Reports indicate that the following was taped Tuesday night for the episode of SmackDown that is set to air this Thursday from Austin, TX in what is the final edition of the show before Sunday's Royal Rumble event at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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In the main event, Daniel Bryan defeated Kane to keep his spot in the Royal Rumble Match. Bryan made Kane tap, but the referee didn't call it and J&J Security then interfered.
After the match, Big Show attacked Bryan and a huge brawl erupted, prompting the entire locker room to empty out in a preview to the Rumble.
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The brawl included Ziggler, Reigns, Bryan, Ryback, Big Show, Kane and Dean Ambrose and the babyfaces were left standing as SmackDown went off the air.
The show kicked off with Bryan welcoming back "fired" Superstars Dolph Ziggler, Ryback and Erick Rowan. The Authority interrupted and announced three Rumble qualifying matches for the trio pitting Ziggler vs. Bad News Barrett, Ryback vs. Rusev and Rowan vs. Luke Harper.
Ziggler defeated Barrett in a non-title match via the Zig Zag to earn his spot in the Rumble Match while Ryback overcame Rusev in a non-title bout via countout and was attacked by the Russian afterward as he earned his slot.
Rowan wasn't as fortunate as he lost to Harper after a missed top rope splash, meaning he will not be in the 30-man match on Sunday.
Other segments on the show saw Roman Reigns talk about the 30-man Rumble Match and The Miz and Damien Sandow tease more friction in a backstage moment.
In Divas action, Brie Bella defeated Naomi in a quick match with Divas Champion Nikki Bella at ringside and Paige and Natalya on commentary.
This episode continued the buildup to the 28th annual Royal Rumble event this Sunday.
Quick Results:
--Dolph Ziggler def. Bad News Barrett via the Zig Zag.
--Ryback def. Rusev via countout.
--Brie Bella w/ Nikki Bella def. Naomi w/ Paige and Natalya on commentary.
--Luke Harper def. Erick Rowan after a missed top rope splash.
--Daniel Bryan def. Kane.
This episode will air just three nights before the Royal Rumble and here is the updated card:
30-Man over-the-top-rope Royal Rumble Match to determine the No. 1 contender for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 31:
Participants: Roman Reigns, Daniel Bryan, Rusev, Bray Wyatt, Dean Ambrose, Bad News Barrett, Goldust, Stardust, Kane, The Big Show, Justin Gabriel, R-Truth, Fandango, Diego, Fernando, Big E, Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, Tyson Kidd, Cesaro, The Miz, Damien Mizdow, R-Truth, Dolph Ziggler, Erick Rowan and five others.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship Triple Threat Match:
Brock Lesnar © vs. John Cena vs. Seth Rollins
WWE Tag Team Championships:
The Usos © vs. The Miz and Damien Sandow
Tag Team Match:
The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor) vs. The New Age Outlaws (Road Dogg and Billy Gunn)
Divas Tag Team Match:
Paige and Natalya vs. The Bella Twins
Six-man Tag Team Elimination Match (Pre-Show):
A New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E and Xavier Woods) vs. The Masters of the WWE Universe (Tyson Kidd & Cesaro) and Adam Rose
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