The March 13th, 2018 episode of WWE SmackDown Live just wrapped up. We’ve got the match results as well as our thoughts on the show for you to check out below. Let us know what you thought about this episode of WWE SmackDown Live by tweeting us, @TheRumbleRamble.
AJ Styles Promo
First ? of the night goes to @AJStylesOrg…#WrestleMania #SDLive pic.twitter.com/2mQ4Xv94j7
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 14, 2018
We started the show with AJ Styles coming out to the ring to cut a promo / soak in the admiration of the crowd a little bit / point at the WrestleMania sign a little more. He recapped his match at Fastlane, saying that he overcame the “unbelievable, but not impossible” odds to retain his title.
He went on to talk about his match at Mania, complimenting Shinsuke, but not going as far as to say he’s as good as The Phenomenal One. Nakamura made his entrance and, slightly less eloquently, said that he respected Styles as well, but that his dreams would be coming true in April when he became WWE Champion.
The third massive pop in the first 10 minutes, Rusev and Aiden English made their way to the ring for Rusev’s upcoming match.
AJ Styles vs. Rusev
Absolutely DEVASTATING. #RusevMachka#SDLive @RusevBUL pic.twitter.com/l21X2sBrta
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 14, 2018
With Aiden English at ringside and Shinsuke Nakamura at the announce table, Styles and Rusev got to work. This was a fun match to follow up a fun opening segment. At one point, Styles attempted a Styles Clash, but couldn’t pull it off. I could be wrong, but I don’t think we’ve ever seen that before.
Aiden attacked Styles to get the DQ and stop the match, but after a few moments of laying it in, Nakamura jumped in on the action and saved the Champ. The segment ended with everyone laid out in the ring while Nakamura’s music played him back up the ramp.
Winner: AJ Styles
The New Usos
Time to go take care of some business for Jimmy @WWEUsos and @WWEBigE… #SDLive pic.twitter.com/5hrSx3JOtu
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 14, 2018
Big E was shown backstage being interviewed regarding The Bludgeon Brothers’ brutal attack on himself and his tag partners at Fastlane when Jimmy Uso stepped in. He sympathized with E, saying that Harper and Rowan took out his tag partner too. They agreed to put their differences aside and work together just this once to avenge their brothers.
Jimmy Uso and Big E vs. The Bludgeon Brothers
Mallets on one side, CHAIRS on the other…
Bad things are about to happen! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/BsM5BBD73K
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 14, 2018
Hot start to this match; before Harper and Rowan could get their giant overcoats off, Big E and Jimmy Uso dove from the ring and put the boots to The Bludgeon Brothers. Uce and E grabbed chairs from the announce area, but Harper and Rowan came prepared and fought back with their oversized mallets. Even the referee ran from the scene.
The weapons were eventually put away, the referee felt the area was safe, got back in the ring, and the match began. Although Harper and Rowan took their opponents down fairly easily, it was cool to finally see them in a (somewhat) competitive match. To add insult to injury, they beat Big E down even more after the final bell.
Winner: The Bludgeon Brothers
Sami Zayn Interview
How does @SamiZayn explain his failure to win the @WWE Championship at #WWEFastlane?
He was “guilty by association” when it comes to @shanemcmahon‘s “obsession” with @FightOwensFight… #SDLive pic.twitter.com/MPPYDtdjTf
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 14, 2018
Sami has been at the top of his promo game lately and the tension between him and Kevin Owens continued to rise tonight. Renee Young interviewed Zayn backstage, asking about his near victory during the 6 Pack Challenge on Sunday.
He said that if it weren’t for Shane McMahon pulling him out of the ring in the middle of a pin, he would be WWE Champion. He didn’t blame Shane, however, he blamed Kevin Owens for angering Shane in the first place.
Charlotte // Asuka
“I have never faced anyone like you, but YOU have never faced anyone like ME!” – @MsCharlotteWWE to @WWEAsuka #SDLive pic.twitter.com/etBAxqGuJr
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 14, 2018
The Empress and The Queen came to the ring to discuss their upcoming Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania. Two awesome ladies, two awesome robes, and Charlotte didn’t even make fun of Asuka’s English.
We’re still going the mutual respect route with this match – no catty insults, just two wrestlers at the top of their division preparing for a contest to find out who’s truly the best.
Randy Orton’s music hit while the ladies were still in the ring, which we could have done without, but take out the ending and you have a great segment.
Randy Orton Promo
#TheViper @RandyOrton is set to address the @WWEUniverse for the first time as #USChampion on #SDLive! pic.twitter.com/qDyHcbqzSD
— WWE (@WWE) March 14, 2018
The new United States Champion came to the ring to celebrate his title win and new accolade of Grand Slam Champion. He said he was taking the title to WrestleMania and nobody was going to stop him, but he might as well have said, “Bobby Roode is going to try to stop me” because sure enough, Roode made his glorious entrance at that very moment.
Roode congratulated the champ, but reminded him of his rematch clause and demanded it take place at Mania. Just as he was working the crowd into a frenzy (just kidding, they were dead silent), Jinder Mahal interrupted to tell them he would not be counted out.
Bobby Roode vs. Jinder Mahal
…@JinderMahal was just on the receiving end of a VICTORY #RKO!#SDLive @RandyOrton pic.twitter.com/nAfFhp5w1a
— WWE (@WWE) March 14, 2018
This match was okay. There was nothing particularly wrong with it, but nothing particularly exciting either. I’m not a fan of this feud, and I’m not sure anyone else is either, but it is what it is. Roode and Mahal had a short bout with Mahal getting the victory. Just as Mahal began to celebrate, however, Randy Orton gave him an RKO outta nowhere.
Winner: Jinder Mahal
Kevin Owens Interview
“@SamiZayn‘s a liar, he’s a manipulator, and now he’s blaming ME for his own shortcomings?!” – @FightOwensFight #SDLive pic.twitter.com/6HwvtHEFzY
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 14, 2018
Renee Young was shown backstage interviewing the other half of Kami. Owens heard what Zayn said in his interview and was not happy about it, to say the least. He cut an excellent promo about Zayn being blind to Shane’s manipulative ways. He went on to say that he was in no way responsible for his or Sami’s loss in the 6 Pack Challenge, that it has always been Shane McMahon, but that he would be happy to put Sami in his place for pinning the blame on his former best friend.
Naomi vs. Carmella
Life is good when you’re Ms. #MITB…#SDLive @CarmellaWWE ??? pic.twitter.com/PAaBDnlPNC
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 14, 2018
The announce team spent this entire match drawing comparisons between Carmella and Fabulous Moolah. Poor Carmella. I’m sure it wasn’t her idea and it’s really not a good look for her. This match was kind of soured because of all the Moolah talk, which makes us feel so bad for all the ladies in the upcoming battle royal.
That being said, Naomi and Carmella worked hard, as usual, and Carmella got the victory and moonwalked away with her briefcase in hand.
Winner: Carmella
Shane McMahon Announcement
This is TOO FAR.#SDLive pic.twitter.com/49RkExb05C
— WWE (@WWE) March 14, 2018
Shane O’Mac came to the ring to make his big announcement, but first brought up Kevin Owens’ barbaric attack on his father, Vince McMahon. He said that Daniel Bryan would be coming back next week, but that he would be leaving his position as SmackDown Commissioner for an indefinite amount of time. His final act as commissioner was to set a match between Owens and Zayn at WrestleMania.
Owens and Zayn did not like his super special announcement and came down the ramp to protest. They said they were glad he was leaving and followed up their harsh words with a beatdown in the middle of the ring. Referees came to the ring to break it up, but they got the hands as well. After smashing his throat in a chair, Zayn and Owens literally dragged Shane up the ramp and into the backstage area where Shane continued to prove that he is an insane person. We closed out the show with Shane lying on the ground gasping for breath after a vicious powerbomb onto some sort of steel structure.
What letter grade would you give tonight’s show? #SDLive
— Rumble Ramble (@TheRumbleRamble) March 14, 2018
