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5 Takeaways From WWE SmackDown (12/19)

daniel bryan shane mcmahon shake hands smackdown

Written by

Robert Lentini

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This week’s episode of WWE SmackDown aired live from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. It was the first episode of SmackDown following WWE Clash of Champions 2017 this past Sunday.

Here are 5 takeaways from this week’s episode of SmackDown:

Shane McMahon Elected Not To Fire Daniel Bryan

SmackDown GM Daniel Bryan kicked off this week’s episode of WWE SmackDown. Bryan brought up the announcement made last night on RAW about the first ever women’s Royal Rumble match and the crowd chanted “yes!”. Bryan announced Owens, Zayn and Mahal will face Orton, Nakamura and AJ Styles.

SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon interrupted and made his way towards the ring and danced around Daniel Bryan. Shane had a grin on his face and grabbed a microphone. Shane said hello to Daniel and then acknowledged the crowd. Shane once again pumped up the women’s Royal Rumble on January 28th.

Shane finally brought up what happened at WWE Clash of Champions 2017. Shane stated that Randy Orton hit Sami Zayn with the most beautiful RKO he had ever seen and then Daniel Bryan tripped and fell on top of him that broke up the cover. Shane added that he became frustrated and he didn’t count to three when Zayn had the match won because of what Owens and Zayn had done recently. Shane admitted that his emotions got the better of him because of Owens attacking his father earlier this year and then Zayn and Owens turning their back on Team SmackDown at Survivor Series. Shane brought up Daniel Bryan’s fast count and asked what was going through his head when he did it.

Bryan stated that he was protecting Shane McMahon from himself and the crowd chanted “thank you Daniel!”. Shane claimed that he didn’t need protection from Daniel Bryan and Daniel disagreed. Daniel said that he took this job at SmackDown because he believes in a shared vision for the land of opportunity for everyone and not just people that Shane McMahon liked.

Shane said that he could understand why Daniel was empathetic towards Zayn and Owens. Shane added that from a business standpoint, Daniel shouldn’t play favorites because it will come back and bite him in the rear. Daniel Bryan said that he has heard the term “best for business” before and that isn’t what he signed up for. Bryan said that if Shane wants to fire anyone, he should fire him. Bryan added that he doesn’t want to see Shane McMahon turn into Vince McMahon. Shane stated that he respects Daniel and trusts him and wished him luck on the show tonight. Shane then exited the ring as Daniel Bryan’s music hit.

I am really enjoying this storyline. Shane McMahon did let his emotions get the best of him Sunday night at WWE Clash of Champions and Daniel Bryan called him on it tonight. Shane was also taken aback by Bryan comparing him to his father. Shane elected not to fire Daniel Bryan tonight and instead shook his hand. This storyline is far from over and Shane and Daniel’s professional relationship is on thin ice.

Gable & Benjamin Pinned The Champs

SmackDown Tag Team Champions faced Gable and Benjamin tonight on SmackDown. The two teams were involved in a great Fatal 4-Way tag match at Clash of Champions. The Usos controlled the match early and trapped Chad Gable in the corner. Gable then rolled out of the ring and regrouped with Shelton Benjamin as SmackDown went to a commercial break.

During the break, Shelton Benjamin was tagged in and he took control of the match. Jey and Gable were tagged in. Jey had Gable set up for the Splash off the top rope but Shelton Benjamin broke it up. Gable took out Jimmy Uso with a German Suplex and then tagged in Benjamin. Gable then hit Jey with a German Suplex and then teamed up with Benjamin to slam Jey to the canvas for the pinfall victory.

Gable and Benjamin work well with each other and they picked up a big victory tonight over the SmackDown Tag Team Champions. Gable and Benjamin should now be in line for another shot at the titles in the near future.

Naomi Announced She Will Be In The Women’s Royal Rumble

SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte came down to the ring to discuss the first ever women’s Royal Rumble match on January 28th. Charlotte stated that nothing makes her happier than having the honor of carrying the SmackDown Women’s Championship. Charlotte brought up the first women’s Royal Rumble and said that all of the fans helped them achieve this.

Charlotte stated that the fans passion made a difference because management listened. Charlotte added that she will be waiting to defend her title against whoever wins the women’s Royal Rumble at WrestleMania. Naomi then made her way down to the entrance ramp and grabbed a microphone. Naomi congratulated Charlotte on her title defense and then announced that she is the first woman on the SmackDown roster to declare that she will be in the women’s Royal Rumble match. Naomi then vowed to see Charlotte at WrestleMania after she wins the rumble.

The Riott Squad then made their way down to the entrance ramp. Naomi said that the Royal Rumble is about every woman for themselves and that Charlotte and Naomi have survived everything the Riott Squad have thrown at them. Naomi referred to the Riott Squad as “chicken heads” and a “chicken head” chant broke out in the crowd. Naomi then challenged two members of the Riott Squad to a tag match against her and Charlotte as SmackDown went to a commercial break.

When SmackDown returned, Charlotte and Sarah Logan were battling int he ring. Logan got the upper-hand and then tagged in Ruby Riott. Ruby applied a submission hold in the middle of the ring that targeted Charlotte’s leg. Charlotte escaped but Riott dragged her back to the corner and tagged Sarah Logan back in.

Logan continued to attack Charlotte’s leg and then tagged Riott back into the match. Riott connected with a couple of shots and then Logan got back into the match. Logan slammed Charlotte’s knee into the mat but Charlotte was able to break free and tag in Naomi. Naomi connected with a flurry of right hands to Logan and then booted her in the face. Naomi knocked Riott off the ring apron and then connected with an Enziguri and went for the cover but Riott broke it up.

Charlotte delivered a big boot to Riott and then Liv Morgan hopped up on the ring apron. Logan tried to Spear Naomi but Naomi leaped over her and Logan crashed into Morgan on the ring apron. Naomi then hit the Rear View for the pinfall victory.

It will be interesting to see who else from the SmackDown brand announces they will be a part of the women’s Royal Rumble in the coming weeks. The Riott Squad have lost all their momentum since making their main roster debut.

Dolph Ziggler Left The United States Championship In The Ring

United States Champion Dolph Ziggler made his way down to the ring for a championship celebration. Ziggler said that he told everyone so and added that he has accepted every challenge in front of him for the past 12 years. Ziggler claimed that he was the best and stated that no other Superstar can do what he does in the ring.

Dolph stated that this is the start of his second United States Championship reign and footage was rolled of Ziggler defeating Kofi Kingston at Capital Punishment 2011 to capture his first United States Championship. Ziggler boasted about being a 5 time Intercontinental Champion and footage was rolled of all of his IC Title victories.

Ziggler added that he cashed in his MITB contract to become the World Heavyweight Champion and footage was shown of Dolph winning the title against Alberto Del Rio in April of 2013. Ziggler said that he is one of the most decorated Superstars in WWE history and that he has proven it year after year, yet still goes unappreciated. Dolph Ziggler claimed that the crowd wasn’t worthy of his presence and that they don’t deserve him.

Dolph asked if the crowd wanted something to remember him by and then dropped the United States Championship in the ring and walked away.

I’m guessing this is another storyline for Ziggler to generate hatred from the crowd.  It hasn’t officially been announced that Ziggler has relinquished the title, but it sure looked that way tonight. I’m sure there will news about this in the next couple of days so make sure to check back on SEScoops for updates on Ziggler.

Orton, Styles & Nakamura Were Victorious 

Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn presented Daniel Bryan with a bottle of champaign backstage for doing the right thing on this Sunday. Bryan said that he didn’t do it for them and stated that he doesn’t drink. Zayn and Owens then claimed that Bryan did what he did because he had a vendetta against Randy Orton for the things he did to him in the past.

Owens and Zayn boasted about getting the last laugh on Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan told them to wipe the smile off their faces or he might just have to fire them himself. Bryan then told Zayn and Owens to go get ready for the match later. Owens and Zayn then angrily walked away.

Randy Orton, Shinsuke Nakamura and AJ Styles faced Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn and Jinder Mahal in the main event of SmackDown. Orton dominated the beginning of the match and beat the hell out of Jinder Mahal. Nakamura was tagged in and Mahal drove him to the corner. Zayn tagged in and continued the beatdown of Nakamura.

Shinsuke fought back and then pulled some of Zayn’s chest hair out and posed in the ring. WWE Champion AJ Styles entered the match and beatdown Zayn for a bit before tagging in Randy Orton. Orton slammed Zayn off the top rope and Zayn bounced back to the canvas. Mahal tagged himself in and booted Orton in the chest. Mahal followed it up with an elbow that knocked Orton to the mat and then posed in the ring.

Kevin Owens was tagged in and he stomped on Orton in the middle of the ring. Owens then shouted “and that is why this is my show!” as SmackDown went to a commercial break. When SmackDown returned, Owens charged at Orton in the corner but Randy got out of the way and Owens crashed into the ring post.

AJ Styles was then tagged and he was knocked out of the ring by Mahal. Owens then launched Styles into the barricade and brought AJ back into the ring. Owens connected with a Senton and tagged in Sami Zayn. Sami leveled Styles with a Clothesline for a two count. Jinder got back into the match and hit a series of knees to AJ’s ribs. AJ battled back and hit a Tornado DDT off the second rope.

Zayn and Nakamura were then tagged in and Shinsuke connected with a kick. Owens got into the ring and Nakamura took him out with a kick. Shinsuke blasted Mahal off the ring apron and then booted Zayn in the face once again. Nakamura draped Zayn across the top turnbuckle and then kneed him in the midsection for a two count.

Nakamura hit Zayn with another big time kick to the face and went for the cover but Zayn kicked out at two. Zayn missed with a Clothesline and Nakamura countered it into an Arm Bar but Owens broke it up. Orton launched Owens out of the ring and Mahal planted Orton with a DDT. Styles delivered a Pele Kick to Mahal and then leaped onto Owens outside the ring.

The Singh Brothers jumped up on the ring apron and struck Nakamura. The referee then kicked the Singh Brothers out from ringside. Orton planted Mahal with an RKO and the Singh Brothers jumped back up on the ring apron. Orton hit the DDT between the ropes on both of the Singh Brothers. Styles hit the Phenomenal Forearm onto to Owens and then Nakamura hit Zayn with the Kinshasa for the pinfall victory.

Orton, Styles and Nakamura capped off a mediocre episode of SmackDown with a victory. The highlights of the show were the opening promo between Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan and then Dolph Ziggler’s promo later on in the night. Hopefully things pick up next week and we at least find out who will be AJ Styles’ next opponent for the WWE Championship.

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