WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from Sept. 20

With a John Cena vs. Dean Ambrose main event and an Intercontinental Championship showdown between Dolph Ziggler vs. The Miz, SmackDown Live hit the USA Network airwaves Tuesday night with the promise of a strong show.

Becky Lynch and Alexa Bliss set the tone for the night with an intense contract signing, while American Alpha returned to the squared circle, battling The Usos in a grudge match that doubled as a No. 1 Contender's bout.

Randy Orton battled Erick Rowan and Apollo Crews attempted to gain a measure of revenge against Baron Corbin following the events of last week's broadcast.

How did each of the bouts turn out, how did they affect the future of the brand and what grade was assigned to each segment?

Find out now with this look back at the September 20 episode of the blue brand.

Contract Signing: Becky Lynch and Alexa Bliss

Daniel Bryan introduced Becky Lynch to the WWE Universe for the contract signing between her and Alexa Bliss.

Bliss claimed Lynch was not born to be a champion; she was a lovable loser. Lynch responded that she was not born to be a champion, but she proved all doubters wrong and became one anyway.

Bliss countered, promising to expose Lynch for what she really is: a one-hit wonder.

She blasted her with the contract holder, much to the dismay of the WWE Universe.

Lynch recovered, attacking Bliss on the ramp and sending her scurrying to end the segment.

Grade

B

Analysis

Alexa Bliss was outstanding here.

She showed the poise of a veteran talker—a woman who has been under the spotlight for years despite her call-up to SmackDown coming recently. She was outstanding as she tore Lynch down and forced emotional investment on the part of the WWE Universe.

Lynch was the lovable babyface she has been since arriving in WWE and the perfect choice to carry the division on her back.

American Alpha vs. The Usos

A match set up by the vicious assault Jimmy and Jey put on Jason Jordan and Chad Gable two weeks ago, American Alpha sought revenge as they waged war with The Usos.

An aggressive Gable and Jordan wasted no time tossing The Usos around with suplexes and takedowns as SmackDown tag team champions Heath Slater and Rhyno watched in the locker room.

As the show went to commercial, the heels utilized deception to re-injure Gable's knee and wrest control of the match from the babyfaces.

The Usos worked over the injured limb as Gable screamed in pain—the pain obviously coursing through his body.

Gable eventually made the hot tag to Jordan, who exploded into the match with a series of Alphaplexes to his opponents.

The Usos delivered the top rope splash that had won them so many matches in the past, but Gable was able to break up the pin at two. Jordan, in need of a tag, crawled toward his partner, but Gable's knee gave out. Refusing to tag the former Olympian in, he fell prey to a double superkick and a second splash as the twin villains scored the victory.

Result

The Usos defeated American Alpha.

Grade

B-

Analysis

The match was fairly pedestrian, but the story structure helped it achieve its grade.

Rather than traveling the tired route of having Gable's knee give out mid-match, it gave out, forcing his partner to make the decision not to put his friend's health in jeopardy. It was a refreshing take on an old story and led to an unexpected outcome with Jimmy and Jey scoring the upset and championship opportunity.

Apollo Crews vs. Baron Corbin

A week after a vicious assault left Apollo Crews lying in a heap courtesy of Baron Corbin's End of Days on the arena floor, the two battled in singles competition as new SmackDown acquisition Jack Swagger sat in on commentary.

The Lone Wolf assaulted Crews on the arena floor, shades of the previous week's beatdown, and took control inside the squared circle.

The End of Days finished Crews off.

After the match, Swagger and Corbin exchanged words at ringside.

Result

Baron Corbin defeated Apollo Crews.

Grade

C

Analysis

This was an extended squash, continuing Crews' fall from grace since arriving on SmackDown.

Corbin continues to feel wasted—a bruising badass left to feud with an ice-cold Swagger who cannot be fixed merely by jumping brands.

Intercontinental Championship Match: Dolph Ziggler vs. The Miz

A fired-up Dolph Ziggler hit the ring for his latest opportunity to dethrone intercontinental champion The Miz.

The titleholder controlled the majority of the match before climbing the ropes and coming off with a double axe handle, only to eat a big dropkick from his challenger.

Back from break, Ziggler set up a big superplex, but The Miz fought out of it and tried for a sunset flip powerbomb. Ziggler held onto the ropes and tried to punch his way out, but the champion dropped him with a big slingshot powerbomb anyway.

Maryse's attempt at interference backfired as the referee banished her from ringside but, at the same time, she provided The Miz with an opportunity to try and steal a win. Ziggler kicked out but could not overcome the hairspray, the champion used, that proved his downfall one more time.

Result

The Miz defeated Dolph Ziggler.

Grade

B

Analysis

Ziggler and The Miz have tremendous in-ring chemistry. For as fun as their matches are, it still feels like they are missing that one match that defines their rivalry.

The use of the spray was a clever finish that could play into a potential third, and deciding, match between the two.

Chalk up another victory for The Miz, who continues his renaissance year here in 2016.

Randy Orton vs. Erick Rowan

The feud between Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt continued as Orton battled The Reaper of Souls' closest follower—Erick Rowan.

Donning a sheep mask now adorned with clown paint, Rowan threw a dropkick that had JBL marveling on commentary.

It was the lone bright spot for the Lost Sheep, who suffered a RKO as Orton picked up the win.

Result

Randy Orton defeated Erick Rowan.

Grade

C-

Analysis

This was an extended squash that saw Orton steamroll Rowan and focus on Wyatt, who appeared after the match and cut another of his cryptic promos.

Lackluster storytelling and a distinct lack of direction have bogged down the feud. Where is it going? What is SmackDown hoping to achieve? Is this finally Wyatt's attempt to go over clean on a main event star?

Those are questions that need the writers' attention sooner than later.

Nikki Bella and Naomi vs. Carmella and Natalya

Credit: WWE.com

The four women not currently involved in the championship hunt met in a scheduled tag match.

Before the action could start, Carmella pulled Nikki Bella to ringside and attacked her, leaving her lying in a heap on the floor.

Meanwhile, in the squared circle, Naomi planted Natalya with a big kick.

Carmella stood tall to end the brief segment.

Winner

No-Contest

Grade

F

Analysis

Would this show have been any better or worse without this segment?

The answer is "no," as it did nothing to add heat to the feud between Carmella and Bella, and it didn't explain why we should care about Naomi and Natalya suddenly having issues.

It was a lazy, wasted segment that was likely cut down due to time constraints.

John Cena vs. Dean Ambrose

Credit: WWE.com

John Cena and Dean Ambrose, two of the industry's most popular stars, battled Tuesday night in the main event of SmackDown Live. Two-thirds of the No Mercy main event Triple Threat match for the WWE World Championship, they locked up to a great deal of excitement from the WWE Universe.

Ambrose controlled the action heading into the first break, somewhat to the surprise of commentator Mauro Ranallo. He continued to take the fight to the franchise star, wiping him out with a suicide dive through the middle rope.

The action picked up significantly, from out of nowhere, as Cena delivered an Attitude Adjustment for two. Not to be outdone, Ambrose returned the favor with a Dirty Deeds that also netted a two-count.

A slugfest ensued, and Cena tried for another AA, only to be rolled up and pinned by The Lunatic Fringe.

Result

Dean Ambrose defeated John Cena.

Grade

C+

Analysis

The match itself was underwhelming. The pacing was off, and the finishers came fast and furious, with little rhyme or reason. There was no narrative, and the finish came from out of nowhere, as did the announcement that Dean Ambrose will challenge AJ Styles for the WWE World Championship next week.

Ambrose standing tall was the right decision in that it allowed him to regain some of his heat that felt lost in the shuffle of last week's Backlash fallout. The question now is whether WWE Creative will continue to try convincing the audience he is the lead babyface or if it will allow Ambrose to be the tweener he is most effective as.