SEScoops

6 Takeaways From WWE SmackDown (4/17)

bryan cass smackdown

Written by

Robert Lentini

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The April 17th, 2018 episode of WWE SmackDown aired live from Providence, RI. It was the second night of WWE’s Superstar Shake-Up.

Jeff Hardy, Samoa Joe, Big Cass, Asuka, Gallows & Anderson, SAnity (Killian Dain, Alexander Wolfe & Eric Young), Sheamus & Cesaro, Andrade “Cien” Almas & Zelina Vega all were announced to join SmackDown’s roster. You can check those out in the links below:

Here are 6 takeaways from this week’s show:

Daniel Bryan Saved AJ Styles

WWE Champion AJ Styles kicked off tonight’s episode of SmackDown. AJ stated that you can tell a lot about a man through his failures and I think we have learned everything we need to know about Shinsuke Nakamura. Styles added that Shinsuke is not just an artist, he is a con artist. Dueling “AJ Styles!” and “Nakamura!” chants broke out in the crowd.

Styles stated that he should have been celebrating last week, but all he could think about was retribution on Nakamura. AJ added that Nakamura showed his true colors once again last week when he ruined another dream match against Daniel Bryan. AJ demanded that Nakamura come down to the ring and fight him.

Aiden English and Rusev came down to the entrance ramp. English asked the crowd what day it was and everyone chanted “Rusev Day!”. AJ challenged Rusev to a fight and said that Nakamura doesn’t have a spine. AJ Styles and Rusev then had an incredibly short match. Styles locked in the Calf Crusher right away and Aiden English attacked Styles from behind for the DQ.

English and Rusev continued the beatdown after the match was over. Daniel Bryan ran down to the ring for the save and fought them both off. AJ Styles and Bryan then stood tall in the ring as Rusev and English retreated. SmackDown GM Paige then announced Daniel Bryan & Styles versus Rusev & English in the main event.

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/986396565035241472

Daniel Bryan was interviewed backstage later in the night and was asked why he helped AJ Styles tonight. Bryan said that the reason was simple, he respected AJ Styles. Big Cass then interrupted and called Daniel Bryan “little man”.

Opinion: The crowd once again displayed that they were behind Rusev Day during this segment. They clearly want to cheer for Rusev, but WWE keeps insisting that the fans boo him. It is frustrating to watch and WWE is missing a great opportunity here with Rusev.

Jeff Hardy Joined The SmackDown Roster

Shelton Benjamin came down to the ring and claimed that his Twitter account was hacked last night and that he didn’t send the complimentary tweet towards Chad Gable. Benjamin said that he never needed Gable and that he needs the title opportunities that he is owed. Benjamin stated that he had a conversation with Paige backstage and asked her to send him some big competition.

Randy Orton’s music hit, but he was quickly interrupted by new United States Champion Jeff Hardy. Orton smirked as Hardy got into the ring and had a match with Shelton Benjamin. Shelton controlled the match early as SmackDown went to a commercial break.

When SmackDown returned, Hardy connected with a Clothesline and both Superstars fell to the mat. Benjamin crotched Hardy on the top turnbuckle and followed it up with a running knee to the face. Jeff connected with a Whisper in the Wind off the top for a two count. Shelton connected with a spin kick to the face and went for the cover, but Jeff was able to kick out at the last second.

Jeff then connected with the Twist of Fate and followed it up with the Swanton Bomb for the pinfall victory.

The Bludgeon Brothers Showed The Usos Some Mercy

Harper faced Jey Uso tonight on SmackDown. Jimmy Uso accompanied Jey to the ring as Rowan was also ringisde for the match. Harper defeated Jey with ease after planted him with a Discus Clothesline.

After the match, the Bludgeon Brothers beatdown The Usos and grabbed their mallets. Naomi rang down to the ring to check on her husband, Jimmy Uso, and begged The Bludgeon Brothers to stop. Harper and Rowan then backed away and retreated up the entrance ramp.

Samoa Joe Joined The SmackDown Roster

Samoa Joe joined the SmackDown roster tonight during WWE’s Superstar Shake-Up. He came down to the ring to a great reaction to face Sin Cara.

Joe connected with a series of knees, but Sin Cara battled back with a springboard elbow to the face. Samoa Joe got right back up and hit a couple of jabs to Sin Cara’s face. Joe then decked Sin Cara with a chop to the chest.

Sin Cara targetted Joe’s knee with a couple of kicks. Joe shrugged them off and unloaded some massive punches to Sin Cara. Joe then locked in the Coquina Clutch for the easy submission victory.

After the match, Samoa Joe grabbed the microphone and said that the SmackDown roster has had things easy because he hasn’t been on the roster. Joe added that he is here now and that he will get all the oppurtinities. Joe vowed to put Daniel Bryan to sleep, take down Randy Orton and emasculate AJ Styles. Joe promised to destroy whatever is left of Roman Reigns at Backlash. Joe added that if Reigns somehow wins the Universal Championship at WWE Greatest Royal Rumble, he will will tear it from his waist at Backlash.

Samoa Joe will be competing for the Intercontinental Championship at WWE Greatest Royal Rumble. Joe was on RAW last night and cut a promo on Roman Reigns for the second week in a row. Joe will face Roman Reigns at WWE Backlash and has mocked Reigns for his failures against Brock Lesnar. Brock Lesnar will defend his Universal Championship against Roman Reigns in a Steel Cage Match at WWE Greatest Royal Rumble on April 27th.

Asuka Is On SmackDown

Carmella came down to the ring to celebrate becoming SmackDown Women’s Champion. Carmella mocked the crowd for chanting “you deserve it!” and said that she didn’t need their approval. She added that she waited for the perfect time to take her rightful spot on the top of the women’s division.

Carmella then cackled in the ring after bragging about defeating Charlotte Flair. She then raised the title and claimed that her cash in last week was historic. Carmella claimed that last week will go down as “biggest moment in all of women’s history”. Carmella then rolled a video tribute to herself.

She then referred to the SmackDown Women’s Championship as “Cleopatra”. Charlotte Flair interrupted and came down to the entrance ramp as the crowd chanted “woo!”. Charlotte stated that the only reason that Carmella had the MITB briefcase was because of James Ellsworth and that she only was able to cash in because of Billie Kay and Peyton Royce.

Charlotte congratulated Carmella on cashing in on an opportunity. Flair stated that it is much easier to get to the top than to stay at the top. Billie Kay & Peyton Royce (The IIconics) interrupted and called Charlotte pathetic for blaming them. Peyton Royce imitated Charlotte and pretended she was a “cranky-poo” baby.

Flair leaped off the ring apron and charged at Royce and Kay. The IIconics teamed up on Charlotte and beat her down. Becky Lynch’s music hit and Becky rushed down the ramp for the save. A bunch of referees separated them as SmackDown went to a commercial break.

When SmackDown returned, Charlotte and Billie Kay were in the middle of a match. Becky Lynch and Peyton Royce were ringside as Carmella took a seat next to the announce table. Charlotte won the match, but was attacked by Carmella and Peyton Royce after the match. They also beatdown Becky Lynch in the corner.

Asuka’s music hit and Asuka sprinted to the ring. Asuka booted Billie Kay in the face and then planted Peyton Royce with a Suplex. Asuka, Becky Lynch and Charlotte stood tall in the ring as Carmella retreated up the entrance ramp.

Opinion: I think both Asuka and Samoa Joe will benefit from being on SmackDown. Samoa Joe will lose to Reigns at WWE Backlash, but will most likely become a bigger star on Tuesday nights. I’m already looking forward to the matches between Joe, Bryan and Styles. Asuka needs to be built up once again after WWE ended her streak at WrestleMania 34.

Big Cass & Nakamura Ruined The Main Event

AJ Styles & Daniel Bryan battled Rusev & Aiden English in the main event of tonight’s episode of SmackDown. The match started out back and forth as SmackDown went to a commercial break.

When SmackDown returned, Aiden English was in control of AJ Styles. Rusev tagged in and continued the beatdown of Styles in the corner. AJ tried to escape and tag in Bryan, but Rusev blocked him and slammed him into the turnbuckle.

English tagged in and connected with a Clothesline for a two count. Styles finally battled back and tagged in Daniel Bryan as the crowd erupted. Rusev tagged in at the same time and Bryan greeted him with a couple of punches to the face. Bryan leveled Rusev with a Clothesline and got fired up.

Bryan connected with a Dropkick in the corner and then dragged Rusev to the mat for the Yes Lock. Aiden English leaped into the ring to break up the submission. Bryan threw English out of the ring and then hit Rusev with a few Yes Kicks. Daniel Bryan connected with a knee to the face as Shinsuke Nakamura delivered a low-blow to AJ Styles on the ring apron.

Big Cass then got into the ring and booted Daniel Bryan in the face. Big Cass raised his fist in the ring as Nakamura taunted AJ on the outside. Big Cass’ new theme hit as he stood over Bryan in the ring.

Renee Young approached Shinsuke Nakamura on the entrance ramp and asked him why he attacked AJ Styles again. Nakamura once again said “no speak English” as SmackDown went off the air.

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/986424845834563585

Opinion: I am enjoying Shinsuke Nakamura as a heel and am looking forward to seeing where his storyline goes with AJ Styles. As for Big Cass, WWE was pushing him before his injury last year. Cass made his return tonight and took out fan favorite Daniel Bryan. I always Cass that he was a little wooden and boring with his promos when he was feuding with Enzo last year. I am hoping that Bryan can bring the best out of him and get the crowd to despise him. Tonight was a good start for Big Cass in his return and hopefully that continues.

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