This past Sunday, the men and women of SmackDown Live produced an exciting Elimination Chamber event. Here is the fallout from that show, and in turn what we can expect from the Blue Brand tonight:
For the first time in her career, Naomi managed to win the SmackDown Live Women’s Championship, defeating Alexa Bliss at Elimination Chamber. Now she has the opportunity to walk into her hometown crowd as champion at WrestleMania, but expect Bliss to seek revenge as the event looms nearer.
Another development in the Women’s Division involved Becky Lynch emerging victorious against Mickie James on Sunday. The two are set to have a rematch here tonight, and if Elimination Chamber was any indication, these two won’t disappoint.
In a hard-fought victory, Randy Orton managed to reign supreme over his former brother Luke Harper. With a guaranteed title shot at WrestleMania, what will occupy Orton’s attention until then?
During the elimination chamber match, an enraged Baron Corbin chose to assault Dean Ambrose after the Lunatic Fringe eliminated him. This led to Ambrose losing an opportunity to win his second world title, and rest be assured he’ll be out for revenge tonight.
By the time the elimination chamber match was over, Bray Wyatt stood atop of all the rest to win his first WWE Championship. Tonight he looks to replicate that success, as he is set to face John Cena in a match for the title. Will the Eater of Worlds retain, or will John Cena earn an unprecedented 17th world championship?
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So without further ado, he is the live results and analysis for the February 14th episode of SmackDown Live.
Bray Wyatt Arrives
Before the show began, a highlight video was shown which showcased the Elimination Chamber event. After the video was complete, the new WWE Champion Bray Wyatt made his way out to the ring. “You Deserve It” chants quickly fill the arena, and Wyatt takes a moment to sink everything in before addressing the crowd. He goes on to talk about how he knew that this way would come to fruition, and that now he indeed has the world in his hands. Stating that we are now in the “Wyatt Era”, he is then interrupted by John Cena.
Amidst his usual mixed reaction, the former WWE Champion chose to present Wyatt to the live audience. Cena informs the Eater of Worlds that you earn accolades in this business, you don’t deserve them. Wishing to get the match over and done with, Cena challenged Wyatt to defend the title right then and there before AJ Styles came out as well.
Mocking Cena for jumping to the front of the line once again, Styles decides to demand his rematch for the championship as well. This brings out SmackDown Live General Manager Daniel Bryan, who stood atop the ramp thinking for a moment before addresses the three competitors. Congratulating Wyatt on the victory, Bryan announces that now the title match will be a triple threat, and it will take place tonight. As the in-ring segment ends, American Alpha are seen backstage preparing to head out to the squared circle.
A great opening segment that set the stage for later on in the show. These three men are going to produce something special.
American Alpha vs The Ascension
Result: American Alpha win via pinfall
Rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars
When we return from break, Dean Ambrose is shown searching the backstage area searching for Corbin. For now, the search is unsuccessful, and when the cameras go back to the ring American Alpha have already made their entrance. Tonight they’re facing the Ascension, who were the final team to oppose the champions in the tag team turmoil match this past Sunday.
Starting off the match with some nice technical wrestling, the SmackDown Live Tag Team Champions were in solid control as we headed to break. During the commercials the Ascension managed to get back into the action, working down Chad Gable. Making use of frequent tags and stiff offense, the duo slowed the pace and tried to pull off the big win. Eventually American Alpha were able to bounce back, knocking their opponents down with an array of suplexes. Going on to hit the Grand Amplitude for the win, their celebration was rudely interrupted by the Usos.
Addressing the champions from the backstage area, The Usos made it perfectly clear that they intend on facing American Alpha in the near future. Shifting once again to the backstage area, Carmella chose this moment to make it clear to James Ellsworth that they’re keeping things professional. Ambrose came across the two while continuing his search for Corbin, and in a kind move, he tried to make Ellsworth realize he’s being used. The Chinless Wonder was having none of it, however, a move which made Ambrose even angrier.
At this moment Daniel Bryan just happened to walk by, and at Ambrose’s request, he booked a match between him and Ellsworth for tonight.
Dean Ambrose vs James Ellsworth
Taking a moment to congratulate Teddy Long on his Hall of Fame induction, the SmackDown Live commentary team shifted their focus to the squared circle. Carmella and James Ellsworth are already in the ring, with Ellsworth telling the crowd not to boo his friend. Dean Ambrose’s music played and we believed that their match was about to begin. Instead, Baron Corbin came out, dragging Ambrose along with him. The two battled near the entrance ramp, but it wasn’t long before the Lone Wolf left Ambrose beaten on the floor.
As the Lunatic Fringe is assisted by referees, Daniel Bryan and Nikki Bella are shown backstage reviewing Nikki’s brawl with Natalya at Elimination Chamber. Bryan says that he has an idea Nikki might like, however, Natalya makes her presence felt, and the two fight until being pulled apart by security. Tired of the constant brawling between the two, Bryan announces that Natalya and Nikki will battle in a falls count anywhere match next week.
While the feuds between Ambrose/Corbin and Natalya/Nikki continue to advance, the story between Carmella and Ellsworth is puzzling. One has to assume that Ellsworth will eventually realize he is being used, and then leave the Princess of Staten Island behind. When and where this occurs is anyone’s guess, and it’s hard to see how this storyline benefits either talent.
Becky Lynch vs Mickie James
Result: Mickie James wins via pinfall
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Backstage, Baron Corbin is questioned as to why he attacked Dean Ambrose. He states that his reasoning doesn’t matter, only the fact that now Ambrose is on his way to the hospital. Dolph Ziggler is up next for an interview, and he chooses to take the time to promote himself. The Showoff basically says that things are going to go his way very soon, and that the rest of the roster better watch out.
Back in the ring, Becky Lynch and Mickie James are set to compete in their rematch from Elimination Chamber. During the early portion of the match, things were kept technical but at a steady pace, with Lynch getting the advantage. A pair of arm drags knocked James to the mat, which led to her opponent worked the arm of the former Women’s Champion. The action made it’s way to the outside and a double clothesline halted the action, with both women down and out as we headed to another commercial break.
As is customary, when we returned the heel (James) had managed to gain control of the encounter. Her offense wouldn’t last long, however, as Lynch quickly fired up, getting herself right back into the match. Both women would go on to shift control and counter one another’s moves, but a bad bump on the outside appeared to injure James’ right arm. While Lynch was distracted as the referee attended to her fallen foe, James hit the Mick Kick for the win, revealing the injury was a ruse.
Now tied at one win apiece, these two women will most certainly compete in a tiebreaker in the very near future.
Naomi’s Championship Celebration
Beside Renee Young, the new SmackDown Live Women’s Champion Naomi participated in an interview addressing her win at Elimination Chamber. It turns out that Naomi actually suffered an injury during the match, but thankfully it isn’t serious for her to vacate the championship. The new champion appeared as determined and driven than ever before, eager to carry her newly won championship into WrestleMania. A few moments later Alexa Bliss came out to the ring, and this is where things got interesting.
Taking time to insult the new champion, Bliss made it clear that she wants her title back sooner rather than later. Giving Naomi one week to prepare, she plans on fighting for the championship on next week’s episode of SmackDown Live. Bliss goes on to say that she hopes Naomi’s family is present at WrestleMania, because they will have the privilege to see her compete at the Show of Shows with her title once again around her waist.
At first, the announcement of Naomi’s injury seemed to indicate that she was set to vacate the championship. That would’ve been catastrophic for the young woman’s career, as she just finally seems to be realizing her full potential. A rematch between her and Bliss is a smart and logical step, and I’m fully confident they’ll be able to outdo their match at Elimination Chamber.
WWE Championship Match
Bray Wyatt (c) vs AJ Styles vs John Cena
Result: Bray Wyatt retains via pinfall
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
In a rather surprising twist, before the match even began, Luke Harper appeared after Bray Wyatt’s entrance to assault his former brother. Leaving him down and out on the outside, this allowed AJ Styles and John Cena to battle in a singles match for a limited time. Following another commercial break, Cena was beginning to mount his usual comeback, taking down Styles in the process. During Cena’s offensive flurry Wyatt fought his way back into the match, knocking the former champion to the outside before concentrating on Styles.
As all three men fought for the right to walk out as champion, Cena appeared to have his seventeenth world title in the bag following an AA to Styles. Shockingly his opponent managed to kick out at two, and Styles went on to break up another pin attempt by Bray Wyatt. A final commercial break interrupted the action, and when returned Styles hit a body splash on Wyatt, who was prone on the announce table. This didn’t break the table, so Styles dove on the champion again to break it.
The final few minutes of the match featured finisher after finisher, with each competitor bouncing back from an incredible amount of punishment. When it was all said and done, Wyatt scored the pinfall when pinned Cena CLEAN for the second time in less than a week. As the Eater of Worlds celebrated with the gold, Randy Orton came out with a microphone to address his brother. He states that he doesn’t want to face Wyatt for the title, and then goes on to bow before the champion. Wyatt responds by saying Orton “has the keys to the kingdom” as SmackDown Live goes off the air.