WWE Smackdown! Live Recap (September 20th) Intercontinental Championship Match, John Cena VS Dean Ambrose & More!

Welcome to the Fightful.com live coverage for tonight's episode of WWE Smackdown! Live. Tonight is set to be a great show as we have two pay-per-view worthy matches on the show as The Miz is set to defend his Intercontinental title in a match against Dolph Ziggler and John Cena will have a one on one match with Dean Ambrose! Be sure to come back here at 8PM EST for all of the action!

-We open with Daniel Bryan in the ring after a video package for tonight's co-main and main event. Daniel plugs the Women's title match at No Mercy; saying that they will have a contract signing between Alexa and Becky. The crowd boos when he says they'll be civil and Daniel scolds them like a parent scolding their child as he introduces Becky Lynch. Becky comes out and says they will keep it civil as Daniel introduces Alexa as Mauro mentions her stature for no reason. They show a recap of last week's women's fatal 5 way. They jab at each other, Alexa sounds a lot like Trish Stratus on the mic; not exactly a good or bad thing. Alexa says that Becky wasn't born to be a champion and will lose her title. Becky agrees and cuts a very bad promo about growing up in Dublin, Ireland, something about her delivery is not enjoyable and it's not the accent. Becky says she fought to be a champion, Alexa saying that Becky is destined for second place and says she'll expose her for being a one hit wonder. Alexa then slaps her, signs the contract then pushes the table over on her, then leaves the ring. Becky gets up and goes out of the ring and pursues her, but Alexa gets away. Becky signs the contract as we go to commercial.

The Usos vs American Alpha

-A big pop for Usos as they come out for their match, we get a video package for how they hurt Chad Gable two weeks ago.

Chad Gable is in control of Jimmy Uso, tagging in Jason Jordan while they focus on Jimmy's leg, a heel move, but it's revenge in this case. AA hit a dropkick then the Usos target the injured leg of Gable as we go to commercial.

Jimmy focuses on the injured leg of Gable as he tries to get to Jordan, but The Usos isolate Chad. Chad crawls across the ring and tags in Jordan who takes out both Usos with release belly to back suplexes then a t-bone suplex for a quick 2 count. Jey drops Jordan with a superkick then Jimmy hits a splash for a very close 2 count that Chad breaks up. Jey tosses Chad back outside then Jordan hits a suplex on Jey then turns Jimmy inside out with a clothesline, Jordan goes to tag in Gable, but he can't even stand. The Usos hit a double superkick then Jey hits a splash for the pin and the win. Jordan wouldn't tag in Gable and that lost them the match, good storytelling there.

Winner: The Usos via pinfall

-Heath and Rhyno are backstage as Rhyno eats cheese and crackers. The Usos meet them backstage as Jimmy says he's going to knock th crackers out of his hand and Rhyno says he better not; that was funny. They threaten to hurt Heath like they did Gable, but then leave as we go to commercial.

Apollo Crews vs Baron Corbin

-We get a recap of what Corbin did to Crews last week and the return of Jack Swagger who joins us on commentary. 

Crews starts off strong with a series of right hands then a dropkick, hitting a suplex for a quick 2 count as Corbin ducks out, but Crews follows him, launching him into the barricade like he did Crews last week. Crews hits an enzugiri and rolls Corbin back into the ring and gets a quick 2 count. Corbin bends Crews' head over the barricade, hitting several elbows to the back of his neck and head. Corbin turns Crew sideways against the post and kicks him, following it up with The End of Days for the pin and the win.

Winner: Baron Corbin via pinfall with The End of Days

-We get another Curt Hawkins promo where he does impressions, this one worse than last week's as we see Nikki and Naomi backstage, getting interviewed. Next we get Dolph being interviewed; don't recall them doing back to back interviews. Dolph says he can do anything and he plans to shut Miz up and win the belt.

The Miz vs Dolph Ziggler

Dolph starts off quick with grappling, getting a few one counts, causing Miz to go outside. Miz gets a back mount on Miz, but he gets to the ropes. Miz gets out then Dolph chases him and drops him with a lariat. Miz hits a series of shotgun dropkicks that sends Dolph to the outside. Miz throws Dolph into the barricade then tosses him back into the ring. Miz hits a double axe handle then plays to the crowd, going for the Skull Crushing Finale, but Dolph counters. Miz mocks Daniel Bryan and uses his signature kicks, but Dolph catches the last one and drops Miz with a right hand. Dolph goes shoulder first into the post then Miz hits a Yakuza kick on Dolph and gets a quick 2 count then applies a stretching submission, but can't get the tap as Dolph reverses it. Dolph drops Miz with a series of lariats then a splash, but Miz sends him into another ring post. Miz hows off what he can do by using Daniel's dropkicks in the corner, but gets caught with a dropkick as he comes off the top rope. They go for their finishers, but they're countered then they go out of the ring as we go to commercial.

Miz hits a sitout powerbomb as we come back for a very close 2 count, following up with a series of elbows to his leg, but Dolph goes to apply a choke, but Miz gets out. Miz goes for The Skull Crushing Finale, but Dolph counters with a Famouser for a close 2 count. Dolph goes for the Zigzag, but Miz shrugs him off, Maryse getting up on the apron then gets sent away as Dolph him up then Miz rolls him up, both getting quick 2 counts. Dolph hits the Zigzag, but cannot get the 3 count. Miz falls out of the ring and crawls over and gets his belt then goes to leave, but Dolph throws him into the stairs. Miz sprays Dolph with something and hits the Skull Crushing Finale for the pin and the win. Great match and great finish!

Winner: The Miz via pinfall with The Skull Crushing Finale

Randy Orton vs Erick Rowan

Rowan is in control early after Randy tries to go for an RKO early. Rowan hits a dropkick that sends Randy to the outside, going out after him and tossing him into the stairs then back into the ring. Randy hits the hanging DDT and plays to the crowd, hitting an RKO for the pin and the win. This was a squash match for Randy. 

Winner: Randy Orton via pinfall with an RKO

-After the match the lights go out then we have Bray on the big screen, talking about how the fans love Randy, saying Randy is a human and Bray is a god and a god can never die.

Nikki & Naomi vs Natalya & Carmella

As the match starts Natalya attacks Naomi then drops Nikki down and  quickly locks in the sharpshooter, but Carmella drags Nikki out of the ring and tosses Nikki into the barricade, the referee calling for the bell, Carmella then stomps on Nikki. Inside the ring Naomi hits Natalya with a big boot then goes to check on Nikki as Carmella leaves, admiring her handiwork.

Winner: Nikki & Naomi via disqualification

-AJ is backstage being interviewed, saying he's got no rivalry, he's beaten both Cena and Ambrose, saying he's superior in every way, saying the only way he will lose the belt is if he isn't beat to lose it. AJ says that he will be at ringside and watch the main event.

John Cena vs Dean Ambrose

They lock up, then Dean drops Cena repeatedly. Cena then drops Ambrose, Cena going for an AA early, but Dean counters into Dirty Deeds, but it's countered as well. Cena goes shoulder first into the post and to the outside as we go to commercial.

Dean lands a series of punches and slaps then drops Cena repeatedly with a series of lariats. Dean hits his splash bulldog, Cena applying the STF out of no where, but can't get the tap. Dean dives outside onto Cena then tosses him back into the ring, getting on the top rope, but Cena catches him and hits an AA for a very close 2 count. Cena goes for another AA, but Dean counters with Dirty Deeds for a quick 2 count. They exchange right hands then Dean goes for the wacky line, Cena going for the AA, but Dean gets a roll up for the win.

Winner: Dean Ambrose via pinfall

-AJ takes out both Cena and Dean after the match, but Daniel comes out and says Dean will face AJ next week for the title.