WWE SmackDown live results: Final build to Crown Jewel

Tonight’s SmackDown takes place from the Phillips Arena in Atlanta and is the go-home show for Crown Jewel.

Though Daniel Bryan’s status for Crown Jewel remains to be seen, WWE is still advertising that AJ Styles will defend his WWE Championship against Daniel Bryan this Friday. Two weeks in a row Styles & Bryan lost to The Usos because of a miscommunication. Tonight, they come face-to-face for a confrontation ahead of Crown Jewel.

SmackDown’s participants in Friday’s World Cup tournament will be in action tonight, with Rey Mysterio teaming with Jeff Hardy against Randy Orton & The Miz.

SmackDown Woman’s Champion Becky Lynch defeated Charlotte Flair in an epic Last Woman Standing match at Evolution. Lynch is now set to face Raw Woman’s Champion Ronda Rousey in a non-title champion vs. champion match at Survivor Series. Tonight, Lynch addresses her victory over Flair and her upcoming encounter with Rousey.

Plus, a member of The New Day takes on a member of The Bar in a special Halloween Trick or Street Fight.

Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern.

**********

WWE Champion AJ Styles came down to the ring to confront Daniel Bryan. Tom Philips pointed out Styles lives nearby. The crowd reacted huge for Styles and broke into a loud “AJ Styles” chant. Styles needs to get something off his chest and called out Bryan.

The crowd broke into duel chants but the Styles chant was slightly louder. Styles apologized for accidentally hitting Bryan last week. Bryan noted there’s no need to apologize. He has lots of respect for Styles but he doesn’t see Styles as a colleague. The fans booed that comment. All he sees is the WWE Championship. Bryan noted Styles is the only thing standing in his way to the title.

Styles said Bryan didn’t let him finish. He admitted that he purposely hit Bryan last week and he’s going to do it again at Crown Jewel. Bryan wasn’t surprised and told Styles he wants to hit him on purpose right now. Styles doesn’t want to wait until Crown Jewel. They teased fighting.

Shane McMahon’s music hit and he came out. Things are different now that he’s back. He announced that the Crown Jewel championship match is happening tonight instead of Friday. In fact, the match takes place next. This likely confirms Bryan won’t be going to Saudi Arabia.

WWE Champion AJ Styles defeated Daniel Bryan

This was a great match. They told a good story with lots of hard-hitting action. The fans were firmly behind Styles and Bryan received some boos. They started off with some mat wrestling. Bryan worked over Styles arm but Styles fired back. Styles rocked Bryan with a dropkick and sent him to the floor. Styles attempted a plancha but Bryan rolled back in. Bryan then hit a suicide dive and grabbed his knee.

Styles gave a DDT to the knee and continued to work it over. Styles attempted the moonsault into the DDT but Bryan countered with knees and a suplex. Bryan rocked Styles with the Yes Kicks. He went from the running knee but Styles hit a standing dropkick instead.

Styles attempted the Phenomenal Forearm but Bryan shoved Styles. Bryan went for a back suplex off the top but Styles countered in mid-air and landed on Bryan’s head. This was a bad landing for both guys.

After the commercial break, Bryan applied the Yes Lock but Styles made it to the bottom rope. Styles gave Bryan a suplex from the ring to the floor and Bryan landed on his knee. Styles then dropped Bryan knee first on the announce table. Bryan fought back and sent Styles shoulder first into the steps.

Bryan hit the running dropkicks in the corner and received some boos. He attempted the hurricanrana off the top but Styles blocked. He teased the Styles Clash but Bryan reversed back into the hurricanrana. He went back to work on Styles arm. Styles gave Bryan a Dragon screw using the ropes.

Bryan applied the armbar and turned it into the Yes Lock. Styles fought out but Bryan countered back into the armbar. Styles fought out of the move again and hit the Styles Clash. He locked on the Calf Crusher for the submission win.

After the match they hugged in the middle of the ring. Suddenly, Samoa Joe ran in and shoved Styles into Bryan. Bryan fell to the floor. Joe viciously attacked Styles and applied the Coquina Clutch. Bryan jumped in for the save but Joe went after the knee. He locked on the Coquina Clutch on Bryan until he passed out. Joe then posed with the belt.

Backstage, Jeff Hardy and The Miz had separate interviews hyping the World Cup at Crown Jewel. They both promised to win the cup and be the best in the world.

In Paige’s office, Charlotte Flair approached General Manager Paige. The fans booed Flair. She congratulated Flair on her match at Evolution despite losing. Paige asked Flair to be the team captain for the SmackDown Woman’s team at Survivor Series. Flair turned down the offer because she doesn’t feel like the right person for the job. Paige asked her to reconsider.  

Big E. (w/Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston) defeated Cesaro (w/Sheamus & Big Show)

The ring was set up with all types of Halloween decorations. There pumpkins all along the apron. The New Day came out dressed as The Brood. This included the memorable music and entrance. Kingston dressed as Edge, Big E as Gangrel and Woods as Christian.

Cesaro hit Big E with kendo stick shots but he countered with a belly-to-belly. All six guys ended up brawling. Sheamus hit Kingston with the tray of pancakes. Big Show shoved Woods head into the Apple bobbing tub. Cesaro dropped Big E on a pile of pumpkins.

Cesaro attempted a suplex onto the table but Big E counted with a suplex onto the pumpkins. Big E sent Sheamus into the table instead. Big Show caught Woods and Kingston in a double choke slam but Woods spit the red mist into his face. Finish came when Big E spit the red mist into Cesaro’s face and hit the Big Ending for the win. After the match, Kingston slipped off the apron and Corey Graves couldn’t stop laughing.

Backstage, Shane McMahon met with all four SmackDown participates in the World Cup. All four guys guaranteed victory at Crown Jewel. McMahon noted he’d be very upset if Stephanie’s side wins. He promised that if any of the four lose to a Raw guy in the final they’ll be fired. 

In Paige’s office, AJ Styles approached Paige. He pointed out that he fulfilled his commitment and defended against Daniel Bryan. He demanded to face Samoa Joe at Crown Jewel. Paige agreed and the match is official for Crown Jewel.

United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura defeated R-Truth (w/Carmella) in a non-title match

R-Truth replaced an injured Tye Dillinger. Nakamura had the early advantage but Truth fought back. He sent Nakamura to the floor. Carmella entered the ring and they broke into a dance break.

Nakamura regained control and slowed the pace down. Truth fired up and made a comeback. He missed a charge in the corner and Nakamura rocked him with a kick to the head. Finish came when Nakamura hit the Kinshasa for the win.

SmackDown Woman’s Champion Becky Lynch came down to the ring. She was wearing an “I Am The Man” t-shirt. Lynch bragged about winning on Sunday. The crowd broke into a loud “Becky” chant. She said when the show was over everyone knew she was the rightful main event. She noted that defeating Flair proves that she is the man. 

Lynch discussed her upcoming match with Raw Woman’s Champion Ronda Rousey. She noted she’s not there to Cosplay or talk about a reality show. She promised to walk into Survivor Series and rip her arm off. 

Rey Mysterio & Jeff Hardy defeated The Miz & Randy Orton

Hardy was in control early in the match. He went up for the Whisper in the Wind when Miz tripped him up. The heels took over and isolated Hardy on their side of the ring. Hardy attempted to make the tag but Orton cut him off. Hardy fought back and finally hit the Whisper in the Wind.

Mysterio got the hot tag and ran wild. He hit a kick to the face and a rolling DDT on Miz for a near fall. Mysterio jumped off of Hardy’s back and hit a hurricanrana on Miz. Hardy then jumped off of Mysterio’s back with a dropkick. Finish came when Mysterio hit the 619 on Miz and Hardy hit the Swanton for the win.

After the match, Orton hit the RKO on Hardy. Mysterio went for a springboard splash but Orton caught him with the RKO. Miz stood next to Orton celebrating when Orton hit the RKO on Miz.