WWE Smackdown results - July 18, 2014

Seth Rollins interrupts Dean Ambrose

WWE Smackdown’s taped show aired on Friday night from Fayetteville, North Carolina which included Dean Ambrose in main event action, Intercontinental Battle Royal participants in some warm-up action and Chris Jericho taking one of Bray Wyatt’s disciple, Luke Harper.

With only two days to go before the Battleground pay-per-view on Sunday, here are the results from the go home show last night.

Furious Ambrose opens Smackdown

Dean Ambrose came out infuriated and still worked out from the beating he received on last Monday night at the hands of Seth Rollins, Randy Orton and Kane. He said that he wanted revenge for that and called them out to the ring. But instead, Rollins appeared on the giant screen and informed him that he wasn’t fit enough to compete due to his injured knee. But there will be a match between Kane and Ambrose as ordered by COO, Triple H.

Sheamus and Dolph Ziggler vs The Miz and Fandango

Before they face each other at the Battle Royal on Sunday, Sheamus teamed up with Ziggler to face Fandango and The Miz in a tag-team match. The victory for the Celtic Warrior and his Show Off partner after he took out Fandango with a Brogue Kick while Ziggler took out the Moneymaker with a Zig-Zag gaining significant momentum before the PPV.

Winner: Sheamus and Dolph Ziggler

Eva Marie vs Alicia Fox

With Nikki Bella as the special guest referee, Eva Marie and Alicia Fox squared off in a Divas bout that ended up being a no contest after both of them attacked Nikki during the match. It is being speculated that they were instructed by Stephanie McMahon who is still settling her score from that Brie Bella slap at Payback.

No Contest

Chris Jericho hits the Codebreaker on Luke Harper

Chris Jericho vs Bray Wyatt

Before he faces The Eater of the Worlds on Sunday at Battleground, Jericho faced Luke Harper in a one-on-one match on Smackdown. Y2J locked the Walls of Jericho on Harper but was interrupted by his victim’s partner, Eric Rowan. But Jericho managed to knock out the intruder from the ring and pinned Harper to pick up a win. After the match, The Wyatt Family unleashed their post-match assault on the former WWE champion, but the Usos came out to even the numbers up as the evil faction retreated from the ring.

Winner: Chris Jericho

USA-Russia Flag battle

Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter take hold of the ring as Colter rubbishes the Russians confirming that things will be right for the USA at Battleground. Lana and Rusev appear on the stage keeping a safe distance from their adversaries. Both the superstars glare at each other as they wave their flags prompting the crowd to chant “USA.”

Kofi Kingston in singles action against Alberto Del Rio

Alberto Del Rio vs Kofi Kingston

The two contenders for the Battle Royal at Battleground faced each other in a singles match as Alberto Del Rio ducked to avoid a Trouble in Paradise from Kofi and stomped down on him from the turnbuckle to the canvas and seized the win.

Winner: Alberto Del Rio

AJ Lee and Paige defeated Summer Rae and Layla

The frenemies took on the dancing besties of Summer Rae and Layla in a tag-team match before they compete for the Divas title at Battleground PPV. At one point, Paige seemed to be in control of the match but AJ made the blind tag and locked in the Black Widow, forcing Summer Rae to tag. After the bell, Paige looked mildly peeved but AJ bats her eyes and the ladies hugged in a display of mega-awkward weirdness.

Winner: AJ Lee and Paige

Hornswoggle’s funny cameo

The Usos star in a Sonic commercial for Polynesian Punch with Nerds candy and Hornswoggle makes a funny cameo.

Deam Ambrose assaults Kane even before his pyro segment ends

Dean Ambrose vs Kane

In an intensity filled main event action, Dean Ambrose and Kane were at each other’s faces during the entire match with Ambrose talking trash even while being beaten down. After a lot of on and off ring action, Kane tried to Tombstone Ambrose on the steel steps but Dean countered his move. Out came Seth Rollins to intervene and he successfully hit Ambrose with the briefcase. He then executed a Curb-Stomp to Ambrose onto the unforgiving steps, pounding a message into The Lunatic Fringe, just two days before their highly anticipated showdown at Battleground.

Winner: Dean Ambrose via DQ