Smackdown Live Review 03/27/2018

Hello Misfits. It’s time for this weeks Smackdown Live review. The Road to Wrestlemania has nearly come to an end. There are only twelve more days left until the biggest show of the year. Last week we saw Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn get fired before brutally attacking Daniel Bryan. This week we will find out the consequences for their actions and how Daniel Bryan will react to the vicious attack on him. Considering that Bryan is now cleared to wrestle, it’s going to be super interesting. This week will also feature a tag match where Jinder Mahal and Sunil Singh face off against Bobby Roode and Randy Orton. What will happen next between AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura to further develop their competitive rivalry heading to Wrestlemania? Will we finally find out the plans for the Smackdown Live tag team division for Wrestlemania? Lets find out.

Smackdown comes to us live from PPG Pains Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.

–  Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton and Corey Graves are on commentary.

Rusev & Jinder Mahal w/ Sunil Singh and Aiden English def. Randy Orton and Bobby Roode.
This was originally supposed to be Jinder Mahal and Sunil Singh vs Bobby Roode and Randy Orton. However, Sunil came out with Jinder with his arm in a sling and a neck brace on. Jinder Mahal said Sunil suffered these injuries after being beat up by Orton and Roode last week. Jinder says he has found a replacement and out comes Rusev with Aiden English. They march to the ring.
In a competitive tag match, Rusev and Jinder Mahal defeat Randy Orton and Bobby Roode when Orton calls for the RKO on Rusev but Mahal gets in the ring pushing Roode to accidentally hit Randal. Orton RKOs Roode which allows Rusev to Machka Kick Orton for the win.
Opinion
This was a huge win for Rusev and Mahal who have a history as a tag team. It’s clear that the WWE is noticing how over Rusev is to get him involved in this angle last minute and into the United States Championship picture. They have continued to make him look strong or gave him the right amount of offence in his matches against Styles and Nakamura these past few weeks to make him seem like a perfect fit for this match. It was a nice change to have the show kick off with action rather than talking.

– Backstage from the break and Jinder approaches Rusev backstage. Jinder wants Rusev to attend his Punjabi celebration after he wins the US Title at WrestleMania 34. Jinder offers to get Rusev ringside seats. Rusev says he has a better idea. He just pinned the champion and will now go find Daniel Bryan to get the Triple Threat turned into a Fatal 4 Way. English sings a note on RusevMania as they leave. Jinder orders Singh to take off the stupid neck brace. THIS IS GREAT.

-Shinsuke Nakamura walks in on WWE Champion AJ Styles backstage, asking if he’s OK. Nakamura says he’s worried about AJ. Nakamura wonders if AJ has lost his confidence. AJ says he’s never had confidence issues. Nakamura says they both want each other at their bests for WrestleMania. Nakamura says he wants AJ in his corner for the match tonight, he needs him in the corner. AJ mentions how he won’t be out there for Nakamura, he will be there to make sure Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin don’t get in the way of the dream match.

Becky Lynch def. Ruby Riott w/ The Riott Squadd
In a decent television match Becky Lynch defeated Ruby Riot when Becky blocks the Riott Kick and goes for the Dis-Arm-Her but Liv gets on the apron yelling. This distracts Lynch which leads to another roll-up and the counter before Becky rolls Ruby up for the win. Liv and Sarah try attacking Becky Lynch after the match but she takes care of both of them to be left standing tall.
Opinion
This was a solid match and a great way to continue to promote the women’s battle royal at Wrestlemania. It doesn’t feel any more special than the Andre the Giant battle royal but we’ll see if they make it feel any more significant.

Daniel Bryan
Bryan ends up staying on the stage instead of yes chanting his way to the ring per usual. Bryan says last week was one of the greatest moments of his career. Bryan finally had the news he was waiting for. Bryan was cleared. Bryan could finally go back to what he loves. Bryan says the Smackdown Live is the land of opportunities. Bryan is going to give Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens one more opportunity. Just one. Bryan challenges Owens and Zayn to a tag team match against him and Shane McMahon. If Bryan and Shane win, Owens and Zayn remain fired. If Owens and Sami win, they will be reinstated back on Smackdown Live.
Bryan says he has been questioned on why he gives Zayn and Owens so many opportunities. Bryan says Owens and Zayn have been his friends for over 15 years. Bryan has many jobs as General Manager. Bryan has to sit in board meeting and wear stupid blazers. Bryan is tired of it all. Bryan says he fought for three years to get back to his what he loves and Owens and Zayn tried to take that away from him. Bryan says he is going to kick Owens and Zayn’s ass.
Opinion
The match has officially been made and it also sounded as if Bryan is ready to step down as General Manager. As much as I’m excited for this match and excited for Bryan to be back for in-ring action, I kind of wish he would stay GM and be a part time wrestler but I think he’s going back to being a full-time superstar. I don’t mind that at all but I hate the idea of him getting hurt again. The stipulation makes the outcome of this match seem really predictable. I mean we know that Owens and Zayn aren’t going to remain fired so they have to walk out victorious. The only other idea I could think of besides Shane and Bryan losing clean is Bryan turning heel aligning with Owens and Zayn. Its great to see Bryan fired up and excited again.
 
– Backstage Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable complain about not having a Wrestlemania match.

The New Day
Their road to WrestleMania was derailed by big smelly pieces of trash. Kingston tells us that the trash they are talking about is the Bludgeon Brothers. Woods says they are going to run straight through the Bludgeon Brothers to get back their WWE tag team championships.
Opinion
They’re back, they’re angry and they want the tag team championship titles.

Bludgeon Brothers def. The New Day
Rowen and Harper grab their mallets. Before Harper and Rowen can bring them in the ring, the Usos run down and attack them. The referee throws the match out.
After the bell, The New Day triple teams Harper and kicks him out of the ring. The Usos hit the ring and argue with The New Day. Rowan and Harper come in swinging the mallets but the other two teams retreat to the floor. The Bludgeon Brothers look on from the ring as the other teams back up the ramp.
Opinion
The battle between the three tag teams continue and the Bludgeon Brothers have yet to be taken down. A triple threat tag match between the three teams was made for Wrestlemania and I’m looking forward to it. My only complaint is that I really wish the Bludgeon Brothers stopped using those mallets as weapons because with they really look harmless.

– Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens accept the match against Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan over Twitter.

-There is a video package for Asuka vs. SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 34.

Dolph Ziggler def. Tyler Breeze w/ Fandango
In a fun quick match, Dolph Ziggler defeated Tyler Breeze after hitting a zig-zag on Breeze. Ziggler drops Fandango with a super kick after the match before he stands next to the Andre the Giant Battle Royal trophy.
Opinion
This was a quick match to help hype the Andre the Giant Battle Royal. I wish they were doing more with Breezango but I’m glad they were on television this week. Its unfortunate that a couple of weeks ago Ziggler was stressing on how all he wanted was a singles match at Wrestlemania but now has just ended up in one of the most meaningless Battle Royal’s of the year. No disrespect towards Andre the Giant but the winners never gained anything from winning.

Shinsuke Nakamura def. Shelton Bejnamin
In an awesome and competitive main event, Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Shelton Benjamin after hitting him with a kishasa.
Opinion
This was a good match with great pacing and two athletic guys. I enjoyed it.

Shinsuke Nakamura & AJ Styles
AJ enters the ring. Nakamura thanks AJ for being in his corner but says he never needed his help, he only wanted AJ to see how he will beat him at WrestleMania. AJ says Nakamura must be playing mind games. AJ says he won’t be playing any games at WrestleMania. AJ says this isn’t just a dream match for fans, it’s one for him too. It’s a dream match for the fans because they know these two will tear the house down. AJ says his dream match goes a little different because outside of him, Nakamura is considered the best. AJ says he will be considered better than the best after he walks out still champion, which will prove that he’s phenomenal and this is the house that he built. Nakamura taunts AJ and says he will beat AJ at WrestleMania because AJ is too emotional. Nakamura’s music hits and he leaves the ring as AJ watches. Gable and Benjamin come from behind and beat AJ down. Nakamura returns to the ring and makes the save, taking both out. Nakamura waits for AJ to get up for the Kinshasa. Nakamura charges for the move but puts the brakes on. Nakamura stares AJ down while he’s on the mat and taunts him with the “knee 2 face” line. Nakamura’s music hits again and he leaves the ring as SmackDown goes off the air with AJ recovering.
Opinion
This was the best thing they’ve done yet to build this match. It was finally something different and it also gave Nakamura more character. He was playing mind games with Styles and tugging on his emotions. There were heelish vibes coming from Nakamura but I think its because he was coming off as manipulative and clever. The reaction you get from this segment depends on if you’re on the Nakamura bandwagon or not. If you are, this was badass. If you aren’t, he’s given you reasons to dislike him more. I appreciate them putting effort in to make this match be more than just a dream match but creating some tension and a story between the two.

Final Thoughts
There was a ton of storyline development and angle advancement on this show. Three more matches were officially booked and finalized for Wrestlemania. Charlotte caught something that made her miss this show but the video package just fine. Owens and Zayn were not there playing along with the the fired stroyline. Rusev being added to the US Title match was sweet. Daniel Bryan cut an awesome promo and there was finally more focus put on the WWE Championship match than there has been for weeks.  It was a solid episode of Smackdown Live and I do recommend you check it out if you missed it.
Rating – 7/10