SmackDown: December 5, 2014

Dolph Ziggler def. Intercontinental Champion Luke Harper by Disqualification

OKLAHOMA CITY — On an explosive edition of SmackDown, The Big Guy teamed with Erick Rowan against Mr. Money in the Bank & The World’s Largest Athlete in a huge tag team match, Bray Wyatt unleashed a ruthless attack on Dean Ambrose and Santino Marella announced an Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match at WWE Tables, Ladders and Chairs … and Stairs.

Dolph Ziggler steps inside the SmackDown ring with Intercontinental Champion Luke Harper.

Dolph Ziggler gave Luke Harper everything he could handle in SmackDown’s opening title bout, but after a kick below the belt from the Intercontinental Champion, the referee was forced to call for the bell. As a result, The Showoff came away with the disqualification victory, but was again unable to capture the title.

Photos: Harper tastes the steel |  Dolph dishes on his return to the top

Following the match, the grizzly titleholder’s attempt to introduce his opponent to the side of a ladder failed when the bleached-blond Superstar instead sent Harper face-first into the unforgiving steel contraption. Ziggler then launched the ladder onto Harper before Santino Marella came out to announce an Intercontinental Title Ladder Match between the two adversarial Superstars at WWE’s demolition derby on Dec. 14.

Seth Rollins, Big Show & Kane spoke about a future full of Tables, Stairs & Chairs

Seth Rollins, Kane, Big Show all preview what's to come for their opponents at WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs ... and Stairs.

Seth Rollins, Big Show and Kane each took turns giving their individual WWE Tables, Ladders and Chairs … and Stairs opponents a preview of what to expect on Dec. 14. Soon, however, Santino Marella came out to announce a huge main event for later in the evening pitting Ryback & Erick Rowan against Seth Rollins & Big Show! 

Cena vs. Rollins Tables Match preview | Rowan vs. Big Show Stairs Match preview |  Ryback vs. Kane Chairs Match preview

The New Day’s Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston def. Tyson Kidd & Cesaro

Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods team together to face the international duo of Cesaro & Tyson Kidd.

The New Day continued their impressive introduction to the WWE Universe as Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston performed a devastating double-team maneuver on Tyson Kidd to pick up the victory over the final graduate of the Hart Dungeon and Cesaro.

Photos: The New Day prevail |  The first matches of famous rivalries

The spirited trio’s celebration was quickly cut short, however, when Gold & Stardust told the young Superstars that “Darkness falls on The New Day.” It was The New Day who got the last word, however, forecasting brighter days ahead.

Dean Ambrose vs. Rusev never happened

What will happen when The Lunatic Fringe goes face-to-face with United States Champion Rusev.

Despite Dean Ambrose’s promise to pick Bray Wyatt apart piece-by-piece at WWE Tables, Ladders and Chairs … and Stairs — like he did to his adversary’s rocking chair on Raw — it was The Eater of Worlds who left The Lunatic Fringe in shambles on SmackDown.

Ambrose injury update |  Photos: Wyatt's ruthless attack

Lana announced that Rusev would not be competing as a result of Jack Swagger’s Raw attack, which brought the unstable Ambrose storming up the ramp, looking for a fight. The New Face of Fear jumped Ambrose from behind, however, eventually slamming his adversary’s neck onto a steel chair. The merciless attack left Ambrose gasping for air as he needed to be stretchered out of the building. 

The Miz def. Jey Uso

With his brother Jimmy looking on, Jey Uso looks to get some retribution against The Miz.

Prior to The Miz’s match with Jey Uso, the self-proclaimed A-lister let Naomi know that Hollywood agents were champing at the bit to work with the “Total Divas” star. This, along with flowers The Awesome One had sent to the Diva earlier in the night, didn’t sit well with Jimmy Uso, who was ordered by the referee to leave ringside after he entered the squared circle to try and get his hands on the arrogant movie star.

Photos: Miz's Skull-Crushing Finale |  WWE Tag Team Title Match preview 

Without his brother to watch his back, Jey’s attention was diverted by Damien Mizdow, allowing The Miz to gain the upper hand and hit the Skull-Crushing Finale for the victory. 

Naomi def. Brie Bella

With AJ Lee and Nikki Bella looking on, Naomi takes on Brie Bella.

With Divas Champion Nikki Bella in her sister’s corner and AJ Lee sitting on commentary, tensions were running high at ringside for Naomi’s match against Brie Bella.

Photos: Naomi defeats Brie |  Christmas Divas 2014

Just when it seemed like the Divas Champion was going to knock Naomi from the top rope, AJ pulled her rival down from the ring apron, allowing the former Funkadactyl to roll up Brie Bella for the win.

Ryback & Erick Rowan def. Seth Rollins & Big Show

In a match made by acting SmackDown General Manager Santino Marella, Ryback and Erick Rowan take on Seth Rollins and Big Show.

Amid SmackDown’s massive main event, Kane attempted to interfere, only to have it backfire when the referee didn’t see Seth Rollins tag in Big Show because he was busy tossing WWE’s former Director of Operations from ringside.

The 2014 WWE Slammy Awards are coming to Raw  |  Photos: Seth Rollins gets Shell Shocked

As The World’s Largest Athlete argued with the referee, Erick Rowan booted the big man from the ring, leaving an unsuspecting and irate Rollins to get clobbered with a Meat Hook Clothesline and Shell Shocked from The Big Guy.