With No Mercy three weeks away, tonight the main event could be in question, as Stone Cold Steve Austin defends his spot against AJ Styles. We begin the SmackDown Tag Team Invitational, an 8 team elimination tournament that will culminate at No Mercy, with the sole qualifying match. The winner of the tournament will be crowned the new number one contenders. Also, new Women's World champ Paige is in action on this edition of SmackDown.
Universe Mode
SmackDown
September 23rd, 2016
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Dolph Ziggler vs Eddie Guerrero
We were set to open SmackDown with a very intriguing match featuring the United States Champion, but before Dolph could get to the ring, he was ambushed by Kevin Owens. The two men that will meet at No Mercy for the US Title engaged in a furious brawl, which took several officials to break up, calling off any potential match.
Beautiful Tango vs The Miz and ???- SmackDown Tag Team Invitational Qualifying Match
The Awesome One wanted a chance to earn a title shot, so Teddy Long gave him the task of finding a tag partner to take on the newly debuting Beautiful Tango, with the winners being the last team entered into the tournament. We wouldn't wait long to find out who The Miz chose, as he was accompanied to the ring by Universe Mode debutant John Morrison for this tag team contest.
This was a very high octane, high paced match as both teams exchange offense. The Miz and Morrison just seemed to have that little extra behind them, tagging very well together. An impressive double team maneuver got the job done, as Miz and Morrison advanced into the Tag Team Invitational.
Winners: The Miz and John Morrison
Paige vs Brie Bella
Although Brie has proven to be quite a competitor on SmackDown, she was no match for the champ, going down quickly to a RamPaige.
After the match, Paige's celebration was interrupted by Teddy Long. He announced that at No Mercy, he's signed a massive rematch. It will be Paige, defending her Women's World Title against former champion Natalya. Holla holla!
Winner: Paige
Tyson Kidd vs ???
With the SmackDown Tag Team Invitational underway, the tag champs were off from defending their titles for the time being. With his partner Cesaro busy representing SmackDown as WWE Champion, Tyson Kidd decided to hold an open challenge, wanting the best wrestler in the SmackDown locker room. Who should answer his challenge but the Excellence of Execution, Bret Hart!
This was a brilliant technical wrestling contest, hold for hold, suplex for suplex they went, exchanging momentum over and over again. A rare trip to the top rope netted the advantage for Bret, who locked Tyson into the Sharpshooter, but Tyson refused to tap out, making it to the bottom rope. Bret continued to dominate the contest, but was still unable to put Tyson away, which allowed the tag champ to get back into it. A Code Blue seemed to spell disaster for the Hitman, but Bret just managed to get his shoulder up before three. Desperate, Tyson looked to stack up Bret with a roll up, but Bret, with his incredible technical prowess, reversed it into a pin of his own, catching Tyson by surprise and getting the three count.
Winner: Bret Hart
Stone Cold Steve Austin vs AJ Styles
Teddy Long made a good point by referencing the fact that the Phenomenal One never got his NXT Title shot, thanks to his suspension, and made this match to give Styles the opportunity to shake up the No Mercy title match.
Styles controlled the majority of the match, staying out of range of most of Austin's best moves. The Texas Rattlesnake got in some good shots when he got the chance, though, and had Styles reeling at several points. The aerial ability of Styles proved to be key, though, and AJ was quickly back in control. A brainbuster followed by a Styles Clash seemed to have given AJ the title shot at No Mercy, but Stone Cold somehow kicked out of AJ's finishing blow. Styles, stunned, recovered quickly, knocking down Austin with a Pele Kick before setting up for a second Styles Clash, hitting the move once more. Something seemed to have gone seriously wrong though, as Austin wasn't moving as Styles made the cover, getting the three count. The bigger story, though, was the health of Stone Cold, who lay outside the ring, barely moving as officials tended to the injured Texas Rattlesnake. AJ looked at his injured opponent before departing for the back, jubilant at his victory and uncaring of the health of Stone Cold.
Winner: AJ Styles
A shocking turn of events in the main event leaves Stone Cold Steve Austin with a major injury and AJ Styles with a WWE Title match at No Mercy.
Updated No Mercy 2016 Card:
Cesaro(c) vs AJ Styles- WWE Title Match
Dolph Ziggler(c) vs Kevin Owens- No Holds Barred Match for the United States Title
Paige(c) vs Natalya- Women's World Title Match
SmackDown Tag Team Invitational Finals
Want to follow the series, but missed a few posts? No problem! Check out my brand new Universe Mode Wiki, constantly updated to keep you up to speed with the latest Universe Mode happenings.
Universe Mode
SmackDown
September 23rd, 2016
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Dolph Ziggler vs Eddie Guerrero
We were set to open SmackDown with a very intriguing match featuring the United States Champion, but before Dolph could get to the ring, he was ambushed by Kevin Owens. The two men that will meet at No Mercy for the US Title engaged in a furious brawl, which took several officials to break up, calling off any potential match.
Beautiful Tango vs The Miz and ???- SmackDown Tag Team Invitational Qualifying Match
The Awesome One wanted a chance to earn a title shot, so Teddy Long gave him the task of finding a tag partner to take on the newly debuting Beautiful Tango, with the winners being the last team entered into the tournament. We wouldn't wait long to find out who The Miz chose, as he was accompanied to the ring by Universe Mode debutant John Morrison for this tag team contest.
This was a very high octane, high paced match as both teams exchange offense. The Miz and Morrison just seemed to have that little extra behind them, tagging very well together. An impressive double team maneuver got the job done, as Miz and Morrison advanced into the Tag Team Invitational.
Winners: The Miz and John Morrison
Paige vs Brie Bella
Although Brie has proven to be quite a competitor on SmackDown, she was no match for the champ, going down quickly to a RamPaige.
After the match, Paige's celebration was interrupted by Teddy Long. He announced that at No Mercy, he's signed a massive rematch. It will be Paige, defending her Women's World Title against former champion Natalya. Holla holla!
Winner: Paige
Tyson Kidd vs ???
With the SmackDown Tag Team Invitational underway, the tag champs were off from defending their titles for the time being. With his partner Cesaro busy representing SmackDown as WWE Champion, Tyson Kidd decided to hold an open challenge, wanting the best wrestler in the SmackDown locker room. Who should answer his challenge but the Excellence of Execution, Bret Hart!
This was a brilliant technical wrestling contest, hold for hold, suplex for suplex they went, exchanging momentum over and over again. A rare trip to the top rope netted the advantage for Bret, who locked Tyson into the Sharpshooter, but Tyson refused to tap out, making it to the bottom rope. Bret continued to dominate the contest, but was still unable to put Tyson away, which allowed the tag champ to get back into it. A Code Blue seemed to spell disaster for the Hitman, but Bret just managed to get his shoulder up before three. Desperate, Tyson looked to stack up Bret with a roll up, but Bret, with his incredible technical prowess, reversed it into a pin of his own, catching Tyson by surprise and getting the three count.
Winner: Bret Hart
Stone Cold Steve Austin vs AJ Styles
Teddy Long made a good point by referencing the fact that the Phenomenal One never got his NXT Title shot, thanks to his suspension, and made this match to give Styles the opportunity to shake up the No Mercy title match.
Styles controlled the majority of the match, staying out of range of most of Austin's best moves. The Texas Rattlesnake got in some good shots when he got the chance, though, and had Styles reeling at several points. The aerial ability of Styles proved to be key, though, and AJ was quickly back in control. A brainbuster followed by a Styles Clash seemed to have given AJ the title shot at No Mercy, but Stone Cold somehow kicked out of AJ's finishing blow. Styles, stunned, recovered quickly, knocking down Austin with a Pele Kick before setting up for a second Styles Clash, hitting the move once more. Something seemed to have gone seriously wrong though, as Austin wasn't moving as Styles made the cover, getting the three count. The bigger story, though, was the health of Stone Cold, who lay outside the ring, barely moving as officials tended to the injured Texas Rattlesnake. AJ looked at his injured opponent before departing for the back, jubilant at his victory and uncaring of the health of Stone Cold.
Winner: AJ Styles
A shocking turn of events in the main event leaves Stone Cold Steve Austin with a major injury and AJ Styles with a WWE Title match at No Mercy.
Updated No Mercy 2016 Card:
Cesaro(c) vs AJ Styles- WWE Title Match
Dolph Ziggler(c) vs Kevin Owens- No Holds Barred Match for the United States Title
Paige(c) vs Natalya- Women's World Title Match
SmackDown Tag Team Invitational Finals
Want to follow the series, but missed a few posts? No problem! Check out my brand new Universe Mode Wiki, constantly updated to keep you up to speed with the latest Universe Mode happenings.
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