This week’s episode of Smackdown Live ended in one of the most controversial and frustrating fashions in the show’s long history. It came down to AJ Styles and Luke Harper, and after a few spots where they teased the elimination of both competitors, Harper ended up suplexing Styles to the floor while he fell at the same time.
They were going for a 1994 Royal Rumble ending but it didn’t necessarily turn out as perfectly executed as the end of that classic match featuring Bret Hart and Lex Luger.
Referees swarmed the ring after the conclusion of the battle royal and debated over what had just happened. Then Daniel Bryan came down and announced that the entire main event of Smackdown Live was to be ruled a draw.
Bryan announced on Talking Smack later in the evening that AJ Styles and Luke Harper would go one-on-one next week in an actual number one contender’s match.
BREAKING: #SDLive GM @WWEDanielBryan announces @AJStylesOrg vs. @LukeHarperWWE NEXT WEEK, winner to face Bray Wyatt at @WrestleMania! pic.twitter.com/yhH540pKOS
— WWE (@WWE) February 22, 2017
There has been a lot of speculation as to which direction WWE will go with the WWE Championship match at WrestleMania 33. Rumors have been circulating for quite some time that AJ Styles is set to face off against Shane McMahon, and while there has been no momentum in that direction on television, they still have plenty of time to build toward that match in the next few weeks. Even though some would much rather see The Phenomenal One face The King of Strong Style in Orlando.
Some have said that Luke Harper will eventually be inserted in the main event at WrestleMania making an all Wyatt Family triple-threat match for the Smackdown title at the granddaddy of them all. Only time will tell which way they’re going to go with it because they’ve still only laid the basic gravel to create this particular Road to WrestleMania.
[…] Related: Number 1 Contender For Bray Wyatt’s Title To Be Decided On Smackdown Next Week […]