WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from January 3

The intensifying rivalry between Dean Ambrose and Intercontinental champion The Miz continued Tuesday as the marquee SmackDown Live battled in the night's main event.

The title bout headlined what was another newsworthy episode of the Tuesday night broadcast, which also featured the contract signing for AJ Styles' WWE World Championship defense against John Cena at Royal Rumble.

Dolph Ziggler looked to turn his fortunes around as he battled Baron Corbin in a high-profile bout and Becky Lynch set her sights on rival Alexa Bliss.

How did each of SmackDown's premier stars make out Tuesday night?

The Miz Kicks Off SmackDown Live

The Miz kicked off the first SmackDown Live of 2017 and wasted little time lambasting Renee Young for what he considered unprofessional behavior a few weeks ago. He even concocted a conspiracy theory that suggested her slap would earn boyfriend Ambrose a championship opportunity.

Miz even suggested that Ambrose being on the good side of general manager Daniel Bryan helped him in his hunt for the title.

The Lunatic Fringe made his presence felt but was met with a slap from Maryse. He claimed the former Divas champion hit harder than her husband as the segment came to a close.

Grade

B+

Analysis

This was the perfect way to start the show. It laid out exactly what the issues are between Miz and Ambrose and further hyped their championship bout later in the show.

There were no 20-minute rants or exposition. There were no overly complicated story developments. It was clean and simple.

More importantly, it continued Miz's run as the slimy heel everyone wants to see get beat up. That is so key to SmackDown's success, especially in this day and age where villains, true villains, are so rare.

Dolph Ziggler vs. Baron Corbin

A week after falling just short of winning the WWE World Championship in an outstanding Triple Threat match, Corbin and Ziggler locked horns in the opening contest.

Late in the match, Ziggler's aggression got the best of him. As he launched himself into the corner and unloaded with a series of right hands to the face of Corbin, the official pulled him out, recognizing the corner rule.

That momentary distraction allowed Corbin to pick up the victory with End of Days.

After the match, The Lone Wolf appeared poised to further his beatdown of Ziggler when Kalisto made the save. Rather than appreciating the rescue, Ziggler blasted the former United States champion with a superkick in what appeared to be a heel turn.

Result

Baron Corbin defeated Dolph Ziggler

Grade

B

Analysis

After months of frustration, fans finally witnessed Ziggler snap.

It was a slow burn, a development that built over time and culminated with a superkick that could alter the course of The Showoff's career.

A babyface for nearly four years, he is in need of freshening up, and if that comes in the form of a heel turn that allows him to be the villain he once thrived as, so be it.

Corbin looked great for the second consecutive week and appears ready to take the next step toward main event status in the new year.

Becky Lynch vs. La Luchadora

Lynch, looking to avenge her defeat from a week earlier, battled the mysterious La Luchadora in a singles competition this week.

It was only a matter of time before it became apparent that the woman under the mask Tuesday night was current SmackDown women's champion Bliss, who fell prey to the Disarmer as Lynch picked up a much-needed victory.

After unmasking the champion and beating her, Lynch found herself on the receiving end of a two-on-one beatdown, the mysterious masked woman from last week again proving her downfall. Bliss hit the DDT to end the segment.

Result

Becky Lynch defeated La Luchadora

Grade

C+

Analysis

The masked gimmick has a short shelf life. While it is nice to see the writers creating an air of mystery surrounding the title picture, dragging this angle out for too long could prove problematic. Especially if the reveal is lackluster.

John Cena and AJ Styles Sign Royal Rumble Contract

Cena and Styles met in the center of the ring for a contract signing moderated by Bryan.

Styles questioned Cena walking back in the door and being handed a title shot, going as far as to suggest he was gifted one by his brother-in-law, Bryan. The Phenomenal One even pointed out the irony that, a year ago, Cena referred to him as an indy guy in need of a big win to prove he belonged.

Now, it is Cena who needs a win to prove he still belongs on SmackDown.

Cena rebutted, doing the same preachy shtick he has done for years. He questioned Styles' passion, promised to take the title at the Royal Rumble and prove all the idiots who thought he had left wrong.

Corbin's music played just as he signed the contract, and The Lone Wolf made his way to the ring. He vowed to win the Rumble and threatened to punch Cena's teeth down his throat.

Styles landed a kick to the head, and Corbin stood over Cena to close out the segment.

Grade

A

Analysis

For the second time tonight, the heel made a valid argument against a babyface receiving a title shot. He produced a conspiracy theory that involved Bryan. Could that be an overarching story that leads somewhere much larger in the near future?

Corbin's involvement here was perfect. SmackDown is the land of opportunity, and no one will seize that more than The Lone Wolf, who has made the most of every chance he has received.

Cena and Styles were on fire here, even if the content is repetitive, and the result is a red-hot feud ahead of Royal Rumble.

Aliyah vs. Carmella

NXT star Aliyah made her first main roster appearance, though it appears it will be a one-off rather than a permanent call-up.

Carmella controlled the majority of the match but not without enduring a few attempts at a fiery comeback by her less experienced opponent.

A late-match distraction by new flame James Ellsworth allowed Carmella to deliver a superkick and score the tapout victory with the Code of Silence.

Result

Carmella defeated Aliyah

Grade

C

Analysis

The match was nothing, but the storyline involving Carmella and Ellsworth is interesting, if only because it tells us that Carmella is, in fact, a manipulator who recognizes the world of good Ellsworth can do for her.

The pairing may be strange, but it could produce some solid television going forward, especially if the intent is to keep Carmella a viable contender in the women's division.

American Alpha vs. Breezango

American Alpha celebrated their SmackDown tag team title victory from last week by defeating Breezango in 20 seconds Tuesday night.

The meat of the segment came, though, after the bout when Bray Wyatt and his Family appeared on the Titan Tron.

Wyatt promised that they would regain the titles next week while Orton finished with "...run," much to the chagrin of an increasingly jealous Luke Harper.

Result

American Alpha defeated Breezango

Grade

C+

Analysis

This is the perfect example of what SmackDown does so well.

Not only do it build from one show to the next, it provides fans with intertwining stories.

The Wyatt Family understandably has problems with American Alpha and wants to regain the tag titles it just recently lost. At the same time, the gold is not nearly as important to Harper, who clearly feels like he is being overshadowed and underappreciated by Wyatt in favor of new golden boy Orton.

It is complex storytelling that is, at the same time, easy to understand and invest in.

Nikki Bella Confronts Natalya

Nikki Bella and Natalya met in the center of the ring to air their differences Tuesday night.

Bella ragged on her rival, calling Natalya the worst of the Hart family. She claimed The Queen of Harts has been living off the reputation of her family for too long and even produced a tweet from Bret "Hitman" Hart in which the five-time champion admitted to being a huge fan of Bella's.

Natalya responded by chalking all of Nikki's accomplishments up to her sex appeal. She said that when Bella's beauty leaves her, so will Cena, leaving her to die all alone.

The longest-reigning Divas champion blasted Natalya with a forearm to close out the segment.

Grade

C-

Analysis

Two grown women continued to bicker, hurling insults at each other like grade-school brats on the playground.

Neither is terribly likable at this point, and the issues they have with each other are fake and meaningless.

This feud needs to advance or go away.

Intercontinental Championship Match: Dean Ambrose vs. The Miz

There is a new intercontinental champion to kick off 2017, as Ambrose defeated The Miz to capture the title Tuesday night.

The Lunatic Fringe prevented one disqualification by pleading with the referee to send Maryse to the locker room rather than ending the match in a manner that would allow Miz to retain his title. He then withstood a shot to the back of the head with the IC title, kicking out at two.

Miz, greedy to execute his Skull Crushing Finale finisher for the second time in the match, saw his attempt fail as Ambrose countered to Dirty Deeds for the win.

Result

Dean Ambrose defeated The Miz to win the Intercontinental Championship

Grade

B

Analysis

With a few more minutes and meaningful pay-per-view stage, these two could deliver a hell of a wrestling match.

The decision by the official to send Maryse away rather than disqualifying her will likely be Miz's justification for a reversal of decision or a rematch, and Bryan's ruling will only further fuel that story.

Ambrose winning a midcard title is interesting, especially after being the WWE champion just this past summer, but he has always thrived as a midcard character more than the forced caricature he became as a headliner.