WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from October 11

On the heels of a No Mercy pay-per-view that saw AJ Styles retain the WWE World Championship, Dolph Ziggler capture the Intercontinental Championship and Luke Harper make his shocking return, SmackDown Live hit the USA Network with an audience eager to witness the follow-up.

Styles was quick to brag about his win, but a shocking upset had him reeling by night's end.

Ziggler celebrated his victory with fans but found himself on the receiving end of a three-on-one beatdown that was stopped only when two unexpected heroes made the save.

Harper and Bray Wyatt battled Randy Orton and Kane in the main event, and thanks to parlor tricks and mind games, they left The Viper unconscious and dismayed for the second consecutive broadcast.

What else went down as the blue brand sought to carry over the momentum from Sunday's pay-per-view to its weekly television show?

Find out with this look back at the October 11 episode.

Dolph Ziggler Promo

New Intercontinental champion Dolph Ziggler kicked off this week's show, riding high following his win over The Miz at No Mercy.

He exclaimed "we did it!" before reliving everything he went through to regain the IC title.

The Miz interrupted, naturally, and blamed Ziggler for undoing everything he worked for in reestablishing the title's credibility.

The insults continued until The Miz introduced The Spirit Squad for a two-on-one handicap match.

Grade

B+

Analysis

Both Superstars were great here, showing emotion and intensity while continuing to tell their story. In doing so, they continued to elevate the Intercontinental Championship's importance while adding heat to a rivalry that has become, to an extent, the best on SmackDown.

Despite the countless number of matches Ziggler and The Miz have had against each other of late, this feels like a feud destined to continue, and the fans appear perfectly OK with that.

Dolph Ziggler vs. The Spirit Squad

In order to continue his celebration into the remainder of Tuesday night, Ziggler would be forced to defeat two men he once called partners—Kenny and Mikey.

The cheerleader villains double-teamed Ziggler throughout the match, keeping him grounded and unable to gain any momentum. The Showoff fought back, and in classic Ziggler fashion, he blasted Kenny with a superkick to score the pinfall win.

After the match, The Miz attacked Ziggler, and a three-on-one assault unfolded. SmackDown tag team champions Heath Slater and Rhyno made the save, checking on the IC champ while the heels retreated.

Result

Dolph Ziggler defeated The Spirit Squad.

Grade

C+

Analysis

The match was nothing special, at least as far as handicap matches. It played to what Ziggler does so well: create sympathy and execute the fiery comeback.

What the aftermath did, though, was introduce two new players to the equation in Slater and Rhyno. What they have to do with things or how they will factor into the program going forward bears watching.

Naomi vs. Carmella

On the heels of a backstage attack of Nikki Bella, Carmella looked to continue rebuilding momentum as she battled Naomi.

The Princess of Staten Island controlled the majority of the match, showing tenacity and fury as she kept Naomi from showing off her superb athleticism.

Unfortunately, Bella's late-match appearance distracted her and allowed Naomi to roll her up for the win.

After the match, Bella gave chase to Carmella, sending her scurrying through the crowd.

Backstage, Alexa Bliss claimed she could beat Naomi any day of the week, only to have SmackDown Live general manager Daniel Bryan announce a match between the two women for next week's show.

Result

Naomi defeated Carmella.

Grade

B

Analysis

This was a very effective use of television time.

Not only does it add to the ongoing Bella-Carmella rivalry, it also introduces the placeholder rivalry between Naomi and Bliss. Though the roster of women is limited, SmackDown's creative team continues to find ways to utilize the Superstars in a way that keeps things fresh and interesting.

Chad Gable vs. Jimmy Uso

The rivalry between American Alpha and The Usos continued Tuesday as Chad Gable battled Jimmy Uso in singles competition.

Jimmy controlled the bout, but Gable fought his way back, rolling late.

As Gable charged into the corner, Uso dodged out of the way and rolled him up. Jey, from the outside, pushed his brother further into the pin, adding leverage to the schoolboy and allowing the heel to score the victory.

Result

Jimmy Uso defeated Chad Gable.

Grade

C-

Analysis

The feud feels like it has lost a ton of momentum following The Usos heel turn. Fresh off a clean loss to Heath Slater and Rhyno at No Mercy, the heels lack credibility, while American Alpha has cooled down significantly since the WWE draft.

That makes for a program devoid of any real heat, but not one that cannot recover quickly with a little spark courtesy of the writing staff.

AJ Styles Promo and Styles vs. James Ellsworth

Credit: WWE.com

AJ Styles made his way to the ring, joyous following his victory over Dean Ambrose and John Cena at No Mercy.

He convinced fans to cheer for them and then called them losers. He mocked both of his previous opponents before referring to SmackDown as the "land of opportunity" and calling his opponent to the ring.

Ambrose appeared to a huge pop, much to the WWE world champion's dismay.

He claimed Styles wanted none of The Lunatic Fringe, but before he could talk his way into a title match, Styles introduced James Ellsworth—the enhancement talent that's most recognizable from his brutal obliteration at the hands of Braun Strowman.

Daniel Bryan appeared and announced the match between Ellsworth and Styles would happen, but Ambrose would be the guest referee.

Ambrose tripped and fast-counted Styles, all in an attempt to humiliate the WWE champion in front of an international viewing audience. Styles, though, responded with a stiff clothesline that put the underdog down on the mat.

Styles put Ellsworth in the Calf Crusher, and the jobber tapped out. Ambrose, though, was busy talking on his cell phone to recognize the submission. The Phenomenal One flattened his opponent with The Styles Clash, and Ambrose refused to count the pin. He dropped the champion with Dirty Deeds and then draped Ellsworth over Styles for what felt like an academic pin.

A kickout was followed by a second Dirty Deeds, as Ellsworth scored the biggest victory of his career, courtesy of Ambrose.

Result

James Ellsworth defeated AJ Styles.

Grade

B+

Analysis

This probably ran longer than it should have, but the result was an entertaining segment that reignited the rivalry between Styles and Ambrose.

Ellsworth's involvement was a nice callback to previous angles, allowing the feud to advance in a fresher manner than it otherwise may have.

Where WWE Creative is typically inclined to book a babyface to come out, plead referee ignorance and be handed a rematch, this gave Styles something to be furious over and, potentially, reintroduce a nasty edge to his character.

Randy Orton and Kane vs. Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper

Credit: WWE.com

Prior to the main event, Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper cut a promo in which The Reaper of Souls urged Randy Orton to bring his monster because he brought his.

The Viper controlled the pace early, but midway through the marquee bout, the devious heels were able to overpower Kane and keep him isolated from his partner.

Orton received the hot tag and tore through his opponents. As he reached out to tag Kane, though, the Wyatt Family bumper aired, and the arena went dark.

When the lights came back up, Harper was standing where Kane previously did, distracting Orton and leaving the commentators to debate where The Big Red Monster went. The Viper turned right into Sister Abigail, and Wyatt scored the pinfall victory.

Result

Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper defeated Randy Orton and Kane.

Grade

C-

Analysis

The most frustrating part of watching Bray Wyatt and Company work is the bells and whistles WWE Creative concocts just to give them a win. Like it would be that big of a deal for Wyatt or Harper to just overpower Orton and score a clean win.

It was a basic tag match, one that fans would not remember a month from now, so why bother protecting Orton to that extent?

At some point, management is going to have to recognize the multitude of mistakes it has made with the Wyatt Family gimmick and do something to restore credibility. Right now, it is a wildly inconsistent and unimposing act thanks to the realization that no matter what they do or say, the heroes will conquer them in the end.