton that destroying Sister Abigail has made Bray stronger than he's ever imagined. Bray sings "Whole World In His Hands" as The Wyatt Followers hold Orton down.

- Fandango vs. John Cena: The match closes out with Cena dropping the Five Knuckle Shuffle when Tyler Breeze, who's dressed in drag as Nikki Bella tries to attack Cena. Nikki Bella makes the save and spears Breeze. Cena hits the AA on Fandango as Nikki hits Rack Attack on Breeze. Cena locks Fandango in the STF submission as Nikki locks Breeze in the Fearless STF submission. Both Fandango and Breeze tap out together.
Winner: John Cena, by submission.

- Becky Lynch vs. Carmella: The match closes out with both James Ellsworth and Nattie Neidhart getting involved and getting Carmella DQ'ed. After the match, Nattie drops Becky and unloads. Mickie James and Alexa Bliss hit the ring next and a brawl breaks out. Becky flies off the top rope and takes out Ellsworth after Carmella shoved him into the line of fire. Mickie hits a Mick Kick and then Alexa drops Mickie.
Winner: Becky Lynch, by DQ.

- Total Bellas Bull****: We return to The Miz and Maryse's Total Bellas parody show. The Miz dressed as John Cena and Maryse dressed as Nikki Bella give us a tour of their house. "Cena" gives us the rules of the house, yells at "Nikki" for trying to use him to get a WWE Smackdown Live Women's Championship victory while they are on camera and fakes out "Nikki" with more marriage proposals.

- Backstage, a limo pulls into the garage and the door opens. AJ Styles goes to attack, but stops as its Rhyno and Heath Slater who emerge from the limo.

- Shane McMahon Promo: While AJ Styles is waiting for Shane McMahon to arrive, Shane has already snuck into the arena and heads to the ring. Shane says that Styles could've come to Shane and talked to him like a man, but he chose to attack him and made the problem worse. Shane says Styles is waiting for him...well here he is. Shane calls out Styles as Styles is informed in the parking garage that Shane is already here and calling Styles out. Styles hesitates before he makes the walk to the ring. Styles heads to the ring and says that he wants to apologize to Shane and Shane isn't anything like the rest of the McMahon family. Shane immediately attacks and unloads punches on Styles, sending him falling to the floor.

Styles grabs Shane outside and suplexes Shane into the barricade. Styles takes apart the announcers table, but then gets back body dropped on the floor by Shane. Shane hits Styles with a tv monitor then lays Styles on the announcers table. Shane goes to the top rope and hits the leaping elbow all the way to the announcers table and puts himself and Styles through the table. Shane finally gets back to his feet, looks down at an unconscious Styles and then points to the Wrestlemania banner to end Smackdown Live.

Wrestling Lockup with Brandon 1/4/17: Smackdown Live Jacksonville Recap

By Brandon Albright, @B_Rock1978

Wrestling Lockup with Brandon, brought to you by Triple Threat CLE, brings you the Smackdown Live Recap for the week.

This week Smackdown Live was live in Jacksonville, Florida. WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz continues to try to get an apology out of Dean Ambrose's girlfriend Renee Young. Dolph Ziggler battled Baron Corbin in one on one action. Becky Lynch battled La Luchadora in one on one Women's Division action. WWE World Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles and John Cena have a contract signing for their WWE Royal Rumble Match. Carmella battled NXT up and comer Aliyah in Women's Division action. WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Champions American Alpha battled Breezago in a non title tag team match. Nikki Bella calls out Nattie Neidhart to discuss their current issues. WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz defended his title against Dean Ambrose in the main event.

** Smackdown Live **

- The Miz Promo: The Miz brags about being the WWE Intercontinental Champion and says he's the reason Smackdown Live beat RAW in the ratings last week. Miz says he made one New Year's Resolution and that was to be more forgiving. Miz calls out Renee Young so she can apologize for slapping Miz two weeks ago. Renee doesn't come out so Miz begins to mock Dean Ambrose which makes Ambrose hit the ring. Miz escapes to the apron as Maryse stands up to Ambrose and slaps Ambrose in the face. Maryse and Miz leave and retreat up the ramp. Ambrose says Maryse hits harder than Miz and he'll see Miz later tonight.

- Baron Corbin vs. Dolph Ziggler: The match closes out with Corbin blocking a Fameasser and hitting a clothesline on Ziggler for a near fall. Ziggler hits the Fameasser on the second attempt, after Corbin goes into the turnbuckle and gets a near fall. Ziggler gets a near fall on Corbin with the Zig Zag. Corbin comes back, hits End of Days and scores the pinfall. After the match, Corbin grabs a steel chair, but Kalisto hits the ring. Kalisto makes the save and chases off Corbin. Ziggler suddenly turns on Kalisto and drops him with a super kick. Ziggler says he doesn't need Kalisto or anyone else and storms out of the ring.
Winner: Baron Corbin, by pinfall.

- Backstage, James Ellsworth thanks Carmella for her kindness towards him and wishes her good luck in her match. Ellsworth gives Carmella his shirt, Carmella looks disgusted, but changes her tune and offers Ellsworth the opportunity to walk her to the ring.

- Backstage, Dolph Ziggler is destroying his locker room as Apollo Crews tries to calm him down. Ziggler attacks Crews and they brawl. Heath Slater and Rhyno arrive and separate both men.

- Becky Lynch vs. La Luchadora: The match closes out with Becky hitting an exploder suplex sending Luchadora outside. Luchadora climbs under the ring, out the other side and attacks Becky from behind.  Luchadora hits an STO then goes to the top rope. Becky dodges a moonsault and makes Luchadora tap out to the Dis Arm Her submission. After the match, Becky unmasks Luchadora and reveals Alexa Bliss. The original La Luchadora attacks Becky from behind. Alexa lays out Becky with a DDT.
Winner: Becky Lynch, by submission.

- AJ Styles vs. John Cena WWE World Heavyweight Championship Contract Signing For The Royal Rumble: Daniel Bryan is in the ring to present the contract. Styles doesn't understand how John Cena comes back and is automatically given a title shot. Bryan says Smackdown Live won the ratings war last week, they need to continue the momentum and Styles vs. Cena will deliver. Styles accuses Cena of getting a title shot because he's literally Bryan's brother in law. Styles takes credit for the ratings win and says Cena doesn't belong here anymore. Styles signs the contract and says Cena will never be as good as Styles or even The Rock. Cena says Styles knows nothing about being a man, admits he needs to beat Styles to prove he can still go, has lost all respect for Styles and thinks Styles is a little punk bitch.

Cena says he's going to make Styles look stupid, he still has passion for the business and he, Styles and the fans need this match. Cena tells Styles to bring his family, friends and his A game to the Royal Rumble because Styles will still get his ass beat. Cena signs the contract and suddenly Baron Corbin interrupts. Corbin says he's entering the Royal Rumble Match and will win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestlemania 33. Cena and Corbin go face to face and then Styles attacks Cena from behind. Cena gets laid out and Corbin says that maybe Styles is right, Cena's time is up.

- Backstage, Maryse confronts Renee Young and slaps her in the face. Maryse says that was for her husband The Miz and Renee better not touch him again.

- Carmella vs. Aliyah: The match closes out with Aliyah in control of Carmella, but James Ellsworth distracts Aliyah. Carmella drops Aliyah with a super kick to score the pinfall.
Winner: Carmella, by pinfall.

- American Alpha vs. Breezango: The match closes out with Gable getting a fashion ticket from Breeze. American Alpha double team and squash Breeze with Grand Amplitude to score the pinfall. After the match, the lights flicker and The Wyatt Family appear on the TitanTron. The Wyatts say that nothing lasts forever, reality will set in soon and next week The Wyatt Family reclaim their tag team titles.
Winners: American Alpha, by pinfall.

- Nikki Bella Promo: Nikki calls out Nattie Neidhart to discuss their current problems. Nikki says that Nattie is using the Hart Family name to try to make something of herself. Nattie mentions her uncle Bret Hart tweeting about how great Nikki Bella is, wonders what Nikki did to get him to say that and Nattie says she's better than Bret ever was. Nattie says when Nikki losses her looks John Cena will dump her and she'll die alone. Nikki finally heard enough and lays out Nattie with a knockout punch. 

- Backstage, Dean Ambrose is asked if he seen Maryse slap his girlfriend Renee Young earlier. Ambrose says he's taking Miz's most prized possession from him tonight, the WWE Intercontinental Championship.

- "WWE Intercontinental Championship Match": The Miz (c) vs. Dean Ambrose: The match closes out with Maryse getting in Ambrose's face, talking trash and then slapping Ambrose. The referee goes to call the DQ, but Ambrose begs him not to, so the referee ejects Maryse instead. Maryse has a temper tantrum, distracting the referee as Miz hits Ambrose from behind with the IC title. Miz covers, but Ambrose kicks out at two and a half. Miz goes for the Skull Crushing Finale, but Ambrose counters and lays out Miz with Dirty Deeds. Ambrose covers, scores the pinfall and wins the title.
Winner: Dean Ambrose, by pinfall, to win the WWE Intercontinental Championship.

Wrestling Lockup with Brandon 12.21.16: Smackdown Live Detroit Recap

By Brandon Albright, @B_Rock1978

Wrestling Lockup with Brandon, brought to you by Triple Threat CLE, brings you the Smackdown Live Recap for the week.

This week Smackdown Live was live in Detroit, Michigan. Smackdown Live kicked off with AJ Styles defending the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against James Ellsworth. The Miz defended the WWE Intercontinental Championship against Apollo Crews. We finally get to the bottom of who attacked Nikki Bella at WWE Survivor Series. Dean Ambrose battled Luke Harper of The Wyatt Family in a one on one match. WWE Smackdown Live Women's Champion Alexa Bliss battled La Luchadora in a non title match. Curt Hawkins battled Mojo Rawley in one on one action. The main event saw Dolph Ziggler putting his #1 Contendership on the line against Baron Corbin.

** Smackdown Live **

- "WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match": AJ Styles (c ) vs. James Ellsworth: Styles annihilates Ellsworth, blocks a No Chin Music attempt and scores the easy pinfall to retain the title. After the match, Styles throws Ellsworth outside, hits a back breaker on the announcers table, rips off Ellsworth's shirt, hits a forearm, sends Ellsworth into the steel steps then into the apron. Styles finally finishes Ellsworth off by suplexing him into the barricade.
Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall.

- AJ Styles Promo: Styles says he has no remorse for what he just did and now James Ellsworth can go back to the Island of Misfit Toys. Dolph Ziggler interrupts, congratulates Styles and reminds Styles that Ziggler is the new #1 Contender. Styles says facing Ziggler will be a cake walk, but Ziggler reminds Styles it took him 4 times to finally beat Ellsworth and Ziggler is always willing to put it all on the line. Baron Corbin interrupts and wants to know how many chances does Ziggler get and knows Ziggler will just lose again as always. Corbin is sick of Ziggler stealing opportunities and then wasting them. Corbin swings and connects on Ziggler, but Ziggler comes back with a series of punches of his own. Corbin lays out Ziggler with End of Days to end the segment.

- Backstage, Daniel Bryan informs Dolph Ziggler that he'll face Baron Corbin later. If Ziggler loses to Corbin then Ziggler must forfeit his #1 Contendership.

- "WWE Intercontinental Championship Match": The Miz (c) vs. Apollo Crews: The match closes out with Miz countering a back body drop and rakes Crews in the eyes. Miz hits the Skull Crushing Finale and scores the pinfall to retain the title. After the match, Renee Young asks Miz about his obsession with Dean Ambrose unlike Renee who's sleeping with Ambrose. Renee slaps Miz in the face before Miz leaves the ring.
Winner: The Miz, by pinfall, to retain the WWE Intercontinental Championship.

- Nattie Neidhart Promo: Nattie says she's sick of the rumors and wants to talk to Nikki Bella. Nikki comes out and so does Carmella, as she wants to see how Nattie gets out of this, because she knows Nattie attacked Nikki at WWE Survivor Series. Carmella says she remembers a time when Nattie said Nikki was taking her spotlight and no one cared about the Bella Twins outside of the WWE. Nikki asks Nattie if she attacked her, but Nattie attacks Carmella and tosses her into the christmas tree decorations at ringside. Nattie finally admits that she attacked Nikki, calls Nikki a bitch, Nattie has always hated Nikki and Nattie reminds us she's a Hart, who are wrestling royalty. Nattie ends her rant by stating that Nikki is nothing, she's sick of Nikki's magazine covers, Total Divas spin off, her red carpet appearances and Nattie's cat has more charisma than Nikki and that's why John Cena won't marry Nikki.

- Backstage, Daniel Bryan asks Alexa Bliss how she's doing with her leg injury. Alexa says it still hurts and wants to know what Bryan is going to do about Becky Lynch. Bryan says Becky Lynch will face Alexa next week for the WWE Smackdown Live Women's Championship and Bryan already got Alexa's doctor to okay the match. If Alexa chooses not to wrestle than she will be stripped of the title.

- Dean Ambrose vs. Luke Harper: The match closes out with Ambrose countering the Harper Lariat and Harper countering Dirty Deeds. Ambrose inside cradles Harper and scores the pinfall. After the match, Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton attack Ambrose. Bray tosses Ambrose at Orton, who hits an RKO on Ambrose. The Wyatt Family poses as The Miz hits the ring. Ambrose gets back to his feet and is dropped immediately by Miz with Ambrose's own Dirty Deeds finisher.
Winner: Dean Ambrose, by pinfall.

- Alexa Bliss vs. La Luchadora: The match closes out with Alexa unloading strikes on Luchadora. Luchadora hits a forearm and then traps Alexa in a Dis-Arm-Her submission, forcing Alexa to tap out. After the match, La Luchadora unmasks and reveals herself to be Becky Lynch.
Winner: La Luchadora, by submission.

- Curt Hawkins vs. Mojo Rawley: The match closes out with Mojo blocking the Uranage Slam and unloads on Hawkins with a back body drop, a series of shoulder tackles, a clothesline, a stinger splash and a running shoulder tackle. Mojo finishes Hawkins off for the pinfall with a running forearm.
Winner: Mojo Rawley, by pinfall.

- "Ziggler's #1 Contendership On The Line": Dolph Ziggler vs. Baron Corbin: AJ Styles was on commentary for this match. The match closes out with Corbin and Ziggler brawling on the floor. Corbin tosses Ziggler into the barricade. Corbin then tosses Ziggler into Styles. Ziggler hits a super kick on Corbin as both Ziggler and Corbin get counted out. After the match, Styles grabs a steel chair and unloads chair shots on both Ziggler and Corbin. Daniel Bryan arrives and announces that next week AJ Styles will defend the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against both Ziggler and Corbin in a Triple Threat Match.
Winner: Double Countout