The March 6th, 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.
Charlotte / Ruby Riott Interview
“I formed the #RiottSquad, with one sole purpose: to DESTROY the myth!”
Sounds like @RubyRiottWWE wants to ruin #TheQueen‘s fairytale… #SDLive #WWEFastlane @MsCharlotteWWE pic.twitter.com/4nEVd8OJuD
— WWE (@WWE) March 7, 2018
The show opened with a duel interview of both Charlotte and Ruby Riott. Ruby was accompanied to the ring by Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan, and both women were in their gear, so things were a little suspicious.
Ruby Riott began condescendingly listing Charlotte’s accolades, then revealed that she created The Riott Squad to bring The Queen down. The women threw digs back and forth until Charlotte had enough and advanced on Ruby, at which point the Riott Squad entered the ring. Just when we thought they were about to get physical, Bobby Roode’s music hit.
Charlotte’s Mixed Match Challenge partner came to the ring and defused the situation before heading to the announce table for the next match.
Jinder Mahal vs. Randy Orton
Just like old times…#SDLive @SinghBrosWWE @RandyOrton @JinderMahal pic.twitter.com/EKOXPMmuJO
— WWE (@WWE) March 7, 2018
With Bobby Roode as a guest announcer, Mahal and Orton made their entrances for yet another match. That Top 10 List really hurt some feelings, guys.
This was a highly predictable, not all that exciting match. The best part was Orton backdropping Samir Singh onto the announce table at ringside (again). Luckily, the fans love Orton, so the bout at least got some reaction. Randy threw Jinder into Roode at one point, which angered Roode enough that he interfered by distracting Orton, costing him the match.
Winner: Jinder Mahal
Kevin Owens / Sami Zayn Backstage
“Yes, at #WWEFastlane, I WILL lie down for you!”
Looks like @SamiZayn is serious about sacrificing his #WWETitle opportunity at #WWEFastlane for @FightOwensFight… #SDLive pic.twitter.com/mWHdKAmqMF
— WWE (@WWE) March 7, 2018
We saw Owens and Zayn having a conversation backstage, where Kevin brought up the comment Sami recently made about sacrificing himself to allow Owens to become the champion. Owens seems to have thought it through and decided that he is going to allow his friend to take the dive.
The segment ended with them hugging it out once again, although with Owens looking much more at ease.
The Usos / The New Day Recap
We got a lengthy video package summing up the feud between The Usos and The New Day to hype their match this Sunday. They don’t need much help, as they are easily the two biggest tag teams in WWE right now, but the video package was awesome, as usual.
Shinsuke Nakamura / Rusev Interview
WHAT A DAY!!!
Will this Sunday be #RusevDay or #NakamuraDay when @RusevBUL goes one-on-one with @ShinsukeN at #WWEFastlane! #SDLive @WWEDramaKing pic.twitter.com/qBXtRzFAvH
— WWE (@WWE) March 7, 2018
Shinsuke was in the middle of discussing his upcoming WrestleMania match when Rusev and Aiden English appeared on screen. Rusev did all of the talking this time, telling Nakamura that he would break him like Nakamura broke his Aiden.
Shinsuke gave his rebuttal in the form of song, singing that once he beat Rusev at Fastlane (yep, that’s a thing now), they would have to celebrate Nakamura Daaaaay.
Carmella vs. Becky Lynch
Don’t mess with the #PrincessOfStatenIsland, CAPICHE? #SDLive @CarmellaWWE @BeckyLynchWWE pic.twitter.com/JkFujXrZ9M
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 7, 2018
Carmella and Becky Lynch had an impromptu match following some catty comments made over a Twitter post. Not the most profound basis for a feud, but then again, we had two grown men fighting over a popularity list just a few segments earlier.
This match was short, with Carmella getting in a surprising amount of offense against Lynch. Becky got the win in the end, however, by making The Princess of Staten Island tap with her DisArmHer.
Winner: Becky Lynch
Naomi / Natalya Backstage
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! @NatByNature & @CarmellaWWE vs. @BeckyLynchWWE & @NaomiWWE THIS SUNDAY at #WWEFastlane! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/4aJLcoz5vo
— WWE (@WWE) March 7, 2018
Naomi was shown backstage watching the match between Carmella and Becky Lynch when Natalya came in to talk some smack. She said that she would be taking her shot at regaining the SmackDown Women’s Title.
A match between Naomi and Becky vs. Natalya and Carmella was announced for Fastlane. Naomi told Natalya that after she and Becky were done with her, the only thing she would be fighting was her cat for a spot on the couch.
AJ Styles Promo
“It’s not fair? The hell with fair, I’M GOING TO FIGHT!” Truly phenomenal words from #WWEChampion @AJStylesOrg… #SDLive pic.twitter.com/Lch2IpDD9Z
— WWE (@WWE) March 7, 2018
This entire episode was basically one giant Fastlane ad. AJ Styles came to the ring to talk about the upcoming 6 Pack Challenge. In true babyface fashion, he said that he wasn’t going to complain or feel sorry for himself, that he was going to take the additions to his match in stride and do what he had to do to retain his championship against 5 other competitors.
We were then shown the John Cena promo from Raw last night, to which AJ responded that although Cena had every right to call himself the best, he was not who Styles wanted to face at WrestleMania. He wanted Nakamura.
I guess Dolph Ziggler got annoyed by all the positivity, because he moseyed down to mock Styles’ ultra good guy promo. He said that he liked Styles, but that Styles would not make it out of Fastlane as the WWE Champion because he cared too much about the fans. He then went down memory lane, describing his rise and fall in the company, blaming the fans for his lack of momentum over the years.
Styles didn’t like what Ziggler had to say and challenged him to a match to take place right then.
AJ Styles vs. Dolph Ziggler Pt. 1
That’s GOTTA hurt!!! ? ? ?#SDLive @AJStylesOrg @HEELZiggler pic.twitter.com/ymsmTK2ZXq
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 7, 2018
This bout started hot, both men trying to take the other out early. As you would expect from Ziggler and Styles, they moved quickly and had a fairly intense match despite their both being participants in the 6 Pack Challenge in a few days. As you would expect from WWE, it was riddled with commercial breaks.
After a decent commercial, I mean match, Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens ran down to put the smackdown on their competition. Owens and Zayn tried to pull a hit and run, but Shane McMahon did not like the interference and demanded that Zayn and Owens return to the ring for a fatal 5-way (he added Corbin as well).
Fatal 5-Way
They all FALL DOWN… #SDLive@HEELZiggler @AJStylesOrg @FightOwensFight @SamiZayn @BaronCorbinWWE pic.twitter.com/gLTpjAqfSN
— WWE (@WWE) March 7, 2018
This was a continuation of the previous match, except Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, and Baron Corbin were added to the mix. Dolph and AJ were at an obvious disadvantage, having just had a 20-minute match. Owens and Corbin got the majority of the offense in the beginning, with Sami picking up steam after a few minutes.
Styles and Ziggler eventually got their second wind, leading to everyone being laid out on the mat. More commercials, more MMC promos, and we came back to the match as Owens and Corbin were superplexing everyone off the top rope at once.
After a few more minutes of action I would have preferred to have not seen until Sunday, Sami Zayn turned against his best friend and pinned Owens after a surprise Helluva Kick.
The show closed with Sami Zayn cutting a killer heel promo about being the best in the company.
Winner: Sami Zayn
What letter grade would you give tonight’s show? #SDLive
— Rumble Ramble (@TheRumbleRamble) March 7, 2018
