WWE SmackDown Results: Biggest Winners, Losers and Moments from August 30

On the heels of an epic promo directed at general manager Daniel Bryan, The Miz returned to SmackDown Tuesday night and again spit in the face of the notion that he is a cowardly worker, then proceeded to have an intense exchange with Dolph Ziggler that made the intercontinental champion's status the biggest winner for the August 30 broadcast.

The former reality television star captivated fans with the intensity and authenticity with which he approached his promo. One could tell simply by staring into his eyes that he meant every word that poured out of his mouth, and rightfully so. After years of frustration, he has been allowed the creative leeway to speak his mind, and the result has been staggering.

In just over 60 seconds, The Miz created more interest in his on-screen persona than WWE Creative did in the four years that preceded the promo. He continued to build on his momentum Tuesday, and the result was an extraordinary opening segment that generated excitement for a showdown with Ziggler, presumably at Backlash on September 11.

The Miz is one of the hottest stars in professional wrestling, its greatest heel and, after the past week, its most intriguing character.

Winner: AJ Styles

There was no denying that AJ Styles was among the best wrestlers on the planet when he signed with WWE earlier in 2016, but there was a question about his ability to connect with the audience from an entertainment perspective. Could he play a character fans cared enough to invest themselves in?

As it turns out, few have proved as capable of playing the obnoxious villain that Styles has perfected since turning heel this past June. From his "Beat Up John Cena" catchphrase to the mocking manner in which he wears the franchise's armband around his head, Styles is the arrogant heel who would be right at home in a 1980s teen flick.

He's humorous, but at the same time, fans know that when the bell rings he will not hesitate to prove why he is one of the elite performers in the industry. He proved it again Tuesday night with a solid sprint of a match against Apollo Crews, which he won via the Phenomenal Forearm.

A revelation since joining Vince McMahon's company, Styles will continue to amuse and inspire fans as he runs atop the blue brand.

Losers: The Vaudevillains

Just in case you had not figured out that Aiden English and Simon Gotch are being given The Ascension treatment, look no further than Tuesday's show for evidence.

The duo was hardly booked competently against The Hype Bros, nor were they adequately put over in any measurable form. They were beaten down and dispatched, as they have been since their call-up to the main roster.

Why WWE Creative has struggled to get behind the duo given the lack of depth in the tag division, especially on the heel side, is a mystery. Yet here English and Gotch are, losing every week, their credibility shot and the likelihood that they can be rebuilt into anything even remotely legitimate passing with every defeat.

Winner: Heath Slater

There is no character in wrestling more fun right now than Heath Slater, who has seized the opportunity presented to him by the brand extension and run with it.

His television time has increased, and he was at the heart of an interview segment that attempted to introduce his act to the masses Tuesday night. Was it perfectly written? No, but Slater's charm carried it and helped it achieve success.

Now a favorite to win the first SmackDown Tag Team Championships, Slater is on his way to being the first undercard star to breakout and enjoy a substantial push.