WWE SmackDown Live Review - October 11, 2016

Could Dolph Ziggler overcome The Spirit Squad?

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

​Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler def. The Spirit Squad in a 2-on-1 Handicap Match

I'm afraid the Ziggler vs. Miz feud reached its peak at No Mercy because I don't see how they can possibly top that match. I understand Miz still has his automatic championship rematch, but I'm really hoping they don't drag this out until Survivor Series because I'm ready for both guys to move on. That said, the Handicap match was decent and I'd honestly be open to keeping Kenny and Mikey around for the tag team division, and that looks like that might be the plan with Heath Slater and Rhyno coming out afterward. I wouldn't give them the tag titles, but it could be a fun feud for Slater and Rhyno for the meantime.


Naomi def. Carmella

I liked the variety of feuds we had in the women's division before Becky Lynch got hurt and I can't blame Creative because Lynch's injury caused everything to be rewritten. It's cool to see Naomi getting a mini-push, but the champion is currently out, so where could it possibly lead to? The match itself was passable and it furthered the feud between Carmella and Nikki Bella nicely.

---

Naomi celebrates her win with Nikki Bella.

Jimmy Uso def. Chad Gable

This rivalry between The Usos and American Alpha has been progressing very well and I'm glad The Usos' latest loss to Slater and Rhyno at No Mercy didn't seem to hinder their momentum any. While the match was nothing of note and the finish looked a little off, I was glad The Usos avenged their singles defeat to Jason Jordan from last week and rebounded from their No Mercy loss as well. The Usos continue to kill it as heels and American Alpha are perfect in this role.


James Ellsworth def. WWE World Champion AJ Styles (Non-title; Dean Ambrose Served as Special Guest Referee)

Ellsworth facing Styles was cute at first, but they ruined the comedy effect it had by having the match last as long as it did. I was really enjoying Ambrose in serious mode leading up to last Sunday and I hope we don't go back to getting goofy Ambrose while John Cena is off on hiatus. For as funny as this was, it is kind of a disgrace to have an enhancement talent (no matter how popular) beat the world champ. They better give the guy a contract, otherwise this was beyond worthless.


Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper def. Randy Orton and Kane

Please, God, I beg you, do not make Kane an integral part of this already abysmal story. I have had my fair share of dreadfully boring Wyatt vs. Kane matches by now, thank you. The Orton and Wyatt feud has quickly flown off the rails. They had me interested at first, but this campy trash is just too much. If nothing else, Wyatt won two matches in a row, which is almost unheard of this day and age. Too bad Erick Rowan got hurt because it would have been cool to have all three original members of The Wyatt Family back together.


Overall Show

Didn't Curt Hawkins say at No Mercy he would make his in-ring debut on this show? Oh, who cares. Well, I do, but I don't think anyone else does. Anyway, this was a rather flat follow-up to No Mercy, I'm sad to say. The Ziggler and Miz stuff was probably the best thing on the entire episode, but even with that, I'm ready for it to end. SmackDown has been must-see more often than not since the Draft, so fingers crossed this was only an off week and they'll be back to firing on all cylinders next week.

---