WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from December 16

WWE Week on USA Network continued Tuesday night as SmackDown was broadcast live from Grand Rapids, Michigan!

Roman Reigns made his return to the squared circle, Dean Ambrose and Bray Wyatt were in the same arena for the first time since Sunday's TLC pay-per-view, Naomi received a Divas Championship opportunity against Nikki Bella—courtesy of The Miz—and Kane demolished Adam Rose and The Bunny for the second consecutive night.

The story of Tuesday's show, however, was the interaction between Dolph Ziggler and Seth Rollins that spawned a tremendous main event and the continuation of The Showoff's momentous close to 2014.

What went down during the very special edition of SmackDown on USA?

Take a look for yourself.

Roman Reigns vs. Fandango

Credit: WWE.com

On the heels of a vicious spear suffered at the hands of Roman Reigns Monday night, Fandango attempted to gain a measure of revenge against the former Shield member to kick off this week's show.

Fandango attempted to out-wrestle Reigns early, but the much more powerful competitor fought his way out of the go-behind takedown and headlock attempts and looked confident in doing so.

The ballroom dancer took control of the match for a few minutes before Reigns mounted a comeback and blasted Fandango with the Superman Punch. A huge spear brought the match to its conclusion.

Result

Roman Reigns pinned Fandango.

Highlights and Quotes

• "Clark Kent just came out of the phone booth." - Michael Cole
• "Big Show, take notice. Roman Reigns is back and may be better than ever." - Cole

Grade

D

Analysis

This was an absolutely awful way to reintroduce Roman Reigns to in-ring action.

Portrayed as an unstoppable force, the potential face of the WWE in the very near future, he most certainly should not have struggled for even a second against a guy like Fandango, who—prior to the character reboot that has failed miserably—was a glorified jobber.

Thankfully, the crowd was molten-hot for Reigns, proving that even the booking hiccup can't hurt his momentum.

At least yet, that is.

On a more positive note, it was nice to see a show start with actual in-ring action rather than a boring 20-minute promo like the one fans were forced to endure Monday night.

Dean Ambrose Promo

Credit: WWE.com

After losing Sunday's Tables, Ladders & Chairs match to Bray Wyatt, the Lunatic Fringe arrived on Tuesday's live SmackDown.

Ambrose warned Wyatt that he is just as twisted as him before the Reaper of Souls appeared on the video screen.

Wyatt promised Ambrose that their issues would not end because he is a slave to his calling and wants to watch everyone's heroes fall.

The Eater of Worlds laughed maniacally as Ambrose watched from the squared circle, the lights of the WWE Universe's cellular devices illuminating the arena.

Highlights and Quotes

• "Bray Wyatt says there's a special place in hell for people like us, and at TLC, we visited that special place." - Ambrose
• "Whether it was bad luck, an accident or an act of God, I lost." - Ambrose
• "For the first time in his life, he was face-to-face with someone just as twisted as he is." - Ambrose
• "You don't get it—the only reason you are still breathing right now is because I'm enjoying this little game of ours." - Wyatt
• "I am a slave to my calling. And I can't stop, man. I can't stop until I see all the heroes fall." - Wyatt
• "It can't end until I watch it all burn...down." - Wyatt

Grade

B

Analysis

This was a nice little bit of hype for Wednesday's Boot Camp match on the annual Tribute to the Troops special, a show that typically is not hyped in advance.

It adds a further sense of importance to the event and gives fans who may not have tuned in otherwise a reason to do so.

Ambrose and Wyatt essentially ensured fans of their program thus far that they are far from finished with each other. It was accomplished in short and sweet fashion, something much appreciated from a show whose pace is so much better than the marathon, three-hour episodes of Raw.

The Usos and Erick Rowan vs. The Miz, Damien Mizdow and Luke Harper

Credit: WWE.com

Erick Rowan pulled double duty Tuesday night, dropping a match to Kane on Main Event—thanks in large part to the presence of Titus O'Neil at ringside—and teaming with Jimmy and Jey Uso to battle WWE tag team champions The Miz and Damien Mizdow as well as former Wyatt Family partner Luke Harper.

Jimmy Uso started the match with Miz, who bailed out of the ring before he could be subject to punishment at the hands of his rival and tagged Harper into the bout.

Miz again ran from Jimmy and the two teams had a staredown at ringside as the show headed to commercial break.

The former WWE champion had control of the match as the action returned, working over a prone Jey Uso. 

Jimmy hit the ring, taking it to Miz, but ate a huge boot from Harper. The big man turned the tide back in the favor of the heels. With Jimmy down, Miz suddenly had no problem staying in the squared circle, working him over with a ground-based offense.

Mizdow appeared poised to make a tag, much to the delight of the fans, but Miz tagged in Harper instead, drawing a chorus of boos.

When the stunt double finally did make the tag, he was cut off and tagged back out.

Rowan finally entered the bout and tossed Miz around the ring like a rag doll. A series of superkicks to Miz and a dual suicide dive took out Harper at ringside. Jimmy and Jey recovered and convinced Rowan to head up top, which he did, coming off with a big splash to Miz.

Result

Erick Rowan and The Usos defeated The Miz, Damien Mizdow and Luke Harper.

Highlights and Quotes

• "Miz is quite the role model." - JBL
• "It's not every day you see sheep fly." - JBL

Grade

C

Analysis

The match was good and plenty entertaining, but the Damien Mizdow character is being overplayed and beginning to adversely affect the quality of the matches he appears in.

Make no mistake, this writer is a fan of the character. But whereas the subtleties are what made the character so fun in the first place, the over-the-top nature of Mizdow at this point has watered it down significantly—even if it remains one of the most over acts in the company.

Rowan rebounded nicely here after a losing streak, pinning Miz and ending his busy night on a high note.

Ryback vs. Seth Rollins

Credit: WWE.com

One night after defeating John Cena in a steel cage match with the assistance of both Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar, a limping Seth Rollins made his way to the ring for a match with Ryback.

As Ryback made his entrance, he was attacked by Rusev, who kicked him off the stage and then delivered one of his patented sidekicks to the face, knocking Ryback over an anvil case.

Rusev left with an approving Lana by his side.

Rollins had a microphone in his hand and decried the lawlessness that had taken over WWE.

Mr. Money in the Bank attempted to give himself the night off when "I'm Here to Show the World" played and intercontinental champion Dolph Ziggler made his way onto the stage.

The frequent opponents traded barbs before setting up a match for Tuesday night's main event.

Highlights and Quotes

• "If they orchestrated that whole thing last night, it was genius." - JBL on Rollins' potential business relationship with Heyman
• "I don't like Rusev, but I don't blame him for doing this." - JBL
• "Turnabout is fair play." - JBL
• "Without The Authority, this place is a madhouse." - Seth Rollins
• "After the last two days, who deserves a day off more than Mr. Money in the Bank?" - Rollins
• "The Authority is out of power and it's all because of Sting...and me." - Dolph Ziggler
• "If I was challenging me, I'd be really scared, too, because I'm really good at wrestling and I back it up every night." - Ziggler
• "It's just Dolph Ziggler." - Rollins

Grade

B+

Analysis

To borrow an old phrase, this segment killed two birds with one stone in that it intensified the budding rivalry between Ryback and United States champion Rusev and also succeeded in setting up a much hotter main event between Ziggler and Rollins.

Based on previous bouts between the two extraordinary in-ring performers, fans could be in for a treat later in the show.

Ziggler appeared much more comfortable on the microphone here than usual, something that will only help his attempt to sustain his latest push.

Divas Championship Match: Naomi vs. Nikki Bella

Credit: WWE.com

Earlier in the evening, during a live episode of Main Event, The Miz revealed that he had negotiated a Divas Championship match for Naomi later on SmackDown.

Hoping to make the most of her opportunity, Naomi looked equal parts confident and nervous as she hit the ring for her big moment.

Naomi scored a few quick near-falls early, catching Nikki off guard and setting the pace for the contest. Nikki, however, thwarted the fast-paced, dynamic offensive style of her challenger with her own power-based skill set.

A nice snap suplex—shades of Tully Blanchard—put Naomi down for two before a headlock from the champion attempted to further wear down Naomi.

The Miz made his way to the ringside area, drawing a chorus of boos as he openly cheered on Naomi.

The challenger mounted a comeback, delivering a flipping clothesline and a big kick to the side of the head. Hanging Nikki up on the top rope, she nearly scored a championship victory off the move.

Nikki sent Naomi out of the ring to the feet of Miz, who spoke words of encouragement. Jimmy Uso hit the ring and chased Miz off, distracting Naomi and allowing Nikki to score the pinfall victory.

Result

Nikki Bella defeated Naomi.

Highlights and Quotes

• "They don't talk to you." - JBL, doubting Michael Cole's claims that he spoke with the Bellas earlier in the evening
• "We think Naomi is the best pure athlete in the Divas division." - JBL
• "It's not going to be a fun night at the Uso house." - JBL

Grade

C-

Analysis

The match itself was incredibly rushed thanks to time constraints, but as the latest chapter in the Jimmy Uso-Miz feud, it worked extremely well.

Here was Naomi on the verge of victory and her first Divas Championship and seemingly thriving on The Miz's support. Then, after husband Jimmy hit the ring and chased him off, she allowed herself to be distracted and fell prey to a rollup.

Naturally, it will create tension within the once-happy couple, something Miz will look forward to exploiting in the weeks to come.

It is smart storytelling at a time when WWE Creative and the word "smart" are not necessarily mentioned in the same breath.

Adam Rose vs. Kane

Credit: WWE.com

Not satisfied with being absolutely destroyed on Raw, Adam Rose attempted to make sure Tuesday night did not end the same way when he squared off with Kane in singles competition.

Rose attempted to hype himself up with the assistance of the Rosebuds but was run over by Kane. The leader of the Rosebuds' insistence on dancing led to Kane catching him with a big boot and a chokeslam for the win.

A second Tombstone piledriver in as many nights ensued as the Bunny was left lying in a heap.

Result

Kane pinned Adam Rose.

Highlights and Quotes

• "It was the greatest thing in the history of wrestling." - JBL on Kane attacking the Bunny on Raw
• "Be very, very quiet...Kane just euthanized a rabbit." - JBL, doing his best Elmer Fudd impersonation

Grade

F

Analysis

Ring of Honor's Jimmy Jacobs and Scarlett Bordeaux, as well as former TNA Knockout Taeler Hendrix, again served as Rosebuds but did little to change the outcome, making it an even bigger mystery as to why the match was even included on Tuesday's broadcast.

There was very little of note that differentiated the second match between Kane and Rose from the first, right down to the Tombstone suffered by the Bunny.

Can we just put the Rose character out of its misery?

Its existence does nothing for anyone and only forces management to pay local talent to appear as Rosebuds every Monday and Tuesday.

Repackaging the performer as Leo Kruger or outright releasing him would be much preferred to the nonsense fans are treated to on a weekly basis.

Non-Title Match: Dolph Ziggler vs. Seth Rollins

Credit: WWE.com

Rollins stalled to start the match, consulting with Jamie Noble and Joey Mercury at ringside before returning to the squared circle.

The competitors traded offense early, with Ziggler nearly scoring the victory off a schoolboy rollup. Noble, however, capitalized on a referee whose back was turned and pulled Ziggler to the mat viciously.

Back from the break, Rollins had control of the match, Irish-whipping Ziggler back-first into the post, something that had to further affect the body of the IC champion. His ladder match with Luke Harper was nothing short of a war.

Ziggler fought back, targeting the taped ribs of Rollins but falling prey to a stiff clothesline.

Rollins attempted to dive at a prone Ziggler at ringside but found himself crashing ribs-first into the announcers' table.

The Showoff scored a number of near-falls, including one off a big DDT, but Rollins managed to power out as Noble and Mercury looked stressed from outside the squared circle.

A superkick attempt by Ziggler was caught and Rollins answered with a kick to the side of the head, nearly scoring a victory of his own.

Ziggler sent Rollins flying over the top rope and into Mercury and Noble, and a Fameasser followed for two as the crowd nearly came unglued.

Mercury distracted the official while Noble delivered a cheap shot to Ziggler. This led to Mike Chioda tossing the security and Ziggler delivering the Zig-Zag for the pinfall win.

The IC champion celebrated to close out the show as Rollins, Mercury and Noble watched angrily from inside the squared circle.

Result

Dolph Ziggler defeated Seth Rollins.

Highlights and Quotes

• "Jamie is great security. No one ever said he was smart. He's great security." - JBL
• "I never complained about anything." - JBL
• "What a week, as much as I can't stand to say it, for Dolph Ziggler." - JBL
• "And he gets to sit down with me tomorrow." - Michael Cole
• "Then it's just going to get worse." - JBL

Grade

A

Analysis

The main event of Tuesday's SmackDown was an outstanding way to close out a very fun two hours of television.

Ziggler and Rollins have such incredibly chemistry with each other, and it shows every time they share the ring. Tuesday was no different, even if they did not have nearly enough time to put together a match as fans would hope.

Both are bumping machines, regularly going out of their way to make their opponents look good. They did that in spades Tuesday, despite bumps and bruises from some intensely physical matches at Sunday's TLC pay-per-view.

The near-falls kept the fans on the edge of their seats while the fact that both men are in the midst of considerable pushes kept viewers guessing as to who would emerge victoriously.

Ziggler winning was a nice surprise, as is his entire reemergence as a prime-time player in WWE. He is one of the hardest and best workers in the industry and has endured a lot of political maneuvering and creative inconsistency to make it to where he is today.

For the sake of the Intercontinental Championship, wins over Rollins and other stars of that stature are key. Ziggler, a workhorse, is exactly the guy to reestablish the credibility of the title and the prestige that once followed it.