The March 20th, 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.
The Return of Daniel Bryan
Those three magic words… You. Are. CLEARED.#DanielBryanReturns #SDLive @WWEDanielBryan pic.twitter.com/WoAP5fUF4u
— WWE (@WWE) March 21, 2018
The show opened with a video package to get everyone nice and emotional (as if we weren’t already) highlighting Daniel Bryan’s retirement and very recent return. After the video, Daniel’s music hit and he came to the ring to overwhelming cheers from the audience.
He started to talk about the Shane / Owens / Zayn situation, but quickly shifted gears and talked about what we all wanted to hear – his journey to his return to the ring. He held it together until he started talking about Brie. Get you a relationship like Brie & Bryan. In classic Daniel Bryan fashion, he spoke about how grateful he is for his wife, his doctors, WWE, and the fans.
Bryan said he wasn’t sure exactly when he would be getting back in the ring, at which point everyone in the audience pointed to the WrestleMania sign and chanted. Daniel seemed pretty on board with the idea and egged the crowd on even more, starting a massive Yes chant to close out the segment. So yeah, that’s definitely happening.
Daniel Bryan is hands down one of the biggest babyfaces of all time, not to mention a fantastic person and performer. We are so excited to see him back where he belongs – in the WWE ring.
Daniel Bryan Backstage
“Let me by the first to say, I can’t wait to beat you.” – @HEELZiggler
“Well, you can certainly try.” – @WWEDanielBryan#SDLive #DanielBryanReturns pic.twitter.com/tLvkTEr1Ds
— WWE (@WWE) March 21, 2018
We continued with Daniel Bryan, except this time, he was backstage asking an official to send Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens to his office when they got to the arena. He was then approached by Dolph Ziggler, who first congratulated him on his return, then told him that he couldn’t wait to beat him.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Rusev
COME ON!!!!!#SDLive @ShinsukeN @RusevBUL pic.twitter.com/BYfq7xUu5A
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 21, 2018
It was Nakamura Day vs. Rusev Day, with AJ Styles watching his upcoming opponent carefully from the announce table. We had the four most over singles competitors on SmackDown in the first 20 minutes, pretty cool.
Nothing crazy happened here, but we’re always happy to see Rusev and Nakamura. They had a good match, but what you really need to pay attention to is what happened after the final bell.
Aiden English did not like the outcome of the match and showed his displeasure by beating Nakamura down the moment it was over. In an attempt to get a little payback for last week, Styles slowly made his way to the ring, but Shinsuke handled the situation before AJ could get involved.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
Charlotte / Natalya Backstage
.@NatByNature won’t get @MsCharlotteWWE at #WrestleMania, but she will get #TheQueen TONIGHT on #SDLive! pic.twitter.com/0gz9xPJoYS
— WWE (@WWE) March 21, 2018
We saw Charlotte and Natalya having a heated discussion backstage. Natalya said that Asuka stole her WrestleMania moment and the only reason she is going into Mania undefeated is that she hasn’t faced Nattie yet. Charlotte replied by declaring that even though they won’t be having a match on the grandest stage, they will have one later in the evening.
Baron Corbin vs. Tye Dillinger
It’s all about gaining steam on the road to @WrestleMania for @WWEDillinger and @BaronCorbinWWE… #SDLive pic.twitter.com/lP0qQtT74e
— WWE (@WWE) March 21, 2018
This wasn’t a total beatdown of Dillinger…but it kind of was. Both of these men will be in the Battle Royal in New Orleans in a couple weeks, and the commentary team mentioned that Baron Corbin won this same match at WrestleMania 32, so I guess they were trying to cement him as one of the top competitors in this one.
Winner: Baron Corbin
Charlotte vs. Natalya
A THUNDEROUS #Powerbomb by @NatByNature, but a resilient @MsCharlotteWWE POWERS OUT! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/VEoIzeoH4X
— WWE (@WWE) March 21, 2018
These ladies worked hard, they took the time they had on this legendary episode of SmackDown and ran with it. It also helps that they’re two of the best women’s wrestlers in the company. Natalya went into this match boasting that she could beat The Queen, and for a moment, it looked as though she might win clean, particularly when she hit a sick running, spinning powerbomb and then a superplex a few minutes later.
However, as the women were laid out post-powerbomb, Carmella ran down to the ring and teased the money in the bank cash-in again, distracting Charlotte, who was then pinned by Natalya. Were Carmella and Natalya working together?? Probably.
Winner: Natalya
Jimmy Uso vs. Harper
… and just like that, Jimmy @WWEUsos is stopped in his tracks. #SDLive @ERICKROWAN @LukeHarperWWE pic.twitter.com/yJK03ulRAb
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 21, 2018
The Usos made their way to the ring to kick things off with the type of promo we have come to expect from them. They have quickly become masters of getting the crowd hype for whatever they’re about to do. They welcomed The Bludgeon Brothers to the Uso Penitentiary and The Brothers came down the ramp to get the action going.
Another dominant showing from Rowan and Harper. Rowan made multiple attempts to get involved, as Jimmy easily got the most offense in we’ve seen so far in a Bludgeon Brothers match. Although Rowan was kept at bay, and Jimmy Uso put up a good fight, he was not able to defeat Harper.
Winner: Harper
Jinder Mahal Promo
With a #USTitle opportunity at #WrestleMania, @JinderMahal is in a GOOD MOOD on #SDLive! pic.twitter.com/1i7kDwy4Vn
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 21, 2018
Jinder Mahal and Samir Singh came out to talk Jinder up as the greatest of all time, while also calling the entire WWE Universe hypocrites by asking for change, but continuing to prefer Randy Orton and Bobby Roode over him.
Roode and Orton made their entrances and went in on Jinder, Orton straight up telling him that he sucks. It appeared that a match was about to break out, but Mahal shoved his one-man entourage into Orton, who promptly RKO’d him.
The segment ended with Mahal pointing at the WrestleMania sign while Randy Orton’s music played.
Naomi and Becky Lynch vs. Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan
All roads lead to the @WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal as @NaomiWWE & @BeckyLynchWWE battle The #RiottSquad‘s @YaOnlyLivvOnce & @sarahloganwwe! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/0b5L4j404K
— WWE (@WWE) March 21, 2018
This wasn’t as cool as Natalya vs. Charlotte, but to be fair, they didn’t get nearly as much time. All four ladies will be in the Women’s Battle Royal at Mania, so this was mainly to remind the crowd of that fact. Some solid action nonetheless, with pretty even back and forth between the teams. Becky got the pin on Sarah Logan, but The Riott Squad wouldn’t be a true heel team if they didn’t play a little dirty. Liv tried to break up the pin but was hit with a Rear View by Naomi, allowing Becky to take the victory for her team.
Winner: Becky Lynch and Naomi
More Daniel Bryan (We’re Not Complaining)
The YES! Kicks are BACK!!!!#SDLive #YesYesYes #DanielBryanReturns @WWEDanielBryan @FightOwensFight @SamiZayn pic.twitter.com/cJT8vYC64A
— WWE (@WWE) March 21, 2018
It was finally time for Daniel Bryan’s discussion with Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens. Owens apologized for their tardiness (sort of) and said they came to the arena as fast as they could when they heard Daniel would be there.
Sami Zayn, in his extremely animated style, of course, said that he was happy for Bryan and that Zayn/Owens/Bryan sounded like a dream team. This was not to be a positive talk with the boss for Sami and Kevin, however, as he then played the video from last week of their savage beatdown of Shane McMahon.
Daniel said, as much as he respected them for their talent, what they did was not okay. And just like that, he fired Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens from WWE. He held out his hand for them to shake, which Sami accepted, but Kevin was not so gracious and laid Bryan out. Zayn was about to join in but was countered by Bryan, who single-handedly took them both down.
Owens and Zayn got their revenge by ganging up on Bryan to a chorus of “you suck” chants from the audience. Kevin executed a pop-up powerbomb on the apron and screamed at Daniel’s limp body until officials came out with a stretcher and Zayn ushered him away.
What letter grade would you give tonight’s show? #SDLive
— Rumble Ramble (@TheRumbleRamble) March 21, 2018
