SmackDown Results: Your Intercontinental Champion Is…

SmackDown Live had a bevy of title matches to close out 2016, but there was one more championship that needed defending as we made it to the New Year.

The Miz defended the Intercontinental Championship against Dean Ambrose in SmackDown’s first main event of 2017.

This feud kicked off when Miz called out Renee Young’s offscreen relationship with Ambrose, leading to a kayfabe-stretching slap to the face and a new title battle. This fight determines not only the Intercontinental Champion, but also which WWE superstar loves their lady more. (The answer, of course, is Rusev.)

As expected, Maryse involved herself in the match, slapping Dean Ambrose and causing the match to end by disqualification. Almost.

Dean would have no part of a DQ victory, and insisted the match continue. He kicked out of a blow to the back of the head from the IC title itself, then delivered Dirty Deeds to the Miz.

httpss://twitter.com/WWE/status/816476517106466816

Then, the 1, 2, 3–and a NEW Intercontinental Champion!

httpss://twitter.com/WWE/status/816479346558803968

The Miz’s Intercontinental Championship reign has been an absolute highlight of SmackDown, but it had to end at some point–and I can’t be mad at a Dean Ambrose victory.

Are you happy with the new champion? Let us know in the comments below, or over on Facebook!