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The episode of SmackDown Live took place with 3 matches announced beforehand. Did Becky Lynch get her revenge on Mickie James? Did Apollo Crews get redemption for himself and Kalisto against the changed Dolph Ziggler? Who became Bray Wyatt’s WrestleMania opponent? AJ Styles or Luke Harper? What did John Cena have to say to the man the cost him a shot at #17 at WrestleMania? Find out below!
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SmackDown Live starts off with Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon reviewing the footage from the previous week’s Battle Royal. AJ came in and said that he was the clear winner, wanting a free pass to the main event of WrestleMania. Shane said that he was lucky he was even getting the opportunity.
AJ then began insulting Harper and his “smell”, not realising Harper was behind him. Once he finally did realise, he walked away. Harper stared at Bryan and Shane and said “Thank you” before walking away.
The Miz TV with John Cena
The Miz didn’t beat around the bush and did not let Cena talk. The Miz said he had a decade of frustration to get off his chest and refused to accept Cena's likely retort of him being arrogant. The Miz said that Cena is on top of the food chain because he manipulates people, and talks to the right people.
The crowd started Cena chants. A lot of kids in the crowd too, but more importantly, a LOT of Cena fans. The Miz says he's not "the other guy". He spoke about main eventing WrestleMania and beat him, but two weeks later, he manipulated things against him. The Miz said that he isn't the only one who can see through Cena's hypocrisy.
He then began the comparison with The Rock and his feud against him and called out Cena's hypocrisy of going to Hollywood once he got the call. The crowd chanted "You sold out" to Cena, and The Miz pointed out. The Miz called John Cena a fool of himself. "Let's Go Cena" "Cena sucks!" chants started getting louder and louder.
The Miz addressed the battling "Let's go Cena" and "Cena sucks" chants, he then said that it was he who was doing everything to make SmackDown Live! a must-see show, unlike Cena. He then said that Cena was gifted a championship match upon his return at the Royal Rumble and manipulated his way into the history books.
The Miz said that Ric Flair was still the greatest of all time, and accused Cena of manipulating his way into the history books, and the reason why he eliminated Cena at the battle royal is because it was only a portion of what Cena did to him the last 10 years.
Cena starts down talking The Miz’s “theory”. He said that if he could pull the strings he would rather face The Undertaker at WrestleMania instead of The Miz. He said it’s easy for The Miz to blame him.
Cena told The Miz that he tried to steal The Rock’s electricity, Chris Jericho’s personality, Daniel Bryan’s move set and the words of AJ Styles for the past 6 months. Cena said that he isn’t mad about The Miz eliminating him last week. He said that The Miz complains and blames everyone else, but Cena acts like a man and deals with it.
Cena tells The Miz that he isn’t The Undertaker, but if he talks too much, he’ll be a “deadman”. When he walks away, Maryse called him back and told him that he had an inflated ego, then slapped him. Cena told Maryse that she made the biggest mistake of her life, and Nikki Bella ran out.
This led The Miz and Maryse to fled, and Nikki told Maryse not to “mess with her man”, before insulting her with the “B” word.
Becky Lynch vs Mickie James – 2 out of 3 falls match
The match started off with a wrist lock and started off dominant against Mickie. After the commercial break, Mickie was in control. Becky managed to get some offence in, but it didn't last long, as Mickie hit the "Mickie-DT" and scored the first pinfall.
Mickie 1-0 Becky
After the break, Mickie still had control over Becky. Becky kept trying but just couldn’ t seem to get one over Mickie. As Mickie attempted a dropkick, Becky avoided and scored a pinfall via a roll-up.
Mickie 1-1 Becky
After the second fall, Alexa Bliss came out and distracted the referee. By this point, Becky seemed to have Mickie beat, but the referee wasn’t there. Becky went to confront Alexa, and when Mickie tried to attack her from behind, Becky moved, leading Mickie to run into Alexa. A roll-up countered into the dis-arm-her, where Becky made Mickie tapped out.
Mickie 1-2 Becky
Becky Lynch defeated Mickie James 2-1
Luke Harper cut a promo in a dim lit room, telling Bray Wyatt that he wasn’t scared of him. Luke vowed that once he beat Bray at WrestleMania, Bray would be scared of him.
The camera cut to Bray Wyatt, wishing Harper luck. He praised Randy Orton and himself, saying that he holds the holy grail. lifting up the WWE Championship.
Alexa Bliss was interviewed backstage about her failed attempt to interfere in Becky Lynch and Mickie James’ match. Alexa berated Dasha for not asking her about her championship win last week instead. Alexa cut a fake babyface promo, before being interrupted by Natalya.
Nattie congratulated Alexa on her win, and they got into a verbal spat. Nattie said she was going to take the title from her.
Renee Young was backstage interviewing AJ Styles and asked him about his thoughts on his upcoming match with Harper. AJ said that Harper’s feet clearly touched the floor first and that it was convenient that there was no camera at that angle. He said that he was going to where he belonged – the main event of WrestleMania.
AJ Styles vs Luke Harper – Winner faces Bray Wyatt at WrestleMania
Harper shoved AJ Styles to begin the match. Harper started off very dominant, with AJ failing to get any offence in early on. He slammed AJ against the barricade. AJ finally caught Harper below his legs and hit a Pele kick on Harper.
JBL endorsed AJ saying that he is the closest thing he’s seen to HBK since he’s retired. Harper continued his dominance over Styles. Harper showed how agile he is, hitting a suicide dive through the ropes. The crowd was hot for the match, with duelling chants for both competitors.
AJ reversed a powerbomb attempted by Harper, but Harper once again caught AJ. After the commercial break, Harper was still dominant. Styles escaped a fireman’s carry by Harper. He hit the phenomenal forearm, and Luke Harper’s feet touched the ropes, but the referee didn’t see it and counted to 3.
AJ thought he won, but Shane McMahon came out and restarted the match. Outside the ring, Luke Harper accidentally kicked Shane McMahon in the chest. Inside the ring, AJ caught Harper and hit him with the 450 splash, defeating him.
AJ Styles defeated Luke Harper
Dasha interviewed John Cena and Nikki Bella backstage, and Carmella and James Ellsworth came in laughing and started trash talking Cena and Nikki Bella. Cena and Nikki set up a match between the two “couples” next week.
Dean Ambrose was seen backstage walking towards the entrance.
Backstage, AJ Styles was walking and ran into Daniel Bryan. Bryan congratulated AJ, but AJ refused to shake his hand and said that he should probably be there in person for Bray Wyatt’s invocation.
Dean Ambrose calls out Baron Corbin
Dean Ambrose hit the Dirty Deeds on Curt Hawkins before their scheduled match even started. He took the mic and started talking about life lessons he learned. He referred to Baron Corbin’s constant assaults on him. He called Corbin out for a fight, but Corbin appeared on the big screen.
Corbin said that he wouldn’t come out when he called him. Baron Corbin talked about the similarities between the two, and Ambrose vowed to teach Baron Corbin a lesson. Corbin then left.
Dolph Ziggler vs Apollo Crews – Chairs match
Apollo Crews attacked Ziggler as he made his entrance. Apollo started the offence but Ziggler still managed to counter. Apollo Crews hit a reverse moonsault on Ziggler with the chair on Ziggler’s body.
Ziggler attempted a superkick but got suplexed onto a chair. Ziggler caught Crews after tripping him and getting his throat slammed against the chair. Ziggler then slammed Crews between his legs on the chair and then pinned him to win.
Dolph Ziggler defeated Apollo Crews
Bray Wyatt’s Invocation
Bray Wyatt made his entrance. He said “So. AJ Styles it is”. He said it didn’t matter whether it was AJ or Harper because they are just mortals. He said that something happens when people step into the ring with deities. He promised AJ he would end up just like the rest. He vowed that AJ would feel the spirit of his master. Randy Orton was on the big screen, in a shed.
Randy said that he was "in the kingdom". He said that it was Bray’s world, but not his, nor ever was. He revealed that he got in to destroy the Wyatts from within. Orton said that Sister Abigail was put to rest, directly within his feet. He took a pick axe.
He asked Bray how long the maggots and worms were eating Sister Abigail’s flesh. He said he knew that Bray was helpless, and filled with fear. He vowed to burn the spirit of Sister Abigail with him, and Randy said that he would be the master and Bray would be the servant.
He took a can of oil and poured it all over the walls of the shed. Randy vowed that he was coming for Bray and the title at WrestleMania. Randy looked at the maggots and poured oil all over them. He said that Bray would hear Sister Abigail scream, and the last time he heard her scream was when she took her last breath. Randy exited the shed and poured oil outside as well, much to the dismay of Bray Wyatt.
Randy struck a match and said he was going to burn the soul of Sister Abigail to eternal Damnation. Randy posed and stood as the shed burned. Bray was restlessly roaming around the ring, absolutely distraught, as the crowd chanted "Randy" and SmackDown Live came to an end.
