Mustafa Ali is the latest to have his name shortened.
WWE.com updated Mustafa Ali’s bio page this afternoon, shortening his name to just Ali. Any mention of his former first name has been dropped, so it is likely going forward he will only be going by his last name.
He had returned recently on television after being out a few weeks last month due to a concussion. As fate would have it, his injury actually was the catalyst for Kofi Kingston to enter the main event scene on SmackDown. He replaced Ali as part of a gauntlet match to determine who would enter last in the Elimination Chamber. Although he didn’t win the match, nor did he win in the actual Elimination Chamber itself, his performances connected with the crowd.
Ali is not the first to have his name changed once he was brought up to SmackDown. Otis (Dozovic), Tucker (Knight), (Luke) Harper, (Erik) Rowan and Andrade (Cien Almas) also had longer names before they were shortened.
WWE changed up a couple of matches at tonight’s Fastlane pay-per-view.
Daniel Bryan defending his WWE Championship against Kevin Owens was advertised going into the show, but the title match was changed to Bryan vs. Owens vs. Mustafa Ali. Bryan retained by hitting a running knee as Ali was in mid-air.
Rowan took out Owens before the finish and then laid out Ali after the match.
There was a storyline on the pre-show where, as The New Day were entering for Big E & Xavier Woods vs. Rusev & Shinsuke Nakamura, Kofi Kingston was told that the McMahon family requested to speak to him about the WWE Championship match.
That was followed up on later in the show. Kingston finally got to meet with Vince McMahon, and Vince said he was making the WWE title match a triple threat. Vince said Big E and Woods were barred from ringside and told Kingston that his match was starting now.
But instead of challenging for the WWE title, Kingston faced Cesaro & Sheamus in a handicap match. They defeated Kingston, with Rusev and Nakamura attacking Big E and Woods when they tried to come out.
The crowd chanted for Kingston at points during Bryan vs. Owens vs. Ali. Kingston had originally been announced as Bryan’s challenger for the PPV, but Owens replaced him as part of a storyline where Vince said Kingston wasn’t as deserving of getting a title shot.
Rey Mysterio vs. Andrade was announced for the Fastlane pre-show, but that was also changed. They were instead involved in a fatal four-way United States Championship match on the main card, with Samoa Joe defeating Mysterio, Andrade, and R-Truth to retain his title.
The finish of the match was Mysterio passing out while Joe had him in the Coquina Clutch.
In an angle on the pre-show, Carmella was going around with a petition to get R-Truth a US title rematch. Zelina Vega said R-Truth should just give up — because Andrade will be next in line for a shot at the US title after he’s done with Mysterio. Joe walked up and said he’s the champion and R-Truth, Andrade, and Mysterio should come see him if they have a problem with that.
– SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos defeated Shinsuke Nakamura & Rusev (w/ Lana) and Cesaro & Sheamus in a triple threat match to retain their titles
The Usos retained after hitting Nakamura with a superkick.
– Samoa Joe attacked Jeff Hardy before their match could get started.
– Mandy Rose defeated Naomi
Rose used the ropes while getting the pin.
– The Miz defeated Andrade (w/ Zelina Vega)
Miz used the Skull Crushing Finale to get the win.
– Jeff Hardy defeated Samoa Joe
– WWE Champion Daniel Bryan (w/ Rowan) defeated Mustafa Ali to retain his title
This was Ali’s return to the ring after suffering an injury prior to Elimination Chamber. Rowan got referee Charles Robinson’s attention and caused Ali to lose focus, which led to Bryan hitting the running knee to win.
This was originally announced as Cross vs. The IIconics in a handicap match, but Carmella ran down to make it even before the match started.
– AJ Styles defeated Randy Orton
Very fun match — the crowd didn’t stop doing chants for either Styles or Orton the entire time. Orton hit the RKO, but the referee noticed Styles’ leg on the rope and the match continued.
Styles hit the Phenomenal Forearm to get the win.
– SmackDown Women’s Champion Asuka defeated Charlotte Flair to retain her title
Asuka got a great pop when she came out, then Charlotte got a louder one. Minnesota is definitely a representative of Flair country. The crowd also chanted for Becky Lynch before the match started.
They went back and forth for quite a while. Mandy Rose made a run in and hit Asuka. That set up Charlotte for the spear, but Asuka kicked out. Charlotte attempted to hit a moonsault, but Asuka got her knees up.
With Charlotte down, Asuka put the Asuka Lock on and retained by submission to end a fun show.
Mustafa Ali is officially out of Sunday’s Elimination Chamber match for the WWE Championship.
Due to a concussion, it was confirmed on tonight’s SmackDown that Ali won’t be wrestling at Sunday’s pay-per-view. Kofi Kingston is taking his place in the Elimination Chamber match for the WWE title, with Daniel Bryan defending against Kingston, AJ Styles, Randy Orton, Samoa Joe, and Jeff Hardy.
Ali worked house shows over the weekend but missed Monday’s event. On SmackDown, the storyline explanation was that Ali isn’t cleared for Elimination Chamber due to injuries that have accumulated.
Video of a promo from Ali aired tonight. Ali said there’s nothing more frustrating than your body giving out before your heart does. He mentioned that wrestlers keep trying to put him down, but he won’t stay down.
It was announced that a New Day member would be replacing Ali, and that was confirmed to be Kingston as tonight’s gauntlet match between the Elimination Chamber participants began. Kingston started the gauntlet with Bryan. The match lasted for the final hour of SmackDown, with Kingston defeating Bryan, Hardy, and Joe before losing to Styles.
Orton ambushed Styles and hit an RKO to win the gauntlet match. Orton will enter the Elimination Chamber last on Sunday.
WWE has announced that WWE Champion Daniel Bryan, AJ Styles, Randy Orton, Mustafa Ali, Samoa Joe, and Jeff Hardy will face off in a gauntlet match on Tuesday’s episode of SmackDown. Those are the six wrestlers who will be in next Sunday’s Elimination Chamber match for the WWE title.
The winner of the gauntlet match will enter the Elimination Chamber last during their match at the pay-per-view.
There was also a gauntlet match with Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, John Cena, Elias, Finn Balor, The Miz, and Braun Strowman on Raw’s go-home show for Elimination Chamber last year. Strowman won it, and Rollins defeated Reigns and Cena and was in the gauntlet for more than an hour.
The Usos will appear on “McMiz TV” with Shane McMahon and The Miz on Tuesday’s SmackDown, which is taking place at the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio. Shane & Miz defending their SmackDown Tag Team titles against The Usos has been announced for Elimination Chamber.
The build to Elimination Chamber continues on tonight’s SmackDown from Everett, Washington.
WWE Champion Daniel Bryan takes on Jeff Hardy in a non-title match. Last week, Bryan debuted a new eco-friendly WWE Championship belt. Hardy, AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, Mustafa Ali, and Randy Orton then all came out to demand a title shot.
Triple H appeared on the big screen to announce that Bryan will defend his title against all five guys in the Elimination Chamber at this month’s pay-per-view. In addition to Bryan vs. Hardy, Randy Orton goes one-on-one with Mustafa Ali tonight.
Shinsuke Nakamura & Rusev take on Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows. R-Truth defeated Nakamura for the United States Championship last week. Truth then defeated Rusev in an impromptu match to retain the title. Rusev and Nakamura put their differences aside and beat down Truth together. Anderson & Gallows didn’t like the attack and challenged Nakamura & Rusev to a match for tonight.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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Charlotte Flair came down to the ring to start SmackDown. Flair discussed Becky Lynch’s confrontation with Stephanie McMahon and her suspension from last night. Flair said she hopes Lynch gets medical attention now. Flair pointed out that she’s healthy and wants to take Lynch’s spot at WrestleMania. Flair pointed at the WrestleMania sign when Lynch walked out through the crowd. Security and officials ran out to stop her. She jumped in the ring and started arguing with Flair.
Triple H’s music hit and he ran down. He told Lynch to get medical attention and the suspension will be lifted. He told Flair this doesn’t concern her and made her leave. Lynch noted she doesn’t trust Triple H and management. He told her to see the doctor and get cleared but until then she needs to go home. He went to leave but Lynch asked about Stephanie McMahon. She asked if McMahon got medically cleared after Lynch punched her out.
Triple H sees the truth now. He said Lynch’s just looking for a way out of the match. She just wants to be a martyr. He noted she got the match with Ronda Rousey at Survivor Series but she showed up at Raw knowing she’d get hurt. Now she’s just trying to find a way out of this match.
Triple H said she’s afraid to go to the doctor because of what he’ll say. He questioned if her knee is really hurt. He believes she’s scared to go to the doctor because he’ll clear her. He said Rousey’s going to expose Lynch for the fraud she is. He said she’s going to show the world on the biggest stage that Lynch fears Rousey. Lynch heard enough and slapped him across the face. They went face-to-face and the fans chanted “One More Time”. Lynch smirked and left through the crowd.
Shinsuke Nakamura & Rusev (w/Lana) defeated Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows
On commentary, Tom Philips noted that R-Truth is at home recovering from the attack last week.
Gallows knocked Rusev out of the ring to start the match. Anderson was briefly in control until Nakamura nailed him with a knee to the gut. Rusev tagged himself in and argued with Nakamura. The faces fought back and Anderson hit a dive to the floor wiping out the heels.
The heels regained control and isolated Anderson on their side of the ring. Nakamura set up for the Kinshasa but Anderson caught him with the spinebuster. Rusev was screaming at Nakamura to tag him in.
Gallows got the hot tag and ran wild. Nakamura ended up on the floor and Lana yelled at him to get back in the ring. He jumped in the ring and broke up the Magic Killer. Nakamura hit the Kinshasa on Gallows but Anderson nailed Nakamura with a dropkick. The finish came when Rusev hit the Machka Kick on Anderson for the win.
In the back, Mustafa Ali discussed his upcoming match with Randy Orton. He talked about the chances of him winning the title at Elimination Chamber and defeating Randy Orton tonight.
Backstage, The Usos discussed their match against SmackDown Tag Team Champions Shane McMahon & The Miz. They promised to defeat them at Elimination Chamber. Next week The Usos appear on the first edition of Mc Miz TV hosted by Shane McMahon and The Miz.
Randy Orton defeated Mustafa Ali
Orton gained control when he gave Ali a back suplex on the announce table. He slowed the pace down and locked on a chin lock. Ali fought back but Orton hit a power slam for a near fall. Orton then hit a superplex for a very close two count.
Orton went back to the chin lock and slowed the pace back down. Orton attempted the back suplex on the announce table again but Ali slipped out the back. He sent Orton over the announce table and then dove over the table onto Orton. He then hit the rolling X-Factor for a near fall. Ali appeared to suffer an eye injury.
Ali avoided the RKO and hit a tornado DDT for another near fall. Ali went up for the 054 but Orton yanked him off the top and hit the RKO for the win.
After the match, Samoa Joe attacked Orton and locked on the Coquina Clutch. He choked out Orton and attacked Ali as well. As Joe was leaving, WWE Champion Daniel Bryan walked out. Joe started walking toward him when Rowan appeared and Joe backed off.
Backstage, Joe noted Orton learned for every action there’s a reaction. He promised to win the title at Elimination Chamber.
In the ring, Daniel Bryan was introduced as the favorite son of Washington. The fans broke into a “Daniel Bryan” chant. He said he finally gets to talk to people that understand what he’s trying to do here. They chanted, “Yes”. He said the people of Washington are intelligent and smart people. They know they need change.
He said, unfortunately, he has to speak to a global audience. He noted the mass audience is destroying the planet. Bryan is fighting an uphill battle. That’s why he created the eco-friendly belt. He said the belt is a symbol of change.
Rowan talked about Galileo. He noted Rowan and Bryan’s ideas have good intentions. He said the people fear Bryan because he’s the champion. He noted as long as Bryan’s champion they’ll try to silence him. The fans gave Rowan the “What?” treatment. Bryan got mad at the audience for chanting “What?” at his friend. Bryan noted he’s the planet’s champion and not management’s champion. That’s why they want to get the title off of him by making him defend against five wrestlers in the chamber.
Bryan noted that the other five wrestlers want to win the title and take it backward. He said the WWE and the planet need Bryan as the WWE Champion. This was another great Bryan promo. He played the heel but was a total babyface to his hometown crowd. He never insulted the hometown fans once and actually praised them.
In the back, Kayla Braxton interviewed Jeff Hardy. Hardy was disgusted that Bryan threw the old belt in the trash last week. Instead of debating Bryan, Hardy is going to deal with it in the ring.
AJ Styles approached Hardy and wondered if Hardy is the right person to represent the WWE’s legacy. Hardy noted Styles couldn’t defeat Bryan for the title. Hardy promised to defeat Bryan tonight and deal with Styles in the chamber.
Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville defeated Naomi & Carmella and The IIconics
Naomi and Carmella are the final team in the Elimination Chamber match for the Women’s Tag Team Championship.
The IIconics isolated Carmella in their corner. Peyton Royce sent Carmella into Billie Kay’s knee for a near fall. Carmella kicked Kay into Rose and Deville’s corner. Rose tagged herself in and locked on the abdominal stretch on Carmella. Naomi got the tag and chased Rose but she tagged out.
Royce tagged in but Naomi threw her into Rose and Rose made the tag. Naomi then pulled Rose in by the hair. The finish came when Rose hit the Angel Wings on Naomi for the win.
In the back, Zelina Vega and Andrade discussed the folklore of Rey Mysterio. Vega said the legend of Andrade starts with Mysterio’s end.
Jeff Hardy defeated WWE Champion Daniel Bryan In a Non-title match By Disqualification
Bryan took over after hitting the running dropkicks in the corner. Hardy fought back and sent Bryan to the floor with a dropkick. Hardy attempted to jump off the steps but Rowan stood in the way. That gave Bryan the chance to regain control.
Bryan worked over Hardy’s arm but Hardy fought back. He sent Bryan to the floor and hit a clothesline off the apron. Hardy went up for the Swanton Bomb but Bryan rolled out of the way. Bryan regained control and scored a near fall.
Bryan hit the Yes Kicks but Hardy hit the Twist of Fate. He hit the Swanton Bomb but Rowan pulled him out of the ring for the disqualification.
After the match, Bryan applied the Lebell Lock on Hardy. Samoa Joe suddenly attacked Rowan and locked on the Coquina Clutch on Bryan. Randy Orton ran out and brawled with Joe. Mustafa Ali ran out and hit a dropkick on Joe and Orton. Ali then hit a dive on Rowan but Rowan caught him and slammed him on the announce table.
AJ Styles ran out and went after everyone. He hit the Phenomenal Forearm on Hardy. Bryan ran off to avoid a confrontation with Styles.
In the back, Kayla Braxton tried to interview Bryan. He was enraged that she would interview him right now. He noted that Rowan’s not his bodyguard but is his friend. He said he’s going to be WWE Champion forever because that’s what the planet needs.
Next Week: Shane McMahon and The Miz host Mc Miz TV with special guests The Usos.
WWE has announced three matches for Tuesday’s episode of SmackDown.
Two of those involve wrestlers who are going to be in the WWE Championship match at Elimination Chamber. WWE Champion Daniel Bryan vs. Jeff Hardy in a non-title match and Mustafa Ali vs. Randy Orton are both set for Tuesday’s SmackDown.
Bryan will defend his title against Hardy, Ali, Orton, AJ Styles, and Samoa Joe in an Elimination Chamber match at the February 17 pay-per-view in Houston, Texas.
Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Rusev has also been confirmed for Tuesday’s SmackDown. The tag match was set up when Anderson & Gallows issued a challenge to Nakamura & Rusev after Nakamura & Rusev laid out R-Truth this week. Rusev said he’d team with Nakamura one time and told Nakamura not to screw him over.
R-Truth had won the United States title from Nakamura and then retained it against Rusev before being attacked by them in a post-match angle.
Tuesday’s SmackDown is taking place at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington.
A second Elimination Chamber match has been added to next month’s pay-per-view.
This week’s SmackDown closed with the announcement that Daniel Bryan will defend his WWE Championship against AJ Styles, Randy Orton, Samoa Joe, Jeff Hardy, and Mustafa Ali inside the Elimination Chamber next month. Elimination Chamber 2019 is taking place at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas on February 17.
Bryan threw his old WWE Championship belt in the garbage and introduced a new sustainable title belt in the main event angle of tonight’s SmackDown. He was interrupted by Styles, then Orton, Joe, Hardy, and Ali all came out. Triple H appeared on the video screen and announced the Elimination Chamber match.
Bryan said his new title belt is made from “100 percent sustainable, organic hemp” and carved from a naturally-fallen oak tree.
Bryan retained his title by defeating Styles at Sunday’s Royal Rumble PPV. Bryan aligned with the returning Rowan, with Rowan interfering at the end of the match after a ref bump. Rowan brought Bryan’s new title belt to the ring on SmackDown, and Bryan referred to Rowan as his “intellectual peer” during his promo.
There will also be an Elimination Chamber match to crown WWE’s Women’s Tag Team Champions at next month’s PPV. Nia Jax & Tamina, Liv Morgan & Sarah Logan, and Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville have been confirmed for it thus far. There are three teams left to be added.
Two matches have been made official for Tuesday’s episode of SmackDown.
After their highly-regarded match from this week, Rey Mysterio and Andrade’s feud will continue on Tuesday. There will be an added stipulation this time, with Mysterio and Ali set to face off in a two-out-of-three falls match on SmackDown.
Andrade defeated Mysterio this week after a distraction from Zelina Vega. It was the second week in a row that Andrade has pinned Mysterio. On January 8, Andrade & Samoa Joe defeated Mysterio & Mustafa Ali in a tag match.
Joe vs. Ali has also been announced for Tuesday’s SmackDown. That was set up by an angle on this week’s show where Joe attacked Ali and laid him out before a match between them could get started.
Tuesday’s SmackDown is taking place at INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas. It’s the go-home show for the Royal Rumble, and Mysterio, Andrade, Joe, and Ali have all been announced as entrants for the men’s Royal Rumble match.
The latest video in WWE’s “Day Of” series spotlights Mustafa Ali on the day of last week’s SmackDown.
Ali teamed with AJ Styles against WWE Champion Daniel Bryan & Andrade “Cien” Almas on the episode, with the finish being Ali hitting the 054 and pinning Bryan. It was announced earlier in the episode that Ali is now a member of the SmackDown roster.
In the Day Of video, Ali talks about his match with Bryan from the previous week, bonding with the 205 Live roster, being in the same match as Bryan and Styles, originally being an alternate in the Cruiserweight Classic before a spot opened up, signing with WWE, and departing 205 Live for SmackDown.
Ali’s last match on 205 Live before moving to SmackDown was on the November 28 episode of the show, where he teamed with Cedric Alexander against Buddy Murphy & Tony Nese.
Mustafa Ali teamed with AJ Styles and pinned WWE Champion Daniel Bryan in the main event of this week’s episode of SmackDown.
Ali & Styles faced Bryan & Andrade “Cien” Almas, with Styles taking out Almas with the Phenomenal Forearm and Ali pinning Bryan after hitting the 054. It had been announced earlier in the show that Ali is now a member of the SmackDown roster.
Following up on the storyline where the McMahon family is “taking over” as the authority figures on both Raw and SmackDown, it was confirmed that Paige is no longer SmackDown’s general manager. Shane McMahon addressed the roster in a backstage segment to start the show and said that Paige will still be around in a new role, though details of that role haven’t been revealed.
Vince McMahon also made an appearance, interrupting Asuka, Becky Lynch, and Charlotte Flair and making a SmackDown Women’s Championship match between Asuka and Naomi for the episode. He also took part in a segment with The Miz, leading to Miz & Mandy Rose vs. R-Truth & Carmella.
Mustafa Ali’s match against Daniel Bryan on last week’s SmackDown wasn’t a one-off appearance.
During tonight’s episode, it was announced that Ali has been added to the SmackDown roster. Ali is teaming with AJ Styles against Bryan & Andrade “Cien” Almas on this week’s show.
Bryan defeated Ali last Tuesday, with Bryan submitting Ali with a heel hook and then putting him in another heel hook on the stage during a post-match angle. WWE’s Instagram account highlighted Ali’s performance by uploading a video where Jeff Hardy, The Usos, and The New Day all greeted him backstage after the match and congratulated him.
Ali had been one of the top wrestlers on 205 Live prior to joining the SmackDown roster. He took part in the Cruiserweight Championship match at last month’s Survivor Series pay-per-view, where Buddy Murphy defeated Ali to retain the title.
Ali’s addition to the roster comes as the McMahons have “taken over” as the on-screen authority figures of Raw and SmackDown and are promising fresh faces and matchups.
SmackDown’s go-home show for TLC took place in Las Vegas last night and featured Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka and Daniel Bryan vs. Mustafa Ali.
After Charlotte used a kendo stick to get disqualified, it was Asuka who stood tall over both Charlotte and Becky Lynch heading into Sunday’s pay-per-view. Lynch will defend her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Asuka and Charlotte in a triple threat tables, ladders, and chairs match at TLC.
Bryan defeated Ali and then continued to attack him on the entrance way in a post-match angle. Bryan will defend his WWE Championship against AJ Styles at TLC.
Also on last night’s SmackDown, Shane McMahon & The Miz teamed against The Vegas Boys, Rey Mysterio got some revenge on Randy Orton, Jeff Hardy & Rusev took on Samoa Joe & Shinsuke Nakamura, and The New Day hosted a rap battle between Cesaro & Sheamus and The Usos.
Tonight’s SmackDown takes place from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and is the go-home show for TLC.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch defends against Charlotte Flair and Asuka in the first-ever women’s tables, ladders, and chairs match on Sunday. Tonight, Flair takes on Asuka in a WrestleMania rematch. In their first match, Flair ended Asuka’s undefeated streak. Lynch is also scheduled to be in attendance for tonight’s rematch.
Ahead of defending the WWE Championship against AJ Styles on Sunday, Daniel Bryan will face 205 Live’s Mustafa Ali in a non-title match tonight.
Last week, Samoa Joe interrupted Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton with a public service announcement. He mocked Hardy’s past personal issues and substance abuse problems. Hardy responds to Joe’s public service announcement tonight.
The Bar will defend the SmackDown Tag Team titles against The Usos and New Day at TLC. However, tonight they’ll have a different kind of battle. The Bar take on The Usos in a rap battle, which will be hosted by The New Day. Plus, Mandy Rose goes one-on-one with Naomi.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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WWE Champion Daniel Bryan came down to the ring to start SmackDown. He apologized for calling the people sheep last week. He claims that’s offensive to sheep. Sheep don’t ruin the planet like humans. He noted the people take and take especially in Las Vegas. He said the people are more like parasites. The crowd chanted “Daniel Bryan Sucks”. He said the old Daniel Bryan is dead and so is the Yes Movement.
Bryan said the parasites are now attached to a couch in the house that AJ Styles built. He promised to defeat Styles Sunday at TLC. Mustafa Ali heard enough and came out. He tried to introduce himself but Bryan stopped him. He noted he knows who Ali is.
Bryan called Ali the heart of 205 Live and an incredible performer. Bryan noted Ali reminds him of himself. He said the fans don’t deserve to see Bryan vs. Ali. Ali wondered what happened to Bryan. Ali noted he use to look up to him. He said the old Bryan would want a fight. Ali wants a fight.
The fans broke into a “Fight” chant. Bryan asked Ali what kind of car he drives. Ali drives a SUV. Bryan called Ali a small little man. Ali explained he’s got a family but Bryan slapped him. Ali fought back and hit a hurricanrana on Bryan. He followed up with a huge dive to the floor.
WWE Champion Daniel Bryan defeated Mustafa Ali in a non-title match
Bryan was firmly in control and worked over Ali’s leg. Bryan hit the Yes kicks but Ali ducked and scored a near fall. Ali attempted a plancha but Bryan moved. Ali was able to land on his feet but Bryan sent him into the ring post.
During the commercial break, Ali hit the Spanish fly on Bryan. Bryan applied the Yes lock but Ali made the ropes. Bryan caught Ali in the Tree of Woe and hit a running dropkick. He then hit a back suplex but Ali landed on his feet. Ali fired back with hard chops. In an awesome sequence, Ali sent Bryan into the corner but he ran up the turnbuckle into a back flip and landed on his feet. At the same time, Ali ran forward and hit a tornado DDT off the second turnbuckle for a near fall.
Finish came when Ali missed the 054 and Bryan hit Ali’s leg against the ring post. Bryan then locked on the heel hook for the win. After the match, Bryan attacked Ali on the ramp way. Bryan locked on the heel hook again.
The New Day came out in suits to host the 2nd Annual SmackDown Live Rap Battle. Woods said they’re hosting for obvious reasons. The Bar was wearing red Adidas track suits with gold chains. Big E noted The Bar requested the rap battle so they’re probably up to shenanigans.
The Bar went first and was so bad Big E held up a picture of a trashcan. New Day called them trash. The Usos went next and were great. Highlights included comparing The New Day to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Bar to Bebop and Rocksteady. They also brought up Cesaro injuring his teeth on the turnbuckle.
The Bar tried to jump the Usos but they ducked. New Day and Usos went face-to-face but The Bar jumped back in the ring. They beat down both teams and posed with the belts.
In the back, Asuka promised to win the tile Sunday at TLC. First, she’ll beat Charlotte Flair tonight.
The Miz was in the ring with the World Cup trophy. He asked Shane McMahon to come to the ring. He got down on one knee and begged McMahon to come to the ring. He said he’s not Jon Snow and has no problem bending the knee.
McMahon came down to the ring. He asked if Miz is okay. Miz noted McMahon didn’t answer his calls or texts. He said to give him one more chance. They’re meant to be together as a tag team. McMahon noted Miz and the trophy is starting to get weird. Miz said he’s going to prove it to him. He called out a referee and their opponents The Vegas Boys.
The Miz & Shane McMahon defeated The Vegas Boys (Chip & Chad)
The heels jumped McMahon from behind. McMahon fought back and sent one to the floor. At one point McMahon hit an awful looking DDT that looked painful to take. He applied the triangle for the win.
In the back, Paige yelled at the referee for going out to the ring to referee the match. He said Miz told him she approved the match. The Vegas Boys entered with invoices. They said Miz promised she’d pay them $5,000 each. She ripped up the invoices and kicked them out.
Randy Orton came down to the ring and brought in a steel chair. He noted there’s nothing better that a solid steel chair. He said they’re good for sending a message. He showed footage of his two attacks on Rey Mysterio a few weeks ago.
Orton mocked Mysterio for wanting revenge. He called Mysterio his victim and victims don’t get revenge. He said the rest of the roster on Sunday is worried about the letters TLC. Mysterio needs to worry about RKO. Suddenly, Mysterio hit Orton from behind with a chair and hit the 619.
Kayla Braxton interviewed Women’s Champion Becky Lynch in the back. She pointed out that she has to test her face and head in a TLC match on Sunday. She doesn’t have the advantage but she likes that. She’s always fighting against the odds. She promised to be at ringside for the match later. On Sunday she’s going to remind everyone how much chaos there is when the Man comes around.
Jeff Hardy & Rusev defeated Samoa Joe & Shinsuke Nakamura
Before the match could start, R-Truth and Carmella came out for a short dance break.
Hardy was distracted and Nakamura jumped him from behind. The heels isolated Hardy on their side of the ring. Hardy fought back and hit the whisper in the wind on Joe. Rusev got the hot tag and ran wild on Nakamura.
Rusev rocked Nakamura with a kick for a two count. Hardy hit the twist of fate on Joe and followed up with a clothesline off the apron. Finish came when Nakamura went for the Kinshasa but Rusev nailed the Machka Kick for the win.
In the back, Shane McMahon yelled at Miz for hiring The Vegas Boys and tricking the referee. Miz admitted he did it for McMahon. He noted he was never considered best in the world until McMahon came around. Miz extended his hand but McMahon walked away. The fans booed McMahon not shaking his hand.
Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviewed AJ Styles. Styles noted he wants to beat up Daniel Bryan but then he couldn’t compete Sunday. He said this isn’t the new Daniel Bryan. This is the real Daniel Bryan.
In the back, Kayla Braxton interviewed Charlotte Flair. She noted she’s doesn’t break but she breaks records. She’s going to show The Man and The Empress what she can do and make them bow down to the Queen.
Asuka defeated Charlotte Flair by disqualification
Becky Lynch sat at ringside during the match.
Asuka worked over the leg but Flair fought back. Asuka caught Flair with a vicious German suplex. Flair regained control and attempted a moonsault. Asuka got her knees up and applied the Asuka Lock.
Flair dropped backwards to break the Asuka Lock. Asuka re-applied the hold but Flair made the ropes. They traded shots in the middle of the ring. Asuka gained control and worked over Flair’s arm. She applied a triangle but Flair countered into a powerbomb for a near fall.
Flair applied the figure four-leg lock but Asuka reversed and made the ropes. Flair continued to work over Asuka’s leg. Flair went for a spear but Asuka countered with knees to the face. Asuka rocked Flair with kicks and elbows. Flair hit a spear for another near fall.
Flair attempted another moonsault but Asuka got her knees up. Flair caught her legs and attempted the figure four but Asuka reversed into the Asuka lock. They fell to the floor. Flair grabbed a kendo stick and attacked Asuka for the DQ.
Flair then attacked Lynch with the kendo stick. Lynch fought back and beat Flair with the kendo stick. Asuka attacked Lynch and threw her over the announce table. Asuka then beat both Lynch and Flair with the kendo stick.
205 Live’s Mustafa Ali will be wrestling on tonight’s episode of SmackDown.
WWE Champion Daniel Bryan vs. Ali in a non-title match has been announced for tonight’s SmackDown. The episode is the go-home show for TLC, with Bryan set to defend his title against AJ Styles at the pay-per-view.
This will be the first time Bryan and Ali have faced each other.
Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka, a rap battle between SmackDown Tag Team Champions Cesaro & Sheamus and The Usos (hosted by The New Day), Jeff Hardy continuing his storyline with Samoa Joe by addressing Joe’s “public service announcement” from last week, and Naomi vs. Mandy Rose are also set for tonight’s SmackDown. The episode is taking place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ali unsuccessfully challenged for Buddy Murphy’s Cruiserweight Championship at Survivor Series last month. Murphy will defend his title against Cedric Alexander at TLC on Sunday, and Murphy vs. Noam Dar in a non-title match and Alexander vs. Tony Nese will be taking place on tonight’s 205 Live tapings.
