WWE SmackDown 2016 Live Updates: John Cena vs Dean Ambrose, The Miz Defends IC Title vs Dolph Ziggler; Match Predictions and TV Schedule
Ever since the 2016 WWE Brand Split, SmackDown Live had performed at par, if not better, than its red counterpart. The blue brand has a smaller roster and is only two-hour show, but it is teeming with great talent and the shorter timeslot allows for more focus on storylines.
Speaking of storylines, last week's SmackDown opened new angles for viewers to enjoy this Tuesday. The first show after the impressive Backlash 2016 builds on various title changes and feuds from the SmackDown-exclusive pay-per-view, and this week is expected to follow through. Here are the anticipated matchups for Tuesday:
The Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler
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The Miz is doing his best heel work of late, coming off an intriguing altercation with Daniel Bryan on Talking Smack last month. The Miz now demands a better contract, while Bryan responded on Twitter that the terms were absurd. However, it seems Mr. Awesome got his wishes and got signed to a new deal.
In fact, WWE is advertising a big match for him this Tuesday—and a chance for Dolph Ziggler to redeem his Backlash loss. GM Daniel Bryan gave Ziggler another shot at The Miz's Intercontinental Title, and the match happens this week.
John Cena vs. Dean Ambrose
The biggest storyline thus far in the blue brand is the Dean Ambrose vs. AJ Styles angle. On one end, the babyface lunatic who had an uneventful two-month WWE Championship run. On the other, the "hottest free agent" who entered Royal Rumble 2016 to a huge crowd pop, defeated John Cena at SummerSlam and then beat Ambrose at Backlash to become WWE Champion.
The feud, and Ambrose's chase to get his belt back, seemed to come to a halt when Cena, WWE's poster boy, challenged Styles for the title last week. Thankfully, Ambrose got thrown into the mix.
Cena and the Lunatic Fringe fought as tag team against Styles and The Miz, but Ambrose attacked Cena after the match. The new feud looks set to continue on Tuesday night, as advertised by WWE.
What else to watch
Alexa Bliss had established herself as the top heel of the SmackDown women's division, and is now the No. 1 contender to Becky Lynch's new SmackDown Women's Championship. The Usos, meanwhile, also stand as the villains of the tag team division, dismantling American Alpha and becoming top contenders for Heath Slater and Rhyno's Tag Team titles.
WWE fans can tune in to SmackDown Live Tuesday nights, 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on USA Network.
