SmackDown Live opens with a look at the recent journey of Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton.
No doubt this image is burned in @WWEBrayWyatt‘s mind…. #SDLive @RandyOrton pic.twitter.com/RaN8AvWywR
— WWE (@WWE) March 8, 2017
Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon come to the ring. Shane says they have been dealing with controversy all week, the conundrum of who will face Bray Wyatt at WrestleMania. Bryan says he thinks the opportunity should go to Randy Orton, while Shane thinks it should go to AJ Styles. Bryan says they don’t always agree; he thinks it’s tradition for the winner of the Royal Rumble to face the WWE Champion, and Randy earned it, while Shane says Randy abdicated his opportunity to face Bray.
Bryan and Shane offer the choices of Randy and AJ to the fans and they seem to refer AJ. However, to determine who will face Bray Wyatt at WrestleMania, we’re going to have Randy face AJ Styles for the first time ever, tonight!
*Commercial Break*
After the break Shane and Bryan are shown walking backstage and AJ approaches them. Styles says he’s been trying to get in touch with them, to prevent them from making a mistake. He calls this an anti-AJ conspiracy. AJ says he will take out Randy Orton because he isn’t afraid of a viper, or of them.
James Ellsworth is live in the ring, and he says we’re about to witness a once in a lifetime match. He reminds us he beat AJ Styles 3 times, whereas it took Cena forever to beat AJ. He says that makes him the macdaddy of SmackDown. He says he is going to put the smack down on John Cena. Ellsworth introduces the Princess of Staten Island.
John Cena & Nikki Bella Vs. James Ellsworth & Carmella
As soon as the bell rings, The Miz’s music hits, and he, along with Maryse, make their way down to ringside. Nikki is distracted and gets superkicked by Carmella. We head to a break with Carmella standing over Nikki and The Miz and Maryse laughing at ringside.
*Commercial Break*
We return to see Nikki being stretched by Carmella. The Miz and Maryse are on commentary now. Nikki fights back and sends Carmella from the ring. Nikki crawls and makes the tag to Cena, which forces Ellsworth to enter the match.
James is very reluctant, while Cena can’t wait. Ellsworth walks into the centre of the ring, then turns away but Carmella forces him to get back in there. She shoves Ellsworth into Cena, who laughs. James turns quickly, looking for a superkick but John grabs the foot and lands a back body drop.
Carmella then shoves Cena, allowing Nikki to hit Carmella with a big forearm. Cena and Nikki then hit simultaneous Five Knuckle Shuffles, then land their finishers. They both apply the STF and Ellsworth taps immediately.
Winners: John Cena & Nikki Bella
John and Nikki celebrate after the match, kissing, then Miz and Maryse pull them from the ring. Miz throws Cena into the steel steps, then gets into the ring. Miz says he couldn’t take it any longer. Cena and Nikki make a mockery out of love.
Miz says when you are really in love, you don’t make your girlfriend sign a contract. Miz says he and Maryse have been a power couple for a year, and suddenly Cena decides to put his relationship with Nikki on TV, even though it wasn’t allowed to be mentioned on programming for years.
The Miz says Cena is a robot with no emotions, he’s programmed to do everything to expand and improve his brand. So he found a woman who is as emotionless and greedy for success as he is. Miz says we need to understand that Nikki and John’s fake, plastic relationship spits on every real relationship and it needs to end now. Maryse takes the mic and calls Nikki a bitch. They kiss and walk off.
He couldn’t bear to watch anymore! @MikeTheMiz & @MaryseMizanin attacked @JohnCena & Nikki @BellaTwins after their victory on #SDLive! pic.twitter.com/UwCCGqfo5R
— WWE (@WWE) March 8, 2017
Renee Young is backstage and she knocks on Randy Orton’s door. She starts to ask him about last week and Orton cuts her off, saying if he is capable of that, what can AJ Styles or anyone else do to stop him. He calls AJ phenomenal but he’s only 1 RKO away from WrestleMania and AJ should be afraid. Matter of fact, if he were AJ, he’s RUN.
*Commercial Break*
Curt Hawkins is in the ring and mentions how Dean Ambrose started something last week he can’t finish. Ambrose’s music hits, Hawkins runs to the outside and Ambrose takes him out. He gets in the ring, grabs the microphone and says how he was going to come out and call Baron Corbin. He says it’s clear Corbin has no testicles because if he did, he would come out and fight him.
We see Corbin on the giant screen. He says how he won’t come out. And asks him why he’s in a rush to get that beating. He says how he will get Dean’s Intercontinental title. Ambrose says it was worth a try and how if he won’t come to him, he’ll go to Corbin. He steps out of the ring and gives the Dirty Deeds to Hawkins.
DIRTY DEEDS!!!!
WRONG place, WRONG time, @TheCurtHawkins! #SDLive @TheDeanAmbrose pic.twitter.com/7GcfHRTimg
— WWE (@WWE) March 8, 2017
It’s Women’s History Month and we see a clip of WWE superstars talking about Trish Stratus and Lita’s influence on the women’s division.
Backstage, Ambrose is walking asking for Corbin.
*Commercial Break*
We come back from commercial break to see Ambrose backstage looking for Corbyn.
Mojo Riley is interviewed backstage and he says he’s here to have his Wrestlemania moment. He announces how he is the first Smackdown superstar to enter this year’s Andre the Giant memorial battle royal. Dolph Ziggler walks into the scene clapping. He says they don’t hand out Wrestlemania moments, you have to earn a Wrestlemania moment. Mojo asks Dolph if that’s why he doesn’t have one.
Backstage, Ambrose is still looking for Baron Corbin. Corbin throws a security guard onto Ambrose and ambushes him. He hits Dean with a pipe and tells Dean “You found me, Dean. You found me”. Ambrose says “good talk” as he’s on the floor. Corbin continues to beat on Ambrose. He puts Dean under a forklift as he gets in it, turns it on and pushes the front of the forklift onto Dean’s chest. Referee’s break up the assault and push Corbin away.
“YOU FOUND ME, DEAN! YOU FOUND ME!”
The #LoneWolf @BaronCorbinWWE ATTACKS @TheDeanAmbrose on #SDLive! pic.twitter.com/ssUIaqOEC1
— WWE (@WWE) March 8, 2017
WWE Smackdown Women’s champion Alexa Bliss’ song hits as she makes her way out to the ring with Mickie James. Up next is the first ever “Blissertation”.
*Commercial Break*