WWE SmackDown Live Results – July 26, 2016 – New Era Begins

WWE Smackdown Live Results
July 26, 2016
Buffalo, New York
Commentary: Mauro Ranallo, JBL and David Otunga
Results by: Adam Martin of Wrestleview.com

The show opens with Commissioner Shane McMahon and General Manager Daniel Bryan backstage with mics in hand. They walk out inside the arena. Shane and Bryan put over how the show is all about the fans watching and in attendance. Bryan kicks off a “YES” chant.

A new Smackdown opening hits featuring the new exclusive roster.

Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan Segment

We return live in Buffalo as the “YES” chant continues. We see the Smackdown crew surrounding the ring on top of the ring apron. Shane asks Buffalo what is up. A loud “SHANE O MAC” chant starts up. Shane said Smackdown is all about opportunity. Shane announces that starting on September 11, Smackdown will be presenting it’s own PPV, Backlash.

Shane brings up how Smackdown is home to the one and only WWE Champion and how they need to find an opponent for Dean Ambrose at SummerSlam. He then introduces the Undisputed WWE Champion, Dean Ambrose. Ambrose walks out to a big reaction. He said he has the Smackdown Live fever and wants to know who is going to step up.

Bryan says this is what he loves about Ambrose: he will fight anyone at any time. He said they have a plan for his opponent at SummerSlam. Bryan announces a Six Pack Challenge No. 1 Contenders match. Six WWE Superstars will have the opportunity to compete for the No. 1 Contendership to wrestle Dean Ambrose at SummerSlam for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Announced for the match tonight includes John Cena, Bray Wyatt, Dolph Ziggler, Baron Corbin and AJ Styles. Bryan says the sixth spot is open to anyone. The sixth person in the Six Pack Challenge will be the winner of a Battle Royal.

Battle Royal
Winner moves on to the Six Pack Challenge Main Event

Mauro Ranallo, JBL and David Otunga welcome us back to the live show.

The bell rings and here we go. Kane and Erick Rowan are being attacked by separate groups in each corner. Kane quickly tosses out Simon Gotch.

Simon Gotch is eliminated.

Aiden English works over Zack Ryder in the corner. The Ascension is attacking Kane. Kane tosses both members of Ascension over the top rope.

The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor) is eliminated.

Kane tries to toss Kalisto out. English is almost eliminated and hangs on. Ryder with jumping elbow to Kane in the corner. Jey Uso almost eliminates Alberto Del Rio. Del Rio kicks Kane in the head in the corner. Mojo Rawley goes after Rowan. Jey with superkicks. Tyler Breeze with a superkick on Jey Uso and Fandango pulls him over the top rope.

Jey Uso is eliminated.

We are back live.

During the break, we find out Aiden English and Erick Rowan are eliminated.

Aiden English is eliminated.

Erick Rowan is eliminated.

Mojo Rawley is tossed out by Alberto Del Rio.

Mojo Rawley is eliminated.

Del Rio with a backstabber to Apollo Crews. Del Rio is tossed out by Ryder and Crews. Breezango is tossed out next by Kane.

Alberto Del Rio is eliminated.

Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango) is eliminated.

Kane with uppercuts and clotheslines to Ryder, Crews and Kalisto. Kane tries to toss Kalisto over the top rope and Kalisto hangs on. Kalisto with a kick to the face. Ryder with a missile dropkick. Crews with a standing moonsault over Kane. Kalisto with a springboard frog splash over Kane. Ryder with a botched dropkick to the back of Kalisto. Ryder is trying to toss Crews over the top rope and Crews is hanging on. Crews is now trying to toss Ryder over with help from Kalisto. Ryder with a big elbow dropping Kalisto. Ryder with a powerful looking neckbreaker to Kalisto. Ryder tosses Kalisto over and Kalisto hangs on. Crews clotheslines Ryder over. Ryder hangs on. Salida Del Sol on Crews. Ryder slips attempting a flying elbow. Kalisto spikes the face of Ryder off the mat. Kane tosses Kalisto over.

Kalisto is eliminated.

Kane with an uppercut to Ryder and boot to Crews. Kane clotheslines Ryder and Crews in the corners. Ryder avoids another shot in the corner. Ryder with a Broski Boot to Kane. Ryder with a kick to the face of Crews in the corner. Kane cuts off a Rough Ryder and launches Ryder over the top rope to the outside.

Zack Ryder is eliminated.

Crews counters a chokeslam, Kane charges and Crews pulls the rope down.

Kane is eliminated.

Winner and advancing to the Six Pack Challenge: Apollo Crews

After the match, Renee Young gets word with Apollo Crews. He said tonight he plans to win the Six Pack Challenge and move on to SummerSlam.

Set for the No. 1 Contenders Six Pack Challenge tonight is John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Baron Corbin vs. AJ Styles vs. Apollo Crews.

Natalya vs. Becky Lynch in a rematch from Battleground is up next.

A video package runs hyping the return of Shelton Benjamin to WWE on Smackdown.

Dolph Ziggler cuts a promo about the Six Pack Challenge match tonight.

Natalya vs. Becky Lynch

Lock up and Natalya with a headlock takedown early on Becky Lynch. Becky fights out and gets a headlock takedown of her own. Natalya quickly fights out of that. Natalya with a quick shoulder tackle that drops Becky. Becky catches Natalya with a single leg dropkick and Natalya rolls out of the ring. Becky yells, “Straight fire!” Natalya is back in and throws Becky back first over the mat and works over her against the second rope. Natalya with a scoop slam and pose over Becky. Becky pulls back on the arms of Becky applying pressure. Becky fights out and gets a roll up for a two count on Natalya. Becky with clotheslines and a heel kick. Becky misses a shot in the corner on Natalya. Becky catches Natalya with an elbow. Natalya pulls Becky off the corner with a sweep as we head to a break.

We return as Natalya has an abdominal stretch locked on Becky. Becky fights out flipping Natalya. Becky with a series of elbows and a big uppercut. Becky with a shot in the corner, a low kick and Natalya tosses Becky back into the corner. Becky with a kick to the head. Becky goes up top, jumps and connects with a flying leg drop for a close two count. Becky blocks an elbow, attempts a small package, Natalya counters, Becky goes for an armbar, Natalya counters out and connects with her twisting lariat for a close two count. Becky counters a Sharpshooter attempt and gets the armbar locked on. Natalya taps out.

Winner: Becky Lynch

Women’s Division Segment

After the match, Renee Young is with Becky Lynch. Young says this must feel like redemption after she lost to Natalya at Battleground. Becky says, “Just call me Becky Balboa baby!” Alexa Bliss walks out introducing herself and saying she is what the new era looks like yelling in the direction of Becky.

Naomi interrupts Bliss and says Bliss shouldn’t be running her mouth when she hasn’t even had her official WWE match yet.

Here comes Carmella. She does her NXT introduction when she gets interrupted.

Eva Marie is out. “Allow yourself to be seduced,” says the deep voice. Eva blows a kiss.

Baron Corbin cuts a promo about the Six Pack Challenge match tonight.

MizTV with special guest: The Miz

Maryse wants everyone to stand up and welcome the “sexiest man alive”, the A-lister, her husband, your WWE Intercontinental Champion, The Miz.

The Miz introduces his guest tonight – a former WWE Champion and the current WWE Intercontinental Champion, the most see WWE Superstar in the world, The Miz!

The Miz proceeds to start interviewing himself for the segment. He puts himself over as a WWE star, a movie star and that he is married to the “perfect woman.” Miz wants everyone to be proud of him because they can’t be proud of themselves. He gets comment from Maryse about being married to Miz adding it is like being married to Han Solo.

Randy Orton walks out to interrupt. Orton grabs a mic and heads inside the ring. “Randy, good to see you,” The Miz says sarcastically. Orton said it sounded like Miz was talking about him when he was watching backstage. He puts over Miz and his mic skills. Miz says he is a professional. Orton said Miz must be an expert at playing with himself. Miz says Orton can crack all the jokes he wants because he has a match with Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam. Orton brings up he made a pretty good living at one point killing legends. He admits he is probably going to Suplex City, but it only takes one RKO to send Lesnar to Viperville. Miz said Orton seems real confident for a guy that hasn’t been in the ring for nine months. He said Orton’s first match back might be his last.

Orton said SummerSlam won’t be his last match and it doesn’t have to be his first match. He suggests a match tonight in Buffalo. “And how cool would it be that my big return right here in this ring tonight takes place against the Intercontinental Champion.” Miz asks if the crowd wants to see that match? “How about no,” adds The Miz. He said Orton doesn’t get a shot at the title like that. Orton agrees, says the title isn’t on the line and this would be a warm up match. Miz brings up beating Orton to become the WWE Champion and isn’t going to fall for Orton’s tricks. Orton asks Miz if he is scared about getting his “ass whipped” in front of his pretty wife? He asks who is doing the pitching and the catching in this relationship. Maryse accepts the match on behalf of Miz.

Non-Title Match
WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz w/ Maryse vs. Randy Orton

The bell rings and here we go. Miz quickly bails to the outside. Miz is back in catching Orton with a kick and a right hand. Miz quickly tosses Orton out of the ring. Orton hits his shoulder really hard on the outside. Orton slaps the barricade and looks mad. Orton is clutching his shoulder as Miz tosses him into the barricade again. Miz with more shots and sends Orton into the timekeepers area barricade. Miz tosses Orton back inside and kicks him in the face after hitting the ropes. Miz with kicks to Orton in the corner. Miz bails and Orton with uppercuts to Miz. Miz sends Orton shoulder first into the steel ring steps. Miz tosses Orton back inside. RKO out of no where on Miz! Orton stays sitting down. Orton leans up against the ropes and gets back on his feet slowly. Miz is still down. Orton kicks at Miz. Orton fires up the crowd in Buffalo. Orton starts slapping the mat. Another RKO on Miz for the win.

Winner: Randy Orton

Brock Lesnar returns to WWE next Monday night on RAW.

A video package runs focusing on former NXT Tag Team Champions American Alpha. Chad Gable and Jason Jordan debut on Smackdown Live next week.

Heath Slater Segment

We return live and see an unknown wrestler warming up when Heath Slater hits the ring. Slater attacks the wrestler and kicks him out of the ring. Slater grabs a mic and asks why he wasn’t drafted to RAW or Smackdown Live. He said if Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan want to lead Smackdown into a new “error” (he meant era), Slater suggests they put him in the Six Pack Challenge tonight to make it a Magnificent Seven Challenge. He starts up up a “SIGN HEATH SLATER” chant for the crowd in Buffalo.

Shane McMahon walks out and asks Heath if he knows if they are live. He said if Slater wants a job he could do something more constructive like submit a resume. Slater is pretty sure Shane has the WWE Network and suggests he type in his name to see his resume. He said he was the brains behind Nexus, The Core and he was the One Man Band baby! Slater puts himself over as a three-time WWE Tag Team Champion and feels he can do so much more. He puts himself over as the highest free agent in sports entertainment today.

We see Rhyno getting inside the ring. Shane says he agrees that he is looking at the hottest free agent today. Slater turns around and takes a Gore from Rhyno.

AJ Styles cuts a promo about the Six Pack Challenge match tonight. That match is next.

Six Pack Challenge No. 1 Contendership Match
John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Baron Corbin vs. AJ Styles vs. Apollo Crews

As announced earlier tonight, the winner of this match will challenge Dean Ambrose for the WWE Championship at SummerSlam on August 21 in Brooklyn.

Bray Wyatt cuts a promo saying tonight, five men will fall and he will then truly have the whole world in his hands. “Buffalo…I’m here.”

We get entrances for all six men involved in the main event tonight.

The bell rings and a big brawl breaks out. Styles and Crews. Wyatt and Corbon. Styles is now going after Cena in the corner as we head to a commercial break.

We are back live as Wyatt is holding Crews allowing Styles to get in a big kick. Styles with a jumping knee over the head of Crews. We see a shot of Corbin and Cena on the outside. Wyatt with a senton splash over Crews. Wyatt takes a bow in front of Styles. Wyatt wants to see what Styles can do. Styles hits the ropes and Wyatt levels him with a clothesline. Ziggler with a dropkick to Wyatt and follows with a swinging neckbreaker. Ziggler with a flying elbow over Wyatt for a two count. Corbin trips up Ziggler, pulls him out and levels him with a right hand. Styles with a running knee to the face of Corbin on the ring apron. Styles with a springboard 450 splash over Wyatt! Cena is back in taking a fireman’s carry from Styles. Crews with a series of german suplexes hanging on to Styles releasing on a third. Corbin plants Crews over the mat, hooks the leg and Crews kicks out. Corbin with high knees to Crews. Corbin with a corner clothesline on Crews. We head to another break.

We get a double tower of doom spot as we come back from a break. Corbin goes after Crews with right hands. Crews fights back with rights of his own. Corbin with a twisting powerbomb planting Crews and gets another close two count. Corbin is yelling at the referee. Crews with an impressive lifting sitdown powerbomb on Corbin. Wyatt pulls out the referee to break up the pinfall attempt by Crews. Wyatt is crawling around. Crews falls to the mat freaked out. Sister Abigail on Crews. Zig Zag on Wyatt, hook of the leg and the referee is still down. Ziggler can’t believe it and yells at the referee to get up. Ziggler fires up in the corner. Cena with an AA on Ziggler. Cena counters Sister Abigail. Pele Kick on Wyatt. AA on Styles. Cena hooks the leg of Styles and Styles kicks out! Crews is up top. Cena catches Crews, rolls through, Cena tosses Crews up to his shoulders and hits an AA. AA on Wyatt. Corbin fights off an AA attempt. Cena gets Corbin back up and connects with an AA. Styles with a flying forearm out of no where. Ziggler with a superkick on Styles and gets the pinfall!

Winner and new No. 1 Contender: Dolph Ziggler

Dean Ambrose defends the WWE Championship against Dolph Ziggler at SummerSlam.

After the match, Dolph Ziggler celebrates with fans at ringside. WWE Champion Dean Ambrose walks out to interrupt Ziggler’s celebration. Ambrose gets in the face of Ziggler and holds up the WWE Championship as we get another replay of the finish.

Back live, Daniel Bryan is in the ring holding up the arms of Ambrose and Ziggler.

Shane McMahon is headed back to the ring. He shakes the hand of Ziggler.

Ziggler points at the WWE Championship as the show comes to a close.

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Quick Match Results:

* Apollo Crews won a Battle Royal to advance to the Six Pack Challenge Main Event
* Becky Lynch def. Natalya
* Randy Orton def. WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz
* Dolph Ziggler won a Six Pack Challenge to become No. 1 Contender for the WWE Title