The 12/04/18 edition of WWE SmackDown Live, out of the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas, just wrapped up. We’ve got the WWE SmackDown Live results, as well as our overall thoughts on the show, for you to check out below. Let us know what you thought about episode #1007 of WWE SmackDown Live by tweeting us, @TheRumbleRamble.
Contract Signing: Charlotte Flair, Asuka, and Becky Lynch
“SHE has never beaten ME!” – @WWEAsuka keepin’ it real with #SDLive #WomensChampion @BeckyLynchWWE… pic.twitter.com/aGgMlzfXAj
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) December 5, 2018
Paige opened the show with a contract signing between the three members of the tables, ladders, and chairs match for the SmackDown Women’s Championship at the upcoming TLC pay-per-view: Asuka, Charlotte, and Becky Lynch.
The Man spoke first and said that she would undoubtedly be retaining her title, due to the simple fact that she was willing to do anything to do it. Charlotte shut her up by describing how she beat down Ronda Rousey at Survivor Series, and how she would do the same to Becky at TLC.
Asuka chimed in and reminded Charlotte that Becky had already beaten her, but that Becky had never beaten Asuka. And had she been given the opportunity against Ronda, she would have beaten her fair and square instead of taking the easy way out like Charlotte.
Becky had heard enough bickering and left the ring, leaving Charlotte and Asuka to argue over their bout at WrestleMania. After they had both signed the contract, Asuka challenged Charlotte to a match, but Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville interrupted.
They said that Charlotte and Asuka weren’t worthy of a title match, that it should have been them instead. And to ensure that they wouldn’t be able to fight in the triple threat, they were going to beat them down right then. Paige made it official by setting a tag match between Asuka/Charlotte and Mandy/Sonya to take place immediately.
Charlotte Flair and Asuka vs. Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville
👀 We see you, @WWE_MandyRose! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/9uHdH6I1rx
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) December 5, 2018
Asuka and Charlotte put their differences aside momentarily, dominating Sonya and Mandy for much of the match. This wasn’t an act of friendship, however, they were simply determined to one-up the other and essentially showed off for each other (and Becky Lynch, as she eventually came to watch) while beating down their opponents at the same time.
Mandy and Sonya attempted a comeback by cutting the ring in half and keeping Asuka from tagging in her partner, but Charlotte got the hot tag, allowing Asuka to catch her breath. Asuka tried to tag in, but instead of her hand, Charlotte gave her a big boot to the face. Charlotte had Sonya where she wanted her when Asuka returned the favor, kicking her in the face and breaking up the pin. This gave Sonya the opportunity to pin Charlotte, and she did. An unimpressed Becky Lynch was shown ringside to close the segment.
Winner: Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose
Xavier Woods vs. Cesaro vs. Jey Uso
CESARO. IS. SUPERMAN.#SDLive #TripleThreat @WWECesaro pic.twitter.com/gp6qVrNcau
— WWE (@WWE) December 5, 2018
Cesaro used the triple threat stipulation to his advantage, sitting out for the start of the match to watch his opponents wear each other down – that is until they caught on to what he was doing and joined forces to attack him.
Once they had brought him down a peg, however, it was back to every man for himself. After swinging both opponents, Cesaro nearly defeated Xavier Woods with a sharpshooter, but the victory was won by Jey Uso instead.
Winner: Jey Uso
Traps Like Double Decker Taco Supreme
The #BulgarianBrute @RusevBUL cannot wait to have a #RusevDay FEAST with @ShinsukeN‘s #USTitle! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/pDSWk4iVoa
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) December 5, 2018
Backstage, Rusev and Lana were interviewed regarding Rusev’s almost-match against Shinsuke Nakamura last week. Rusev didn’t seem too distressed over the assault and spent much of the interview pointing out his muscles to Kayla Braxton before saying that he will defeat Nakamura on the greatest day of all, Rusev Day.
MizTV: Daniel Bryan
Did @WWEDanielBryan and @mikethemiz kinda sorta just…WORK TOGETHER?!#SDLive @AJStylesOrg pic.twitter.com/U5PoQMePbP
— WWE (@WWE) December 5, 2018
Before Miz could welcome his guest, “the new” Daniel Bryan, R-Truth and Carmella came out for a quick dance break, then it was back to business.
Daniel Bryan gave a somewhat convoluted speech about Alexander Hamilton, which somehow turned into scolding the audience for their complete disregard of environmental conservation. The Miz wasn’t interested in Hamilton or plastic water bottles, he simply wanted to know if Daniel Bryan became champion because he followed Miz’s example.
Bryan replied by saying it didn’t matter how he did it, it only mattered that the old Daniel Bryan, and everything he stood for, was dead.
AJ Styles appeared on stage and ran toward the ring, clearly aiming for Bryan, but Bryan shoved Miz in the way and tried to make a run for it. Styles beat down both men for a moment before Miz hit a Skull Crushing Finale, allowing Bryan to escape up the ramp.
Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton
This is what we call…
VINTAGE @RandyOrton! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/SbJVZ1RBgq
— WWE (@WWE) December 5, 2018
Jeff Hardy came prepared – he wasn’t going to let Randy Orton get the better of him again, and spent a solid portion of the match beating the daylights out of The Viper. Orton evened things out with a nasty DDT, but Hardy was able to avoid both RKO attempts that followed.
Jeff Hardy had Orton laid out on the table, prepared to do some kind of dive onto him from the top rope when Samoa Joe appeared on the big screen (broadcast from a bar). He mockingly told Jeff he was having a great match, which distracted him long enough to lose to Randy Orton.
Post-match, Joe continued his speech, implying that Jeff Hardy could have easily killed himself with the amount of drugs and alcohol he was ingesting, but never dropped the pseudo-pleasant demeanor. He finished with “drink responsibly,” and Jeff left the ring with his head down.
Winner: Randy Orton
The Miz vs. AJ Styles
The #Phenomenal @AJStylesOrg bounces back JUST LIKE THAT. #SDLive pic.twitter.com/A9XwETtySf
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) December 5, 2018
It appeared that Daniel Bryan had left the arena following his chat with The Miz, but it turned out he stuck around to sit at commentary for Miz’s match against AJ Styles.
Poor Byron Saxton was verbally abused by The New Daniel Bryan while Miz and Styles beat the tar out of each other. Styles eventually turned his attention to Daniel Bryan, who had left the announce table to get a better look at the former champ. While Styles’ back was turned, Miz grabbed him and hit a Skull Crushing Finale, but it only earned him a near fall.
Despite the distractions from Bryan, Styles was able to win the match. He wasn’t allowed to celebrate for long, however, as Daniel Bryan charged him and began tearing Styles to shreds, completely ignoring the officials’ demands that he leave.
In a final act of aggression, Daniel Bryan forced Mike Rome to announce him as the WWE Champion to the audience, berated them some more, then left with this championship.
Winner: AJ Styles
What letter grade would you give tonight’s show? #SDLive
— Rumble Ramble (@TheRumbleRamble) December 5, 2018
