WWE SmackDown aired from the Performance Center in Orlando tonight. It was the first episode of SmackDown following WrestleMania 36. Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross defended the Women’s Tag Team Championships against Kabuki Warriors in a WrestleMania 36 rematch. Braun Strowman battled Shinsuke Nakamura in the main event.
WWE SmackDown Results (4/10)
- Shinsuke Nakamura attacked Braun Strowman
- Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross def. Kabuki Warriors to retain the Women’s Tag Team Championships
- Dolph Ziggler def. Tucker
- Forgotten Sons def. Lucha House Party
- Sheamus def. Cal Bloom
- Braun Strowman def. Shinsuke Nakamura
Here are 8 takeaways from this week’s show:
Shinsuke Nakamura Interrupted Braun Strowman With Some Knock Knock Jokes
New Universal Champion Braun Strowman kicked off the show and made his way to the ring as highlights of his victory over Goldberg at WrestleMania aired.
Braun cut a promo and said opportunity knocked on his door, he answered it and knocked the door of it’s hinges. Strowman stated Goldberg is a WWE Hall of Famer for a reason but at WrestleMania he put him down for good.
Shinsuke Nakamura interrupted and made his way to the ring. Nakamura said he was knocking on Strowman’s door and bragged about their victory over Strowman to take the Intercontinental Championship. Strowman told Shinsuke that he was going to get these hands later tonight. Cesaro hopped on the apron and Braun fought him off. Shinsuke then booted Strowman in the face to end the segment.
Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross Retained
Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross defended their Women’s Tag Team Championships against the Kabuki Warriors tonight on SmackDown. Asuka and Kairi Sane dropped the titles to Bliss and Cross at WrestleMania 36.
Match Recap: Kairi went after Bliss and leveled her with a Dropkick to start the match off. Asuka tagged in and stomped away on Bliss in the corner of the ring. Kairi tagged back in as the Kabuki Warriors isolated Bliss in the corner.
Bliss battled back and rolled up Kairi for a two count. Alexa smacked Sane in the face but it just pissed her off. Sane unloaded some punches to Alexa before stomping on her toes.
Asuka tagged back in and knocked Cross off the ring apron. Sane tagged in again and hit Bliss with a Dropkick for a near fall. Asuka hit Bliss with a Hip Attack outside the ring and then hopped on the announce table. Nikki knocked Asuka to the floor and followed it up with a Crossbody as SmackDown went to a break.
When SmackDown returned, Nikki and Asuka were battling in the ring. Asuka was in control and quickly tagged Kairi back in. Kairi hit a Splash in the corner and followed it up with an elbow to the back as Cross desperately tried to crawl to the corner.
Asuka tagged in and Nikki caught her with a boot to the ribs. Cross rolled Asuka up for a two count and then planted Asuka with a Bulldog. Sane and Bliss tagged in and Alexa hit a couple Clotheslines.
Bliss connected with a Dropkick and then Doubles Knees to the midsection. Bliss with a Moonsault and Kairi caught her with a Spear for a two count. Alexa hit Sane with a right hand to the face and tagged in Nikki.
Asuka lifted Cross up onto her shoulders as Sane climbed to the top rope. Sane hit a forearm to the face and Asuka locked in the Asuka Lock but Bliss broke it up. Kairi and Bliss tagged in and Alexa hit a DDT but Asuka dragged Kairi out of the ring to break up the cover.
Alexa climbed up to the top rope and hit Twisted Bliss onto the Kabuki Warriors outside the ring. Back in the ring, Bliss climbed to the top rope but Sane rolled out of the way. Cross tagged in and hit the Neckbreaker for the pinfall victory. Bliss and Cross are still Women’s Tag Team Champions.
Later on SmackDown, Dana Brooke and Carmella challenged them to a title match and Bliss & Cross accepted.
Elias Wants To Win The MITB Briefcase
Elias stood on the perch King Corbin threw him off and boasted about putting an end to King Corbin at WrestleMania.
Elias asked the viewers to dim their lights and clap along to his new song. He sang that he dethroned the king at WresteMana and didn’t blame anyone for doubting him.
He compared himself to Simba and claimed that he was the new king. Elias added that Money in the Bank briefcase is looking good to him and he is going to turn it into a guitar case.
Dolph Ziggler Picked Up A Win
Dolph Ziggler and Sonya Deville came down to the announce table and started shouting at Corey Graves and Michael Cole. They claimed that they just wanted the best for Mandy Rose. Tucker interrupted and said that he has some pictures for Dolph to see. The pictures were of Otis and Mandy Rose working out together. Tucker added that after what Ziggler did to him last week, they have some unfinished business and they are going to take care of it right now.
Match Recap: Sonya Deville hopped on the apron for a distraction right away but Tucker didn’t bite and launched Dolph into the turnbuckle. Tucker stomped on Ziggler a couple times before planting him with a Suplex for a two count. Ziggler caught Tucker with an elbow to the face but Tucker shrugged it off and catapulted Dolph into the turnbuckle.
Ziggler rolled out of the ring to try and regroup but Tucker followed him out there. Tucker bounced Dolph’s face off the announce table and then slammed him into the steel steps. Dolph raked Tucker’s eyes and went for a knee to the face but Tucker caught him. Tucker slammed Ziggler on top of the announce table as Cole and Graves darted out of the way.
The action returned to the ring and Tucker connected with a massive Powerslam for a near fall. Tucker followed it up with a big Clothesline and shouted at Dolph to get up. Tucker hit Ziggler with a Crossbody off the second turnbuckle for a two count. Ziggler hit Tucker with a Superkick for the pinfall victory.
The SmackDown Tag Titles Will Be On The Line Next Week
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Miz and John Morrison hosted an episode of the Dirt Sheet tonight on SmackDown. They boasted about retaining the titles at WrestleMania and Morrison pointed out that he is the first person in history to ever retain the titles by himself.
The Miz joked that he was the first person in history to retain the SmackDown Tag Team Championships from his couch. Morrison and Miz stated that it was good news that our Universal Champion actually shows up and it is also good news that John Cena disappeared.
Miz and Morrison performed “Hey Hey” and danced around the ring. The Usos interrupted and came down to the ring. The Miz said he is still not medically cleared and cannot compete tonight. New Day joined the party and claimed they consulted with WWE executives, Martha Stewart etc. New Day said it will be Jey Uso, The Miz, and Big E next week in a Triple Threat match for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships.
Opinion: I thought it was supposed to be a start of a “new season” following WrestleMania. Instead, it has just been a bunch of rehashed feuds so far. I thought the automatic rematch clause was done with, so I’m not sure why the Kabuki Warriors got a title match tonight.
The Forgotten Sons Debuted With A Win
The Forgotten Sons made their SmackDown debut tonight against Lucha House Party. Corey Graves said that they dominated NXT while hyping them up. I guess I missed that episode of NXT.
Match Recap: Wesley Blake and Steve Cutler dominated early. Cutler hit Lince Dorado with a Backbreaker as Jaxson Ryker looked on from outside the ring. Blake tagged in continued to beat Lince down. Metalik tagged in and hit a Crossbody on Blake and Cutler.
Metalik connected with a Dropkick to Blake and went for the cover but Cutler broke it up. Cutler launched Dorado out of the ring as Metalik hit Blake with an Enziguri. Blake leveled Metalik with a Clothesline and Cutler followed it up with a Stomp for the pinfall victory.
Tamina Can Earn A Title Shot If She Beats Banks Next Week
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley and Sasha Banks made their way to the ring during the second hour of this week’s show. Bayley said Paige tried to ruin their friendship but failed.
Bayley bragged about beating everyone and claimed that she is the best. Bayley corrected herself and said we are the best and that they are the ultimate role models.
Banks claimed that nobody can touch them before Tamina interrupted. Inexplicably, Sasha Banks and Bayley continued to be afraid of Tamina despite her horrific win/loss record.
Tamina challenged Bayley to a match for the SmackDown Women’s Championship. Bayley said Tamina can have her title match if she can beat Sasha Banks. Tamina accepted and claimed that Bayley just screwed over Sasha Banks.
Opinion: I still do not understand why anyone would be afraid of Tamina. I also don’t understand why anyone would be rooting for her all the sudden. Thus, I don’t give a damn about a potential title match between Bayley and Tamina. The only thing I’m still mildly interested in is the eventual feud between Bayley and Banks. Bayley’s ego is getting out of control and she put Sasha Banks in a match next week that The Boss wanted no part of.
Bray Wyatt Challenged Braun Strowman
Braun Strowman battled Shinsuke Nakamura in the main event of this week’s show. Cesaro was ringside for the bout.
Match Recap: Strowman hit a big boot that sent Nakamura flying to the corner of the ring to start the match off. Braun followed it up by launching Shinsuke across the ring with ease. Strowman threw Nakamura to the outside and followed him out there. Braun rolled Nakamura in the ring and got distracted by Cesaro. Shinsuke capitalized with a knee to the face but Strowman slammed him into the barricade as SmackDown went to a commercial break.
When SmackDown returned, Shinsuke was in control and had Braun in a Headlock in the middle of the ring. Braun battled to his feet and planted Nakamura with a Side Slam to break the hold. Strowman knocked Cesaro off the apron and followed it up with a massive Clothesline to Nakamura. Braun sent Shinsuke out of the ring and leveled him with a shoulder tackle.
Strowman hit another shoulder tackle that knocked Cesaro over the barricade. Back in the ring, Nakamura hit a boot to the face and went for the cover but the Universal Champion kicked out at two. Strowman got up and planted Shinsuke with the Running Powerslam for the pinfall victory.
After the match, an episode of Firefly Fun House ran. Bray congratulated Braun Strowman on becoming Universal Champion and claimed that he was happy for him. Wyatt heard some voices and said that he is sure Strowman has learned his lesson by now. Bray claimed that Strowman turned his back on him but he think he can forgiven.
The puppets disagreed and Bray asked Braun to apologize to him. Strowman said he is not playing these games and Bray vowed to teach him some manners. Wyatt pointed at the Universal Championship and said he wants it back. Bray said that he brought Strowman into this world and is going to have to take him out. Strowman added that he is ready for Wyatt any time he wants.
Opinion: Strowman versus Bray could be an interesting feud with Braun being a former member of the Wyatt family. I like how WWE is having qualifying matches for Money in the Bank over the next few weeks. Bryan will battle Cesaro and Naomi will face Dana Brooke next week. I find that much better than just simply putting superstars in the match with no explanation. Overall, this was a forgettable episode of SmackDown but some feuds were set up and hopefully the show becomes more entertaining in the upcoming weeks.
