The 04/03/18 episode of WWE SmackDown just wrapped up. We’ve got the match results and our overall thoughts on the show for you to check out below. Let us know what you thought about this episode of WWE SmackDown by tweeting us, @TheRumbleRamble.
Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon Talk It Out
HUG. IT. OUT!!!! ? ?#SDLive #WrestleMania @ShaneMcMahon @WWEDanielBryan pic.twitter.com/si5XoqkiDr
— WWE (@WWE) April 4, 2018
The show opened with Daniel Bryan coming out to discuss his upcoming tag match at WrestleMania. He announced Shane McMahon who danced his way to the ring, albeit slightly less animately than usual, while selling his real-life hurt stomach.
Shane O’Mac congratulated Daniel on his return to the ring and said that he couldn’t be more excited about their tag match. He described the injuries he suffered at the hands of Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens, but said that he was medically cleared for Mania.
Bryan then apologized to Shane for siding with Owens and Zayn over the last few months. He said that he allowed his friendship with them to cloud his judgment and put a wedge between himself and his SmackDown management partner. Although Shane forgave him, Bryan wanted to make sure that the air was totally clear between them and offered a hug to bury the hatchet once and for all.
They promoted their tag match against Owens and Zayn a little more and yes chanted their way out of the ring as Charlotte made her entrance for her match against Natalya.
Charlotte vs. Natalya
If you’re going to do it, do it with FLAIR! #SDLive @MsCharlotteWWE @NatByNature pic.twitter.com/jkDwHLNs4L
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 4, 2018
Who better to build up The Queen for her title match against the undefeated Asuka than Natalya, a veteran of the women’s division. You don’t want Charlotte to completely demolish someone, you want to put her against a legitimate competitor to make her look even stronger, and that’s exactly what they did.
These two brawled around in and out of the ring, doing their best to wear the other down. Toward the end of the match, Carmella’s music hit and she ran down to the ring, briefcase in hand, but it was yet another false cash-in.
Natalya got in a near fall and a beautiful surfboard stretch on Charlotte, but it wasn’t quite enough and in the end, Charlotte tapped her out with a Figure Eight.
Before Charlotte had left the ring after her match, Asuka came down to talk some trash. She said that on Sunday, The Queen would bow down to The Empress. They had a lengthy staredown, but nothing physical just yet.
Winner: Charlotte
AJ Styles Backstage
“My emotions are not my weakness, they’re my STRENGTH!” – #WWEChampion @AJStylesOrg #SDLive #WrestleMania #DreamMatch pic.twitter.com/IWxHWxwJ2m
— WWE (@WWE) April 4, 2018
We saw AJ Styles in a dark room somewhere backstage, discussing his match against Shinsuke Nakamura. He said that he wasn’t worried at all, everything in his life thus far has led him to this moment and he was more than prepared for anything Nakamura could throw at him. In fact, it was Nakamura who would be unprepared, as he underestimates the WWE Champion.
Video Package: McMahon & Bryan vs. Owens & Zayn
.@WWEDanielBryan makes his in-ring return.@SamiZayn & #KevinOwens fight for their jobs.@ShaneMcMahon seeks PAYBACK.
It’s about to get PERSONAL at #WrestleMania! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/n34C7P3VW5
— WWE (@WWE) April 4, 2018
The drama surrounding Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Shane McMahon, and Daniel Bryan over the last several weeks were outlined in an epic video package. In case you missed anything regarding the story behind this tag match, SmackDown had your back, as they didn’t skip a thing.
Rusev vs. Jinder Mahal
HOW DID THAT JUST HAPPEN?!? #RKOOuttaNowhere #SDLive #WrestleMania @RandyOrton @RusevBUL pic.twitter.com/wG260HmoJs
— WWE (@WWE) April 4, 2018
Sunil Singh sang Jinder Mahal’s introduction (horribly off-key), mocking Aiden English. Then we had the real McCoy when English half introduced Rusev, half dissed Mahal and Singh.
Mahal and Rusev don’t have much chemistry together, but they had a decent match for what it was. Rusev got the pin with the Matchka Kick.
Randy Orton couldn’t let Rusev get all the glory, however, and came out to give everyone an RKO outta nowhere. Aiden English attempted to put up a fight, but Roode assisted Orton in taking English down too.
Winner: Rusev
Shinsuke Nakamura Backstage
Will @ShinsukeN’s “games” get the best of @AJStylesOrg at #WrestleMania? Time will tell… #SDLive pic.twitter.com/g7NzCK2xZx
— WWE (@WWE) April 4, 2018
Nakamura responded to Styles with his own backstage smack talking session. He said that he wasn’t underestimating Styles at all, he knew what he was up against, and how to take his opponent down.
The additional hype is great, but we already know this match is going to be phenomenal.
Out of Place Network Advertisement
Who will walk out of #WrestleMania with the #SDLive #TagTeamTitles: #TheNewDay, @WWEUsos, or The #BludgeonBrothers? We’ll find out THIS SUNDAY! pic.twitter.com/SLV2q6rCJz
— WWE (@WWE) April 4, 2018
The New Day were shown backstage (in their matching outfits, of course), advertising the WWE Network/WrestleMania. The Usos broke up the party, but before they could say much, The Bludgeon Brothers put a stop to the entire segment by breaking the screen with their hammers?
This felt unnecessary, especially considering these three teams are in the middle of a blood feud, but gotta pay those gimmicks that come in the mail called bills, I guess.
Eight Man Tag Match
It’s all about EIGHT-MAN tag team action as @ZackRyder @mmmgorgeous @WWEFandango & @WWEDillinger battle @HEELZiggler @MojoRawleyWWE @BaronCorbinWWE & @WWE_Primo on #SDLive! pic.twitter.com/ejVThF51vW
— WWE (@WWE) April 4, 2018
A handful of guys booked for the ATGMBR this weekend wrestled in a huge tag match to promote the smaller version of that match to promote the real thing. They included: Tyler Breeze, Mojo Rawley, Baron Corbin, Baron Corbin was the last man in the ring and celebrated his victory by making hand gestures at the Andre trophy.
Corbin won the battle royal a couple years ago, so they have spent the last few weeks building up a possible second victory for The Lone Wolf.
Winner: Baron Corbin
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn Run Amok
Is TONIGHT the LAST TIME we see @SamiZayn and #KevinOwens on #SDLive? #WrestleMania @ShaneMcMahon @WWEDanielBryan pic.twitter.com/B0mibeSHBM
— WWE (@WWE) April 4, 2018
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn unexpectedly jumped the barricade, grabbed a couple of microphones, and jumped on top of the announce table to trash Shane and Daniel as much as possible before the sound was cut. These two are just a little bit talented.
They made their exit before anyone could detain them, but did not get away completely unscathed. When Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon had heard enough, they came to the stage together and told everyone that this would be the last time they see Sami and Kevin on SmackDown.
Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin vs. AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura
.@ShinsukeN isn’t the only Superstar who can play mind games… #SDLive #WrestleMania #DreamMatch @AJStylesOrg pic.twitter.com/HKebIgmrl7
— WWE (@WWE) April 4, 2018
This was just as much about building the tension between Styles and Nakamura as it was about the actual match. That being said, Gable and Benjamin’s serious approach to wrestling is paying off, as they gave the WWE Champion and #1 Contender a run for their money and did not go down easily.
Styles pinned Chad Gable to get the win for his team and left Nakamura in the ring to be attacked by Shelton Benjamin. Shinsuke was able to fight him off by himself, but Styles got in the ring anyway to get his payback for the Kinshasa fake from last week by teasing the Phenomenal Forearm while Nakamura was down.
Winner: AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura
What letter grade would you give tonight’s show? #SDLive
— Rumble Ramble (@TheRumbleRamble) April 4, 2018
