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WWE Smackdown: AJ Styles beats Dean Ambrose to retain world title

Cena's presence proved costly for The Lunatic Fringe...

WWE Smackdown - Dean Ambrose v AJ Styles
Image: AJ Styles boots Dean Ambrose en route to retaining his title

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.

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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.

WWE Smackdown - John Cena
Image: Cena holds the WWE World Title aloft

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.

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Take a look back at this week’s WWE Smackdown in a handy 60 seconds.

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.

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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.

WWE Smackdown - The Usos v Heath Slater
Image: Heath Slater was forced to tap out to Jimmy Uso

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.

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Dolph Ziggler will quit WWE if he fails to win the Intercontinental Championship from The Miz at WWE No Mercy.

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 - Becky Lynch v Alexa Bliss
Image: Becky Lynch will face Alexa Bliss at WWE No Mercy

WWE No Mercy booking details

ONLINE: Visit this link: https://my.sky.com/orderboxoffice/

PHONE: UK viewers can call 03442 410 888 to book WWE No Mercy, while customers in the Republic of Ireland should call 0818 220 225. (There may be an additional charge for telephone bookings).

WWE No Mercy
WWE No Mercy

Match info and booking details for October 9 PPV

REMOTE
Sky+: Press the box office button on your remote, then click the sports tab followed by WWE No Mercy.

Sky Q: Press Home on your Sky Q remote, select TV guide, then Box Office and the WWE No Mercy. Enter your TV Pin if prompted. (Only bookings via Sky TV remote are recordable using Sky Plus).

Sky TV residential customers only. Commercial customers contact Sky for price and to order. Sky Box Office terms apply. Cable customers should contact their local cable operator.

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