WWE SmackDown live results: TLC fallout

Tonight’s SmackDown takes place from Fresno and features the aftermath of TLC.

Asuka defeated Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair in a tables, ladders and chairs match to win the SmackDown Women’s Championship at TLC. During the match, Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey pushed over a ladder Flair and Lynch were fighting on. Rousey’s interference opened up the door for Asuka to win. Tonight, Flair and Lynch respond to Rousey’s interference. Plus, the era of Asuka officially begins.

WWE Champion Daniel Bryan defeated AJ Styles with a small package to retain the title at TLC. On the pre-show, Bryan gave a fiery interview and promised to replace the WWE Championship belt with something more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Additionally, Styles is scheduled to appear tonight as well.

SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Bar defeated The New Day and The Usos to retain the titles at TLC. WWE’s teasing new challengers for The Bar’s gold.

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

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Backstage, Shane McMahon addressed the SmackDown roster. He mentioned Raw and the roster booed. He noted last night the McMahon family ushered in a fresh new era. The new era continues on SmackDown tonight.

He needs the roster to put on the best product for the fans. He said don’t just grab the brass ring rip it down. He brought out Paige. She’s not longer the GM of SmackDown. He congratulated her on everything she’s done. She’s not going anywhere but her role is changing.

Becky Lynch made her way down to the ring. The fans went crazy and broke into a “Becky” chant. She doesn’t care who’s running the show because the Man’s running the show. She said everyone else is in the back listening to corporate nonsense. She doesn’t do things like that. She conducts business out in the ring with the people.

The only thing she wants from the McMahons is to deliver her the Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey. She noted Rousey pushed her ladder over at TLC.  She pointed out that Rousey didn’t fight her in the ring face-to-face. She called Rousey a Roddy Piper cosplay. Charlotte Flair interrupted and told Lynch she gets Rousey first. Flair said she would have won if Rousey didn’t interfere.

This brought out the new SmackDown Women’s Champion Asuka. Asuka said she’s the champion and the fans popped big. Lynch pointed out that Asuka didn’t beat her. They started arguing when Vince McMahon interrupted.

The crowd went crazy for him too. He wished everyone a Happy Holidays. He congratulated Asuka on winning the title. He was disappointed Flair and Lynch are making excuses. He noted Rousey didn’t break any rules by interfering in the match. McMahon told them to get over it and take it out on Rousey.

He asked Asuka if she wants to defend her title tonight. He wondered who would take the opportunity. This brought out Naomi. She pointed out that Flair’s had chances before and Lynch might be the Man but she doesn’t have the belt. McMahon agreed and the match is next.

SmackDown Women’s Champion Asuka defeated Naomi

Flair and Lynch watched the match from ringside. David Otunga replaced Byron Saxton on commentary.

They both battled for the early advantage and attempted a dropkick at the same time. Naomi hit a full nelson sit out slam into a pin for a near fall. They traded pin attempts. Asuka locked on a submission while both were standing on the top rope. She started yelling at Flair and Lynch in Japanese. The crowd popped and went crazy for Asuka. However, Naomi jumped up and hit a side Russian leg sweep off the second turnbuckle.

Back from commercial, Asuka was firmly in control and hit a missile drop kick sending Naomi to the floor. Asuka whipped Naomi into the barricade but Naomi jumped on the barricade and hit a kick. Naomi went for the split legged moonsault but Asuka applied the Asuka lock. Naomi fought out of the move.

Naomi scored several close near falls. She hit the rear view for a very close two count. Finish came when Asuka applied the Asuka Lock for the win.

The commentators announced AJ Styles and Mustafa Ali vs. Daniel Bryan and Andrade “Cien” Alms in tonight’s main event.

In the back, The Miz knocked on The McMahon family office door. Vince came out and mocked his knock. Miz asked for Shane but Vince said he couldn’t come out to play. Miz tried to convince Vince that Miz and Shane could be a great tag team. He then asked for Vince’s blessing to be tag partners with Shane. That was funny. Vince doesn’t give blessings. He wants Miz to prove it. Vince is going to pick a partner for Miz to compete in a match later. He then slammed the door on Miz’s face.

In the back, Kayla Braxton interviewed Rusev and Lana. She noted Rusev pinned U.S. Champion Shinsuke Nakamura. She wondered if he wants a title shot. He hopes the McMahons are paying attention because Rusev’s a star. He promised to defeat Nakamura on the greatest day of the year, Rusev Day.

Jeff Hardy came down to the ring. As Hardy made his way to the ring, Tom Phillips noted Samoa Joe’s going to make a public apology for his comments about Hardy. Hardy noted Joe brought up his personal demons. Hardy demanded Joe come out to the ring. He wants to hear the apology face-to-face. There was a loud “Joe” chant.

Joe came down to the ring but not to make an apology. He came out for an intervention. He said Hardy’s demons are going to come back. Hardy said the more Joe brings up his past the more he doesn’t want to go back there. Hardy said Joe’s the one with the demons. He wondered if Joe’s upset that he’s never been champion despite being there for two years. This rattled Joe. He tried to attack Hardy. Hardy fought back and hit the twist of fate.

The Miz & Mandy Rose defeated R-Truth & Carmella

Miz didn’t know it was mix tag and that Mandy Rose was his partner until he got to the ring. R-Truth and Carmella came out. Truth noted they won Mixed Match Challenge and they enter 30 in their Royal Rumble matches. He’s also excited to visit WWE Headquarters. Truth said he looks forward to facing Miz and Maryse tonight. That was a funny line.

The faces had the early advantage and had a dance break. Rose tried to jump Carmella but Truth pulled her out of the way. Carmella hit a superkick on Rose and they both went to the floor. Miz snuck up on Truth and hit the Skull Crushing Finale for the win.

The commentators discussed all the changes and the fresh new era. Tom Phillips noted they could feel all the changes tonight. They noted there are a lot of new faces on their way. A video aired for the upcoming arrivals or Lars Sullivan, Nikki Cross and EC3.

The Usos came down to the ring. They noted they weren’t pinned in the triple threat tag match at TLC. They demanded SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Bar come out. Instead, Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows came out.

Anderson noted every week it’s about The Usos, New Day and Bar. He pointed out they haven’t been on SmackDown since August. The Usos told them to either step up or turn around. Anderson and Gallows headed to the ring. The ring announcer confirmed The McMahons approve the match and it starts now.

The Usos vs. Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows

Anderson and Gallows took over when Gallows rocked Jimmy with a kick to the head during the commercial. Jey got the hot tag and ran wild on Anderson. Jey missed a charge in the corner. Anderson hit a boot in the corner and neckbreaker for a near fall. Gallows hit a choke slam power bomb for a near fall.

In an awesome spot, Jey attempted a dive but Anderson rocked him with a kick and Jey got caught up in the ropes. Back from commercial, the heels isolated Jimmy on their side of the ring. Jey was on the floor clutching at his knee. Jimmy fired back with super kicks to gain the advantage.

Jimmy hit the splash on Anderson. The Bar came out but before they could enter Sanity hit the ring. Sanity attacked The Usos and Anderson & Gallows. Sanity walked passed The Bar. The Bar then jumped The Usos and Anderson & Gallows.

In the back, Shinsuke Nakamura wondered why he should be scared of Rusev. He then showed footage of Rusev from Total Divas. It featured Rusev showing off his legs and running around naked. Nakamura noted Rusev’s not a star he’s a Total Diva.

Daniel Bryan came down to the ring. He said he killed the Yes Movement and on Sunday he destroyed the house that AJ Styles built. Unlike the people he’s about creation. On SmackDown, Bryan is creating a brave new world. He understands the people won’t like it because they fear change.

He wondered how the people could destroy the planet that gives them life. He noted the people of Fresno are the guiltiest of them all. He said Fresno ranks number one in pollution and the fans broke into a Yes Chant. He yelled shame at the fans for chanting.

He said the people of Fresno should never try self-education because they will fail. In fact, they failed already. Luckily for the people, they have someone to show them the way and to teach them: The WWE Champion The New Daniel Bryan. This was another great Bryan interview.

AJ Styles & Mustafa Ali defeated Daniel Bryan & Andrade “Cien” Almas (w/Zelina Vega)

Bryan teased starting the match with Styles but quickly tagged out. Almas hit a back elbow to gain the advantage. The heels isolated Ali in their corner. Bryan rocked him with kicks. Bryan missed a charge in the corner and Ali nailed him with a boot to the face.

Ali sent Bryan to the floor and went for a dive. Almas and Vega blocked him when they did their Tranquillo pose on the ropes. Styles nailed Almas with a drop kick sending him to the floor. Styles then launched Ali over the top rope and Vega onto the heels. 

Back from commercial, the heels were back in control and isolated Ali on their side of the ring. The heels worked of Ali’s leg. He tried fighting back but Bryan rocked him with a clothesline. He locked on the Dragon Sleeper but Ali made the ropes. Almas attempted a moonsault but Ali rolled out of the way. Almas landed on his feet and went for the standing moonsault but Ali got his knees up.

Styles got the hot tag and ran wild on Bryan. Styles locked on the Calf Crusher but Almas broke it up. Almas went for the Hammerlock DDT but Styles back dropped him to the floor. Ali hit a hurricanrana on Almas on the floor. Ali slipped off the steps but managed to pull off the move.

Styles hit the moonsault into the reverse DDT. Ali got the tag and went for the 054 on Bryan. Almas tried stopping him but Styles took him out with the Phenomenal Forearm. Ali then hit the 054 on Bryan for the win.

Next Week on Christmas Night: Shane McMahon’s the special guest on Miz TV. Also, U.S. Champion Shinsuke Nakamura takes on Rusev. Plus, Samoa Joe goes one-on-one with Jeff Hardy.