21st February 2017

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Naomi relinquished the SmackDown Women’s Championship



ONTARIO, Calif. — Due to her unfortunate knee injury, Naomi was forced to relinquish her SmackDown Women’s Championship to SmackDown LIVE General Manager Daniel Bryan because it was established that she would be unable to defend her title in the allotted 30-day period.

However, before Naomi could even fully exit, former titleholder Alexa Bliss emerged to demand that she be re-awarded the title right then and there.

Instead, Bryan opted to give her the opportunity to win the championship in an impromptu match against long-standing adversary Becky Lynch!

Alexa Bliss def. Becky Lynch to win the SmackDown Women’s Championship



In this impromptu SmackDown Women’s Championship Match, Alexa Bliss and Becky Lynch absolutely threw down, each in a quest to reclaim the title they previously held.

Both Superstars were relentless in their pursuit of closing the deal, but in the end, it was Bliss who struck Lynch in the throat and then grabbed the tights on a rollup without the referee noticing to pick up the victory.

After the match, Bliss’ ally Mickie James made her way to the ring to celebrate with the new titleholder.

Though the two sinister Superstars seemingly began to take their leave, James could not resist but go back to get some licks of her own in on The Irish Lass Kicker.

However, the impulse was ill-advised as Lynch was able to turn the tide on James and send her reeling … at least for now.

American Alpha def. Breezango



Fresh off their win in Tag Team Turmoil at Elimination Chamber and over The Ascension last week, American Alpha kept the momentum going when they fought their way back from an early ambush from Fandango and Tyler Breeze to defeat Breezango in convincing fashion this week on SmackDown LIVE.

However, immediately after their win, The Usos called out Chad Gable & Jason Jordan again, this week from the crowd.

Ultimately, Jimmy & Jey did not seem ready to engage in combat and instead told them to lie awake knowing that “it’s not paranoia … it’s The Usos.”

Natalya def. Nikki Bella in Falls Count Anywhere Match



After months of verbal and physical attacks, Nikki Bella and Natalya finally settled the score in a Falls Count Anywhere Match.

The contest proved brutal with both The Queen of Black Harts and Fearless Nikki refusing to back down.

Then, just when It appeared that Bella was closing in on the victory, Maryse interfered, hitting Fearless Nikki multiple times with a steel pipe in what could only be seen as retribution for Nikki being thrown into her by Natalya backstage earlier in the contest.

Maryse was soon pulled to the back by her husband, The Miz, but her interjection allowed Natalya to defeat the defenseless Nikki for the win.
Wow.

The 10-Man Battle Royal to determine the No. 1 Contender to Bray Wyatt’s WWE Championship at WrestleMania ended in controversy



With it all on the line, 10 Superstars battle (royaled) it out with the top prize of moving on to WrestleMania 33 to challenge Bray Wyatt for the WWE Championship.

In the height of the action, it ultimately came down to AJ Styles and Luke Harper, each with visions of WrestleMania glory sprinting through his mind.

However, the verdict would be delayed just a bit longer when, in an incredibly controversial moment, Harper and Styles both ultimately toppled to the floor with both of their feet apparently hitting the floor at the same time.

SmackDown LIVE General Manager Daniel Bryan rushed out to conference with the officials at ringside.

He ultimately declared the match a draw but said that they would find a definitive Number One Contender for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania next week.