Daniel Bryan made major title related Announcement.
In the wake of Dolph Ziggler oddly laying his United States Title down and walking out on SmackDown LIVE last week, Team Blue General Manager Daniel Bryan kicked off the show to say that he could only assume that Ziggler, who has not returned Bryan’s calls and texts, was relinquishing the title. With that, The “Yes!” Man announced a tournament to crown a new U.S. Champion and revealed that one of tonight’s first-round matches would be Bobby Roode vs. Baron Corbin.
However, before the WWE Universe could bask in the excitement of that revelation, Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable, Rusev & Aiden English and The New Day all made their way out to the ring to petition to be next in line for a SmackDown Tag Team Title opportunity against The Usos. With all three teams making compelling arguments, The “Yes!” Man made another major declaration: The units would square off in a Triple Threat Match, with the winning team getting the next crack inside The Uso Penitentiary … oh, and that match? Yup, you guessed it, it would be next. (Via WWE.com)
However, before the WWE Universe could bask in the excitement of that revelation, Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable, Rusev & Aiden English and The New Day all made their way out to the ring to petition to be next in line for a SmackDown Tag Team Title opportunity against The Usos. With all three teams making compelling arguments, The “Yes!” Man made another major declaration: The units would square off in a Triple Threat Match, with the winning team getting the next crack inside The Uso Penitentiary … oh, and that match? Yup, you guessed it, it would be next. (Via WWE.com)
The Bludgeon Brothers vs. Breezango ended in a no contest.
Here’s a new mystery for The Fashion Police: How the heck do you stop The Bludgeon Brothers?
After being gifted an opportunity at redemption by their “best friends” The Ascension, Tyler Breeze & Fandango had the not-so-pleasant task of attempting to topple Harper & Rowan on Team Blue. Breezango gave it a valiant effort, but they appeared grossly overmatched when Harper & Rowan, who clearly had the match locked up, picked their opponents off the mat before the three-count.
Harper & Rowan continued to bludgeon The Fashion Police, and with no end in sight, The Ascension hit the scene to save their Fashion Files compadres from certain doom, carrying them to the locker room area.
However, Breezango were in for another surprise during a post-match interview when their “best friends” The Ascension volunteered them for yet another rematch against The Bludgeon Brothers next week. (Via WWE.com)
After being gifted an opportunity at redemption by their “best friends” The Ascension, Tyler Breeze & Fandango had the not-so-pleasant task of attempting to topple Harper & Rowan on Team Blue. Breezango gave it a valiant effort, but they appeared grossly overmatched when Harper & Rowan, who clearly had the match locked up, picked their opponents off the mat before the three-count.
Harper & Rowan continued to bludgeon The Fashion Police, and with no end in sight, The Ascension hit the scene to save their Fashion Files compadres from certain doom, carrying them to the locker room area.
However, Breezango were in for another surprise during a post-match interview when their “best friends” The Ascension volunteered them for yet another rematch against The Bludgeon Brothers next week. (Via WWE.com)
Bobby Roode defeated Baron Corbin in a US Championship Tournament first-round match.
It just hasn’t been Baron Corbin’s month.
The former titleholder tried to get back on track in a first-round bout of the United States Championship Tournament against Bobby Roode, but it was to no avail, as The Glorious One prevailed in the hard-hitting contest by defeating Corbin with an amazing, and sudden, rollup. A furious Corbin seethed in the ring after the bell, and Roode celebrated his glorious advancement in the tournament. (Via WWE.com)
The former titleholder tried to get back on track in a first-round bout of the United States Championship Tournament against Bobby Roode, but it was to no avail, as The Glorious One prevailed in the hard-hitting contest by defeating Corbin with an amazing, and sudden, rollup. A furious Corbin seethed in the ring after the bell, and Roode celebrated his glorious advancement in the tournament. (Via WWE.com)
Jinder Mahal defeated Tye Dillinger in a US Championship tournament first-round match.
Jinder Mahal was looking to carve out a new path on Team Blue, while Tye Dillinger was attempting to make a major name for himself on SmackDown LIVE in one night, making this United States Championship Tournament First-Round Match mighty interesting.
Flanked by The Singh Brothers at ringside, The Modern Day Maharaja attempted to use his size and strength advantages over Dillinger to wear him down. However, The Perfect 10 refused to quit, firing back every chance he could on the former WWE Champion. Despite Dillinger’s most diligent efforts, the ring-rattling power of the Khallas was too much for him, and Mahal earned the victory to advance in the tournament. (Via WWE.com)
Flanked by The Singh Brothers at ringside, The Modern Day Maharaja attempted to use his size and strength advantages over Dillinger to wear him down. However, The Perfect 10 refused to quit, firing back every chance he could on the former WWE Champion. Despite Dillinger’s most diligent efforts, the ring-rattling power of the Khallas was too much for him, and Mahal earned the victory to advance in the tournament. (Via WWE.com)
Kevin Owens defeated WWE Champion, AJ Styles.
It’s probably fitting for the last SmackDown LIVE match of 2017 to end in absolute chaos. WWE Champion AJ Styles and Kevin Owens (with Sami Zayn in his corner) threw down in this chaotic main event.
During the match, Styles went to dive onto Owens on the outside the ring, though KO got out of the way, and AJ instead connected with Zayn. With Styles gearing up for the Phenomenal Forearm moments later, Zayn got on the apron to try and prevent AJ’s attack. Styles swung and missed at Zayn, who hopped off the apron, which prompted SmackDown LIVE Commissioner Shane McMahon to hit the scene to get the official to eject Zayn from ringside.
As Shane-O-Mac, Sami and the official had words, Styles caught Owens in a small package that very well could have scored him the victory. However, since the referee was preoccupied with Zayn and Shane, AJ relinquished the small package to try and regain the official’s attention. The distraction left Styles vulnerable, and KO turned the tide by rolling Styles up for the win. After the contest, Owens and Zayn celebrated as The Phenomenal One shot a look to the Commissioner as he exited up the ramp, though Shane appeared to offer an apology to the WWE Champion.
The war is clearly ongoing, but the final battle of 2017 was awarded to Owens & Zayn. (Via WWE.com)
During the match, Styles went to dive onto Owens on the outside the ring, though KO got out of the way, and AJ instead connected with Zayn. With Styles gearing up for the Phenomenal Forearm moments later, Zayn got on the apron to try and prevent AJ’s attack. Styles swung and missed at Zayn, who hopped off the apron, which prompted SmackDown LIVE Commissioner Shane McMahon to hit the scene to get the official to eject Zayn from ringside.
As Shane-O-Mac, Sami and the official had words, Styles caught Owens in a small package that very well could have scored him the victory. However, since the referee was preoccupied with Zayn and Shane, AJ relinquished the small package to try and regain the official’s attention. The distraction left Styles vulnerable, and KO turned the tide by rolling Styles up for the win. After the contest, Owens and Zayn celebrated as The Phenomenal One shot a look to the Commissioner as he exited up the ramp, though Shane appeared to offer an apology to the WWE Champion.
The war is clearly ongoing, but the final battle of 2017 was awarded to Owens & Zayn. (Via WWE.com)
Hideo Itami defeated Gentleman Jack Gallagher by Submission.
On Raw, Hideo Itami defeated former WWE Cruiserweight Champion The Brian Kendrick in a bout that resulted in The Man with a Plan suffering a fractured nose and orbital bone following Itami’s patented Go to Sleep. As a result, Gentleman Jack Gallagher was determined to display his own cruelty and avenge his ally’s defeat and injury by unleashing punishment on the Japanese Superstar.
Showing no fear stepping inside the ring with Itami, Gallagher hoped to rely on his unorthodox style to dominate his opponent. Unfortunately for Gallagher, Itami answered a slap in the face with one of his own before unleashing a flurry of strikes and demanding The British Superstar respect him. Unable to mount an effective offense, Gallagher used the ring apron to trip his opponent and take control of the contest.
Using his technical prowess, Gallagher gained the advantage, taunting the WWE Universe in Chicago as he dished out punishment to Itami. However, the Japanese Superstar managed to recover, once again swinging momentum into his favor with high-impact strikes. Despite Itami regaining the edge in the contest, Gallagher showed off his own resilience, applying The Brian Kendrick’s Captain’s Hook and nearly making Itami tap out.
Unfortunately for Gallagher, the flurry was short-lived, as Itami struck back and locked in the Rings of Saturn for the tapout victory. (Via WWE.com)
Showing no fear stepping inside the ring with Itami, Gallagher hoped to rely on his unorthodox style to dominate his opponent. Unfortunately for Gallagher, Itami answered a slap in the face with one of his own before unleashing a flurry of strikes and demanding The British Superstar respect him. Unable to mount an effective offense, Gallagher used the ring apron to trip his opponent and take control of the contest.
Using his technical prowess, Gallagher gained the advantage, taunting the WWE Universe in Chicago as he dished out punishment to Itami. However, the Japanese Superstar managed to recover, once again swinging momentum into his favor with high-impact strikes. Despite Itami regaining the edge in the contest, Gallagher showed off his own resilience, applying The Brian Kendrick’s Captain’s Hook and nearly making Itami tap out.
Unfortunately for Gallagher, the flurry was short-lived, as Itami struck back and locked in the Rings of Saturn for the tapout victory. (Via WWE.com)
Tony Nese defeated Akira Tozawa.
After being taught a lesson by Zo Train leader Enzo Amore two weeks ago, Tony Nese made it clear he was upset with his Zo Train colleagues, but that he also understood the impact The Certified G has had on his career. Questioned by Akira Tozawa about whether he was still on The Zo Train before their match, The Premier Athlete responded by punching his opponent.
As a result, as soon as the opening bell sounded, Tozawa charged after Nese and unleashed a flurry of strikes. The Premier Athlete recovered, and the two Superstars began to brawl back and forth. Focusing his frustration into his power and speed, The Premier Athlete kept Tozawa on the defensive and didn’t let the WWE Universe’s “Ah” chants deter his focus.
Seizing an opportunity put the match away, Tozawa ascended the ropes to prepare for his patented Senton, but Nese countered, knocking his opponent off the ropes and immediately executing his Running Knee Strike for the victory. (Via WWE.com)
As a result, as soon as the opening bell sounded, Tozawa charged after Nese and unleashed a flurry of strikes. The Premier Athlete recovered, and the two Superstars began to brawl back and forth. Focusing his frustration into his power and speed, The Premier Athlete kept Tozawa on the defensive and didn’t let the WWE Universe’s “Ah” chants deter his focus.
Seizing an opportunity put the match away, Tozawa ascended the ropes to prepare for his patented Senton, but Nese countered, knocking his opponent off the ropes and immediately executing his Running Knee Strike for the victory. (Via WWE.com)
Cedric Alexander & Mustafa Ali defeated Drew Gulak & Ariya Davari.
While Tony Nese’s allegiance to The Zo Train was up in the air, Ariya Daivari and Drew Gulak were certainly still members of the group led by The Certified G and prepared for a year-in-review PowerPoint Presentation. However, the presentation was once again interrupted, this time by Cedric Alexander and his tag team partner, Chicago-native Mustafa Ali. Making their way to the ring, Alexander and Ali began to dissect the allegiance between The Persian Lion and Gulak and ultimately, The Zo Train. The duo then questioned if, given the choice, would Enzo choose his compatriots or Nia Jax?
Despite their opponents attempting to drive a wedge between them before the match, Gulak and Daivari managed to show off an impressive display of teamwork, keeping their opponents on the defensive. Being attacked both in and out of the ring, the situation appeared dire for Alexander and Ali, but The Realest Champ in the Room’s resilient challenger mustered the strength to tag in the hometown Superstar, who regained control of the contest with the support of the WWE Universe.
Managing to stop Ali’s offense for a moment, The Persian Lion prepared to execute a high-risk maneuver from the top rope. This drew the ire of his partner, who demanded Daivari come down because of the “No-Fly Zone” rule of Gulak’s plan for a better WWE 205 Live.
As The Zo Train members argued, Alexander took down Gulak with a Lumbar Check, allowing Ali to knock Daivari off the top rope and execute the 054 for the win. (Via WWE.com)
Despite their opponents attempting to drive a wedge between them before the match, Gulak and Daivari managed to show off an impressive display of teamwork, keeping their opponents on the defensive. Being attacked both in and out of the ring, the situation appeared dire for Alexander and Ali, but The Realest Champ in the Room’s resilient challenger mustered the strength to tag in the hometown Superstar, who regained control of the contest with the support of the WWE Universe.
Managing to stop Ali’s offense for a moment, The Persian Lion prepared to execute a high-risk maneuver from the top rope. This drew the ire of his partner, who demanded Daivari come down because of the “No-Fly Zone” rule of Gulak’s plan for a better WWE 205 Live.
As The Zo Train members argued, Alexander took down Gulak with a Lumbar Check, allowing Ali to knock Daivari off the top rope and execute the 054 for the win. (Via WWE.com)