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SmackDown: Sami Zayn beats WWE Champion AJ Styles in non-title match

By Jefferson Lake, WWE Editor

Wednesday 3 January 2018 08:43, UK

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Shane McMahon once again inadvertently contributed to AJ Styles losing on SmackDown, then Daniel Bryan announced the WWE Title will be up for grabs in a 2-on-1 Handicap Match at the Royal Rumble.

Sami Zayn defeated WWE Champion AJ Styles in a non-title match on the first SmackDown of 2018, a result which has consequences for the Royal Rumble.

Zayn scored the pinfall in - perhaps unsurprisingly - controversial circumstances after Kevin Owens had distracted the champion on the ring apron, hitting a Helluva Kick before getting the three-count.

WWE Late Night Smackdown

Owens had been at ringside alongside Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan and was arguing against McMahon's decision to make him leave when the distraction occurred.

A furious Styles then took to the mic to suggest both Zayn and Owens face him in a handicap match, and Bryan proceeded to book that match there and then - with the WWE title on the line at Royal Rumble.

Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin thought they had the SmackDown tag titles won
Image: Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin thought they had the SmackDown tag titles won

The Usos retain tag-team championship

SmackDown's tag-team champions remain the Usos but at one point on Tuesday night, Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin had the belts in their hands after being declared the winners.

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It looked like we had new SmackDown tag champions as Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable pinned Jimmy, but it was then realised that Jey was the legal man.

The referee raised their hands after a double-team powerbomb off the top rope saw Gable pin Jimmy Uso, but Jey Uso had actually been the legal man and the match was restarted.

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The brothers eventually sealed the win with a double superkick on Benjamin followed by a splash off the top rope for the three.

Xavier Woods advanced to the next round of the US title tournament
Image: Xavier Woods advanced to the next round of the US title tournament

Woods through to US tournament semi-finals

Xavier Woods became the latest competitor to advance to the semi-finals in the tournament for the United States championship vacated by Dolph Ziggler when he beat Aiden English.

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Xavier Woods defeated Aiden English to face Jinder Mahal in the semi-finals of the United States Championship Tournament.

Woods made it an unhappy Rusev Day for English with a top-rope elbow drop to secure his place in the final four and a match against Jinder Mahal.

The Riott Squad found themselves on the wrong end of a post-match attack by Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch and Naomi
Image: The Riott Squad found themselves on the wrong end of a post-match attack by Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch and Naomi

Riott Squad back to winning ways

Natalya, Tamina and Carmella were bidding for a successive win over the Riott Squad but fell short and ate the defeat when Sarah Logan hit a cartwheel knee drop onto the back of Tamina's head.

After the match, Ruby Riott confirmed Logan and Liv Morgan's entrance into the Royal Rumble but found herself cut off by Charlotte Flair, who introduced Naomi and the returning Becky Lynch, to a huge ovation.

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The Riott Squad defeated Natalya, Carmella and Tamina in a Six-Woman Tag Team Match, but their joy was short lived when Charlotte, Naomi and Becky Lynch turned up.

A three-on-three brawl ensued and ended with Lynch giving Bexploders to both Riott and Morgan.

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