New #1 Contender To WWE Champion AJ Styles Named On Tonight's SmackDown (Photos, Videos)
Dolph Ziggler defeated Dean Ambrose, Luke Harper and WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz in a Fatal 4 Way Elimination Match to become the new #1 contender to WWE Champion AJ Styles on tonight's SmackDown.
Ziggler vs. Styles will take place on the December 27th SmackDown from Chicago, the final show of the year. As noted, WWE has also announced that John Cena will return to TV on that show.
James Ellsworth is still due a WWE Title shot but that match has not been announced. WWE did an angle tonight where Ellsworth was sent home due to being sick. The match was likely nixed due to AJ's minor ankle injury suffered at TLC on December 4th. AJ did not compete tonight but did appear for a MizTV segment and did commentary for the main event.
Below are photos and videos from tonight:
Instant red carpet for the #ALister! @MikeTheMiz @MaryseMizanin #SDLive #FatalFourWay pic.twitter.com/TtBUKlLXK3
? WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) December 14, 2016
"You applaud other people. I applaud that. That's the GREATNESS of @MikeTheMiz!" – @JCLayfield #SDLive #1Contender pic.twitter.com/v0Vb76Of38
? WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) December 14, 2016
.@MikeTheMiz is HISTORY, thanks to @TheDeanAmbrose!
We're down to THREE in this Main Event Elimination Match! #SDLive #1Contender pic.twitter.com/EWs5ZmdTXN? WWE (@WWE) December 14, 2016
"A MALFUNCTION at the JUNCTION!!" – @MauroRanallo#SDLive @TheDeanAmbrose @HEELZiggler #1Contender pic.twitter.com/3ldxhDMGBl
? WWE (@WWE) December 14, 2016
A @HEELZiggler superkick and @TheDeanAmbrose's #DirtyDeeds takes out @LukeHarperWWE. We're down to TWO! #SDLive #1Contender pic.twitter.com/CglJLI07aZ
? WWE (@WWE) December 14, 2016
"MAMMA MIA!! AVALANCHE FACEBUSTER!!" – @MauroRanallo #SDLive #1Contender @HEELZiggler @TheDeanAmbrose pic.twitter.com/raSabp4iF4
? WWE (@WWE) December 14, 2016
SUPERKICK to the @MikeTheMiz-distracted @TheDeanAmbrose!! ONE TWO THREE!! @HEELZiggler is the NEW #1Contender for @AJStylesOrg! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/jEohQmwHWR
? WWE (@WWE) December 14, 2016
.@HEELZiggler vs. @AJStylesOrg for the @WWE Championship on Dec. 27! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/M5XrJsawlQ
? WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) December 14, 2016
Here is your winner and NEW No. 1 Contender for the #WWETitle.... @HEELZiggler!!! #SDLive @AJStylesOrg pic.twitter.com/xqS4PX8h8F
— WWE (@WWE) December 14, 2016