Pre-Show:
– The 2016 WWE Backlash Kickoff pre-show kicks off live from Richmond, Virginia. Renee Young is joined by WWE Hall of Famers Lita, Booker T and Jerry Lawler as fans make their way into the Richmond Coliseum. We go backstage to Tom Phillips in the Social Media Lounge. He plugs tonight’s hashtags and will be joined by Rhyno and Heath Slater later tonight. Tom sends us back to Renee and she leads us to a video on tonight’s WWE Intercontinental Title match.
– We come back to the panel and everyone picks The Miz to retain. SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan is backstage with Apollo Crews. Bryan wants Crews to go out and have more fun. Baron Corbin interrupts and he’s upset about being left off Backlash. He disses Crews and tries to tell Bryan how to do his job. Crews and Corbin have words. Bryan makes a match between the two for the pre-show. We go back to the panel for more discussion on tonight’s show, including Bray Wyatt vs. Randy Orton. They are still acting like the match will take place, despite Orton not being cleared. Booker and Lita predict Orton will win why Lawler goes with Wyatt. We see Slater and Rhyno backstage setting up in the Social Media Lounge. Renee plugs the WWE Network and sends us to a promo.
– Backstage, Daniel Bryan was trying to tell Apollo Crews he needed to loosen up as a performer in the ring when Baron Corbin showed up, insulted Crews and told Bryan to stop wasting his time with all the losers when Baron was the star of Smackdown. Crews said he was free tonight to kick Corbin’s ass, so Bryan made a match for the Kickoff show.
– They aired a video for Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt, playing up they would face off tonight. We will see how they get out of that. The panel was split on who would win.
– They discussed the Tag Team championship tournament tonight. Tom Phillips interviewed Heath Slater and Rhyno. Slater was asked what would happen if it loses. Slater said he wasn’t going to lose because he wouldn’t get to make history and feed his kids and get a contract. Rhyno said if they win, no community pool for his kids. Slater was asked how his kids helped Slater prepare. Rhyno pointed out how his son Roscoe keeps stealing the car. Slater said he admits it helps his with cardio but then they realized they were on live TV and shouldn’t be talking about that. They were asked how they would celebrate if they win. Slater said he was going to scream atop of his lungs. Rhyno said he would celebrate by making a list of opponents they could beat up on. They could take the kids to Golden Corral and Dollywood. They joked their team name would be Beauty and the Man-Beast with Rhyno being the Beauty.
We go back to the panel before Renee sends us to another promo. We come back and get discussion for tonight’s Six-Pack Challenge to crown the first SmackDown Women’s Title. Alexa Bliss has joined the panel and has an interesting look going for tonight. Bliss says everyone else may have more experience than her but she has no competition and the new era was made for her. Bliss also gets an attitude with Lita. She says she’s not leaving the ring without the title tonight. Renee sends us to the ring after more talk from the panel.
Baron Corbin vs. Apollo Crews
We go to Mauro Ranallo, JBL and David Otunga at ringside. Apollo Crews makes his way out first as Greg Hamilton does the introductions. Baron Corbin is out next.
The bell rings and they lock up. Corbin pushes Crews towards the corner. They talk trash and lock up again. Corbin does the same thing. They go to lock up again and Crews goes behind. They run the ropes and Corbin drops Crews with a shoulder. More back and forth until Crews hits a dropkick. Corbin dumps Crews to the apron. Crews with a right hand. Crews tries to springboard in but Corbin knocks him out of the air. Crews hits the floor hard and we go to break.
Back from the break and Crews is fighting back but Corbin drops him with an elbow. Crews looks to make a comeback with kicks and knees. Crews with a leaping lariat as fans cheer. Crews with a splash in the corner. Corbin counters and ends up on the floor but runs right back in with a big shot to the back of the head. Corbin beats on Crews as fans boo now.
Corbin continues to beat Crews around. Crews fights back but gets leveled with a huge clothesline for a 2 count. Corbin tries to go out and back in again but Crews catches him with a knee to the jaw. The referee counts as both are down now. Crews blocks a shot and nails an enziguri. Crews with the standing moonsault for a 2 count. Corbin with a modified STO for a 2 count. Corbin charges in the corner but Crews moves. Crews slams Corbin for a close 2 count. Corbin knocks Crews off and catches him in a Deep Six for a 2 count. Crews rolls out for a breather. Corbin follows and charges but Crews moves and Corbin crashes into the steel steps shoulder first. The referee counts as Crews catches Corbin with a Samoan Drop on the floor. Crews brings it back in the ring and goes to the top. Crews comes down after Corbin rolls out of reach. Crews takes Corbin to the floor and unloads. Crews mounts him with right hands but Corbin drops him jaw first into a knee. Corbin nails End of Days for the win.
Winner: Baron Corbin
After the match, Corbin has his hand raised as we go to replays. We come back to Corbin standing tall in the ring as Crews tries to recover on the floor. We go back to the panel for discussion on the match.
– They aired an interview with Renee Young with Nickelodeon star Jagger Eaton to promote his series.
– We get more hype for Orton vs. Wyatt and go back to the panel and Renee talks about tonight’s main event. Booker goes with AJ while Lita and Lawler predict Ambrose will retain. Renee leads us to a video package to wrap the pre-show.
WWE Backlash Opener:
The 2016 WWE Backlash pay-per-view opens with a scrolling message for 9/11. We go to an opening video package for Backlash.
– We’re live from the Richmond Coliseum in Richmond, Virginia as the pyro goes off. Mauro Ranallo welcomes us to Backlash. He’s joined by JBL and David Otunga.
– We go right to the ring and out comes SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon to a pop. Shane hits the ring and dances around before SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan makes his way out to a pop.
They thanked everyone for their support and said they were going to give the Red team all they could handle. Bryan plugged tonight’s title defenses and that they would crown the first ever Smackdown Tag Team champions. They said they were going to kick off with the Women’s championship right now.
WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship
6 Pack Elimination Challenge
Becky Lynch vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Nikki Bella vs. Natalya vs. Naomi vs. Carmella
Becky Lynch makes her way out first. Natalya is out next followed by Naomi with her crazy entrance. Alexa Bliss is out next as the others look on. Carmella is out next as we get a look at her recent attacks on Nikki Bella. Nikki is out next for the biggest pop. She takes off her shirt to reveal the new Wonder Woman-inspired gear.
The bell rings and everyone goes at it. Bliss with a roll up on Nikki. Natalya and Naomi go at it. Niki gets dumped to the floor and lands hard. Naomi sends Natalya out. Carmella drops Bliss. Becky dropkicks Carmella to the floor. It’s just Naomi and Becky in the ring now. They go at it. Naomi counters the Disarm Her but Becky escapes a pin. Naomi unloads with kicks but gets dumped to the floor. Becky stands tall before going to the top. Carmella cuts her off. Becky fights Carmella off but Carmella keeps coming. She brings Becky to the mat with a scissors and covers for a close 2 count.
Carmella and Nikki face off but Bliss and Natalya attack them. Bliss goes at it with Nikki in the ring while Natalya takes Carmella out. Bliss with a close 2 count on Nikki. Bliss keeps control but runs into an elbow. Nikki with a dropkick for a 2 count. Nikki works Bliss over but gets dropped on her head for another 2 count. Nikki rolls to the floor for a breather. Natalya with a basement dropkick to Bliss for 2. Becky comes in and unloads on Bliss and Natalya. She gets riled up and hits Bliss but Natalya nails her with a German. Naomi comes in and takes Natalya down with a scissors. Naomi with a Full Nelson Bomb to Natalya. Naomi with a submission until Bliss breaks it. Bliss gets dropped by Naomi and rolls to the floor. Carmella floors Naomi with a kick. Carmella stands tall and gets speared by Nikki. They go at it now. Carmella drops Nikki on her face. Carmella with the Code of Silence. Nikki powers up and hits the Alabama Slam for a close 2 count.
Nikki takes Carmella to the top and they trade shots. Nikki goes for a superplex but Natalya runs over and brings them both to the mat with a powerbomb. Bliss comes in for a 2 count on Natalya. Bliss with a 2 count on Nikki. Bliss sends Nikki to the floor and covers Carmella for 2. Bliss beats on Carmella and covers for another 2 count. Bliss yells at the referee now. Bliss tosses Carmella to the floor. Becky runs in but Bliss kicks her. Becky tries for the Disarm Her but it’s blocked. Bliss drops Becky on her head for another 2 count. Bliss shows more frustration. Carmella comes back in and hits Bliss, sending her to the floor. Nikki comes from behind and sends Carmella to the floor. Nikki stands tall as fans cheer some. Nikki goes to run the ropes and dive out onto everyone else but Carmella runs in and floors her. Carmella sends Nikki to the floor. Naomi comes in and tosses Carmella to the floor. Naomi springboards out and lands on all of her opponents for a pop and a replay. Naomi brings Natalya in but Bliss hits her from behind. Bliss sends Naomi out and goes to work on Natalya in the corner. Natalya goes for a corner powerbomb on Bliss but Naomi goes to the top and nails a super blockbuster. Naomi covers for the pin and Bliss is eliminated.
Naomi ends up sending Natalya out. Naomi gets taken out by Nikki but Natalya comes back in and steals it. Natalya applies the Sharpshooter and makes Naomi tap out. Naomi is eliminated.
Carmella sends Becky into the steps. She comes in to join with Natalya on Nikki but it backfires. Nikki with the big backbreaker on Natalya for the pin. Natalya is eliminated.
Carmella comes in and immediately pins Nikki out of nowhere. Nikki is eliminated. It comes down to Carmella and Becky now. Carmella drops her and is furious.
Becky comes back with three big suplexes. Becky gets fired up but runs into a big kick. Becky ends up getting the win and the title with the Disarm Her.
Winner and First-Ever WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion: Becky Lynch
After the match, Becky celebrates and raises the title. We go to replays. Charly Caruso interviews Becky in the ring after the match as fans chant for her. Becky thanks fans and says it’s been years, it’s been miles. She says fans have believed in her every step of the way. She continues to thank the fans. She puts the title on her shoulder as Becky Balboa would and says we did it. Her music hits and she raises the title to continue the celebration as fans cheer her on.
Backstage:
The Miz walked down the hallway and approached the locker room of Nickelodeon guest star Jagger Eaton. Eaton said he’d like Miz to be on his Nick show … unless they can get John Cena. Why, you little! Jagger said he’ll talk to him later and slammed the door in Miz’s face.
Backstage:
Suddenly, Randy Orton was being attacked by Bray Wyatt. Here’s the injury angle write-off. Orton sold injuring his right leg during the attack. Wyatt cackled and leaned down next to him as a referee tried to intervene. Orton winced in pain.
– The announcers talked about The Usos attacking American Alpha after losing to them in the Tag Title tournament and injuring Chad Gable. Otunga pointed out that it’s ridiculous The Usos are getting a second chance when their poor sportsmanship cost the Alpha a spot in the finals. He said they should have been suspended, not given a “second chance” in the tournament. The Hype Bros. were out next to face The Usos.
Second Chance Tag Team Tournament Match: The Hype Bros. vs. The Usos
We go to the ring and out first come The Usos. Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley are out next. The winners will advance to the tournament finals later tonight.
Mojo starts off with Jey Uso and gets the upperhand. Rawley backdropped and slammed Jey Uso, setting Zack up for a slingside splash into the ring. Ryder nailed a facebuster and set up for the Facewash in the corner but Jimmy pulled Uso away. Zack hit a sliding kick to the outside and then nailed a dropkick off the apron to the floor on them. Mojo charged the Usos and tackled them into the barricade.
Ryder put his head down after sending one of the Usos into the ropes and was kicked in the face. The Usos began double teaming him and sent him to the floor. They worked him over and dumped him back in the ring, where he was nailed with a falling headbutt. They continued to double team Ryder who kept kicking up. Rawley was all hyped up in the corner wanting to be tagged in. Jimmy Uso drilled Ryder with a big roundhouse kick. They nailed the running hip attack on Ryder, although the camera angle revealed how it only grazed Ryder.
Jey continued to work over Ryder, who came back with a hangman’s neck breaker. Jimmy Uso was tagged in and kicked Mojo off the apron to prevent Ryder from making the tag. The Usos worked over Ryder in their corner. Ryder fought them off and finally made the hot tag to Mojo, who began cleaning house. He nailed a big Stinger Splash in the corner on Jey. He caught Jey coming off the ropes and nailed the press slam and dropped him. Jimmy Uso pulled Mojo to the floor and slammed him into the canvas.
Ryder nailed a top rope rana on one of the Uso. He nailed a Broski Boot on Jimmy but was nailed with a chop block from behind on Ryder. They attacked Ryder the same way they attacked Chad Gable and cinched in a single leg Boston Crab. Ryder finally tapped.
Winners: The Usos
Backstage:
Renee Young is with Heath Slater and Rhyno and talks with them about facing The Usos tonight in the finals. Slater said they are focused. He shakes Renee’s hand and thanks her for the interview. Slater proceeds to tell Rhyno he has had some stomach problems today and has gone around five times. Rhyno brings up how they are still live. Slater said he was just joking and lets out a WOOOOOOOOO. He then proceeds to grab his backside and tells Rhyno that he has to go right now.
– Mauro leads us to a video for tonight’s WWE Intercontinental Title match.
WWE Intercontinental Title Match: Dolph Ziggler vs. The Miz
We go to the ring and out first comes Dolph Ziggler. We see WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz backstage yelling at Daniel Bryan about being underappreciated. Miz says Bryan needs to bring something to the table. He says SmackDown needs the title, which means Shane and Bryan need him. Miz wants to renegotiate his contract and wants more pay. Bryan just stares at him. Miz refers to Bryan as a coward and says when he retains, the negotiations will be tougher. Miz tells Bryan to go watch what he can’t do anymore. Miz walks off with Maryse and Bryan looks to be getting emotional. Miz makes his way to the ring now.
Dolph Ziggler with a big takedown early on The Miz. Miz grabs the ropes to break it up and pulls himself out. Miz is back in. Ziggler with more takedown attempts. Miz kicks out the knee of Ziggler and throws a big left hand. Ziggler with repeated dropkicks taking out Miz. Miz avoids a superkick early and tosses Ziggler into the middle rope. Miz with a catapult on Ziggler right into the bottom rope. Miz with a bow and arrow stretch on Ziggler. Miz blocks a jumping DDT and launches Ziggler over the top rope with another catapult. Miz dropkicks Ziggler through the ropes. Miz then drops Ziggler face first off the ring barricade. Miz tosses Ziggler back inside and gets a two count off a pinfall attempt.
Miz keeps Ziggler grounded with a headlock. Ziggler misses a splash attempt in the corner. Miz with a modified surfboard submission applied on Ziggler. Miz locks up the ankles of Ziggler and slams his knees back on the mat. Miz with repeated corner dropkicks on Ziggler. Miz mocks Daniel Bryan starting up a “YES” chant. Miz with his corner clothesline. Miz with a double axe handle shot to Ziggler coming off the top turnbuckle. Ziggler with a roll up off a Skull Crushing Finale counter for a two count. Ziggler then drops Miz with a huge dropkick.
Ziggler now with repeated clotheslines, corner splash and swinging neckbreaker. Ziggler with a big takedown on Miz, drops some rights and a quick jumping elbow. Miz connects with the corner ring post when Ziggler moves. Miz somehow gets Ziggler up, drops him off the ropes and then back down in a sitdown powerbomb for a two count. Miz goes to work on the left knee of Ziggler. Ziggler with a Fameasser on Miz for a two count. Miz avoids a Zig Zag. Ziggler gets the back of Miz and applies a sleeper. Miz gets Ziggler off his back sending him face first into the corner. Ziggler with a jumping DDT on Miz for a two count.
Miz goes to work on the left knee of Ziggler. Ziggler with a Fameasser on Miz for a two count. Miz avoids a Zig Zag. Ziggler gets the back of Miz and applies a sleeper. Miz gets Ziggler off his back sending him face first into the corner. Ziggler with a jumping DDT on Miz for a two count. Miz blocks a superkick and connects with a DDT on Ziggler. Miz gets the Figure Four locked on Ziggler. Ziggler gets to the bottom rope to break it up. Miz with a kick to the face of Ziggler. Ziggler kicks away a Figure Four attempt and catches Miz with a superkick out of no where. Miz gets his boot on the bottom rope at the last second to break the pinfall. Miz crawls out of the ring. The referee starts the count. Ziggler grabs Miz and gets him back in by 9. Series of roll ups. Maryse is spraying something in the face of Ziggler with the referee distracted. Skull Crushing Finale and Miz gets the win.
Winner and still WWE Intercontinental Champion: The Miz
After the match, Maryse enters the ring as Miz is handed the title. We get replays and come back to Maryse and Miz on the entrance as Ziggler recovers in the ring.
– We hear from the Backlash panel featuring Lita, Booker T and Jerry Lawler.
Bray Wyatt vs. Randy Orton
Bray Wyatt is out next. Before the match, it is announced that Randy Orton has not been cleared to wrestle tonight. Wyatt had attacked Orton earlier in the night. Wyatt wants the referee 10 count to be administered. The referee reaches a 10 count.
Winner via forfeit: Bray Wyatt
After the announcement, Wyatt’s music hits as his arm is raised. Wyatt goes to leave the ring but Hamilton announces a No Holds Barred match against… the pyro hits and out comes Kane.
No Holds Barred Match: Kane vs. Bray Wyatt
Wyatt looks on as Demon Kane makes his way to the ring.
The bell rings and Bray Wyatt goes after Kane in the corner. Kane grabs Wyatt and sends him to the corner getting in some shots. Kane with a short arm clothesline on Wyatt. Wyatt rolls out and Kane pursues on the other side connecting with a clothesline on the outside.
Kane follows with a big clothesline on the floor. Kane with a big uppercut. Kane tosses Wyatt over one of the announce tables and takes it apart. Wyatt decks him and has the ring bell now. Wyatt with a big right hand. Wyatt slams Kane’s head into the apron. Wyatt grabs a steel chair but Kane decks him with a right hand. Kane headbutts Wyatt and rolls him back in. Wyatt launches himself at Kane and he goes down. Wyatt with a boot and more right hands. Wyatt ends up hitting Kane in the knee with a chair. Wyatt brings the chair in the ring. Wyatt with a running knee to the gut. Wyatt with a chair shot to the gut and over the back. Wyatt yells about being a God. Wyatt with a big chair shot over the back.
Kane gets up but Wyatt drops him with another chair shot over the back. Wyatt with a 2 count. Wyatt stomps away now. Wyatt goes to drop Kane on the chair but Kane fights him off. Kane drops Wyatt on the chair with a DDT. Kane with splashes in the corners. Kane hits the sidewalk slam. Kane goes for the chokeslam but Wyatt fights him off. Kane charges but Wyatt dumps him to the floor. Kane grabs Wyatt for a chokeslam through the announce table but it’s blocked. Wyatt drops Kane with a hard clothesline on the floor.
Wyatt is now clearing off the Smackdown announce table. Wyatt puts Kane on the Spanish table, throws some quick elbows and stands on the Smackdown table. Wyatt poses like Randy Orton and then connects with a back splash over Kane crashing through the table! Wyatt tosses Kane back inside the ring and leans back in the corner smiling. Kane catches Wyatt with a chokeslam. Wyatt plants Kane over the chair. We then see Randy Orton walking down the ramp towards the ring. Orton with an RKO on Wyatt. Orton walks away with his arms up. Kane with a chokeslam on Wyatt. Kane hooks the leg of Wyatt and gets the pinfall.
Winner: Kane
Backstage:
Backstage, we see AJ Styles walking around and comes across two independent wrestlers backstage. Styles said he knows exactly where they are right now. He assumes they are both sleeping in their cars and that they are both destined for failure.
WWE SmackDown Tag Team Title Tournament Finals: The Usos vs. Rhyno and Heath Slater
We go to the ring and out come The Usos. We see the SmackDown Tag Team Titles on display at ringside. Heath Slater and Rhyno are out next.
We start with Heath Slater and Jimmy Uso. Slater with right hands early along with a jumping right hand that drops Jimmy. Tag to Jey Uso who eats a drop toe hold from Slater. Tag to Rhyno who hits an elbow with Slater on Jey. Jey with a kick and right hand to Rhyno. Rhyno with chops and tags in Slater. Slater with shots to both Usos in the corner. Jey with a headbutt to the stomach of Slater. Slater rolls out. The Usos with a double suplex to Slater against the ring post and then Jey connects with a superkick. Jimmy has the tag and connects with a big chop to Slater. Jey with a cheap shot on Slater with the referee distracted. Tag back to Jey who kicks Slater in the head. Jey with a sliding tackle into a headlock on Slater to keep the action grounded.
Slater catches Jey in the corner with double boots. Tag to Jimmy who cuts off a hot tag and sends Slater hard into the corner. Jimmy with another shot to Slater in the corner. Tag to Jey who goes up top, Jimmy drops Slater over his knee and Jey comes off the top rope with a quick chop shot. Jey kicks away the hand of Rhyno who wants a tag. Slater again is sent back first into the corner. Jey with a back suplex on Slater that results in a two count. Jey again cuts off a tag to Rhyno.
Tag back to Jimmy who keeps Slater close to the corner. Jimmy drops a quick leg. Tag back to Jey who throws a headbutt on Slater. Slater catches Jey coming off the ropes. Hot tag to Rhyno. Tag to Jimmy. Rhyno with shoulder tackles to Jimmy and knocks Jey off the corner. Rhyno with a jumping clothesline and spear to Jimmy in the corner. Rhyno with a belly-to-belly suplex on Jimmy. Jimmy avoids a Gore sending Rhyno face first to the corner. Slater tags himself in. Slater with neckbreakers on both Usos. Slater with a leaping DDT on Jimmy and Jey pulls Slater out of the ring during the pinfall attempt. Slater side steps Jey and hits a right on the ring apron. Jimmy with a superkick to Slater. Rhyno with a Gore on Jimmy! The referee didn’t see the Gore. Slater drops down and covers Jimmy to get the pinfall.
Winners and first ever Smackdown Tag Team Champions: Heath Slater and Rhyno
After the match, Charly Caruso gets word with Heath Slater and Rhyno. Slater asks if they hear this crowd tonight. He talks about not getting drafted back in July, but thanks Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan for giving him the shot to get in this tournament. Slater talks about being champions with Rhyno and how he gets a contract now. He then talks about his “wife” Beulah adding, “We’re getting a double wide, baybay!”
– A video package runs hyping Dean Ambrose vs. AJ Styles tonight.
WWE Title Match: AJ Styles vs. Dean Ambrose
We go to the ring and out first comes AJ Styles. WWE Champion Dean Ambrose is out next. We get formal ring introductions from Hamilton.
The bell rings and here we go. Lock up. Styles with a quick snapmare on Ambrose and backs off smiling. Styles with a roll up for two and small package for two on Ambrose. Styles with a waistlock takedown on Ambrose. Ambrose gets to the ropes to break it up. Styles shoves Ambrose. Styles with a big shove back sending Styles down. Ambrose with arm drags and a scoop slam on Styles. Styles quickly rolls out to regroup.
Ambrose with a sunset flip. Styles fights out and connects with a big forearm to the face of Ambrose. Ambrose with a high back body drop on Styles. Styles catches Ambrose with a drop toe hold sending Ambrose throat first into the bottom rope. Styles keeps Ambrose grounded.
Ambrose with a headbutt and right hand. Styles catches Ambrose with a powerful dropkick. Styles sends Ambrose to the corner and gets in a few right hands. Styles plants Ambrose with a scoop slam. Styles drops a knee over the head of Ambrose, hooks the leg and gets a two count. Styles throws a knee to the jaw of Ambrose and follows with more forearms. Ambrose stomps away at Styles in the corner trying to turn things around. Ambrose hits the ring post shoulder first in the other corner when Styles moves out of the way. Ambrose with headbutts to Styles. Styles responds with forearms. Styles misses a splash in the corner. Ambrose props Styles up on the top turnbuckle. Styles with elbows. Ambrose with a forearm to the back. Ambrose with a back superplex on Styles from the top turnbuckle to the mat below!
Ambrose with shots off the ropes on Styles. Ambrose levels Styles with a clothesline. Ambrose with a swinging backbreaker on Styles after Styles jumped from the corner. Styles rolls out and Ambrose comes off the top turnbuckle catching him with a flying elbow. Back in the ring, Ambrose locks up the arms of Styles and drops him down face first. Ambrose avoids a Calf Crusher, but Styles is able to suplex him right into the corner. Styles drives the knee of Ambrose into the mat. Styles is working over the knee of Ambrose. Ambrose is dropping repeated legs over the chest/throat of Styles. Styles gets the Calf Crusher locked on.
Ambrose reaches out and gets the bottom rope to break it up. Ambrose is bouncing the head of Styles off the mat to escape another Calf Crusher attempt. Ambrose avoids a Styles Clash, but eats a big kick from Styles on the ring apron. Ambrose catapults Styles shoulder first on the ring apron into the steel ring post! Ambrose with a lariat shot on Styles and tosses him back inside the ring. Ambrose with a shot in the corner and running bulldog. Ambrose with a cradle for two.
Styles with body shots, has Ambrose up on his shoulders and drops him down in a fireman’s carry into a neckbreaker for another close two count. Ambrose avoids a Styles Clash attempt. Styles spins Ambrose off his shoulders into a powerbomb. Styles plants Ambrose and yells, “Let’s see if he gets up from this one.” Styles connects with his springboard 450 splash on Ambrose and Ambrose kicks out. Styles can’t believe it.
Ambrose throws big knees to the body of Styles and connects with a HUGE dropkick that sends Styles out. Ambrose with a suicide dive taking out Styles sending Styles over the Smackdown announce table. Ambrose then tosses Styles over the ring barricade into the crowd. Ambrose jumps off the barricade and takes out Styles in the crowd! Ambrose tosses Styles back over the barricade and back inside the ring. The crowd starts a “THIS IS AWESOME” chant. Pele kick by Styles. Ambrose fires back with his lariat off the ropes. Referee bump when Styles counters Dirty Deeds. Styles with a low blow to Ambrose. The referee is back up. Styles Clash. Styles turns Ambrose over and Styles gets the pinfall! Styles is the new champion!
Winner and new WWE World Champion: AJ Styles
After the match, we see AJ Styles taking advantage of the referee bump and hitting a low blow kick to Dean Ambrose to setup the Styles Clash finish. Back live, we see AJ Styles holding up the WWE World Championship as the PPV comes to a close.
