Shinsuke Nakamura Addresses the Audience
“@AJStylesOrg is a winner. You are losers.” – @ShinsukeN keeps it simple for @FightOwensFight and @SamiZayn… #SDLive pic.twitter.com/LYGU9iLpil
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 31, 2018
Nakamura made his entrance to a jacked up SmackDown crowd chanting his name. He said, in not so many words, that he kicked ass at the Rumble, and would continue the trend in his match against AJ Styles at Wrestlemania.
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn then came down to the ring to show pictures from their match on Sunday, insisting that they were robbed of the title and deserved another chance. Nakamura’s response to this was to call them losers, at which point AJ Styles came out to join the party.
AJ Styles said he wanted to turn the dream match into a dream team and challenged Kami to a tag match against Nakamura and himself. Owens and Zayn declined in signature sassy fashion and paid for it when they were knocked off the apron onto the floor.
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn Complain to Daniel Bryan
Per #SDLive GM @WWEDanielBryan, @FightOwensFight & @SamiZayn WILL in fact take on @ShinsukeN & @WWE Champion @AJStylesOrg TONIGHT! pic.twitter.com/ttJPRcxKUC
— WWE (@WWE) January 31, 2018
The challenge issued by Styles and Nakamura a few minutes earlier was set by Daniel Bryan as a match to occur later in the night. Owens and Zayn were not happy about this, of course, but he lifted their spirits by telling them they would be getting another shot at the title.
The happy moment didn’t last, however, as he went on to say that they would indeed get another chance at the WWE title, but it would only be one of them, as they will be fighting against each other next week for a chance to take on AJ Styles at Fastlane.
Kofi Kingston vs. Rusev. Zack Ryder vs. Jinder Mahal
IT’S RUSEV DAYYYYYYY!!!@RusevBUL makes @TrueKofi tap out to the #Accolade to earn a #USTitle opportunity! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/atLmdoV6j6
— WWE (@WWE) January 31, 2018
There was more action going on outside of the ring than in at first, as everyone’s respective companions tagged along (except Zack Ryder, whose only friend recently turned on him) and promptly turned on each other. Everyone except the four in the match were removed, however, and then the match really got going.
The majority of the action was between Mahal, Ryder, and Rusev, with Kingston recovering on the floor. When he did get back in the match, he was quickly dispatched by Ryder, recovered again, but was brought down by an Accolade from The Bulgarian Brute.
This wasn’t the most exciting match in the world, but seeing Rusev get a little push towards the US title was really cool.
Winner: Rusev
Gable and Benjamin Issue a Challenge
“What you clowns are doing to our tag division, it’s embarrassing.” – @WWEGable to #Breezango and #TheAscension… #SDLive pic.twitter.com/vcNSvq8as0
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 31, 2018
The Fashion Police were shown backstage with the Ascension, hard at work answering fan questions on Twitter, when Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin walked on the scene. They said Breezango were an embarrassment to the tag division and challenged them to a match, which Breeze and Fandango accepted. Gable and Benjamin flipped a table over on their way out for good measure.
The Usos Promo
“RUN UP AND GET DONE UP!”
POWERFUL words from #SDLive #TagTeamChampions The @WWEUsos! pic.twitter.com/1BBpnTmLTq
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 31, 2018
The Usos came to the ring and cut their second awesome promo of the night (the first one being shot backstage). They said they don’t care what any other teams think they have going for them, The Usos are the best there is. Cheesy new graphics aside, these guys can talk and get better all the time.
The Bludgeon Brothers vs. The Cool Indie Guys
Painful things are happening on #SDLive, courtesy of The #BludgeonBrothers! pic.twitter.com/xfktyzhkJh
— WWE (@WWE) January 31, 2018
While The Usos were still in the ring, The Bludgeon Brothers made their entrance, interrupting the champions. Nothing was said between them, but we’re definitely setting up for an Usos/Bludgeon Brothers feud.
The Bludgeon Brothers quickly took down two cool indie guys in another squash match.
Winner: The Bludgeon Brothers
Charlotte Promo / Riott Squad Interruption
A STRONG message has been sent to @MsCharlotteWWE courtesy of @RubyRiottWWE @YaOnlyLivvOnce & @sarahloganwwe… #SDLive pic.twitter.com/ToU4GME7LR
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 31, 2018
Charlotte came to the ring to talk about her upcoming Mania match, addressing Ronda Rousey specifically, which is quite possibly the direction they’re going with her.
In the middle of it, The Riott Squad made their entrance, Ruby Riott insulting the Queen on her way down. The champ then exchanged blows with all three members of The Riott Squad, appearing dominant at first, but eventually getting beaten down.
Carmella suddenly came running down the ramp to cash in her Money in the Bank briefcase, but the referee took a nasty bump to the floor and the match was never started. Seeing that Charlotte was regaining her bearings, Carmella recanted her decision and walked back up the ramp, briefcase in hand.
Baron Corbin vs. Tye Dillinger
Well, this hasn’t off to a great start for @BaronCorbinWWE…#SDLive @WWEDillinger pic.twitter.com/drz4nXgyvq
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 31, 2018
Tye Dillinger was shown backstage with Shane McMahon earlier in the show, complaining that he did not get a fair shot in the Rumble match, as he never even stepped in the ring after being attacked by Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens. Baron Corbin then appeared, complaining because he likes to complain. Corbin and Dillinger got into it, so McMahon set this match between them.
This match started hot, and not in the way you would expect. Being robbed of his spot in the Rumble match was apparently Dillinger’s breaking point, as Corbin got a beat down in the first moments of the bout.
Dillinger put up a valiant effort; this was far from a one-sided match, but he could not pull off the victory.
Winner: Baron Corbin
Breezango vs. Gable and Benjamin
It’s all over…@WWEGable & @Sheltyb803 send #Breezango packing tonight with a victory on #SDLive! pic.twitter.com/1TM2cEwNmB
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 31, 2018
This was a short, but entertaining match. Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin defeated Breezango with relative ease, further proving themselves an effective team. I wasn’t sure I would like bad guy Gable, but he’s proven that he can play both the silly good guy and the aggressive heel well.
Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens vs. AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura
“SEE HOW WELL YOU DO WITHOUT YOUR GUARDIAN ANGEL!”
Trouble in paradise for @FightOwensFight & @SamiZayn?! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/Je9W7SXaX2
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 31, 2018
Before the match, each team was shown backstage, dissension growing between both Zayn/Owens and Styles/Nakamura.
The match started with Nakamura getting all of his shtick in on Sami Zayn. Owens did not like this and began to take out all of his pent-up rage on Nakamura. He and Zayn tagged in and out quickly, keeping Nakamura in their corner. Zayn was thrown from the ring, distressing Owens to the point of screaming at him to get back in the ring. Owens got out of the ring to argue with Zayn, who got fed up and left him to finish the match alone.
After a near fall by AJ Styles, Zayn returned, but he and Owens were still not on good terms. They began tagging each other rather violently, which dissolved into another argument. Sami Zayn once again walked back up the ramp. Taking on Nakamura and Styles alone did not go well for Owens, who lost the match to a Kinshasa from Nakamura.
Sami Zayn was shown backstage after the match, saying that this was not the end of his friendship with Owens, but that he was not going to let that friendship get in the way of his shot at the WWE Championship.
Winner: AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura
What letter grade would you give tonight’s show? #SDLive
— Rumble Ramble (@TheRumbleRamble) January 31, 2018
