Smackdown Live Review 08/23/2016

Summerslam has come and gone. Ambrose retained against Ziggler, AJ Styles defeated John Cena clean in a pitch perfect match, Randy Orton got absolutely murdered (Not really, don’t google that) and Nikki Bella came back as a part of the Smackdown roster, and earlier today Daniel Bryan tweeted out we are going to have two new Smackdown titles, how will this play out on this week’s Smackdown Live? Let’s find out!

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Smackdown Live comes to you from Uncasville, Connecticut at the Mohegan Sun Arena and live at the USA Network and Fox Sports in Latin America.

The show starts with Baron Corbin, Apollo Crews, Erick Rowan and Rhyno talking backstage with Dolph Ziggler sitted down depressed in a corner. AJ Styles walks in and starts bragging about beating John Cena, calling himself the new “face that runs the place” and putting on a Cena headband. He then starts making fun of Ziggler and eventually Ziggler snaps and attacks him. A little brawl breaks out.

The usual Smackdown opening video plays.

As the show properly starts, there is a new set for this week’s Smackdown, and we have the entire women and tag team roster in the ring with the new Women’s and Tag Team championships on display. Shane McMahon music hit followed by Daniel Bryan. Bryan cut a promo saying he accepted the job for Smackdown GM with the condition of giving every single superstar opportunity. He starts with the women, he says everyone has the potential to be the face of the division but first he needs to know who will be the first Smackdown champ. Shane picks the mic and announces a six pack challenge for Backlash to determine the first ever Smackdown Women’s Champion.
And apparently, at Backlash, we will also have the first Smackdown Tag Team Champions as we will have a tournament that starts tonight.

Heath Slater arrives to a huge pop from the timekeepers area and makes a Michael Phelps comparison to put gold around his waist. Shane tells him if he can find a partner and win the tournament, he will earn a contract for Smackdown.

AJ Styles comes out and after ranting for a little bit, Dolph Ziggler attacks him until the tag teams break them up.

1) Becky Lynch vs Alexa Bliss.
In about 4 minutes, Becky Lynch defeated Alexa Bliss by submission with the Disarmer. Probably the most likely next to Nikki Bella for winning the title, Becky Lynch continues to pick up momentum and desperately tries to show us she can be interesting. It’s not working.

Heath Slater is backstage looking for a partner as he finds The Miz and Maryse. The Miz agrees on being Slater partner and as Slater gets excited, it is revealed that The Miz is talking on the phone.

The Ascension are in the ring and The Usos make their entrance.

2) The Usos vs the Ascension. Tag Team Tournament Match.
In another 5 minute match, The Usos defeated The Ascension when an Uso (Does it matter which one?) pinned Viktor with a Splash. The Usos qualify for the next round in this tag team tournament which in my opinion is a great way to try and make some of the many teams in Smackdown relevant.

A graphic hyping Randy Orton being here tonight is shown.

AJ Styles music hits and he makes his -pretty awesome- entrance. He gets into the ring and cuts a promo about his victory over John Cena. He says all the Cena fans can be AJ Styles fans now, and he is the new “Face that runs the place”. He repeats this until Dolph Ziggler rushes down and security prevents him from entering the ring. Daniel Bryan comes out and announces Dolph Ziggler vs AJ Styles tonight. If AJ wins, he gets a title match at Backlash, and if he loses, Ziggler gets added to AJ v Ambrose.
So…AJ is guaranteed a title match either way? Good plan Bryan.

Another Curt Hawkins “Fact” vignette is played.

Carmella’s music plays and she makes her entrance followed by Nikki Bella. Nikki Bella is interviewed by Renee Young until Carmella attacks Nikki until two referees break them up. Carmella walks back but she comes back and hits Nikki with the Face buster.
So…A heel Carmella and a face Nikki now? Confusing Smackdown is confusing.

A video recapping the events in Lesnar v Orton is shown and Randy Orton makes his way to the ring. He talks about preferring to be carried on a stretcher than to lose by TKO. As he talks, Bray Wyatt’s flashy thingy interrupts him and makes his way to the ring. (YEEES!). Wyatt starts by asking Randy how’s his head. Bray says Randy is just a man who can get injured and can die, Bray says he is a god. Bray’s thingy happens again and he is gone with his rocking chair moving.

This new girl I don’t know is talking backstage to Shane McMahon about Brock Lesnar, Shane says Brock only got fined and that is just not enough.
Just please, please, don’t make this the seed for Brock vs Shane. Please.

American Alpha vs Breezango is hyped for later. I guess Breezango wont be the first Smackdown Tag Champs.

Heath Slater is backstage with Arn Anderson. Anderson tells Slater there is only one Ric Flair and he isn’t him. Rhyno walks in and offers Slater to be Slater’s partner because becoming tag champs may put a pool in his house, Slater gets excited and walk off together.

Breezango make their entrance followed by American Alpha.

3) Breezango vs American Alpha. Tag Team Tournament Match.
In a surprisingly good match, American Alpha defeated Breezango in about 10 minutes when Chad Gable pinned Tyler Breeze after Grand Amplitude. I was really impressed with both teams and just as a side note, Gable took a crazy bump after a clothesline from Fandango, I thought his neck was broken for a moment.

Dean Ambrose is interviewed backstage, Ambrose is wearing a huge blue hat he just talks about wanting to be up close to watch the match with his two possible contenders and some casino reference.
This segment pretty much showed the WWE Champ gambling and drinking which is great for Ambrose as champ…I guess.

Dean Ambrose makes his entrance followed by Dolph Ziggler and AJ Styles.

4) Dolph Ziggler vs AJ Styles.
In yet again, a surprisingly good match, AJ Styles defeated Dolph Ziggler by pinfall with the Styles Clash.
This was a great match as expected, yet I’m a bit confused with this “laid back” character Ambrose is trying to pull off, kind of making Steve Austin right in his comments about Ambrose not pushing the envelope. Hopefully Ambrose turns into more a more serious champ.

After the match, AJ confronted Ambrose in the commentary table where both had a Little staredown to close out the show.

2 days after Summerslam and we have this quality on Smackdown. We all have to agree this was a great episode of the non flagship show. We have two new brand exclusive titles, Orton vs Wyatt and AJ vs Ambrose built for Backlash, and two great matches in Dolph v AJ and Breezango v Alpha. This shows is pretty much a solid 8.9 out of 10. I’m still a bit confused with the AJ v Dolph stipulation and Alexa keeps making me think she isn’t ready. Ambrose’s character and Carmella’s turn also don’t have totally sold but eventually might win me over.

What did YOU think of this week’s Smackdown? Make sure to tell us about it in the comments in this post or in Instagram @WammysWrestlingUniverse and @TheWrestlingClassic.
We’ll see you next week!