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.
Daniel Bryan Video Package
Will @WWEDanielBryan be able to fight through his injuries to address the @WWEUniverse? We’ll find out TONIGHT! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/SyZXdfWxhR
— WWE (@WWE) March 28, 2018
Alright guys, we’ve almost made it. WrestleMania is almost here. Tonight was the go home show to the go home show and we opened with a video package recapping Daniel Bryan’s return to the ring and subsequent beatdown at the hands of Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens. Zayn and Owens were fired last week after terrorizing Shane McMahon the week before and did not take it well, to say the least.
We were promised answers to come later in the evening regarding Bryan’s health status.
Bobby Roode and Randy Orton vs. Jinder Mahal and Rusev
In case it wasn’t clear, #TheViper @RandyOrton doesn’t play well with others… @REALBobbyRoode @JinderMahal @RusevBUL #SDLive #RKO pic.twitter.com/aVR8VQAckr
— WWE (@WWE) March 28, 2018
Rusev joined forces with Mahal to take on Roode and Orton in the opening match. I kind of wish we had gotten a break from the US Championship storyline, and this went way too long, but we did get something cool out of it.
Handsome Rusev got the pin on Randy Orton after The Viper made the mistake of focusing on his own partner instead of his opponent. After the match, Jinder approached Rusev backstage, thanked him for the win, and offered an invitation to celebrate with him after he wins the US title at Mania. Rusev countered this offer by telling Mahal that he is going straight to Daniel Bryan to request that he be added to the match since he’s the one who pinned the current champion.
Rusev got his wish, the US title match at Mania is now a fatal 4-way. This is probably the best decision they could have made regarding this storyline. The crowd is not interested in it at all, but what they are interested in is Rusev Day. Fingers crossed he goes on to win the championship in New Orleans.
Winner: Rusev and Jinder Mahal
Becky Lynch vs. Ruby Riott
It’s all about building momentum toward the @WrestleMania #WomensBattleRoyal for @BeckyLynchWWE and #RiottSquad leader @RubyRiottWWE on #SDLive! pic.twitter.com/h6DkFpJFsW
— WWE (@WWE) March 28, 2018
Another match meant to promote the women’s battle royal, we’ve been seeing a lot of these since the match’s announcement. Becky Lynch won by rollup and when The Riott Squad tried to attack her after the victory, she threw them over the top rope. Although we would love to see Becky in a singles match at Mania, building her up as a serious competitor in the battle royal is a small compensation.
Winner: Becky Lynch
Daniel Bryan Announcement
THE CHALLENGE: @ShaneMcMahon & @WWEDanielBryan vs. @SamiZayn & #KevinOwens at #WrestleMania!
THE STIPULATION: If Shane & Daniel win, Sami and Kevin remain FIRED. If Kevin & Sami win, they return to #SDLive! pic.twitter.com/NZFBeyAPEZ
— WWE (@WWE) March 28, 2018
Daniel Bryan made his entrance, albeit in much more somber fashion than usual. The crowd cheered him on anyway, until he told them that he had a job to do and, being that SmackDown is the land of opportunity, had decided to give Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens another chance in the company. Then they booed.
He also announced the match we all saw coming – Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon vs. Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens at WrestleMania. However, there will be a stipulation. If Zayn and Owens unsuccessful, they will stay fired from WWE.
Bryan finally got fired up when he started talking about his cardigan. He said he hated wearing business clothes and sitting in meetings, he was ready to get back in the action and deal Zayn and Owens some well-deserved Yes Kicks at Mania.
The New Day vs. The Bludgeon Brothers
A mallet won’t help you against the USO PENITENTIARY! @WWEUsos ATTACK The #BludgeonBrothers on #SDLive!!! @ERICKROWAN @LukeHarperWWE pic.twitter.com/0xY8wvBApP
— WWE (@WWE) March 28, 2018
The New Day had to do their pre-match ritual – throw some pancakes and cut a promo. This time it was about the road to WrestleMania being littered with trash, i.e. The Bludgeon Brothers, but that they had all intentions of cleaning up the trash and taking the Brothers down.
Things did not go quite as well as they had planned, but just as Harper and Rowan were about to put the hammer down (literally), The Usos ran down to the ring to make the assist, causing a disqualification. New Day were not happy about the interference, but they didn’t have too much time to argue the point, as The Bludgeon Brothers came at the five of them with their hammers, forcing both teams to make their exit.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Tyler Breeze
Distracting? Hypnotizing? Or both? #SDLive @WWEFandango @HEELZiggler @mmmgorgeous pic.twitter.com/2zip4RLXx0
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 28, 2018
The Showoff took on Tyler Breeze while Dango ran laps around the ring. It was more of a beatdown than a match, really. Ziggler dominated Breeze, pinning him after a few short minutes and then kicking Fandango in the face while admiring the Andre the Giant trophy at ringside.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Shelton Benjamin
Line ’em up and kick ’em DOWN! #SDLive @ShinsukeN @Sheltyb803 pic.twitter.com/ldku35fCVl
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 28, 2018
Earlier in the evening, Shinsuke approached AJ Styles and requested that he be at ringside for his match against Shelty B. Styles agreed, and even got his own entrance.
Nakamura got most of the offense in this one (as he should, he’s in a WWE Championship match at WrestleMania in less than two weeks), but Benjamin didn’t exactly go down easily. Chad Gable thought about getting involved, but before he could decide one way or the other, Styles pulled him off the apron.
Post-match, Nakamura invited Styles into the ring and thanked him for being in his corner. We thought he was being friendly, but he then went on to say that he didn’t actually need Styles’ help, he just wanted to show him how he was going to beat him in New Orleans.
AJ didn’t enjoy the insult and got a little heated, which Nakamura cooly called him out on, saying that it was the exact reason he wouldn’t retain his title at Mania, he was too emotional.
Benjamin and Gable attacked Styles after Nakamura left the ring, but Nakamura came back to save him, then teased the Kinshasa, but smiled and walked away instead.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
What letter grade would you give tonight’s show? #SDLive
— Rumble Ramble (@TheRumbleRamble) March 28, 2018
