WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from Dec. 6

WWE SmackDown's run of strong storytelling continued on Dec. 6.

The blue brand's first show following Sunday's TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view buzzed along. It stayed true to the tenets that have powered SmackDown in the second half of 2016—steady rivalry advancement, matches with purpose and creative surprises.

Even though WWE had to change plans as AJ Styles' ankle injury delayed his showdown with James Ellsworth, SmackDown turned out to be a taut, pulsing episode.

Dean Ambrose experienced the most dramatic of failures once more. The Wyatt Family reigned supreme. Alexa Bliss antagonized Becky Lynch with top-flight gloating.

Not all the ring work was impeccable. Some narrative explosions weren't as loud as they could have been. Still, there was far more to praise than to knock.

The following is a look at what Tuesday's SmackDown got right and where it landed off target, breaking down the night's matches and segments.

AJ Styles Cancels World Championship Match

AJ Styles wore a protective boot as he made his way to the ring. He made fun of himself, showing the crowd a photo of his torn tights from TLC.

The champ announced he wasn't medically cleared to compete.

James Ellsworth emerged and accused Styles of faking his ankle injury. Styles warned Ellsworth that Dean Ambrose will hunt him down after his betrayal at TLC. Ambrose soon arrived to knock out the chinless warrior with Dirty Deeds.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Styles to Ellsworth: "What are you doing? You look like you're in slow motion."
• Styles to Ellsworth: "You're drinking your own 'chin and tonic.'"

Grade

B+

Analysis

The long shot is beginning to get a big head. Ellsworth was cocky here, his success transforming him for the worse. That will be an entertaining transition to watch unfold. 

The silent, no-nonsense version of Ambrose was a welcome sight, too.

This was a fun, to-the-point segment. It's unfortunate The Phenomenal One is banged up, though.

WWE was smart not to rush Styles along. There is no need to hurry into the Ellsworth collision. Royal Rumble and WrestleMania will be here before long, and WWE will be far better off heading into that season with a healthy Styles.

Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton vs. Heath Slater and Rhyno (Tag Team Championship)

Heath Slater kicked the match off in aggressive fashion, but Randy Orton soon slowed his momentum. 

Rhyno fared better, bowling over Bray Wyatt. The Eater of Worlds recovered, though. He and Orton took turns walloping Rhyno.

A gutsy Slater fell short against the champs. Wyatt had Slater in position for Sister Abigail but chose to let Orton RKO the babyface instead.

Result

Wyatt and Orton win via pinfall to retain the Tag Team Championship.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Wyatt flings Rhyno out of the ring.
• John "Bradshaw" Layfield: "Goodnight, Heath!"
• JBL: "I'm telling you, no one is beating The Wyatt Family."

Grade

B+

Analysis

A better match than their TLC effort showed off more of The Wyatt Family's unity and power.

The announcers played up how special this alliance is. Wyatt and Orton looked extremely cohesive, and they again dominated The Beauty and The Man Beast. 

WWE is finally getting it right with Wyatt. This is the monster he should have been long ago. When he and Orton get stiffer competition, they are going to produce something special.

Carmella vs. Natalya

Carmella explained why Natalya attacked Nikki Bella before Survivor Series. She said that the former Divas champ is jealous of Bella's beauty and success.

An angry Natalya responded with punches. The women brawled before the match began, and Natalya chased Carmella up the entrance ramp.

Backstage, Natalya ran into Bella, who glared at her.

Result

The match never begins.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Carmella: "She's been bragging nonstop that she pulled a Tonya Harding."
• Carmella responding to "How ya doing?" chants: "Aw, shut up. I'm talking!"
  

Grade

C+

Analysis

Rather than have Natalya and Bella move on without Carmella, WWE is wisely including The Princess of Staten Island, too. That leaves a number of narrative options on the table.

Carmella hasn't been stellar, but she's getting better as a heel. 

If Natalya did attack Bella for the reasons Carmella spelled out, that would be a great way to add depth to her character. WWE has long given her silly, low-ceiling shticks to work with. Jealousy and desperation would be big boosts for Natty instead.

This was a solid start to what could be a compelling story.

The Hype Bros vs. The Ascension

The Ascension dominated in the early going. Viktor and Konnor pounded on Zack Ryder, leaving him writhing in pain. 

The momentum shifted in a hurry when Mojo Rawley entered. He blasted both members of The Ascension.

The Hype Ryder was enough to put away the heels.

Result

The Hype Bros win via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Konnor: "They are the dinosaur, and we are the comet."
• Rawley: "Let's waste these wasteland bozos."
• Viktor mocks Ryder's "Woo! Woo! Woo!" catchphrase.

Grade

C+

Analysis

WWE made a small effort to build both teams here. The Ascension and The Hype Bros both got some mic time with taped promos. The heels looked powerful in the opening moments, and then the babyfaces prevailed.

This, however, was a truncated version of the story they were telling.

And The Hype Bros mentioned The Ascension stalking them, but we haven't seen that in action. WWE needs to explore that idea if it wants to make this feud between largely insignificant teams something worth tuning into.

Dean Ambrose on 'Miz TV'

The Miz bragged about defeating Dolph Ziggler at TLC.

The intercontinental champ then interviewed Dean Ambrose, asking him how angry he had to be after how the PPV unfolded. The Miz accused him of manipulating James Ellsworth.

After a quick round of bickering, The Miz presented Ambrose with a presentation award.

SmackDown general manager Daniel Bryan stepped out to announce Ambrose would challenge The Miz for the IC title as the night's main event.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• The Miz to fans: "What? No 'You deserve it!' chants?"
• The Miz: "The guy you treated like a puppet finally cut the strings and fought back."
• JBL: "Daniel Bryan is drunk with power!"

Grade

A

Analysis

The Miz is a master antagonist. Ambrose is at his best when he's angry. This segment combined those elements and offered a peek of what could be a tremendous feud.

There was enough truth to The Miz's statements to make them powerful and believably infuriating. 

And Bryan's clear bias against The Miz continues to be an intriguing subplot. WWE wisely used that to make a replacement match for Styles vs. Ellsworth that would add spotlight to the IC title.

Kalisto vs. Baron Corbin

Both Kalisto and Baron Corbin talked up the match backstage.

In the ring, Corbin steamrolled The King of Flight. He methodically pounded the smaller men.

Kalisto, though, issued a brief comeback. His aerial moves had Corbin briefly reeling before The Lone Wolf hit End of Days for the win.

Result

Corbin wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Kalisto: "Speed kills!"
• JBL: "Mosquito got swatted."

Grade

B-

Analysis

While not nearly as thrilling as their chairs match at TLC, this was a noteworthy showcase for Corbin. WWE has presented him as a powerful predator. That continued here as he hurt Kalisto early and dispatched him quickly.

It's time to move on from this feud and let Corbin begin to climb up the SmackDown ladder.

He has looked like a star in recent weeks. Corbin now needs a foil who can give him a stiffer challenge.

Chad Gable vs. Tyler Breeze

Backstage, Breezango handed out fashion tickets to American Alpha.

Tyler Breeze took control in the early going. Prince Pretty grounded Chad Gable with a chinlock.

As Jason Jordan fought Fandango outside the ring, Gable overcame Breeze inside. A bridging German suplex was enough to secure the win.

Result

Gable wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• JBL: "Careful, that's his ticket arm."
• Gable hits a twisting crossbody from the top turnbuckle. 
• Jordan nails Fandango with a belly-to-belly suplex on the floor.

Grade

C-

Analysis

Gable winning is a good move. So is getting Breezango some airtime.

The short match didn't allow the audience to see much of either team, though.

This could be an excellent rivalry if WWE explored it. The likelier scenario is Gable and Jordan chasing The Wyatt Family. Either way, SmackDown will be better off when American Alpha is allowed to go far longer in the ring.

Alexa Bliss' Championship Celebration

Credit: WWE.com

Alexa Bliss basked in her TLC victory. Becky Lynch showed up, threatening to knock her down from the mountaintop.

The Irish Lass Kicker demanded a rematch, but the champ retreated.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Bliss: "Ding, dong, the witch is champ."
• Bliss: "This isn't the New Era anymore, Becky. This is my era."

Grade

B+

Analysis

Bliss has been a revelation. WWE boldly crowned her just months after moving up from NXT, and she is already making the company look smart for that move.

A hungry and focused Lynch opposite a gloating, slippery Bliss will be a hell of a story moving forward.

This interaction was good but more of a teaser than a full dive into their animosity. The Royal Rumble is over a month away, which gives WWE ample room to take its time with this story, harnessing its full power as a result.

The Miz vs. Dean Ambrose (Intercontinental Championship)

Credit: WWE.com

After Ambrose overwhelmed The Miz in the opening salvo of the bout, The Miz tried to use his wife Maryse as a human shield. It didn't matter. The Lunatic Fringe kicked around the IC champ anyway.

The Miz responded by borrowing from Bryan's in-ring toolbox.  

Champion and challenger countered each other's big moves as the match went back and forth. The Miz seized control by damaging The Lunatic Fringe's left leg.

Ambrose withstood the punishment The Miz handed out. Maryse pushed him off the torn turnbuckle to make this worse for him.

Ellsworth came out to help but inadvertently distracted the referee during what looked to be a sure win for Ambrose. The challenger grew distracted long enough for The Miz to nail him with the Skull-Crushing Finale.

Result

The Miz wins via pinfall to retain the Intercontinental Championship.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Ambrose hits a suicide dive on a bad leg. 
• Ambrose angrily stares down Ellsworth after he cost him another match.

Grade

A-

Analysis

Lots of great near-falls and good chemistry led to the match of the night. More highlights would have elevated it, but if WWE is thinking of heading down the Ambrose-Miz road more in the future, it's smart to save something in the tank.

The Ellsworth drama keeps working, even when it seems like the act should be tired. Here, WWE set up quite the cliffhanger as The Lunatic Fringe will be even more furious at his former friend.

It's hard not to get excited about the prospects of Ambrose becoming completely unglued in the coming weeks.