Introduction Segment: Video Promo, Locker Room Promo, and Arena Promo

Last week’s Smackdown! Live is recapped with WWE World Heavyweight Champion A.J. Styles offering a chance for anyone to wrestle him; out came James Ellsworth, and later that night, he defeated A.J. with the help of guest referee Dean Ambrose. On the WWE Network show Talking Smack!, General Manager Daniel Bryan gave James Ellsworth a WWE World Heavyweight Championship shot for tonight!

James is in his locker room and suddenly looks surprised; Dean Ambrose presents him with a t-shirt with his face on it. Ambrose gives him some confidence for his biggest bout yet.

Live in the arena, Randy Orton is welcomed. No Mercy is recalled with still-pictures of him and Bray Wyatt’s match, and the returning Luke Harper. “The Viper” warns Bray that he is “coming for you.” On the Titantron, people in black sheep masks appear. They are standing over a coffin that has Bray Wyatt in it. He wakes up and talks about the coffin relating to Orton. He then says, “he’s here.” Luke Harper makes his entrance, and he and Randy will square off!

Match #1: Single – Randy Orton VS. Luke Harper

They lockup and shove off. Orton ducks a slug and kicks. Harper hits back with a dropkick, measures, runs, but eats a forearm! Luke boots back out of the corner but is hit in the gut and sits atop the turnbuckle. randy sets up for a potential suplex, but Harper tries out of it. Orton punches again and lands the suplex. The lights go out and Bray is brought out in a casket.

Commercials.

Harper and Orton are still going at it, with Luke landing a Michinoku Driver for a quick count. He tries to throw Randy into the casket as Bray taunts Orton, but “The Viper” reverses and almost puts Harper in there! Bray gets in the ring and attacks, causing a DQ.

Winner via Disqualification: Randy Orton

Post-match, the assault continues by Bray and Luke until Kane appears in the casket! He helps out Orton until the lights go out again and The Wyatt Family disappear.

Segment #2: Backstage Promo

WWE World Heavyweight Champion A.J. Styles is interviewed about his Championship match tonight. He puts over himself for how he got to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, and dresses down James Ellsworth as not significant. He blames Dean Ambrose for this happening and vows to get revenge.

Ads.

Match #2: Single – Alexa Bliss VS. Naomi

They start out even with lockups and shoves, and neither gain an advantage right away. Naomi is able to Thesz Press, but Bliss turns it around for a bit. Naomi hits back with her rapid bicycle kicks and works over Alexa for a while.

Commercials.

Bliss now has the upperhand after slapping Naomi hard on the outside. She wears Naomi down in the ring with a side headlock, but Naomi reverses into a backbreaker. Naomi follows with a clothesline and jumping calf-kick. She stomps on Bliss and then lands a moonsault from the turnbuckle for two! She climbs the turnbuckle, but is crotched. Alexa turns it around and soars off with her Twisted Bliss splash! She covers and receives the victory!

Winner via Pinfall: Alexa Bliss

Post-match, Rene Young asks Alexa about her Women’s Championship Match against Champion Becky Lynch on the November 8th Smackdown! Live. She compares the match to a fairy tale, but says that there will be “no fairy tale ending.”

Up next, Curt Hawkins will be wrestling!

Ads.

Match #3: Single – Apollo Crews VS. Curt Hawkins

Apollo right-hands Hawkins, and Curt decides to leave.

Winner via Forfeit: Apollo Crews

Commercials.

Segment #3: Arena Promo

Carmela is furious that Nikki Bella ruined her moment at SummerSlam. She promises to tell the truth about Nikki, but Nikki herself interrupts before Carmela can go further. They get into a heated argument about their respective places in WWE. Carmela presents a video from a Total Bellas/Total Divas combination that is edited to show Nikki as “needy.”

Segment #4: Locker Room Promo

Rene Young approaches James Ellsworth, inquiring about his big opportunity tonight. James is overwhelmed with it all, and dreams about telling his grandchildren that he wrestled for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

Ads.

Match #4: Six-Man Tag-Team: The Miz and The Spirit Squad (with Maryse) VS. Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler and Tag-Team Champions Heath Slater and Rhyno

Mikey and Rhyno begin, trading locks. Rhyno hammers away out of a standing side headlock and Dolph is tagged in soon. Kenny is also in and takes Ziggler down, so Miz tags in. Dolph is kicked in the corner, but ducks and superkicks Miz!

Commercials.

Miz and The Squad are in control for a while until Ziggler ducks again and kicks Miz. This breaks down, with Rhyno goring Mikey. He is chucked out of the ring, but Heath rolls up Kenny for two! Slater is pushed into the ropes where Miz punches him, and Kenny rolls Heath up for the 1 – 2 – 3!

Winners via Pinfall: The Miz and The Spirit Squad (with Maryse)

Segment #5: Office Promo

GM Bryan is on the phone to Commissioner Shane McMahon about the Survivor Series Tag-Team Matches. He says they will start making the teams soon. Natalya walks in and makes her case to be a part of the Women’s Survivor Series Tag-Team match. Daniel listens and says they will think about it.

Ads.

Match #5: Single – Jack Swagger VS. Baron Corbin

Jack gives Baron a shoulder-block and punches, and then clotheslines him over the ropes. Back in the ring, Corbin pushes Swagger off of the apron into the barrier. Baron finishes Jack quickly with his End of Days swinging-flatliner!

Segment #6: Office Promo

Dean Ambrose, donned in a referee’s shirt, walks up to GM Daniel. He thinks he is going to be the referee for the WWE World Championship, but Bryan denies him that.

Commercials.

Match #6: Single for the WWE World Championship – James Ellsworth (Challenger) VS. A.J. Styles (Champion)

Dean Ambrose acts as both the ring announcer and timekeeper. A.J. controls this early, and then Ambrose calls for a break.

Ads.

Styles dominates despite Dean’s numerous distractions. Ellsworth actually almost takes this after a major superkick! Ambrose continues to get A.J.’s attention and infuriate him until the referee calls for the bell since Styles hit one-too-many forearms.

Winner via Disqualification: James Ellsworth (A.J. retains the WWE World Championship)

Post-match, “The Lunatic Fringe” drives A.J. to the canvas with his Dirty Deeds DDT, and then celebrates with James to close the show.

End of Smackdown! Live