WWE SmackDown Live Results: Highlights, Analysis, and Grades for January 3

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Baron Corbin vs. Dolph Ziggler

Result: Baron Corbin wins via pinfall.

Rating: 3.25 out of 5 stars

Early on in the contest, The Lone Wolf displayed his usual aggression and dominance. Taking it to Dolph Ziggler, he systematically wore down the former two-time world champion. Stiff strikes and clotheslines made Corbin look as deadly as ever, and it made fans more invested when Ziggler mounted his comeback. Near falls were exchanged back and forth from there, including a spot where Corbin (rather surprisingly) kicked out of the Zig-Zag. Moments later the Lone Wolf managed to recover and nail the End of Days for the victory. Grabbing a steel chair to assault Ziggler after the match, Corbin was interrupted by Kalisto, who drove the big man away. As Kalisto went to aid a fallen Ziggler, he was met by a jaw-breaking superkick. Angry as can be, Ziggler yelled at Kalisto before storming his way to the back.

Last year, Corbin and Ziggler were facing one another on pay-per-view pre-shows. To see them go from a small spotlight to a much grander one has been a welcome change. The Lone Wolf looks strong following yet another victory, and Ziggler has finally switched over to a heel. Whether he chooses to face Kalisto or anyone else is irrelevant at this point; his career will be going nowhere but up.