James Ellsworth gets his contract at WWE Smackdown in a ladder match

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James Ellsworth along with Dean Ambrose after winning his contract on Tuesday. Image Source: WWE

Internet Desk: start off with a look at photos and video from The Survivor Series with a focus on the Men’s Elimination Match that was won by Smackdown despite Dean Ambrose helping Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins.

Shane McMahon’s music plays and he makes his way to the ring and he does not have the same jump in his step as a result of the spear he took from Roman Reigns.

Shane says he is not his normal, energetic self but after Sunday’s match, he feels like he was in a car accident. He says there were nine other guys in the match and he says when you go to battle side by side with others, he wants to give a shout out to Team Raw. He mentions the members of Team Raw. He says like Roman or not, they all brought their A Game. He says that Roman almost separated him from his Jordans. He says he has to thank two people on Team Smackdown, the people who he thought he would have the most problems with, but they were the survivors Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt.

Shane mentions the two people he asked to work together, but could not for an hour, Dean Ambrose and AJ Styles.

Dean Ambrose’s music plays and he makes his way to the ring.

Dean wants to know what the deal is with the low energy Shane McMahon. It is a new day and Team Smackdown was successful. Shane tells Dean he did not know that when you joined Roman and Seth to power bomb AJ Styles through a table that it might hurt their team. Dean says the MVP of Team Smackdown, the man who stopped Braun Strowman, needs to come out. Dean introduces James Ellsworth.

The man described by JBL as an ‘anorexic manatee’, makes his way to the ring.

Dean asks Shane to talk about James’ surprise. Shane says he was going to tell James in the back, but Dean wants James to be told he has a contract and Dean spoils the surprise. Shane says that because of James’ tenacity and how he bleeds blue, he is being offered a Smackdown contract. Shane tells Dean that he has the night off because he has been out of control.

Dean says he is okay with that and he talks about going out for drinks or poutine. Shane says that Dean is not just getting the night off, he needs to leave the building. Dean leaves the ring and heads to the back just as AJ Styles makes his way to the ring. There is no confrontation between them.

AJ wants to know when did Smackdown become the land of undeserved opportunity. He says that Dean should be kicked off Smackdown for what he did to AJ. He does not deserve an opportunity to face him for the WWE Title at TLC. Now, you are going to give James Ellsworth a contract? He tells Shane to think about this.

Shane says that he knows what he is doing and James deserves a contract.

AJ says that James does not deserve anything. If you want to be a charity case, this contract is being given to you. He did not earn anything. AJ says he has scratched, clawed, and bled to get a contract. James does not deserve anything. If you want to deserve a contract, you face him tonight. AJ says he needs a warm up match. Why not make it a ladder match. If you can climb the ladder and grab the contract, you will deserve it. AJ says he will grab the contract and rip it up in AJ’s face.

Shane tells James he does not need to do that. James says he has no problem putting his contract on the line in a ladder match because he has beaten him twice. James says if he wins, not only does he want a contract, he wants a future opportunity at the WWE Championship.

Shane asks James if he wants this. James says he wants nothing or all. Shane makes the match official. Dean is back in the ring and Shane walks away.

Backstage:

Miz and Maryse are having a photo shoot and Daniel Bryan showsup. Miz says he was busy. Miz asks if it is time for the celebration. It is Mizgiving. He says that Daniel will come out and thank Miz for keeping the title on Smackdown.

Daniel says that Miz embarrassed Smackdown with what Maryse did. Miz says he did what Daniel and Ziggler could not do. He won on Sunday. Daniel talks about how the Cruiserweights could have been on Smackdown if Baron Corbin did not interfere on Sunday. Daniel says that Miz will have the opportunity to defend the Intercontinental Title against Kalisto. We go to commercial.

– Dean Ambrose and Shane McMahon are walking in the back and Shane tells Dean he told him to leave and he throws it back in his face. Shane walks Dean out of the building.

Intercontinental Title: Kalisto vs. The Miz

They lock up and Miz with a wrist lock and Kalisto with kip ups despite Miz sending him to the mat. Kalisto wtih an arm wringer and he gets a near fall. Kalisto with a waist lock and Miz misses an elbow. Kalisto with a kick and rollup for a near fall. Kalisto with an inside cradle and then Miz goes over the top rope to the floor when Kalisto drops down. Kalisto with a suicide dive as we go to commercial.

We are back and Miz kicks Kalisto in the corner. Miz tries for a clothesline in the corner but Kalisto moves. Kalisto kicks Miz from the apron and connects with a shoulder. Kalisto with a springboard seated splash and then he hits a springboard twisting cross body for a near fall. Miz blocks a rana but Kalisto counters a slingshot power bomb into a rana and then he hits the rana driver for a near fall.

Kalisto goes up top and he leaps over Miz and we see Baron Corbin on the apron. Kalisto goes after Corbin and Miz with the Skull Crushing Finale for the three count.

Winner: The Miz

After the match, Miz leaves the ring and Corbin enters the ring and he picks up Kalisto and hits End of Days.

Miz celebrates on the stage and we see Dolph Ziggler wait for Miz to turn around after kissing his wife. Ziggler with a super kick.

Backstage:

Shane and Daniel are in the office and they talk about how things are out of control. Alexa enters as Daniel is leaving and Daniel passes her off to Shane. Alexa says she wants her title match. Becky enters and she says she will tell Alexa straight. She will get the match at TLC. Alexa tells Becky she has two weeks to keep the title shiny.

Natalya enters with her whistle. She tells Shane that as coach, she did her part. She watched the match with her cat and she says there was one person who cost them the match at Survivor Series and it was Becky. She says that Becky is insecure because she knows that Alexa is going to take the title from her.

Shane says they are all to blame for the loss. There is no proof of who attacked Nikki Bella. The result might have been different if Nikki was in the match. Shane tells Natalya to face Becky tonight. Alexa complains about Natalya’s lyrical comments.

Dean Ambrose enters with pizza and he tells Becky where Natalya’s lyrics were from. Shane tells Dean to leave again.

– We see footage of people waiting on line for Wrestlemania tickets last week in Orlando. We go to commercial.

Backstage:

Back from a break and Baron Corbin is walking backstage when Bryan walks up. He doesn’t mind Superstars making a name for themselves but he’s being reckless. Corbin says he is the bigger picture. Bryan says actions have consequences. He books Kane vs. Corbin for tonight.

#1 Contenders Tag Team Turmoil: The Ascension vs. The Hype Bros vs. The Usos vs. The Vaudevillains vs. Breezango vs. American Alpha

We go to the ring and The Ascension and The Hype Bros are in the ring. Konnor takes Mojo Rawley outside while Viktor unloads on Zack Ryder. The Ascension keeps control as Konnor levels Ryder on the floor. Mojo is still down. Konnor with a 2 count on Ryder.

Ryder manages to hit a double neckbreaker and in comes Mojo with offense. They hit the Hype Ryder on Viktor for the pin. The Ascension is eliminated.

Tyler Breeze and Fandango run down next but get dumped right out of the ring. Ryder runs the ring and Mojo propels him out onto Breezango. We go to commercial.

Back from the break and Breezango use a double team to get the pin on Ryder. The Hype Bros have been eliminated.

Chad Gable and Jason Jordan run down next and go right to work. Fandango with a quick 2 count on Gable. Gable ends up getting the pin on Fandango a few minutes later. Breezango has been eliminated.

Simon Gotch and Aiden English are out next. Jordan quickly hits a suplex for the squash pin. The Vaudevillains have been eliminated.

Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso are out next. They take their time getting to the ring, unlike the other teams.

SmackDown Tag Team Champions Heath Slater and Rhyno were shown backstage watching at one point. Gable starts off with Uso as we go to commercial.

We are back and Jimmy with a chop across Jordan’s chest. We see footage from the commercial break when Jordan was knocked off the apron. Jimmy kicks Jordan and applies a reverse chin lock. Jimmy sends Jordan into the corner and then Jey tags in and they hit a double belly-to-back suplex for a near fall. Jey with a rear chin lock. Jey with a shoulder in the corner and Jimmy with a forearm to Jordan and he gets a near fall.

Jimmy with forearms to Jordan followed by a chop. Jey tags in and he hits a thrust kick to the midsection and gets a near fall. Jey with a rear chin lock. Jey with a punch and Jimmy tags in again and they miss on the double belly-to-back suplex attempt and Jey goes to the floor and Jimmy goes into the ropes. Gable tags in and he connects with clotheslines and a belly-to-back clothesline. Gable wtih a clothesline to Jey off the turnbuckles followed by a German suplex to Jimmy for a near fall. Gable punches Jey and Jimmy sends Gable into the ring post.

Gable with a punch and Jey tags in. Jimmy with a back breaker and Jey with an elbow to the chest for a near fall. Gable escapes a Samoan Drop. Jordan makes the tag and he gets Jey up for Gable to hit the bulldog off the turnbuckles but Jimmy breaks up the cover. Jimmy sends Gable to the floor and Jordan takes care of Jimmy. Jey with a super kick but he lands on Jordan’s knees on a superfly splash. Jordan with a near fall and both men are down.

Jimmy punches Gable and Jey with a clip to Jordan. Jimmy sets for a super kick to the leg but Gable wtih a German suplex to Jimmy. They hit Grand Amplitude on Jey for the three count.

Winners: Chad Gable and Jason Jordan

Bray Wyatt appears on the TitanTron and he tells Jordan and Gable not to celebrate so fast because they have not faced all of the teams. Bray says next week him and Randy are coming for you.

Backstage:

Daniel Bryan asks James if he is ready for his match tonight. Ellsworth says that his bruises have bruises. He knows that AJ has more talent in his pinky than James’ entire body. He never thought he would have one match with AJ Styles, let alone three. He never thought he would be in the ring with Edge or the Undertaker. Anyone with two feet can climb that ladder.

Daniel tells James to be careful and Dean Ambrose appears as a Mountie (not THE Mountie). Daniel tells Dean he needs to leave the building or Shane will freak out.

Shane enters and he tells Dean that he is disrespectful and insubordinate. Dean asks Shane if he wants to know why Dean is dressed like a Mountie. Shane leaves so he does not do something he will regret. Daniel wants to know why Dean is dressed like a Mountie. Dean says he has a message for Daniel to give to AJ Styles. He says the mountie always gets his man. Bryan laughs and the crowd pops. Ambrose leaves. Back to commercial.

We are back and Alexa Bliss joins the commentary team for the next match. She is asked about the attack on Nikki Bella and who might have done it and Alexa does not care who did it.

Natalya vs. Becky Lynch in a Non Title Match

They lock up and Natalya with a side head lock take down. Becky with a head scissors and Natalya escapes. Becky with a side head lock take down and Natalya with a head scissors and Becky escapes. Natalya with punches but Alexa with European uppercuts. Becky goes up top and Natalya crotches her. Natalya with a sit out power bomb for a near fall. We go to commercial.

We are back and Natalya with an abdominal stretch and she pulls the leg to add more pressure. Becky with elbows and an arm drag. Natalya with a discus clothesline for a near fall. Natalya kicks Becky and then she hits a Michinoku Driver and she sits on Becky for a near fall.

Natalya kicks Becky and sets for a suplex but Becky with an inside cradle for a near fall. Becky with an elbow and boot to Natalya when she charges at her. Becky with clotheslines and a leg lariat followed by the running forearm into the corner. Natalya blocks the double jump kick and Natalya with a near fall as she avoids DisArmHer.

Natalya with a near fall and Becky with an Exploder. Natalya sends Becky into the turnbuckles and gets a near fall. Natalya tries for the Sharpshooter but Becky counters into the DisArmHer and Natalya taps out.

Winner: Becky Lynch

After the match, Alexa goes into the ring and she attacks Becky and hits a DDT.

– Tom send it to Mojo Rawley and Zack Ryder to talk about WWE merchandise. We go to commercial.

Backstage:

We are back and Daniel Bryan is on the phone and Miz enters with Maryse holding an ice bag on his face. Miz says he demands that Dolph Ziggler be suspended. Dolph super kicked him for no reason. Miz says that Daniel is going to give Dolph a title match. Daniel says Dolph gets a title match because he is owed a rematch. Daniel says it will be a ladder match. Miz says he will write the final chapter in this story and bring it to its Skull Crushing Finale.

Backstage:

Carmella is on the phone and Nikki takes it from her. Nikki says she knew that Carmella despised her, but not that much. Nikki accuses Carmella of attacking her on Sunday. Carmella says she always takes credit for what she does. Carmella suggests that Charlotte or Dana Brooke might have done it. She says that Nikki’s man might be Mr. Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect, but Nikki is not Mother Teresa. Nikki says that this will end. She says she talked to her brother in law and at TLC they will have a No Disqualification Match.

Kane vs. Baron Corbin

We go to the ring and the pyro goes off as Kane makes his way out. Baron Corbin is out next. Back to commercial.

Kane grabs Corbin by the throat but Corbin with elbows. Kane with a boot and punches but Corbin with a punch and he sends Kane into the corner and connects with knees. Kane with an uppercut and Irish whip followed by a clothesline. Corbin with a boot as Kane charges into the ring. Corbin goes to the floor and Kane follows. Corbin knocks Kane off the apron. Kalisto with a springboard drop kick and the referee calls for the bell.

Winner: Baron Corbin (by disqualification)

After the match, Kane with a choke slam to Corbin.

Kalisto gets a chair from ringside and he tries to hit Corbin with it but Corbin rolls to the floor. Corbin comes back into the ring and Kalisto tosses the chair to Corbin and Kalisto with a jumping back spin kick into the chair and Corbin goes to the floor again.

James Ellsworth vs. AJ Styles in a Ladder Match

Styles lets Ellsworth get in the first shot but he misses and AJ kicks Ellsworth and sends him to the floor with a kick. AJ brings a ladder into the ring but Ellswoth stops AJ but AJ pulls Ellsworth into the apron.

Styles sets up the ladder and he starts to climb the ladder. Ellsworth grabs Styles’ foot and AJ kicks him into the corner. AJ goes to the mat and he rips off Ellsworth’s shirt and he hits a back breaker on the taped up Ellsworth. Styles puts Ellsworth in the ladder of woe and Styles kicks him in the chest. Styles puts the ladder on top of Ellsworth and he tells James not to go anywhere.

Styles stands on Ellsworth before climbing the ladder. AJ has the contract in his hands and Dean Ambrose is in the ring wearing a Senators’ sweater. Dean punches Styles and clotheslines him over the top rope to the floor. Ambrose picks up Ellsworth and tells him to climb the ladder.

Styles with a Phemonemal Forearm to Ambrose. Styles looks around and he sets up the ladder in the center of the ring and he climbs again. Ellsworth pushes the ladder over and Styles falls to the floor.

Ellsworth sets up the ladder and he hits a super kick when AJ returns to the ring. Ellsworth climbs the ladder while AJ’s foot is tied up in the ropes. Ellsworth gets the contract.

Winner: James Ellsworth

Ellsworth falls to the mat with his contract while AJ is still trapped in the ropes. The referee comes to help him while Ellsworth leaves the ring and Ambrose takes a look at his contract. We go to replays. AJ clutches his title in the corner while Ambrose celebrates with an emotional Ellsworth. They stand on top of the announce table to celebrate. JBL is disgusted as SmackDown goes off the air with Ellsworth staring at his contract while AJ looks on.