So this week, like with my review of Raw, I will be formatting my Smackdown review a little different. It’ll all be about the matches that are taking place from the blue brand a little show this Sunday… with that in mind here’s what happened on the Smackdown go-home show for WRESTLEMANIA!!!
WWE Championship: AJ Styles (C) V Shinsuke Nakamura
What happened on Smackdown? :
They showed separate pre-recorded interviews during the show with both Styles and then Nakamura. In his, AJ accused Nakamura of being emotional as to why he’s playing mind games, but that his emotions are not his weakness but his strength. AJ went on to say Shinsuke was taking him too lightly and they’re ‘a long way from the Tokyo Dome’ (arching back to their previous match in New Japan, which I reviewed in a blog earlier this week if you’re interested).
In Nakamura’s interview later in the show, he admitted to trying to play mind games. He said he came to America for Wrestlemania, and said “I do not take AJ Styles lightly, I know AJ Styles very well… and I know AJ Styles is very emotional. So emotional, he will make a mistake. When he does, I become WWE Champion with a knee to face”.
The main event of the show was AJ & Nakamura teaming up to face Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable. Match was great, but the story here was obviously the dynamic between the two Wrestlemania opponents. At one point Styles offered to be tagged in by Shinsuke and although he obliged he did so simply by patting him on the head. This made AJ get in Nakamura’s face as the crowd lost their mind, but any potential brawl was halted as Gable and Benjamin attacked them. The match was really good, 4 supremely talented guys going all out. The finish came when AJ stared Nakamura down before hitting Chad Gable with the Phenomenal Forearm to give them the win. Great match.
Afterwards AJ got hold of the WWE title and walked up the ramp. As this happened Shelton Benjamin attacked Nakamura from behind, but with AJ watching on Nakamura was though able to fight him off. As this was happening AJ went for a Phenomenal Forearm, but he stopped just before he hit Shinsuke (just as Shinsuke did to AJ last week when he stopped just before hitting him with the Kinshasa). Nakamura then looked up and just grinned, but as Styles patted him on the head he quickly looked annoyed as AJ help up the title belt as Smackdown closed.
CAN WE JUST HAVE THIS MATCH ALREADY?!?! I CANNOT WAIT ANYMORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Smackdown Women’s Championship: Charlotte Flair (C) V Asuka
What happened on Smackdown? :
After having to miss last week due to dental surgery, Charlotte returned to TV this week to have her scheduled match with Natalya. Match wasn’t all too long, and as Charlotte was dominating Natalya came back by getting her knees up when Charlotte tried a twisting moonsault. They then knocked each other down and then… CARMELLA came out with her Money in the Bank briefcase and a referee… but before she could try for the 10000th time to cash in, Charlotte kicked the briefcase out of her hands (and this briefcase went FLYING) and then kicked Carmella out the ring too. Natalya then tried to roll the champion up off the distraction, but Charlotte was able to get out of it and lock in the Figure Eight for the victory. Match was fine, and nice to see Charlotte get a win just before Mania. As for Carmella… something tells me this time next week she’ll no longer be Ms MITB…
After the match Asuka made her way to the ring. She grabbed the mic and told Charlotte that “the Queen will bow down to the Empress” … Charlotte then interrupted as Asuka was due to finish talking and asked Asuka if SHE was ready. They had a staredown to end the segment.
I should also point out that later in the evening, in the final of the Mixed Match Challenge, The Miz & ASUKA were victorious over the team of Bobby Roode & CHARLOTTE FLAIR. The finish in that match saw Miz pin Roode, but the tremendous match really helped build towards Asuka vs Charlotte. My heart will be absolutely all over the place during that one for sure!
United States Championship: Randy Orton (C) V Bobby Roode V Jinder Mahal with Sunil Singh V Rusev with Aiden English
What happened on Smackdown? :
Rusev faced Jinder Mahal with both men’s accomplices at ringside. And indeed before the match Sunil Singh sang a song in a mocking-fashion towards English. Aiden would later respond with a song of his own. Orton was shown backstage watching the match, and Bobby Roode was on guest commentary. This match was far from great (I’ll give you a clue, it wasn’t Rusev’s fault) but fortunately Rusev did get the win after kicking away Sunil Singh after he tried to distract him, he then hit the Machka kick on Mahal for win. As Rusev was in the ring after Randy Orton then came out of nowhere (it looked like he really did this time, crowd cheers aside it was a surprise to us watching at home so it looked really good) and gave Rusev an RKO. Aiden English then came in the ring to avenge his friend, he went to the middle rope to try and jump Orton but was pushed down by Bobby Roode. He then suffered an RKO from Orton. Randy then starred down the Glorious one.
GOD I hope Rusev wins this!!! After all, Wrestlemania this year is on the same day as RUSEV DAY… so he has to win surely???
Smackdown Tag Team Championship: The Usos (C) V The New Day V The Bludgeon Brothers
What happened on Smackdown? :
OHHHH BOYYYYYY. Do I have to? Really? OK then… well… the go home build for this WRESTLEMANIA match went like this; New Day were shown goofing around, pulling out different electrical devices from each other’s pants, The Usos came in and said they’d win at Mania… Bludgeon Brothers appeared from behind them, both teams backed off as Harper smashed up a camera with his hammer… and that was the backstage segment done. THAT WAS IT! It absolutely sucked. It’s a shame as this match will be absolutely fantastic I am sure… so let’s forget this bit and just look forward to a great showcase of 3 excellent teams… and the eventual coronation of Harper and Rowan.
Daniel Bryan & Shane McMahon V Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
What happened on Smackdown? :
Daniel Bryan came out to open the show. He eventually welcomed out Shane McMahon (whom was selling his health issues), he then put Bryan over saying he was a role model and congratulated him on his return to the ring, he said he had his own health issues but said he was medically cleared, Daniel Bryan then said Shane was right about him letting his friendships get in the way, he apologized, Shane said he didn’t need to, he put his arm on Bryan’s shoulder, he admitted he can be a bit hot-headed, which Bryan laughed at. Shane McMahon then said sorry for being a hot-head ever since Kevin Owens head-butted his father and offered to shake his hand, Daniel Bryan then suggested they hug instead and so they did. Bryan said him and Shane being on the same page was bad for Owens & Zayn etc. etc. … This segment began to lose its way towards the end, particularly when Shane appeared to forget his line in the middle of it!
Later in the show; Kevin and Sami came out through the crowd and stood on the announce table. Owens cut a promo saying both Smackdown and Wrestlemania were STILL ‘The Sami & Kevin Show’ despite them being fired. Zayn then came in and mocked the earlier conversation between Bryan and McMahon, and then he apologized to both BRIE BELLA and BIRDIE for what they were going to do to Bryan (whenever anybody brings in a man’s wife and his family I am INTERESTED, so this was great)! They both mocked the advice Bryan eluded to that Brie had given him, Sami declared it was their dream to “obliterate Bryan” before Owens stated it would be THEIR Wrestlemania moment, Sami Zayn said they deserve it and then tried to start a “we deserve it” chant. This was absolutely brilliant heal work here from both men, they’re absolutely smashing it at the moment.
Both Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan then both came out. Bryan then told the fans to take plenty of pictures of both men as it was the last time we would see ‘those two’ on Smackdown. Shane then got the crowd to start the “hey, hey, hey, goodbye” song, and eventually the referees all came out to usher Owens and Zayn away. But this was a great segment from them, I don’t know what they are going to do after Mania (presuming Bryan gets the win) but I hope that they are pushed to the absolute moon once again because both these two are absolutely brilliant at what they do!
Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal
What happened on Smackdown? :
Baron Corbin, Dolph Ziggler, Mojo Rawley and Primo Colon beat Tye Dillinger, Zack Ryder, Tyler Breeze & Fandango. There was lots of superstars tossing the others ones over the top rope to really preview Sunday’s Battle Royal. Not that it matters but Baron Corbin got the pin after hitting Fandango with the End of Days. Match was about 5 minutes. Great…
Women’s Wrestlemania Battle Royal
What happened on Smackdown? :
NOTHING. ABSOLUTELY ZERO. NO BECKY, NO LANA, NO RIOTT SQUAD, NO NAOMI. Other than Nattie jobbing to Charlotte and Carmella failing a cash in, the women’s roster on Smackdown got no TV time at all. WHAT THE ACTUAL?!
Can we just have Wrestlemania now PLEASE?! That is all.
Josh.
NobodyisReady.com 