Kami addresses the WWE Universe
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn introduce each other as future co-champions, and vow to not only beat AJ Styles for the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble, but to hurt him as well. AJ comes out and tells Kami (a name that only AJ can make sounds half-cool) that he’s going to beat them and that the “yep” movement is annoying.
KO and Sami roll some footage where AJ says he can beat both of them in the same night. Owens proposes that that happens tonight, and Daniel Bryan comes out to support the notion and state that he has “utmost faith” in the WWE Champion. Before Bryan can confirm the two matches, AJ does it for him. Looks like we have a double main event.
This match at the Royal Rumble has the potential to steal the show, and it doesn’t even need any build up. However, with the phenomenal in-ring skills between this trio combined with their impeccable ability to so much as turn something like “Kami” or “Yep” into something entertaining, I wouldn’t be surprised if this was the match of the night.
Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon have a brief discussion backstage, where Shane tells Bryan he doubts his ability to run Smackdown. It looks like the Shane vs. Daniel seeds are being planted yet again.
Jey Uso vs. Chad Gable
Winner: Chad Gable
This win may just be to snub Jey Uso after his DWI arrest last week. While this was seemingly just a filler match to keep fans excited for the 2 out of 3 falls match for the Tag Team Championships this Sunday, it also reminded fans that these two teams are both great in the ring.
Corey Graves pointed out how just weeks ago, he would’ve easily predicted the Usos to win this matchup, but with Gable and Benjamin’s rise to prominence, it could go either way this Sunday.
Shinsuke Nakamura tells Renee Young that he will deliver a knee to the face to 29 superstars in the Royal Rumble match. Baron Corbin interrupts, saying that he hasn’t really done anything, and Corbin’s own resume speaks for itself. He doesn’t care about the fans, as they don’t pay his bills. Nakamura proposes that they face each other in the ring tonight.
Tye Dillinger sends in a video on his phone about how he debuted at number 10 in the Royal Rumble in 2017. This past year has been full of ups and downs for him (mostly downs), but he says 2018 will be the year of the perfect 10. For some reason, this phone video looked better than when they had the collection of women send in videos. Dillinger looked like he was natural when he talked and he had something important to say.
Naomi vs. Liv Morgan
Winner: Naomi
Putting Liv Morgan in a match with someone with the in-ring prowess of Naomi gives Morgan a chance to prove herself as a valid competitor. Morgan seems to be getting better each week as a heel. She looks all cute, but she’s intense and pretty intimidating.
One by one, several Smackdown women come out to ringside. While it wasn’t a surprise that Naomi got the win, it would have likely been more helpful if Morgan was distracted by the women coming out to the ring, and it would’ve given the women a purpose to come out during the match.
The Women’s division gets into a post-match scuffle, and Becky even tries to throw Naomi out of the ring to be the last woman standing when Charlotte comes out to the ring. This is great move for Becky, and I think she’s got a real chance to win the Rumble. Charlotte comes out to emphasize that it’s every woman for herself. In my opinion, Smackdown did a better job promoting this narrative than Raw did, and it made the blue brand’s women’s division look more competitive and better off than the red brand.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Baron Corbin
Winner:N/A
Throughout the match, Nakamura hits Corbin with several hard strikes, but Corbin withstands. When Nakamura goes for the Kinshasa, it’s reversed, and this match is looking pretty good for Baron Corbin. Nakamura goes for another Kinshasa when he is RKO’ed outta nowhere from Randy Orton. Corbin suffered the same fate. Could Orton be heading toward a heel turn?
I’m glad we got to see Shin in the spotlight a bit, as opposed to being sidekick to Randy Orton or AJ Styles over the last few months. With Nakamura’s talent and charisma, he deserves to at least be put in meaningful singles matches, and while Baron Corbin may or may not be a meaningful match, it seems that Shinsuke is headed in that direction. We were also able to see not one, but two RKO’s and are reminded that Orton is a competitor for the Royal Rumble match as well.
The New Day and Bobby Roode vs. Rusev Day and Jinder Mahal
Winner: The New Day and Bobby Roode
This match was clearly just a way to put all these men on TV, but WWE can obviously trust them to entertain. Bobby Roode, proved tonight that he’s the right man to hold the United States Championship, even just subtly.
AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens
Winner: AJ Styles
Before the match begins, Shane McMahon announces that if either member of Kami interfere in one another’s matches tonight, they will be fired on the spot. Ouch. Zayn heads backstage.
Before either man can get much offense in, AJ traps Owens in a Calf Crusher, which Owens quickly taps out to. AJ holds it in for a while after the bell rings, and Zayn then comes and attacks AJ, attempting to get as much offense before his match starts and putting AJ at a disadvantage. Zayn keeps attacking Styles as both Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon watch backstage.
AJ Styles vs. Sami Zayn
Winner: Sami Zayn
After a commercial break, this match begins. Not long after, when AJ gets the advantage, he exits the ring and attacks Kevin Owens a bit more. Both Zayn and Styles show off their amazing in-ring skills as a stretcher is brought out for Kevin Owens. Styles knocks over the stretcher, but as he gets back into the ring, he is hit by a Helluva Kick and a Blue Thunderbomb, getting Zayn the pin.
While its clear that Owens used the stretcher incident to keep Owens out at ringside, it’s still great heel teamwork between the two as they stand tall going into the Rumble this Sunday.
Mixed Match Challenge Match: The Mix and Asuka vs. Big E and Carmella
Winner: The Miz and Asuka
The New Day and Carmella come out in matching outfits and Money In the Bank briefcases and I love this team already. And they keep pancakes on hand to eat. Gross, but amazing. Asuka comes out and sings the Miz’s song. Awe-suka.
While Miz and Asuka’s win wasn’t a surprise as Asuka still reigns undefeated, I believe that both teams won this match. Carmella and the New Day work great together, and handing Asuka the L was hilarious. You could see the fear in Carmella’s eyes, but it didn’t weaken her as Miss Money in the Bank.
An assortment of “Yes” kicks from Miz and Asuka allow the red team to capitalize. Carmella briefly has the advantage until Asuka gets her in an armbar. Carmella taps, and Mizsuka comes out on top. Hopefully this isn’t the end of Big E and Carmella, though.
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