WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from Nov. 22

WWE SmackDown was a blur as it marched toward TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs.

The show spent only minimal time reflecting on Sunday's Survivor Series before zeroing in on the Dec. 4 pay-per-view. SmackDown created title matches, moved contenders into place and advanced rivalries.

Everything had meaning. Even Dean Ambrose's goofy shenanigans.

Baron Corbin and Kalisto's feud intensified. American Alpha barreled toward the SmackDown Tag Team Championships. Becky Lynch flexed her muscles before her upcoming title bout.

By the end of SmackDown, fans knew that The Miz will take on Dolph Ziggler in a ladder match at TLC and Nikki Bella will battle Carmella in a No Disqualification match at the PPV. 

The in-ring action hurried along, matching the pace of some of these stories.

What worked on Tuesday night? What didn't click? Read on for a breakdown of the post-Survivor Series edition of SmackDown.

Shane McMahon Kicks off SmackDown

SmackDown commissioner Shane McMahon praised Team Raw for its efforts at Survivor Series. He thanked Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt for leading the blue brand to victory at the PPV.

Dean Ambrose welcomed James Ellsworth, calling him Team SmackDown's MVP. McMahon then offered Ellsworth a contract.

The commish gave Ambrose the night off and told him to leave the building. 

AJ Styles emerged to deride McMahon for signing Ellsworth. He said the underdog didn't deserve a SmackDown deal.

The Phenomenal One challenged Ellsworth to a ladder match. Victory for Styles would nullify the lovable loser's contract. A future world title shot was up for grabs for Ellsworth should he win.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• McMahon: "I feel like I've been in a car accident."
• John "Bradshaw" Layfield calls Ellsworth a "walking, anorexic manatee."
• Ellsworth to Styles: "I've already beaten you twice."

Grade

C+

Analysis

The segment did fine in setting up the night's big match, another venture into the absurd for SmackDown.

The reveal that Ellsworth had signed wasn't nearly as moving a moment as his announcement on the indies was. It felt glossed over instead of like the culmination of a dream.

With Ellsworth aboard on a full-time basis, WWE is going to have to get creative in presenting him. The story involving him, Styles and Ambrose has been a fun, wild ride. Continuing that momentum is going to be a hell of a challenge.

The Miz vs. Kalisto (Intercontinental Championship)

Daniel Bryan informed The Miz backstage that he would put the title on the line against The King of Flight.

Kalisto had The Miz reeling early, leaning on his speed and high-flying offense to keep the champ off-balance. He was in control of the bout for a good stretch.

Baron Corbin popped up on the ring apron. That distracted Kalisto enough to open the door for an easy win for The Miz.

As the champ celebrated on the entrance ramp, Dolph Ziggler super-kicked him out cold.

Result

The Miz wins via pinfall to retain the IC title.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Kalisto countered a springboard powerbomb into a hurricanrana.
• Mauro Ranallo: "Baron Corbin continues to make life a nightmare for Kalisto."

Grade

B-

Analysis

The quick match showed a glimpse of how good a feud between Kalisto and The Miz could be. It ended in a hurry, though, to further two current rivalries.

Corbin's relentless pursuit of Kalisto has big-time potential. He is a monster on the prowl, an insatiable beast. That's a great role for him, and it positions Kalisto as the natural underdog.

The Miz's smugness about his cheap victory needs to go on his 2016 highlight reel.

No. 1 Contenders' Tag Team Turmoil Match

Credit: WWE.com

The Ascension blasted The Hype Bros early. The heel duo took out Mojo Rawley outside and focused on Zack Ryder in the ring.

Rawley charged back and quickly knocked off The Ascension.

Breezango entered next. Tyler Breeze withstood a flurry from Ryder. He and Fandango then double-teamed the former U.S. champ to eliminate The Hype Bros.

American Alpha ousted Breezango in a hurry. The high-energy squad toppled The Vaudevillains even quicker.

The Usos entered last.

They slowed the match down, grounding-and-pounding Jason Jordan. Gable had The Usos on their heels, but a trip into the ring post changed that. 

American Alpha managed to battle back and hit Grand Amplitude for the win.

The Wyatt Family popped up on the big screen. Bray Wyatt warned American Alpha that he and Randy Orton would face it next week.

Result

American Alpha wins the Tag Team Turmoil match by last eliminating The Usos.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Ryder hits a somersault plancha onto Breezango near the announcers' tables.
• Fandango hits Ryder with an elbow drop while Breeze drives his knees into his back.
• Dueling chants of "Let's go Usos!" and "Usos suck!" rumble through the arena.
• Wyatt to American Alpha: "You haven't faced all the tag teams."

Grade

B

Analysis

A hurried pace early on hurt the bout. The eliminations came so fast that a long blink was enough to make you miss them. That's great for American Alpha, who looked like world-beaters, but Breezango and The Vaudevillains were made to look like they don't even belong in the same ring as those guys.

The Usos vs. American Alpha part of the match thrilled. Near-falls and a buzzing energy powered the action.

Inserting The Wyatt Family into the title picture is a great move. Orton and Wyatt are a compelling pair of predators, and they will make stellar rivals for American Alpha. 

Becky Lynch vs. Natalya

Backstage, Becky Lynch challenged Alexa Bliss to a title match at the TLC PPV. The champ then bickered with Natalya, who blamed Team SmackDown's loss at Survivor Series on her.

Bliss then sat in on commentary as the match unfolded.

Lynch vs. Natalya turned intense in a hurry. Natalya slapped Lynch. The women's champ threw rapid-fire right hands.

Natalya took over the match, taunting Lynch as she beat her down. The Irish Lass Kicker charged back. She wrenched Natty's arm until she tapped.

Bliss attacked the babyface after the bell. 

Result

Lynch wins via submission.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Lynch to Bliss: "I hope you're ambidextrous because I'm going to break your arm."
• Lynch counters a Sharpshooter attempt with the Dis-Arm-Her.

Grade

B+

Analysis

Some strong mat work and shifts in momentum led to an entertaining match. The bout served as an effective warm-up for Lynch's match with Bliss.

The women's title feud has progressed well of late with Bliss continuing to chase and attack the champ.

WWE needs to work on Bliss looking like a legit threat to Lynch moving forward. She needs her own victories leading up to TLC. 

Baron Corbin vs. Kane

To punish Corbin for interferring in Kalisto's matches, Bryan booked him in a match against Kane.

Kane and Corbin slugged it out for a moment. Kalisto dove into the fray seconds later. Kane choke-slammed Corbin onto the canvas.

Kalisto grabbed a steel chair and chased after The Lone Wolf.

Result

Corbin wins via disqualification.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Corbin: "You don't get it, I am the bigger picture."
• JBL: "What's wrong with this madman?"
• Kalisto kicks a chair into Corbin's face.

Grade

C+

Analysis

WWE had the right idea here. Kalisto got some payback on his rival. He wielded a chair to presumably set up a chairs match.

The execution wasn't great, though. Kalisto didn't exactly cost Corbin anything. The Lone Wolf didn't have anything on the line here and won anyway.

Besides, the chairs match is the ugly stepchild of the TLC PPV.

AJ Styles vs. James Ellsworth (Ladder)

Credit: WWE.com

Leading up to the match, Ambrose kept re-appearing backstage. He dressed up as The Mountie and brought McMahon pizza.

Styles tore off Ellsworth's neck brace and dominated the underdog. The champion punished his foe in and out of the ring.

Ambrose returned dressed in Ottawa Senators gear, trying to help Ellsworth win. 

The Phenomenal One blasted Ambrose. Ellsworth, though, knocked Styles off the ladder and the champ got tied up in the ring ropes.

Ellsworth climbed the ladder to retrieve his SmackDown contract. He and Ambrose embraced as Ellsworth cried in joy.

Result

Ellsworth wins.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Styles invites Ellsworth to take the first shot, sticking his chin out.
• JBL: "In real life, David gets beat up by Goliath."
• Ranallo: "James Ellsworth has shocked the universe."

Grade

B+

Analysis

More silly, unexpected fun from a brand that has leaned heavily on comedy and the bizarre. Props to Ellsworth for making the most of his talent and outdoing what anyone ever expected for him.

Ambrose's antics are cartoony but compelling.

Styles losing again isn't productive, though. The champ needs to follow up these embarrassments with acts of savagery that display his villainy. 

And as entertaining as the Ellsworth story has been, one has to wonder where this all leads. He is not a long-term star. But SmackDown has focused much of its energy on showcasing him while acts like Apollo Crews can't even get on the air.