SEScoops

6 Takeaways From WWE SmackDown (3/20)

daniel bryan smackdown

Written by

Robert Lentini

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The March 20th, 2018 episode of WWE Smackdown aired live from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Here are 6 takeaways from this week’s show:

Daniel Bryan Announced His Return In An Emotional Speech

This week’s episode kicked off with a montage of Daniel Bryan’s retirement speech from two years ago. It was announced earlier today that Daniel Bryan has been cleared by WWE to return to in-ring action.

SmackDown GM Daniel Bryan came down to the ring to a great reaction from the Dallas crowd. The entire crowd chanted “yes!” as Bryan entered the ring. Bryan stood in the ring as the crowd chanted “Daniel Bryan!”. Daniel thanked the crowd and brought up what happened to Shane McMahon. Bryan stated that he will address that situation, but Owens and Zayn were not here yet.

Bryan said that being forced to retire two years was one of the hardest days of his life, but he focused on being grateful. Bryan stated that he had a lot to be grateful for, including his family, friends and the best fans in the world. Daniel choked up a bit when he brought up his wife. Bryan said that Brie told him to fight for his dreams and that she was the one who encouraged him to start going to see specialists. A “thank you Brie!” chant broke out in the crowd as Bryan continued.

Daniel said that when he got angry about not being in the ring, he wasn’t just grateful, he started fighting. Bryan added that every hard thing seems impossible until it becomes real. Bryan said that over the past few months he asked WWE to look at his case again and that every doctor he saw cleared him. The crowd chanted “yes!” again as Bryan added started thanking the WWE and their doctors.

Bryan said that he was grateful that WWE was willing to give his case a second look. Daniel thanked everyone here and everyone watching at home for supporting him this entire time. Bryan noted that the crowd always chanted for him every week he has come down to the ring as the SmackDown GM. Bryan once again got choked up and thanked Brie for supporting him over the past two years.

Daniel changed his tune and said “now on to the fun stuff”. Bryan stated that he doesn’t know when or where he will get back in the ring and the crowd started to chant “WrestleMania!” and the cameras cut to the WrestleMania sign hanging above the ring. Bryan asked the crowd if WrestleMania sounded like a good idea and another “yes!” chant broke out. Bryan said that he doesn’t know for sure if that will happen, but added that he will compete in a WWE ring again and the crowd chanted “yes!” as Bryan’s music hit.

Bryan was shown walking backstage following his promo. He told referee Charles Robinson to send Zayn and Owens to his office when they arrive. Dolph Ziggler showed up and stated that he cannot wait to defeat Daniel Bryan in the ring. Bryan said that he can certainly try and Ziggler walked away.

Opinion: Daniel Bryan’s story in WWE has been nothing short of amazing. His rise to the top was organic and seeing him being forced to give it up was truly heartbreaking. Bryan became one of the most popular WWE Superstars of all-time because the fans wanted him to be. They catapulted him to the top and everything culminated when he won the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 30 in New Orleans.

It is surreal that he is going to get back in the ring. I simply cannot wait to see it. There was a time that I fell out of love with watching wrestling and Daniel Bryan was one of the Superstars that drew me back in. I was captivated by his battle with The Authority and couldn’t wait until he finally won the title. Bryan defeated John Cena at SummerSlam 2013, but Randy Orton instantly cashed in following the match. Triple H was the special referee for that match and delivered a Pedigree to Bryan following his victory. I was so pissed off after that much, but I knew it was going to lead to something even better. We all witnessed that moment at WrestleMania 30, when Bryan defeated Triple H to kick off the show and went on to win the title again in a Triple Threat match against Randy Orton and Batista.

There are plenty folks, much like myself, that have been frustrated with the WWE product as of late. They were excited for the new SmackDown with Bryan as the GM and Shane McMahon as the Commissioner. SmackDown hasn’t lived up to expectations, but Bryan’s return to the ring will no doubt bring a new level of excitement to the WWE product. He left a void in WWE after he was forced to retire. Now that he is back, I cannot put into words how pumped I am to see Bryan get inside the ring again as a wrestler. I knew he would wrestle again, I was just convinced that it was going to be in ROH, NJPW or any other promotion besides WWE. I cannot wait to see how this plays out leading up until WrestleMania 34. Also, the list of Superstars that Daniel Bryan could bring the house down with in WWE is endless. Daniel Bryan returning to the ring is the jolt that the WWE product needed and I’m just so excited to see it.

Shinsuke Nakamura Didn’t Need Help From AJ Styles

Shinsuke Nakamura faced Rusev in a Fastlane rematch tonight on SmackDown. WWE Champion AJ Styles and Aiden English were ringside for the match. Nakamura and Rusev traded kicks to start off the match. Rusev tossed Nakamura to the corner and connected with a couple of kicks to Shinsuke’s legs. Rusev followed it up with a spinning kick to the face for a two count as SmackDown went to a commercial break.

When SmackDown returned, Shinsuke connected with a kick that knocked Rusev to the mat. Nakamura booted Rusev in the chest and followed it up with a leaping kick to the side of his head. Shinsuke draped Rusev across the top rope and blasted him with a knee to the ribs. Shinsuke went for the Kinshasa but Rusev dodged it and booted Nakamura in the face for a two count. Nakamura locked in an Arm Bar and transitioned into a roll-up for the pinfall victory.

After the match, Aiden English and Rusev beatdown Shinsuke Nakamura. AJ Styles watched for a moment from his chair next to the announce table. Styles got up to help but Nakamura had already fought English and Rusev off and knocked them out of the ring. Nakamura smirked at AJ and then posed in the ring.

Shinsuke Nakamura approached AJ Styles backstage. Nakamura told Styles that he didn’t need his help tonight and AJ said that he was aware. Nakamura once again added that he will defeat AJ Styles with a knee to the face at WrestleMania 34.

Shinsuke Nakamura picked up another victory tonight and then fought off Rusev and Aiden English before AJ Styles could assist him. Nakamura helped out AJ Styles last week when he was attacked by Rusev and Aiden English. Styles approached Nakamura backstage and said that he didn’t need Nakamura’s help. Shinsuke stated that he will be there to help AJ up until WrestleMania, where he vowed to take AJ’s WWE Championship with a knee to the face. The storyline has been pretty straight forward so far. Nakamura has showed up the WWE Champion, but that wont mean a thing when the two Superstars battle at WrestleMania 34.

Carmella Almost Cashed In Her MITB Contract 

Photo Credit: WWE.com

Charlotte faced Natalya tonight on SmackDown. Charlotte shouted “woo!” right after the bell rang and the crowd chanted along. Natalya told the crowd to shut up and quickly got knocked to the canvas. Natalya tried to roll-up Charlotte but Charlotte kicked out at two. The crowd chanted “woo!” and Natalya once again told them to shut up.

Charlotte slammed Natalya to the mat for two. Charlotte wrapped her legs around Natalya and slammed her to the canvas a few times. Charlotte went for the cover again but Natalya kicked out. Natalya connected with a couple of punches and told the crowd to shut up again. Charlotte connected with a Neckbreaker and then booted Natalya out of the ring. Charlotte strutted in the middle of the ring as SmackDown went to a commercial break.

When SmackDown returned, Natalya was back in control and had Charlotte in an Abdominal Stretch. Charlotte escaped and booted Natalya in the face. Charlotte charged at Natalya in the corner but Natalya was ready and slammed Charlotte into the turnbuckle. Natalya posed in the ring before stomping on Charlotte several times in the corner. The referee told Natalya to stop, she obliged and then told the referee to shut up.

Charlotte sprung to her feet and leveled Natalya with a Clothesline. Charlotte followed it up with a couple of chops as the crowd chanted “woo!” at impact. Charlotte slung Natalya into the turnbuckle and then dropped her with another Clothesline. Charlotte planted Natalya with a Fall Away Slam, but Natalya grabbed her arm and slammed her into the bottom turnbuckle. Charlotte got back up and connected with a big boot. Charlotte followed it up with a Backbreaker and then slammed Natalya’s face into the top turnbuckle.

Charlotte climbed up to the top rope but Natalya got back up, lifted her up onto her shoulders, spun her around a couple of times before planting her with a massive Powerbomb for a two count. Natalya locked in the Sharpshooter in the center of the ring and Charlotte screamed in pain. Charlotte crawled to the bottom rope and broke the hold. Natalya bounced Charlotte’s neck into the second rope and followed it up with a Discus Lariat for two.

Natalya booted Charlotte out of the ring and charged after her. Charlotte was ready and connected with a Spear outside the ring. Charlotte rolled Natalya back into the ring and locked into the Figure Four. Natalya and Charlotte rolled a couple of times and Charlotte maintained the hold as Natalya was dangling over the ring apron. Charlotte broke the hold and climbed to the top but Natalya joined her and punched her in the face. Natalya planted Charlotte with an awesome Superplex and both Superstars crashed to the canvas.

Carmella’s music hit and Carmella sprinted to the ring with a referee. Carmella handed over her briefcase but the bell didn’t ring before Charlotte booted her in the face. Natalya capitalized on the distraction and rolled Charlotte up for the pinfall victory. Since the bell never rang for the second match, Carmella still has not officially cashed in her MITB briefcase.

The Bludgeon Brothers Got The Better Of The Usos Again

Jimmy Uso faced Harper from the Bludgeon Brothers tonight on SmackDown. Before the match, The Usos came down to the ring to a great reaction from the crowd. The Usos thanked the crowd for the love and then went over their match against New Day at WWE Fastlane. The Bludgeon Brothers interfered in that match and beat everyone down. Jimmy and Jey claimed that the Bludgeon Brothers weren’t after the titles, they just wanted to injure them.

The Usos raised the titles and shouted that they are still here with the titles. Jimmy and Jey said that all they know how to do is be the best damn tag team WWE has ever seen. Jimmy and Jey said that the Bludgeon Brothers were not going to take their WrestleMania moment from them and welcomed the Bludgeon Brothers to The Uso Penitentiary. The Bludgeon Brothers made their way down to the ring as SmackDown went to a break.

When SmackDown returned, Harper was in control of Jimmy Uso and had him trapped in the corner of the ring. Harper chopped Jimmy across the chest and Jimmy responded with a chop of his own. Harper connected with an elbow to the face and then went for a big boot but Jimmy ducked it. Harper went tumbling out of the ring and Jimmy followed him. Jimmy tripped Harper and he crashed into the ring apron. Jimmy went for a Suicide Dive but Rowan hopped up on the apron. Jimmy booted Rowan off the apron and Rowan tried to get into the ring.

While the referee was distracted, Jey Uso connected with a Superkick to Harper. Jimmy Uso connected with a Superkick to Harper as well and went for the cover but Harper kicked out. Harper slammed Jimmy’s head into the ring post and followed it up with a massive Clothesline for the pinfall victory. Jey Uso dragged Jimmy out of the ring after the match to avoid another attack from the Bludgeon Brothers.

Jinder Mahal Ran Away From Orton & Roode

Jinder Mahal came down to the ring with Sunil Singh. It was announced earlier today that Jinder Mahal will join the United States Championship match at WrestleMania 34. Randy Orton will defend his title against Mahal and Bobby Roode in a Triple Threat match.

Mahal called the crown hypocrites for booing him and boasted about his physique. Mahal stated that he could be the biggest movie star in Bollywood, but he decided to become a great wrestler. Jinder said that the crowd should be worshipping the ground that he walks on.

Bobby Roode interrupted and came down to the ring with a microphone. Roode stated that Mahal was the only hypocrite in the arena. Bobby added that Mahal doesn’t deserve any respect and that the only thing he deserves at WrestleMania 34 is for Roode to pin him and get his U.S. Championship back. Roode went to say it is going to be absolutely glorious, but was interrupted by Randy Orton.

United States Champion Randy Orton came down to the ring. Orton immediately told Jinder Mahal to shut up. Orton said that Mahal isn’t considered one of the greatest champions of all-time because he relies on Sunil to win matches. Mahal went to charge at Orton but shoved Sunil towards Orton instead. Mahal rolled out of the ring as Orton dropped Sunil with a DDT. Orton geared up for an RKO, but Roode got in the way and planted Sunil with a Glorious DDT. Orton went for an RKO on Roode, but Bobby was ready and blocked it. Roode went for the Glorious DDT on Orton, but Orton was able to escape. Mahal pointed at the WrestleMania sign from the entrance ramp as Roode and Orton stood in the ring.

It was announced that Bobby Roode & Randy Orton will face Jinder Mahal and Sunil Singh next week on SmackDown in a tag match.

Opinion: This doesn’t feel like a big match at all. There is absolutely nothign going for it. Bobby Roode is just another guy on the main roster right now and I hate saying that. He is capable of so much more, but is stuck in this generic character right now. I’d only want him to get the title back if he were to turn heel. Randy Orton is pretty bland as a face as well, so I wouldn’t care if he lost the title at WrestleMania 34. We’ve already seen Jinder Mahal defeat Randy Orton several times and Mahal also defeated Bobby Roode recently on SmackDown.

Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn Brutally Attacked Daniel Bryan After He Fired Them

Daniel Bryan was alerted backstage that Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn arrived towards the end of the show. Bryan said that he will meet them in the ring and walked away. Bryan came down to the ring and asked that Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn come down to the ring. Owens and Zayn came down to the ring with smiles on their faces and clapped for Bryan.

Owens got into the ring and hugged Bryan. Sami hugged Bryan as well. Kevin Owens said that they didn’t plan on being here tonight, but they got the notification that Daniel Bryan was cleared to return to the ring. Zayn added that they wouldn’t miss this for the world and noted that Bryan has been their biggest supporter since day one. Zayn brought up Shane McMahon’s personal vendetta and how Bryan was always fair during that. Sami said that Bryan being cleared to return is just an example of good things happening to good people. Sami added that Sami Zayn, Kevin OWens and Daniel Bryan sounds like a “dream team” and the crowd chanted “no!”.

Daniel Bryan stated that he appreciated that, but said that is not why he brought them out there. Bryan then rolled footage of Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens beating down Shane McMahon last week on SmackDown. Owens laughed into the microphone as the clip ended and Sami told him to stop. Daniel asked them if they thought it was funny, Owens admitted they got carried away a bit. Sami added that Shane McMahon kind of deserved it. Bryan stated that this was a big deal.

Bryan said from the bottom of his heart that Owens and Zayn was two of the best performers of this generation. Daniel admitted that Shane was right when he said he was living vicariously through them. Bryan stated that what they did last week was more than getting a little carried away, they assaulted their boss. Daniel added that he didn’t understand why they did it because they already won because Shane stepped away and gave them a singles match at WrestleMania.

Daniel said that he didn’t get it and added that he really didn’t want to have to do this. Bryan stated that he had been fired from this company twice and that he came back a better man. Daniel then fired Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. Bryan added that this doesn’t mean that they are gone forever, it just means that they are gone for now. Bryan extended his hand for a handshake and Sami shook his hand. Owens shook Bryan’s hand as well and then Bryan dropped the microphone.

Kevin Owens knocked Bryan to the mat and Sami climbed on top of him and started punching him. Bryan started to fight back and drove Owens to the corner and hit a few Yes Kicks. Bryan connected with a couple of Dropkicks to Owens and Zayn in the corner. The crowd got on their feet and chanted “yes!” as Bryan booted Owens in the chest. Zayn attacked Bryan from behind and knocked him tot he canvas.

Sami held Bryan up and Owens Superkicked him in the face. Owens propped Bryan up in the corner and Zayn delivered a Helluva Kick. The crowd chanted “you suck!” as Zayn and Owens stood over Bryan. Owens screamed in anger as Bryan tried to get back up. Owens punched Bryan in the face and then Sami threw him out of the ring. Owens then Powerbombed Bryan on the ring apron and Daniel fell to the floor outside the ring. A stretcher was wheeled down to the ring as the crowd chanted “Daniel Bryan!”. SmackDown went off the air with Kevin Owens still screaming on the entrance ramp as Bryan was loaded onto the stretcher.

Opinion: It looks like we are going to get Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon versus Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn at WrestleMania 34 and I am all for it. The crowd reaction when Bryan hit the Yes Kicks was absolutely amazing. WrestleMania 34 just got a hell of a lot more interesting now that Daniel Bryan will most likely be on the card.

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