Smackdown was taped from Lafayette, Louisiana this week and Dean Ambrose kicked things off to challenge Kevin Owens in the Royal Rumble pay per view for the Intercontinental title and that too in a last man standing match. The Lunatic Fringe just does not know where to stop and brings an edgier feel to the Intercontinental championship.
He gets interrupted by the Celtic Warrior but eventually Owens shows up to accept the challenge. The match should be an early contender for match of the year category. Sheamus and Owens attack Ambrose but Neville comes out to help and sets up a two on two tag team action main event for the night.
The rest of the show is as follows (courtesy pwmania):
* The Dudley Boyz defeated Erick Rowan and Luke Harper in a Tables Match. Braun Strowman attacks after the match and puts both Dudleyz through tables
* JoJo interviews WWE United States Champion Kalisto, who gives a nod to Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio
* Heath Slater, Adam Rose, Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas defeated Goldust, Jack Swagger, Zack Ryder and Damien Sandow
* Alberto Del Rio defeated Kalisto to win back the WWE United States Title. King Barrett was at ringside and provided an assist to help Del Rio win the title. The essence of Excellence got his retribution and Kalisto lost the title only days after winning the title.
* Becky Lynch defeated Brie Bella by submission
* Dean Ambrose and Neville vs. Kevin Owens and Sheamus ends in a no contest as both teams brawl outside of the ring. Owens is brought back in to take a Dirty Deeds and 450 but that may have been after SmackDown ended.