WWE Smackdown Live Results
July 19, 2016
Worcester, Massachusetts
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
“Then. Now. Forever.” The WWE video leads us into the show.
We go right into the arena to see Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan leading the crowd in a “YES” chant. Mick Foley is seen standing on the stage alongside Stephanie McMahon. Michael Cole and Mauro Ranallo welcome us to the show. Jerry “The King” Lawler is there with Byron Saxton as well. The rules of the WWE Draft are 1.) RAW has the first overall pick, 2.) for every two Smackdown Live picks, RAW gets three, 3.) tag teams count as one pick unless a Commissioner/General Manager only wants one member of the team, and 4.) six draft picks will be made off the NXT roster.
Stephanie tries to stop the “YES” chant, but she fails. The entire arena is doing the “YES” chant. Stephanie says it’s straight pandering, but no one does it better than Mick Foley. Foley says no crowd likes to be pandered to more than the crowd right here in Worcester, Massachusetts. Since Monday Night RAW is the three-hour flagship show, they get the first pick. She tells Foley to make the announcement. Foley goes to make the announcement, but she cuts him off and announces the first pick of RAW will be Seth Rollins! Stephanie adds that Rollins will be the new WWE Champion by the end of the night. Foley says it’s an excellent choice.
Shane McMahon congratulates on having Crossfit Jesus on RAW. Smackdown makes their first pick and Shane gives a fake drumroll. Bryan announces that Smackdown Live’s first pick is the current and future WWE Champion, Dean Ambrose!
Stephanie says good riddance to Ambrose. Stephanie apologizes for stealing Foley’s thunder before. Foley says they both agreed that RAW needed a strong Women’s Division, so their next pick is the WWE Women’s Champion, Charlotte. Stephanie lets out a loud “Woo.”
Shane and Bryan are seen fumbling around as if Charlotte was going to be their next pick. Shane then announces that Smackdown’s second pick is “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles! A quick highlight video is shown for Styles, as they’ve shown for the previous three.
Stephanie says that was a “phenomenal” pick. Foley says with an eye toward the future, their next draft pick comes from NXT. The crowd immediately cheers and starts cheering. RAW’s next pick is Finn Bálor! The crowd roars in approval.
John Cena’s music hits, and he makes his way out to the stage. Cena shakes hands with Shane and Foley before making his way to the ring for his match. Smackdown’s newest member AJ Styles and The Club are out next. Styles is wearing a Smackdown shirt.
Enzo and Big Cass then make their way to the ring to make sure there are no shenanigans with The Club. A loud “How you doin'” chant breaks out. Enzo does his usual opening shtick as the crowd says it along with him. Big Cass says there is only one word to describe The Club and he’ll spell it out for them: S-A-W-F-T!
John Cena w/ Enzo and Cass vs. Luke Gallows w/ The Club
The bell rings, and Gallows quickly shoulder blocks Cena down. The match will be shown as the commercial plays.
-Commercial Break-
During Break: Gallows continues to push at Cena’s face and punches him. Cena tries for a comeback, but Gallows big boots him down. Styles and The Club celebrate happily. Gallows whips him hard into the corner, and The Club taunts him. Gallows again whips him hard into the corner, and Cena collapses to the mat. Gallows sends him to the corner again, but he misses an avalanche. Cena tries for a desperation Attitude Adjustment, but he collapses under Gallows’ weight. Gallows drops and elbow and taunts Enzo and Cass. Gallows drops another elbow, but he misses the third one when Cena rolls out of the way.
We come back from the break to see Gallows pick Cena up and drop him down for a two count. Gallows drives his elbow into Cena’s sternum and applies a nerve hold. Cena fights up and blocks a kick before hitting a flying shoulder tackle. Cena follows up with a back suplex powerbomb before doing the 5 Knuckle Shuffle. Cena goes for an AA, but Gallows gets out and superkicks him down. Now both men are down. Enzo gets on the apron to get the crowd pumped up. On the other side of the ring, Styles and Karl Anderson get on the apron. Enzo and Cass get in the ring and appear ready to fight Styles and Anderson. Styles and Anderson charge them, but Enzo and Cass give them stereo back body drops over the top rope. Cena then gives Gallows an AA for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: John Cena
Match Rating: * 1/4
Cena, Enzo and Cass celebrate in the ring as The Club angrily go up the ramp.
Dean Ambrose will defend the WWE Championship against Seth Rollins in a rematch from last night’s RAW. Due to the fact that Rollins was drafted to RAW and Ambrose to Smackdown, this will be their last singles match. They’ll fight again on Sunday one last time, but this is the last one-on-one match. Coming up next, Darren Young will team with Zack Ryder to take on Rusev and The Miz in a Champions Match sponsored by Toyota.
-Commercial Break-
The Commissioners and General Managers for both shows are back on the stage. Stephanie says RAW will once again get the first pick here. Foley says Shane alluded to the fact that she wants him to be her puppet last night. Foley wants to show that this next pick is not one Stephanie wants, but they have to agree to disagree. RAW’s next pick is Roman Reigns. The crowd loudly boos this pick.
Shane announces Smackdown’s second pick as John Cena. The crowd is indifferent to this after having just seen him.
Foley says Stephanie will make the next announcement because she has a way with words. Stephanie then announces that RAW’s next pick will be Brock Lesnar! A “Suplex City” chant breaks out.
Daniel Bryan announces Smackdown’s next pick as the third generational superstar Randy Orton.
Stephanie announces RAW’s next pick (with the help of Mick Foley doing a drumroll with his tongue) as The New Day. The New Day is coming to RAW as a full unit.
Darren Young and Zack Ryder w/ Mr. Bob Backlund vs. The Miz and Rusev
Rusev will start the match against Darren Young. Rusev punches Ryder off the apron. Young quickly punches and chops Rusev, but Rusev quickly takes him down. The Miz is tagged in, and he stomps Young in the corner. Young gives Miz an atomic drop before body slamming him. Ryder is tagged in, and he does a slingshot splash for a two count. Ryder puts him in the corner before having a whip reversed on him. Miz runs into Ryder’s knees. Ryder goes to the second rope, but Rusev distracts him allowing Miz to rip him off the ropes. Miz stomps away at him before hitting a running boot to the head for a two count. Miz rips at his face before applying a front face lock. Ryder fights up, but Miz clubs him. Ryder goes for a jawbreaker, but Miz quickly comes back with a Reality Check for a two count. Rusev is tagged in, and he punches away at Ryder before giving him a gutwrench suplex. The crowd briefly chants for Bob Backlund. Ryder counters a suplex with a neckbreaker.
Miz and Young are tagged in. Young punches away at him before clotheslining him down. Young connects with another clothesline before hitting a belly-to-belly overhead suplex. Young connects with the Gut Check, but Rusev breaks up the pin. Rusev hits Young with a gutwrench suplex. Rusev throws Ryder in the air, and Ryder hits Miz with the Rough Ryder. Rusev quickly puts Ryder on the apron, and Young knocks Rusev out of the ring. Ryder then hits Rusev with a missile dropkick off the apron. Backlund yells at Young to apply the Crossface Chickenwing, and he applies it to The Miz, who immediately taps out!
Winners by Submission: Darren Young and Zack Ryder
Match Rating: *
Mr. Bob Backlund celebrates in the ring with Darren Young and Zack Ryder.
Sasha Banks will face Charlotte and Dana Brooke in a 2-on-1 Handicap Match. Coming up next, we’ll see Xavier Woods take on Bray Wyatt.
-Commercial Break-
Xavier Woods w/ The New Day vs. Bray Wyatt w/ The Wyatt Family
The New Day is decked out in red RAW gear. The bell rings, and Woods looks very nervous to be in the ring against Wyatt. Wyatt turns his back to Woods and gives him a free shot. Wyatt then arcs his back and scares Woods. Wyatt kneels down and begs Woods to attack him. Wyatt extends his arms as a “New Day Rocks” chant breaks out. Woods appears to be locked in a trance. Wyatt puts his hand on Woods’ shoulder and speaks with him. Woods yells “No”, and Wyatt immediately punches him down. Wyatt puts him in the corner and viciously unloads on him before stomping him down. Wyatt clubs Woods down before dropping a knee on him. Wyatt then digs his knee into the back and applies a chin lock. Woods fights up, but Wyatt cuts him off and sends him into the ropes. Woods holds on to the ropes and elbows Wyatt. Wyatt quickly takes him back down before taunting The New Day at ringside. Wyatt annihilates Woods with a one-armed slam before following up with a senton splash. Wyatt connects with a second senton splash before laughing. Wyatt drags Woods over to the corner near The New Day and smiles at them.
Wyatt crawls to Woods and runs into a right hand. Woods punches away at him before ducking a clothesline and kneeing him in the face. Wyatt stumbles to the corner and falls down. Woods goes for the Honor Roll, but Wyatt scares him back with the crab walk. Wyatt then lays him out with Sister Abigail for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Bray Wyatt
Match Rating: *
The New Day drags Woods out of the ring. The Wyatt Family collects in the ring as Wyatt extends his arms and yells, “Follow the buzzards!”
-Commercial Break-
The General Managers and Commissions are back on the stage. Kevin Owens walks by them and yells at all of them for not having drafted him yet.
As Owens makes his way to the ring, Sami Zayn’s music hits. Owens and Zayn brawl on the ramp before Owens gets in the ring. Owens superkicks Zayn before punching away at him. Owens throws Zayn into Kane, who grabs him by the throat. Owens demands that Kane give Zayn a Chokeslam, so he grabs Owens by the throat as well. Kane then gives Zayn and Owens a dual Chokeslam. Kane makes the ring posts explode with fire and leaves the ring.
Stephanie McMahon says RAW gets the first pick as usual. She says RAW’s next pick is Sami Zayn. Shane follows up by drafting Bray Wyatt.
Foley reminds Shane and Bryan that there are women available in the draft. Foley says they intend to make this next draft choice one of the faces of RAW. Starting from now, Monday Night RAW is Boss. Their next pick is Sasha Banks. Bryan says they’re all aware of Foley’s weird fascination with women. RAW missed out on the best woman superstar. Smackdown’s next pick is the Lass Kicker, Becky Lynch.
Foley apologizes to Stephanie for tipping his hat. Foley goes into a garbage bag, and Lawler says that’s Foley’s luggage. Foley pulls out a sheet of paper and drafts Chris Jericho to RAW.
Footage is shown from the WWE Network Draft Center show. Dean Ambrose is holding the WWE Championship and wearing a blue Smackdown shirt. Ambrose says he’s excited to be drafted to Smackdown and work for Shane and Bryan. Ambrose says he’ll finish what he started tonight and retain his WWE Title. Then this Sunday, he’ll beat Rollins and Reigns. The WWE Championship is coming to Tuesday nights.
-Commercial Break-
A graphic shows a number of the names that are still on the draft board.
Charlotte and Dana Brooke vs. Sasha Banks
Dana Brooke will start the match for her team. Sasha ducks a clothesline and punches her before sending her into Charlotte. Sasha punches away at her before sending her to the corner. Dana drops Sasha on the apron, and Sasha takes her down. Charlotte tries to attack Sasha, but she kicks her back and connects with a double knee takedown off the apron! Dana immediately follows up by viciously clotheslining Sasha on the floor. Dana gets her in the ring and punches away at her before applying a surfboard stretch. Sasha fights up and drives her into the turnbuckles before punching away at her. Sasha connects with a pair of clotheslines before kicking her. Sasha knocks Charlotte off the apron. Dana connects with a mistimed kick and lifts her up, but Sasha slides off. Dana counters the Bank Statement, but misses an avalanche. Charlotte blind tags in as Sasha applies the Bank Statement to Dana. Charlotte kicks Sasha in the head and connects with Natural Selection for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: Charlotte and Dana Brooke
Match Rating: 3/4 *
The General Managers and Commissioners of RAW and Smackdown are back. Foley announces RAW’s next pick is the United States Champion Rusev with Lana. Stephanie says they are crushing Smackdown. Bryan says he hates to do this, but Smackdown needs the Intercontinental Championship, so Smackdown drafts The Miz and Maryse.
Stephanie then drafts the prize fighter, Kevin Owens. Shane McMahon announces the next pick for Smackdown Live as Baron Corbin. Michael Cole says Corbin is a future WWE Champion.
Foley says as a two-time New York Times Bestselling Author, he has a way with words. The word he would use to describe Shane and Bryan is spelled S-A-W-F-T. RAW picks Enzo and Big Cass! Shane angrily tears up a notecard and throws it up in the air.
Tonight’s main event will see Dean Ambrose defend his WWE Championship against Seth Rollins in a rematch from last night’s RAW. Coming up next, we’ll see Cesaro take on Chris Jericho.
-Commercial Break-
A graphic is shown showcasing the picks of both RAW and Smackdown so far.
Chris Jericho is making his way to the ring looking none too pleased. Jericho is wearing a red RAW shirt and has a red scarf.
Cesaro vs. Chris Jericho
A “Stupid Idiot” chant fires up. Jericho slaps Cesaro, so Cesaro uppercuts him before clotheslining him over the top rope. Cesaro then takes Jericho out with a summersault senton off the apron! Cesaro backs up and charges Jericho with a running uppercut. Cesaro puts him into the ring and comes off the top rope with a cross-body block for a near fall. Cesaro signals for the Cesaro Swing, but Jericho rolls him up for a two count. Jericho quickly goes for the Walls of Jericho, but Cesaro twists out. Jericho quickly takes him down with an enzuigiri for a two count. Jericho punches away at Cesaro and knees him in the face before executing a snapmare and applying a chin lock. Jericho knees him in the midsection and sends him into the ropes, but Cesaro comes back with a sunset flip. They trade pins before Jericho punches him in the face. Jericho sends him into the ropes, but Cesaro twists to the apron. Cesaro boots Jericho in the face before going to the top rope. Jericho quickly crotches him up there and chops the chest. Cesaro punches him down, but Jericho cuts him off again. Jericho connects with a Frankensteiner for a near fall!
Jericho kicks Cesaro in the head and taunts the crowd. Cesaro counters a Codebreaker and punches away at him. Cesaro uppercuts away at him in the corner before running into a boot. Jericho hits him with a back elbow and goes for the Lionsault, but Cesaro holds him up on the second rope and connects with a second rope Russian Leg Sweep for a two count! Cesaro immediately starts a Cesaro Swing with five revolutions. Cesaro goes for the Sharpshooter, but Jericho fights it. Cesaro connects with a double stomp before trying for the Neutralizer. Jericho back body drops him, but Cesaro lands on his feet. Cesaro goes for a springboard uppercut, but Jericho counters with a mid-air Codebreaker for the win!
Winner by Pinfall: Chris Jericho
Match Rating: **
Dean Ambrose will defend the WWE Championship against Seth Rollins in tonight’s main event.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Becky Lynch attacking Natalya at ringside. The referees run down to separate them, but they can’t keep Becky from punching away at Natalya.
Stephanie McMahon and Mick Foley are on the stage alongside Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan. Stephanie says Smackdown may have drafted “The Phenomenal One,” but RAW will draft 2/3s of The Club as they pick Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. Bryan says Smackdown is going to be the land of opportunity. Smackdown is drafting the best tag team in NXT. They are Ready, Willing, and Gable. They pick American Alpha – Jason Jordan and Chad Gable! The crowd roars in approval.
Foley says that was a very good pick. Foley says they’ll follow that with a man who has been a mainstay in WWE for twenty years – The Big Show. Shane mocks RAW’s latest pick. Shane says the next pick for Smackdown gives you everything he’s got and gives a phenomenal performance: Dolph Ziggler.
Stephanie says there is no woman like their next pick. From NXT, RAW drafts Nia Jax.
Footage is shown from WWE Network’s Draft Center show. Seth Rollins was interviewed. Rollins asks if there was ever any doubt that he’d be the first pick. Rollins says there is also no doubt that he’ll walk out of Smackdown Live as the WWE Champion. Then on Sunday, he’ll walk in with no doubt in his mind. The only doubt will be with Roman Reigns. Has he lost his edge or confidence? Time will tell. The truth is at the end of Battleground, he’ll leave as the WWE Champion and have a massive celebration with Stephanie and Mick Foley. He’ll have proven once and for all that when it comes to The Shield, he was always the man.
Coming up next, Dean Ambrose will defend the WWE Championship against Seth Rollins. We’ll also see the final five picks on Smackdown Live.
-Commercial Break-
Stephanie says gravity may have forgotten this man, but she hasn’t. RAW picks the returning Neville. Daniel Bryan follows up by picking the first woman to graduate from the Hart Family Dungeon, Natalya.
Foley says the finest moment of his career took place right in this building, right here in Worcester, Massachusetts. Their next draft pick has been undervalued in the draft. He’s provided great moments and has more to go: Cesaro. Bryan and Shane think about it before announcing their next pick: Alberto Del Rio. Foley says at WrestleMania 33, he hit this guy in the head with twenty forearms. The guy’s forehead is fine, but his forearm still hurts. RAW’s pick is Sheamus.
Seth Rollins makes his way to the ring and hugs Stephanie McMahon and Mick Foley. Stephanie tells him to bring the title back. Dean Ambrose makes his way to the ring, quickly shakes hands with Shane McMahon, and blows a kiss to Stephanie.
WWE Championship Match
Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose (c)
JoJo does the introductions in the ring to give this a big match feel.
Before the match begins, Seth Rollins attacks Dean Ambrose and stomps away at him. Rollins stomps him in the corner, and Ambrose falls out of the ring. Rollins rips off Ambrose’s Smackdown shirt and sends him headfirst into the ring post. Rollins holds up the WWE Championship as we go to commercial.
-Commercial Break-
The bell rings to start the match, and Rollins immediately attacks Ambrose and stomps him down. Rollins connects with a Falcon’s Arrow for a near fall. Rollins argues with the referee over his count. Rollins runs a knee into his head and punches him against the ropes. Rollins gets on the apron and boots him in the head. Rollins drops a knee and kicks him in the back. Rollins rips at his face and head-butts him. Rollins punches away at him in the corner before viciously whipping him into the corner. Ambrose collapses to the mat. Rollins sends him sternum-first into the corner and gives him a backbreaker for a near fall. Rollins applies a chin lock before covering for a two count. Rollins reapplies the chin lock, but Ambrose fights up and chops him. Rollins kicks him and throws him out of the ring. Ambrose quickly punches him back before having a whip into the barricade reversed on him. Rollins charges, but Ambrose gives him a back body drop into the timekeeper’s area. Ambrose gets on the commentary table and leaps off, but Rollins moves. Rollins throws him over the barricade and quickly gets him back in the ring to avoid a count-out. Rollins connects with a springboard knee to the head followed by a superkick for a near fall! Rollins can’t believe he kicked out.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Rollins slapping Ambrose in the head. Rollins sends him to the corner and hits a running forearm. Rollins connects with another running forearm before trying for a third, but Ambrose pops out of the corner with a hard clothesline.
Ambrose jabs and chops Rollins before reversing a whip and hitting some running elbows. Rollins reverses a whip, but Ambrose rolls him up for a two count. Ambrose comes right back with a swinging neckbreaker for a near fall. Ambrose goes to the top rope and jumps, but Rollins kicks him and gives him a turnbuckle powerbomb. Rollins goes to the top rope and goes for a Frog Splash, but Ambrose moves. Ambrose comes back with La Magistral cradle for a near fall. The obligatory “This is awesome” chant is lightly heard. Rollins counters Dirty Deeds by backing him into the corner. Rollins punches him as the referee tries to back him up. Rollins pokes Ambrose in the eyes before going for a Pedigree, but Ambrose gives him a back body drop over the top rope. Ambrose then wipes him out with a suicide dive! Ambrose goes to the top rope and comes off with an elbow drop to the floor! Ambrose gets him back in the ring and goes to the top rope, but Rollins scales the ropes for a superplex. Rollins tries to roll through for another suplex, but Ambrose lands on his feet and connects with Dirty Deeds for the clean victory to retain the WWE Championship!
Winner and still WWE Champion: Dean Ambrose
Match Rating: ** 1/2
Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan run down to the ring to celebrate with Dean Ambrose. Ambrose puts on a Smackdown shirt before holding up the WWE Championship. Bryan starts up a huge “YES” chant.
Ambrose will be defending the WWE Championship this Sunday at WWE Battleground against Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns. The commentators run through the big matches heading into WWE Battleground this Sunday.
Quick Match Results
* John Cena def. Luke Gallows
* Darren Young and Zack Ryder def. The Miz and Rusev via Submission
* Bray Wyatt def. Xavier Woods
* Charlotte and Dana Brooke def. Sasha Banks
* Chris Jericho def. Cesaro
* Dean Ambrose def. Seth Rollins to retain the WWE Championship
E-Mail – MikeyT817@gmail.com
Twitter – @MikeTedescoWV
My thoughts on the WWE Draft and this episode of Smackdown will be up tomorrow exclusively on this website.
Please check out my live recap of RAW every Monday at 8 PM EST. I’ll also be covering Smackdown for the foreseeable future.
Check out last night’s RAW recap here and my thoughts on the show.
Thanks for reading! Enjoy WWE Battleground!