Dean Ambrose helps journeyman earn huge title match
Wednesday 12 October 2016 11:40, UK
AJ Styles will defend the WWE World Championship on next week's episode of Smackdown - against the virtually unknown James Ellsworth.
Ellsworth's WWE experience prior to Tuesday night consisted of being squashed by Braun Strowman on Raw and attacked by The Miz on Smackdown before he could partner Styles in a bout against John Cena and Dean Ambrose.
However, the journeyman will fight for the blue brand's top prize in Denver next week after pinning Styles to secure a stunning, Ambrose-assisted victory in San Jose.
Styles had headed to the ring to crow about beating Cena and Ambrose in a Triple Threat at No Mercy to retain his belt, before handing Ellsworth a non-title match.
Smackdown General Manager Daniel Bryan agreed to the bout, with the caveats that Ambrose would serve as referee and that if Styles attacked him, he would be fined or suspended.
The Lunatic Fringe was far from an impartial official, answering his phone while Styles made Ellsworth tap out to the Calf Crusher.
But things got worse for the champion when Ambrose planted him with two Dirty Deeds before lifting Ellsworth on top of him and concluding a swift three count, with Bryan later announcing Ellsworth would fight Styles for the WWE World Title in seven days' time.
Elsewhere on Smackdown, new Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler defeated Kenny and Mikey of the Spirit Squad in a handicap match.
The Miz - who had earlier bemoaned Ziggler beating him for the belt at No Mercy - subsequently joined a three-on-one beat-down of The Show-Off, before Rhyno and Heath Slater made the save.
Naomi, meanwhile, secured her second big win in three days, the former Orlando Magic cheerleader backing up her victory over Alexa Bliss at No Mercy by prevailing against Carmella.
Carmella was distracted by Nikki Bella, who had rushed to the ring during the match after being attacked backstage by The Princess of Staten Island while she conducted an interview.
Naomi pounced with a roll-up pin and will now battle Bliss - the No 1 contender to Smackdown Women's Champion Becky Lynch - on next week's show.
Elsewhere, Naomi's husband, Jimmy Uso, defeated American Alpha's Chad Gable thanks to help from his brother Jey, while Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper knocked off Randy Orton and Kane.
Watch the next episode of WWE Smackdown - which will also include Jack Swagger taking on Baron Corbin - live from 1am next Tuesday on Sky Sports 5.
