WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from November 29

The November 29 episode of WWE SmackDown Live put a nice bow on the final hype to TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs—a pay-per-view produced by the brand this Sunday night on WWE Network.

Dean Ambrose and AJ Styles brawled to end the show, putting an exclamation put on a promo segment from earlier in the evening that saw The Phenomenal One brutalize James Ellsworth with a nasty Styles Clash.

Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton cashed their ticket to the event, defeating American Alpha to earn a shot at tag champions Rhyno and Heath Slater.

Becky Lynch and Alexa Bliss confronted each other one last time ahead of their big battle, as did Nikki Bella and Carmella.

With so many Superstars jockeying for position ahead of the event, which ones came out on top Tuesday night?

Take a look back at the broadcast with this exclusive recap featuring grades, highlights and analysis.

Contract Signing: Becky Lynch and Alexa Bliss

SmackDown women's champion Becky Lynch came face-to-face with Alexa Bliss Tuesday night for a contract signing, just days before their final encounter at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs.

Bliss verbally spoke down to her, recalling the controversial finish from Glasgow before promising to throw ice-cold water on her rival's fiery personality.

Lynch compared Bliss to a child before a brawl broke out between the two.

The women fought to the top rope where Bliss shoved Lynch off and through the announce table. The former NXT star stood tall to end the segment.

Grade

B+

Analysis

This was a strong way to deliver the final hype for Sunday's show.

Bliss is a great talker, her attitude adding exponentially to her promo abilities. She did enough to sell the match on her own, but the brawl that followed, and the table spot, added even more intrigue to the contest.

A great way to kick off the show given Raw's main event between Sasha Banks and Charlotte Monday night.

Kalisto and Dolph Ziggler vs. The Miz and Baron Corbin

Two of the higher-profile midcard rivalries were spotlighted in a big tag team match Tuesday night.

Dolph Ziggler and The Miz teased a ladder spot before The Showoff took both his TLC opponent and Baron Corbin down at ringside.

As Kalisto exploded into the match and appeared to have the victory in-hand, Corbin used a chair to draw the disqualification. His masked rival was left lying in the center of the squared circle, his body racked with pain in the final bit of hype for the upcoming Chairs match.

Result

Ziggler and Kalisto defeated Corbin and The Miz by disqualification.

Grade

C

Analysis

This was a fine way to put over the two midcard programs ahead of TLC. The damage Corbin did with a chair in his hand was evident, while Kalisto looked like a world-beater late.

Their program took center stage at the expense of Ziggler and The Miz, whose feud has lost a great deal of momentum. They limp into TLC needing the gimmick of the Ladder match to help drum up interest in what feels like their hundredth match in the last three months.

That is quite the indictment on WWE Creative given the classic they delivered back at No Mercy.

Carmella Promo

Carmella hit the ring for a promo ahead of her match with Nikki Bella on Sunday.

She vowed to rearrange the face of her rival and even threatened to punch her large...Bella Twins...straight through her back. She apologized to John Cena for what she will do to his girlfriend, only for Bella's theme music to cut her off.

Nikki hit the ring and wasted little time taking Carmella down. Before too much damage could be done, The Princess of Staten Island fled from the ring, much to the dismay of her upcoming opponent.

Grade

C+

Analysis

Love her or not, Bella remains incredibly over, and her popularity has helped fuel this rivalry. It probably should not have lasted past month one, but Carmella is a natural heel and plays off her rival well.

Their match at TLC on Sunday may be ugly, but it should be a spectacle, especially when adding the No Disqualification stipulation to the mix.

The Ambrose Asylum with James Ellsworth

Just days before a showdown with WWE world champion AJ Styles at TLC, in the event's namesake Tables, Ladders & Chairs match, Dean Ambrose welcomed lovable loser James Ellsworth to The Ambrose Asylum.

Ellsworth admitted he never saw himself on SmackDown Live and then thanked Ambrose for helping him become a WWE Superstar.

Ambrose shrugged off the thanks and then asked Ellsworth who he would rather challenge for the WWE world title when he gets his guaranteed opportunity. The former jobber admitted he would rather face Styles, who he has beaten three times.

The Phenomenal One made his presence felt and quickly tried to get in Ellsworth's head, telling him Ambrose sees him as little more than a prop to insult Styles with. The champion vowed to beat respect out of Ambrose, to which The Lunatic Fringe responded by calling Styles mentally weak.

Styles put an exclamation point on the segment by attacking Ellsworth and delivering a sick Styles Clash off the ring steps to the arena floor. The newest SmackDown star was stretchered out as Ambrose stared down his rival.

Grade

B-

Analysis

This was a solid segment that did more to eliminate Ellsworth from the TLC equation than put any last-minute emphasis on the WWE Championship match. Truth be told, Styles and Ambrose have waged war so often over the last few months that there really is nothing left to say.

Still, so much spotlight has been put on Ellsworth that one must wonder if he will still manage to rear his chinless head come Sunday's pay-per-view extravaganza.

Kane vs. Luke Harper

Credit: WWE.com

Kane and Luke Harper battled at Survivor Series in a match The Big Red Monster won. Harper, who expressed concern over Bray Wyatt's growing trust in Randy Orton, would attempt to avenge the defeat while proving himself to his longtime leader.

The Superstars reached an impasse as the match went to break, but as the show returned, Harper controlled the action. A big DDT cut the enigmatic big man off, and Kane began mounting a comeback.

Kane would ultimately put Harper away with a chokeslam for the win.

Result

Kane defeated Luke Harper.

Grade

C

Analysis

This was a fine big man, heavyweight battle with an outcome that will raise eyebrows.

There are those fans who will look at Harper losing and criticize management for continuing to book guys like Kane, aging veterans of eras gone by, over him. Rightfully so. A guy as talented as Harper should not be losing to Kane. Not in 2016.

Upon further examination, though, it makes sense.

Harper is skeptical of Orton so what better way for Wyatt to grow closer to The Viper than by losing faith in his longtime follower? Harper continues to lose, Wyatt distances himself, allowing Orton to strike against his unsuspecting leader.

It is strong storytelling, if that is the direction WWE Creative is taking with this program.

American Alpha vs. Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton

Credit: WWE.com

American Alpha's Jason Jordan and Chad Gable showed zero fear of Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt as the bell rang and the action began. The confident babyfaces outclassed the experienced heels early, including a big standing dropkick that frustrated The Eater of Worlds.

Former Olympian Gable exploded into the ring and applied armbar to Orton, draping him over the top rope to do so. He appeared to be rolling when he was shoved off the ropes and to the floor as the show went to the final break of the night.

Orton and Wyatt isolated Gable until a superplex evened the odds.

Jordan exploded into the match, taking both Orton and Wyatt over with a flurry of suplexes. Suddenly, the lights went out, and Gable had disappeared, with Luke Harper at ringside goading Jordan. The former NCAA competitor escaped.

Orton dropped Gable with an RKO, and Wyatt planted Jordan with Sister Abigail for the win.

Result

Orton and Wyatt defeated American Alpha.

Grade

B+

Analysis

The match improved with every passing minute and appeared to be headed toward a babyface upset until Harper appeared. His presence, and the fact he was essential to the heel's win, continues the narrative that he should be trusted more than Orton.

But will Wyatt see it that way?

Will Wyatt toss aside years of loyalty from Harper for an obedient Viper?

Those are the questions fans can look forward to WWE Creative answering in the coming weeks.

American Alpha hanged with the bona fide main eventers throughout, never looking weaker or out of place. Their performance solidified their spot as the premiere tandem on SmackDown Live, even if it came in a defeat.