source: WWE
This week on Smackdown, Miz returns following the Superstar Shake-up and Shinsuke Nakamura gets the upper hand on AJ Styles yet again.
source: WWE
Big Cass crashes MizTV
Miz comes out to loud boos and waits a few minutes before speaking. First proclaiming Smackdown as the A Show now that he’s back, Miz says that he is a changed man after the birth of his daughter. His anger and bitterness toward Bryan melted away, and he’s surprised that Bryan didn’t have the same reaction when he became a dad.
Miz calls out Bryan, but Big Cass answers the call. As the new interviewee, Cass is angry that while he was injured, no one cared about him. Cass says that the day he was cleared was the same day as the day Daniel Bryan was cleared, and he was overshadowed by a little man.
Cass tells the crowd that like Daniel Bryan, he used to be a little man. But he grew and got retribution on the kids who bullied him. He’s done being in Bryan’s shadow, and vows to put him back in to retirement at Backlash.
Opinion:
I attended this show live, and it was so much fun to hound Miz with boos for what seemed like ten minutes. While it was disappointing that Bryan didn’t make an appearance, both Miz and Cass cut one of their best promos yet. It was weird to see Miz completely alone, but he clearly delivered.
source: WWE
Asuka and Becky Lynch vs. the IIconics
Winners: the IIconics
Highlights:
Before the match, Peyton Royce and Billie Kay make fun of Asuka and Becky
Royce and Kay claim that since Charlotte beat Asuka and they helped Carmella beat Charlotte, they are better than Asuka
Asuka slams Peyton’s head into the turnbuckle
Becky gives Peyton an exploder suplex
Royce pins Lynch with both feet on the ropes
Opinion:
Each week, the IIconics get more annoying and shrill (in a good way). This team of heels works better on the main roster than on NXT, and their screaming and mocking is hilarious. However, it was a little disappointing to see Asuka lose again this soon, even though she didn’t get pinned. Before Mania, she didn’t lose in tag matches at all. I hope these small things don’t make her less valuable in the long run.
source: WWE
Jimmy Uso vs. Erick Rowan
Winner: Jimmy Uso
Highlights:
Before the match, Naomi tells Jimmy she’s worried about him tonight
Jimmy tells his wife that he can take care of Rowan on his own
Uso climbs the turnbuckle and jumps on Rowan to the outside
Rowan shoves Jimmy face first off the top rope into the barricade
The lights go out and Naomi makes her entrance
Jimmy capitalizes on the distraction and gets a roll up victory
Opinion:
I like how Naomi’s story has been integrated with the Usos lately. However, when she interrupted the match (after Jimmy told her he didn’t need her to), the Usos were happy that she did. Even though it won them the match, she still did what he told her not to do, so it didn’t make sense that they were happy about it.
source: WWE
Carmella and Charlotte’s Backlash contract signing
Carmella comes to the ring to boos, and she says it’s because fans will never know what it’s like to be champion. She reminds everyone of the highlight reel she played last week, and tells WWE to replay it because she didn’t get a standing ovation last week.
Fans boo after the video package, so she decides to play it again. Charlotte interrupts the second highlight reel and comes out to the ring, sitting on one side of the table with the contract on it. Carmella taunts Charlotte repeatedly. Charlotte signs the contract and tips the table over onto Carmella.
Opinion:
Carmella is doing her best work so far. She’s so cocky and petty that even if you love her, you want her to lose. While Charlotte can easily carry this feud, it’s been trusted to Mella, and she’s doing most of the talking, which has been great.
source: WWE
Shelton Benjamin vs. Randy Orton
Winner: Shelton Benjamin (DQ)
Highlights:
Benjamin drapes Orton over the middle rope and gives him knees and kicks
Orton hits Benjamin with the DDT off the ropes
A guy in a red mask runs in, providing a distraction and taking out Jeff Hardy at ringside
Orton takes off the mask in the ring and reveals Sunil Singh
Randy Orton gives Singh an RKO
Shelton delivers the PayDirt for the win
Opinion:
Singh’s involvement in this match was a surprise, as he and his mentor Jinder Mahal are both on Raw. The finish was good, making Shelton look good and developing the storyline between Mahal and Hardy for the Greatest Royal Rumble.
source: WWE
The Club vs. Rusev Day and Shinsuke Nakamura
Winners: Shinsuke Nakamura, Rusev and Aiden English
Highlights:
The Club triple teams Rusev
AJ Styles gives Rusev a Pele kick
Luke Gallows gives Aiden English a pump handle slam and a Warrior splash
Shinsuke Nakamura delivers the Kinshasa to Gallows for the three count
Nakamura gives AJ a low blow and gives Karl Anderson two Kinshasas
Opinion:
I really like the slow development between AJ and Shinsuke. I don’t think a rematch at GRR is necessary, so it’s good that they can interact in the Royal Rumble match. I feel bad for Rusev and English, because even though they’ve been on TV consistently (I think fans would riot if they werent), they haven’t had a solid storyline in months.