Cena's presence proved costly for The Lunatic Fringe...
Wednesday 28 September 2016 15:44, UK
AJ Styles beat Dean Ambrose to retain the WWE World Title on Smackdown Live - with John Cena playing a crucial role.
Cena, who was watching the championship bout from the commentary table, came to blows with Ambrose outside the ring and The Lunatic Fringe was rolled-up by Styles when he rolled back in.
Ambrose attempted to plant Cena with Dirty Deeds after the contest but the 15-time world champion wriggled free and blasted Ambrose and Styles with Dirty Deeds before holding the WWE World Title above his head.
Styles, Ambrose and Cena will be in the ring again at Smackdown's No Mercy pay-per-view on Sunday, October 9 when they meet in a Triple Threat for Styles' championship.
Styles - who beat Ambrose at Backlash on September 11 to claim his first world championship in WWE - looked in danger of losing his belt when Ambrose tried to pin him.
However, referee Charles Robinson was distracted by Cena, who had jumped up onto the ring apron after being decked by Styles when the main event had spilled to the outside.
An enraged Ambrose took out his frustrations by punching Cena but was then sucker-punched by Styles, ensuring The Phenomenal One will head into No Mercy with the strap.
Elsewhere on Smackdown, The Usos and The Ascension knocked off American Alpha and Tag Team Champions Heath Slater and Rhyno in an eight-man tag-team encounter.
The Usos targeted the frail knee of American Alpha's Chad Gable before Jimmy Uso secured the win for his team by trapping Slater in a Tequila Sunrise submission move.
Plus, Dolph Ziggler was granted a shot at The Miz's Intercontinental Championship at No Mercy - with the stipulation that he will quit WWE if he fails to claim the title.
In the women's division, Alexa Bliss attacked her No Mercy opponent, Women's Champion Becky Lynch, before the Irish star could compete, while Carmella and Natalya beat Nikki Bella and Naomi.
WWE No Mercy is live on Sky Sports Box Office from 1am on Sunday, October 9 (Monday morning) - the show is priced £14.95 for customers in the United Kingdom and €21.95 for viewers in the Republic of Ireland.
WWE No Mercy booking details
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