The April 24th episode of WWE SmackDown aired live from the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, KY. It was the final episode of SmackDown before WWE Greatest Royal Rumble this Friday.
Big Cass Vowed To Retire Daniel Bryan Once Again, Match Announced For WWE Backlash
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The Miz kicked off this week’s SmackDown with an episode of Miz TV. Miz told the crowd to shut up and welcome him back to SmackDown. The Miz said that the A-lister is now back on SmackDown and it has become the “A” show once again.
The Miz vowed to win the Intercontinental Championship back at Greatest Royal Rumble this Friday. Miz said that his guest is a man that has held a grudge against him since Talking Smack two years ago. Miz joked that Talking Smack got canceled after The Miz went to RAW.
Miz brought up the birth of his daughter and said that he knew that he had to be a better man. He claimed that all the anger he felt towards melted away in that moment. Miz wondered why the same thing didn’t happen to Bryan and suggested that he might not have a great bond with his daughter.
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The Miz asked Daniel Bryan to come down to the ring and punch him in the face. The crowd chanted for Daniel Bryan as The Miz waited in the ring. Big Cass’ music hit and Cass came down to the ring with a suit on. Cass held his fist in the entire all the way down the entrance ramp and finally dropped it before getting in the ring.
Big Cass asked The Miz to interview him now that he doesn’t have a guest. Cass claimed that nobody cares about Daniel Bryan and his comeback. Big Cass noted that he worked 24/7 to comeback from his injury, but wound up getting cleared on the same day as Daniel Bryan. That resulted in nobody talking about Big Cass and him living in the shadow of that “little man”.
The Miz said that he didn’t need any help with Daniel Bryan and Cass replied that not everything in the world is about The Miz. Miz rattled off his accomplishments and Big Cass threatened to shut him for good.
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Cass went on a rant about Daniel Bryan and claimed that he looked like his garbage man. He stated that instead of picking up trash on Tuesday’s, he comes here and feeds it to the WWE Universe. Cass said that he once was an ordinary Joe Shmoe like Daniel Bryan and it sucked. Cass said that when he grew to be 7 ft tall, he went back to everyone that picked on him and kicked their ass.
Big Cass said he is better than Bryan because he is tall, educated and “damn good looking”. He added that makes him valuable, a star and money. Cass complained about still living in the shadow of Daniel Bryan, but vowed that will not last for long. Big Cass then vowed to retire Daniel Bryan once again, so that nobody will ever have to live in Bryan’s shadow again.
Asuka and Becky Lynch stumbled upon Daniel Bryan backstage. He had been attacked and WWE officials shouted for somebody to get the trainer.
How does @WWEDanielBryan remind @BigCassWWE…of himself? #SDLive pic.twitter.com/sTeXAL8Slo
— WWE (@WWE) April 25, 2018
UP NEXT: @WWEAsuka makes her in-ring #SDLive debut by teaming with @BeckyLynchWWE against #TheIIconics… but wait, is @WWEDanielBryan okay?!? pic.twitter.com/LiugXtdWMz
— WWE (@WWE) April 25, 2018
Later on the show, Daniel Bryan was interviewed backstage. Bryan said that it was Big Cass who attacked him earlier in the night. Daniel announced that he talked to Paige and she granted him a match against Big Cass at WWE Backlash. Bryan noted that he will be ready for Greatest Royal Rumble this Friday and said that it doesn’t matter how tall you are because everyone is the same size when they are tapping out on the mat.
"It doesn't matter how big you are, because everyone is the same size when they're on the mat, and they're tapping OUT." – @WWEDanielBryan looks forward to meeting @BigCassWWE at #WWEBacklash! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/5jO6Giwncv
— WWE (@WWE) April 25, 2018
Opinion:Big Cass is already way better at promos than he was before his injury. He was great tonight, and his overly smug persona is entertaining. I think this feud is a great idea for SmackDown. Daniel Bryan will bring out the best in Big Cass and get the crowd to truly despise him. Big Cass needed to make an impact upon returning from injury and he has successfully accomplished that.
The IIconics Defeated Becky Lynch & Asuka
The IIconics came down to the ring and mocked Becky Lynch and Asuka. Peyton Royce did an absolutely ridiculous impression of Becky Lynch that was pretty funny. Billie Kay called Asuka “The Empress of Yesterday” before Becky and Asuka finally interrupted and came down to the ring for a tag match.
Peyton Royce controlled the beginning of the match and beatdown Becky Lynch. Becky battled back and connected with a forearm to the face. Becky followed it up with an Exploder Suplex to Royce and Peyton rolled across the ring to tag in Billie Kay.
Billie Kay beatdown Becky for a moment and then Royce hit Becky with a cheap shot to her arm. Becky finally fought out of the corner and hit Billie Kay with a Clothesline. Peyton Royce and Asuka tagged in. Asuka hit the Hip Attack on Kay to knock her off the apron. Asuka planted Royce with a German Suplex and then dropped her with a Hip Attack.
Becky tagged back in and delivered a Leg Drop to Royce. Billie Kay rolled into the ring and then ran away when she saw Asuka looking at her. Becky inadvertently bumped into Asuka and knocked her off the apron. Royce slammed Becky into the ring post and then used her feet on the ropes to pin her.
The team of @BeckyLynchWWE & @WWEAsuka is firing on ALL cylinders against #TheIIconics @BillieKayWWE & @WWEPeytonRoyce! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/aFdBeXYMfw
— WWE (@WWE) April 25, 2018
IIconic. pic.twitter.com/i2E9OMjtCw
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) April 25, 2018
Naomi Distracted The Bludgeon Brothers & Jimmy Uso Capitalized
Jimmy Uso and Naomi had a conversation backstage. Jimmy asked Naomi not to come out there tonight. Naomi said that she has a bad feeling about tonight and that she looked into Harper & Rowan’s eyes and saw nothing last week.
Should @NaomiWWE worry about The #BludgeonBrothers tonight? #SDLive @WWEUsos pic.twitter.com/A98crqJKv9
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 25, 2018
Rowan battled Jimmy Uso tonight on SmackDown. Rowan hit a Dropkick right away and followed it up with a couple of headbutts. Harper then delivered a big boot to Jey Uso outside the ring.
Jimmy Uso hit a Crossbody off the top for a two count and then climbed up the turnbuckle once again. Rowan shoved Jimmy off the turnbuckle and he crashed into the barricade surrounding the ring. Rowan got out of the ring and hit Jimmy with a running Clothesline.
Rowan lifted Jimmy onto his shoulders and Naomi’s music hit. Naomi started dancing on the entrance ramp as Harper and Rowan looked on. Jey Uso capitalized on the distraction and Dropkicked Harper into the steel steps. Jimmy then connected with a Superkick to Rowan and rolled him up for the pinfall victory.
The Bludgeon Brothers will defend their SmackDown Tag Team Championships against The Usos this Friday at WWE Greatest Royal Rumble.
Now THIS is an AMAY-AY-AY-AY-ZING victory!#SDLive @NaomiWWE @WWEUsos pic.twitter.com/IvGIetDXKd
— WWE (@WWE) April 25, 2018
Carmella & Charlotte Made Their Title Match Official For WWE Backlash
Renee Young introduced SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella for a contract signing. Carmella will defend the title against Charlotte at WWE Backlash. Carmella grabbed the microphone from Renee Young and complained about being introduced first as the champion. Carmella added that this isn’t Charlotte’s kingdom anymore, it is hers.
Sorry @ReneeYoungWWE… pic.twitter.com/K9FgH9wT5o
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) April 25, 2018
Carmella pointed the crowd and said that she was their champion. The crowd booed and Carmella said that they are only booing because they will never know what it is like to be a champion like her. She got pissed off about nobody giving her a standing ovation last week after her highlight reel. The crowd chanted “you suck!” as Carmella claimed that she was going to play the same exact highlight reel and that when it is over, everyone will be standing on their on feet giving her the ovation she deserves.
The crowd once again booed after the highlight reel was shown. Carmella scolded the crowd and said that she was going to play the video again and that everyone will give her a standing ovation.
.@WWEGraves with the APPROPRIATE reaction to @CarmellaWWE's highlight video! #SDLive #WWEBacklash pic.twitter.com/tH1ymLFF2s
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 25, 2018
Charlotte interrupted during the highlight reel and made her way down to the ring to a great reaction from the crowd. Charlotte took a seat at the desk in the ring as Carmella paraded around with the title and shouted that she is the champ.
Carmella did the Flair strut and posed with the title as Renee Young pleaded with her to take a seat. Carmella finally did so and Charlotte signed the contract and shouted “woo!”. Carmella got up and raised the title in Charlotte’s face. Charlotte grabbed her and bouned her head off the table and then shoved the desk over on top of her.
QUEEN @MsCharlotteWWE will see YOU at #WWEBacklash, @CarmellaWWE… #SDLive pic.twitter.com/77w02JjeSZ
— WWE (@WWE) April 25, 2018
Opinion:I thought this segment was hilarious. Carmella was awesome during this promo and did a great job of getting under everyone’s skin in the crowd.
Sunil Singh Attacked Jeff Hardy
Jeff Hardy was set to face Shelton Benjamin tonight on SmackDown. Randy Orton interrupted and took Jeff’s place in the match, Jeff did the same to Orton last week on SmackDown.
Allies?#SDLive @RandyOrton @JEFFHARDYBRAND pic.twitter.com/feIbatBFZv
— WWE (@WWE) April 25, 2018
Benjamin controlled the match early and booted him in the chest a few times on the ring apron. Orton fell to the floor outside the ring as SmackDown went to a commercial break. When SmackDown returned. the action was back in the ring and Benjamin was still in control.
Orton tried to battle back but Shelton caught him with a spin kick for a two count as Jeff Hardy was shown watching the match from ringside. Orton connected with a Belly to Back Suplex and followed it up with a couple of Clotheslines.
Randy planted Benjamin with a Powerslam and Shelton rolled to the ring apron. Orton grabbed him and hit the DDT while Benjamin was hung up in the ropes. Orton geared up for the RKO, but Shelton rolled out of the ring to avoid it.
Orton followed Benjamin out there and went to threw him into Jeff Hardy. Jeff leaped out of his chair and Orton elected to slam Shelton on top of the table. Sunil Singh in a mask then took out Jeff Hardy’s knee ringside. Orton ripped off Sunil’s mask and planted him with an RKO. Benjamin capitalized on the distraction and planted Orton with the Paydirt for the pinfall victory.
#SDLive just got a mysterious visitor, one that @RandyOrton is VERY familiar with…and he just cost him his match against @Sheltyb803! pic.twitter.com/8vuY0veLnW
— WWE (@WWE) April 25, 2018
Jeff Hardy will defend his United States Championship against Jinder Mahal at WWE Greatest Royal Rumble this Friday.
Shinsuka Nakamura Got The Better Of AJ Styles Once Again
AJ Styles, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson battled Shinsuke Nakamura, Aiden English & Rusev in a 6-man tag match in tonight’s main event. Nakamura had new heel theme music, it was the same beat but with lyrics now.
.@ShinsukeN isn't playing around anymore. pic.twitter.com/1B6UggSqKm
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) April 25, 2018
Shadows of a setting sun…@ShinsukeN pic.twitter.com/3Bt0PYFxUQ
— WWE (@WWE) April 25, 2018
Styles and Nakamura started off the match. Shinsuke quickly tagged out of the match, but Styles was able to connect with a punch that knocked Nakamura off the ring apron. Styles brought Aiden to the corner and tagged in Luke Gallows. Luke connected with a Splash and then tagged in Anderson. Rusev ran into the ring but was greeted with a big boot to the face as SmackDown went to a commercial break.
When SmackDown returned, WWE Champion AJ Styles was trapped in the ring and English had him in a Chin Lock. Aiden slammed AJ to the mat and then tagged in Nakamura as a video promo for Greatest Royal Rumble aired during the match.
Nakamura continued the beatdown on Styles for a bit before tagging Rusev into the match. Rusev quickly tagged English back in and Aiden applied a Chin Lock again. Styles broke free and planted him with a Dropkick.
Rusev tagged in and AJ greeted him with a Pele Kick. AJ tagged in Gallows and he dropped English with a boot. Gallows followed it up with a Pump Handle Slam and shouted “nerd!” at English. Nakamura tagged in as Rusev and English were knocked out of the ring. Shinsuke booted Gallows in the back of the knee and then hit the Kinshasa for the pinfall victory.
After the match, Shinsuke Nakamura posed in the ring. Styles attacked him, but Nakamura dropped him with another low-blow. Shinsuke geared up in the corner and went for the Kinshasa, but Karl Anderson leaped in the way and took the Kinshasa.
Shinsuke set up Anderson for the Kinshasa as AJ crawled towards Anderson. Nakamura connected with the Kinshasa to Anderson as AJ couldn’t crawl over in time to block it.
Don't turn around, @LukeGallowsWWE…
A KINSHASA puts aways #TheClub on #SDLive. @ShinsukeN pic.twitter.com/mihCSrikZQ
— WWE (@WWE) April 25, 2018
YEAOH pic.twitter.com/IKrpYibf87
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) April 25, 2018
AJ Styles will defend the WWE Championship against Shinsuke Nakamura at Greatest Royal Rumble this Friday.
After ANOTHER low blow to @AJStylesOrg, @ShinsukeN hurt those closest to the @WWE Champion…in the form of @KarlAndersonWWE. #SDLive pic.twitter.com/GJmx1eximK
— WWE (@WWE) April 25, 2018
Opinion:Nakamura’s new theme is excellent. It prevents the crowd from singing along and the music completely fits his character right now. I was disappointed by the match between Styles and Nakamura at WrestleMania 34. However, Nakamura has become a very entertaining heel on SmackDown following WrestleMania. I’m looking forward to their match at Greatest Royal Rumble and hopefully this feud continues for on after Friday.
Overall, SmackDown was a very good show tonight. What did you think of this week’s episode of SmackDown? Let us know in the comments below.
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