WWE Smackdown: James Ellsworth costs Dean Ambrose again - SkySports

Underdog's world-title tilt postponed due to AJ Styles' injury

By David Ruse

Last Updated: 07/12/16 8:32am

Having cost Dean Ambrose the World Title at TLC, James Ellsworth smashed his hopes of winning the Intercontinental belt on Smackdown

James Ellsworth missed out on a WWE World Title bout on Smackdown - before costing Dean Ambrose the Intercontinental Championship.

AJ Styles' leg injury, sustained during his Ellsworth-assisted victory over Ambrose in a Tables, Ladder and Chairs Match on Sunday night, meant his defence against The Chinless Wonder was postponed.

Injury prevented AJ Styles from defending the WWE World Title against Ellsworth on Smackdown – not that the challenger was convinced…

But Ellsworth still played a key role on Tuesday, with his and Maryse's bickering distracting the referee and giving The Miz time to kick out of a pin attempt, blast Ambrose with a Skull-Crushing Finale and retain his strap.

Ambrose had earlier nailed Ellsworth with a Dirty Deeds as revenge for the underdog shoving him off a ladder and through three tables when he seemed set to become WWE World Champion at TLC.

However, Ellsworth dashing The Lunatic Fringe's Intercontinental Title hopes appeared to be a genuine mistake, with the Baltimore native rushing to ringside to stop Maryse's interference.

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December 14, 2016, 1:00am

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Ellsworth is still owed a World Title opportunity but it remains unclear when that bout will take place with WWE yet to announce when Styles, champion since downing Ambrose in September, will be fit to compete.

Elsewhere on Smackdown, Heath Slater and Rhyno appeared on the verge of a break-up after failing to regain the brand's Tag Team Titles from their TLC conquerors Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt.

Rhyno suggested he had carried Slater during the match, before reacting angrily to his partner's claims that he was the one responsible for earning them the twin championships in the first place.

Heath Slater battles with Randy Orton

The Hypes Bros, meanwhile, propelled themselves into Tag Team Title contention with a triumph over The Vaudevillains, plus Baron Corbin beat Kalisto and Chad Gable knocked off Tyler Breeze.

Alexa Bliss refused to grant Becky Lynch an immediate rematch for the Smackdown Women's Title, while Natalya attacked Carmella for claiming she had jumped Nikki Bella at Survivor Series.

Natalya attacked Carmella for claiming she had ambushed Nikki Bella at Survivor Series – before running into a wary Bella backstage

Missed WWE Smackdown? Then catch a repeat showing at 10pm on Thursday and Saturday, both on Sky Sports 5 (channel 405).

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December 10, 2016, 10:00pm

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