WWE SmackDown: Sasha Banks retains title via disqualification

Sasha Banks defended her title against Carmella in a surprise match. The result says Banks retain her title, but Carmella won this battle in the way.

WWE SmackDown was back on Friday, live from the Thunderdome. The superstars of the blue brand continued their work in building storylines and feuds heading into the upcoming PPV, WWE TLC.

The first match of the night featured Dolph Ziggler taking on Montez Ford. Ziggler was in control first, using his lengthy experience to keep Ford on the mat. Ford was able to fight back to his feet, and after knocking Ziggler out of the ring he and Angelo Dawkins celebrated with a shower of blue solo cups.

The match was not over, however. Ziggler grounded Ford once again, but Ford rallied planting Ziggler in the middle of the ring. He would then go up to hit the Frog Splash, but outside interference caught his eye. Ziggler used that opportunity to land a nasty Superkick, dropping Ford. Ziggler jumped on the pin and secured the singles victory in the middle of the ring.

Big E was also in action, as he took on the Intercontinental champion, Sami Zayn in a one-on-one, non-title match. Big E’s power was on full display, knocking Zayn downtime and time again. Big E even hit the splash on Zayn on the apron, but the champion found a way to rally back. Big E had Zayn on skates, landing some big Suplexes but was not able to get the victory.

Zayn tricked Big E to chase him outside the ring. Just when it looked like Big E had his hands-on Zayn, Zayn was able to get back into the ring and win via count-out.

Billie Kay talked her way into a tag team match against The Riott Squad. Unfortunately, she did not have a tag team partner any longer. It would be Natalya that came to her aid, pairing up with Kay to event the odds.

Kay started things off for her team but was quickly overwhelmed by the Riott Squad. She tagged in Natalya who was able to isolate Liv Morgan. Kay tried to get back into the ring to win things for her team, but it was that moment that led to her team losing. The Riott Squad hit her with a double-team maneuver and pinned her quickly to win the match.

Chad Gable and Otis teamed up to take on Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura. Otis and Gable were both able to have their moments, but they were not able to do much with the former tag team champions. In the end, it would Nakamura and Cesaro picking up the clean pinfall win.

Carmella received a surprise title shot at Sasha Banks and her WWE SmackDown women’s championship on Friday.

Carmella got the jump on Banks early in the match, dropping her while verbally taunting the champion. Banks looked like she was going to make a comeback until Carmella rammed her shoulder into the steel post. The ladies exchanged multiple comeback moments, including Carmella locking into the Code of Silence and Banks using the Bank Statement.

The match would end via disqualification when Carmella’s assistant ran into the ring. Banks chased him off but would stomp Carmella in the corner through the referee’s five-count and getting herself disqualified.

December 11 WWE SmackDown results

• Dolph Ziggler defeated Montez Ford
• Sami Zayn defeated Big E via count-out
• The Riott Squad defeated Billie Kay and Natalya
• Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro defeated Chad Gable and Otis
• Carmella defeated Sasha Banks via disqualification