WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from Nov. 1

WWE SmackDown continues to be Raw's weirder little brother.

A strange show unfolded on Tuesday night, as James Ellsworth again impacted the WWE World Championship picture, Randy Orton started listening to the voices in his head and Dolph Ziggler went outside of the brand for his next opponent.

There were a number of moments to remember—from The Miz pouting about his Survivor Series status to Ellsworth's retreat from security.

The matches didn't exactly create any memories, however. SmackDown succeeded in moving stories along, but not in terms of in-ring action.

It felt as if WWE was racing through the bouts and qualifying contests, with a No Disqualification battle and an Intercontinental Championship clash all going about as long as a 2012 Kelly Kelly match.

Which trips into the ring flopped? Which angles increased in temperature? The following is a breakdown of Tuesday's SmackDown, complete with highlights and grades.

James Ellsworth's Apology

James Ellsworth said his actions last week have eaten him up.

He apologized to Dean Ambrose, who brushed off the incident. The Lunatic Fringe told him to never get in his way again. 

AJ Styles emerged and tried to convince Ellsworth that Ambrose has been using him. The world champ and Ambrose fought with Ellsworth caught in the middle.

The Phenomenal One laid out both babyfaces and sauntered away. 

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Ambrose calls Ellsworth his "special, little boy."
• "I came to SmackDown Live to fight, but last week, it wasn't my fight."—Ellsworth.
• "You owe me your entire career."—Styles.

Grade

B+

Analysis

The strange storyline continues, with WWE making smart use of Ellsworth as a pawn, sidekick and comedy figure. Ambrose and Styles were rightfully the focal points in the end, though. They are the titans in this tale; Ellsworth is a supporting character.

He has added a fun aura to the narrative. Moving forward, though, things need to grow more serious and intense. 

The madcap portion should be done after Tuesday night.

Randy Orton vs. Kane (No Disqualification)

Randy Orton and Kane took the action to the outside immediately, with The Big Red Machine bending a steel chair over his foe's back.

Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper appeared and encircled Kane. The Viper pounced, knocking off his opponent with an RKO.

Harper attacked Kane after the bell. He and Orton quibbled as The Wyatt Family continued the beatdown.

Result

Orton wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "You have to be kidding me. What a dangerous alliance this would be."—John "Bradshaw" Layfield.
• Orton celebrates in the corner as Harper and Wyatt do their signature poses in the ring.

Grade

B

Analysis

The match itself was underwhelming, as it was over before it picked up any steam. The post-bout angle, though, intrigued.

Harper is jealous of his new "brother." Orton is aligned with The Wyatt Family to a point, but he still remains his own man. Those elements will make this a compelling story moving forward.

WWE has a major opportunity to give Orton one of best angles in a long time and fill Wyatt's resume with a career-changer.

Alexa Bliss and Carmella vs. Becky Lynch and Nikki Bella

Becky Lynch and Nikki Bella gained control early. They issued a fast-paced offense that left Alexa Bliss and Carmella flustered.

Bliss raked Lynch's eyes and scored a cheap pinfall.

The heels then pushed away the interviewer to talk trash to Raw's women's team. Evoking the Wicked Witch of the West, Bliss promised to take the women's title from Lynch next week.

Result

Bliss and Carmella win via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Lynch and Bella each hit sliding dropkicks on their opponents.
• "Not one of you chicks can hang with the girls on SmackDown Live."—Carmella.

Grade

C+

Analysis

The commercial break cut out much of a short bout. The contest hurried along to get to Bliss and Carmella's promo.

Both newcomers were solid here, playing their heel roles well. They are both grating, nasty and cocky. 

It would have been nice, though, if they had some time to show those traits in the ring.

American Alpha vs. The Spirit Squad (Survivor Series Qualifier)

American Alpha interrupted The Spirit Squad before it could deliver a cheer.

Mikey and Kenny were unable to keep Chad Gable down for long. Jason Jordan dominated the cheerleaders briefly, but he and Gable teamed up to beat the heels with Grand Amplitude. 

Result

American Alpha wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "I want American Alpha to represent SmackDown at Survivor Series, not the cheerleaders from Bring It On."—David Otunga.

Grade

D

Analysis

High stakes couldn't save a blink-of-an-eye contest. The wrestlers had to cram their story into a tiny space, and it had little effect as a result.

It's good WWE is not choosing to showcase the visiting Spirit Squad over SmackDown's actual teams. The Spirit Squad not going to the PPV will open the door for Breezango or The Vaudevillains, two duos in desperate need of opportunities.

Miz TV with Daniel Bryan

The Miz welcomed SmackDown's general manager, Daniel Bryan, who received the biggest reaction of the night.

The former IC champ referenced his and Bryan's blowout on Talking Smack before talking about Survivor Series. Bryan announced that more qualifying matches were on the way.

The GM listed Randy Orton, Dean Ambrose, Bray Wyatt, Baron Corbin and AJ Styles as the five members of SmackDown's male team. The decision angered The Miz. 

Bryan and The Miz bickered.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "If I had a problem with you, I would aggressively let you know."—The Miz.
• "I am your only chance for survival."—The Miz.
• "Why don't you go back to doing what you do best: moping around John Cena's house on Total Bellas."—The Miz.

Grade

A-

Analysis

The crowd got into this early and stayed engaged. The Miz showed off his top-notch mic skills, and Bryan showed some powerful emotion.

It's not clear where this story is heading, given that Bryan can't compete, but it is advancing, and it remains suspenseful. The Miz may revolt at some point. Bryan may grow frustrated and punish him.

Wherever this goes, The Miz has some quality drama around him, even as his feud with Dolph Ziggler appears to be ending.

Dolph Ziggler's Open Challenge

Curt Hawkins accepted Dolph Ziggler's open invitation for challengers to his Intercontinental Championship. 

Hawkins talked a big game but only lasted a matter of seconds. Ziggler superkicked his lights out for the quick win.

Renee Young interviewed The Showoff. The champ called out anyone from Raw to take him on for the title at Survivor Series.

Result

Ziggler wins via pinfall to retain the Intercontinental Championship.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "You're the sad, sorry sucker that has to face the facts."—Hawkins.
• "You want to come take this title from me? I'd love to see you try."—Ziggler.

Grade

C-

Analysis

All the effort WWE put into trying to build excitement for Hawkins through vignettes and teases led to this? What a way to undercut him from the get-go.

Ziggler's fiery challenge to Raw was an excellent idea. It will give him something promising to do at Survivor Series. And perhaps this is how Sami Zayn makes it to the PPV?

Bray Wyatt Welcomes Randy Orton to His Family

Randy Orton stood backstage in the dark with Luke Harper and Bray Wyatt. The Eater of Worlds talked about how people doubted Orton's commitment to the faction.

He talked up Orton as a worthy member. Orton explained his reasoning for joining, talking about embracing his dark side. 

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "I was born with the devil whispering in my ear. I'm done trying to fight it."—Orton.
• "Anyone with credentials like that is welcome in The Wyatt Family."—Wyatt.

Grade

B+

Analysis

Wyatt's character was made for this kind of story. Whether he is merely stoking Orton's flames of evil or controlling him somehow, this angle makes both men more interesting.

The logic for Orton's change of heart is logical. And he is fitting in surprisingly well with the spooky clan.

Orton's indoctrination is on the verge of becoming SmackDown's best story.

The Usos vs. The Headbangers (Survivor Series Qualifier)

The Usos pounced on The Headbangers in a hurry.

Mosh battled back for a second. The Usos hit him with a cheap shot and rolled him up for the win.

Result

The Usos win via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• None

Grade

D

Analysis

A quick match like this can be effective, but not when it follows so many other short bouts. The Usos didn't look dominant here. They didn't gain much momentum in taking down a team that offered such little resistance.

The outcome was predictable. The path to that climax was forgettable. 

Once the Survivor Series lineup is set, SmackDown will get back on track with its tag team division.

AJ Styles vs. Dean Ambrose

James Ellsworth begged to accompany Dean Ambrose to ringside. The Lunatic Fringe refused, instead kicking Ellsworth out of the building.

Ambrose then controlled the match from the onset. He flew at AJ Styles and tortured him with submission holds.

After tweaking his left knee, Ambrose lost momentum briefly. The unhinged babyface favored the leg moving forward but remained on top for much of the bout. 

Ellsworth sneaked in the arena before security chased him off.  Styles bashed into him before they could escort him out.

That created enough of a distraction to aid Ambrose to a win.

Result

Ambrose wins via pinfall to become the No. 1 contender for the WWE World Championship.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Ambrose delivers an avalanche butterfly suplex.
• Ambrose clubs Styles off the security barricade.
• Styles suplexes Ambrose into the turnbuckles.
• JBL calls Ellsworth "a freak of nature who didn't reach all the evolutionary cycles."

Grade

A-

Analysis

While not the greatest match between these two, this thrilled by effectively using Ellsworth once more. He almost cost Ambrose the match again. His near-failure created chaos and drama. 

And WWE offered a smart resolution to the Ellsworth-centric part of the narrative. The image of him held down by security guards as a satisfied grin stretched across his face was yet another surprisingly moving moment in the most unexpected angle of 2016.

SmackDown has set the bar high for itself moving forward with strong storytelling.