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WWE SmackDown Recap & Reaction (4/25)

SmackDown Live

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Robert Lentini

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Renee Young kicked off this week’s episode of SmackDown and introduced Shinsuke Nakamura. Renee Young was about interview Nakamura but Dolph Ziggler immediately interrupted. Ziggler came down to the ring wearing a suit and a smirk on his face. Ziggler asked Renee for the microphone and she gave it to him and exited the ring. Ziggler poked fun at Nakamura for the way he talked and claimed that Shinsuke stated that Dolph Ziggler is his favorite WWE Superstar.

Ziggler then asked Shinsuke what was up with those wacky moves during his entrance and Nakamura didn’t answer. Ziggler then said that Nakamura’s actual name was Michael, inferring that he was Michael Jackson in disguise. Ziggler said that he googled “Shinsuke Nakamura” and it’s definition is “pathetic overrated freak”. Nakamura then grabbed the microphone and called Ziggler a jackass. Ziggler charged at Nakamura but Shinsuke got the upper hand and slammed him to the mat.

Reaction: This promo was alright. If this is someone’s first time seeing Shinsuke Nakamura, they might not get what the buzz is all about. However, once they see him perform in the ring they will understand it. Ziggler and Nakamura are going to tear the house down when they wrestle and I cannot wait to see it.

AJ Styles vs Baron Corbin

Kevin Owens joined commentary for the match and immediately began insulting Byron Saxton. The match started out back and forth. Corbin launched Styles out of the ring and Kevin Owens laughed as SmackDown went to a commercial break. When SmackDown returned. Corbin was in control of the match and launched Styles into the corner. Corbin then grabbed AJ by the throat and planted Styles with a Backbreaker for a two count.

Corbin began to get frustrated and hit Styles with a couple of forearms to the face. Styles slammed Corbin’s head into the top turnbuckle and then he connected with a Pele Kick. AJ was gearing up for the Phenomenal Forearm but Kevin Owens distracted him. AJ booted Owens in the face. Corbin went to a Powerbomb AJ but Styles rolled him up for the pinfall victory.

After the match, Corbin and Owens stomped on Styles. Sami Zayn sprinted down to the ring and made the save. Zayn hit Corbin with the Helluva Kick but Owens attacked him from behind. Owens threw Zayn out of the ring and planted Styles with a Pop-Up Powerbomb. Owens then raised the United States Championship over Styles as he laid in the ring.

Winner: AJ Styles

Reaction: This was a good match. Corbin always dominates matches and then finds a way to lose. Styles and Owens should have a very entertaining feud after Payback this Sunday.

Charlotte was interviewed backstage about her match later tonight against Naomi for the Smackdown Women’s Championship. Charlotte stated that she was going to take the title tonight and prove that she is already the greatest Superstar ever in WWE.

SmackDown Tag Team #1 Contender Beat The Clock Challenge: American Alpha vs The Colons

This match was back and forth for over five minutes. American Alpha finally hit the Grand Amplitude and won the match at 5 minutes and 17 seconds. The Usos were shown backstage watching the match. The Usos didn’t seem too worried about American Alpha winning. The Ascension will face Breezango later tonight and have to beat 5:17 to become the #1 contenders.

Winners: American Alpha 

Rusev sent in a video and stated that he doesn’t like Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon. Rusev demanded a title match at Money in the Bank. If he does not get it, he will not join the SmackDown roster and return to Bulgaria.

Becky Lynch was confronted backstage by Tamina Snuka, Natalya, Ellsworth and Carmella. They told Lynch to choose wisely on whether she is with them or against them when it comes to Charlotte. Snuka, Natalya, Ellsworth and Carmella are upset that Charlotte already has a shot at the Smackdown Women’s Championship.

No DQ Match: Randy Orton vs Erick Rowan

Rowan started off the match in control. Orton fought back and Clotheslined Rowan out of the ring but Rowan landed on his feet. Orton slammed Rowan into the ring post and then bounced his head off the barricade. Rowan battled back and threw Orton into the steel steps. Back in the ring, Rowan hit a Dropkick for a two count. Rowan grabbed a kendo stick from under the ring and hit Orton several times with it.

Rowan got out of the ring and set up a table ringside. Rowan attempted to Suplex Orton from the ring apron through the table but Orton blocked it. Orton hit Rowan with the kendo stick a couple of times and then shoved Rowan off the ring apron. Rowan went crashing through the table and SmackDown went to a commercial break. When SmackDown returned, Rowan was in control and he got a chair from outside the ring. Rowan set up the chair against the turnbuckle and threw Orton towards it. Orton stopped short and Rowan charged at him. Orton got out of the way and Rowan went head first into the chair. Orton then connected with the RKO for the victory.

After the match, Orton cut a promo about his House of Horrors match with Bray Wyatt at Payback. Orton said that the House of Horrors match will be Bray Wyatt’s eternal hell. Orton raised the title above his head and Jinder Mahal interrupted. Mahal scolded Orton for overlooking him. Mahal bragged about having more wealth, talent, class and culture than anyone in the arena.

Mahal stated that Orton is just like everyone else because he disrespects Mahal for looking different. Mahal then spoke in Punjabi and then tried to attack Orton. Randy was ready for it and knocked Mahal to the mat. The Bollywood Boyz, now known as the Singh Brothers, attacked Orton from behind. Mahal then attacked Orton and slammed him to the mat. Mahal then left Orton in the ring and took the WWE Championship. Mahal was shown exiting the arena in a limo while raising the WWE Championship.

Winner: Randy Orton

Reaction: For the second week in a row, Jinder Mahal cut a great promo. The match between Orton and Rowan was entertaining as well. Orton received very little reaction from the crowd tonight. It is highly unlikely that Jinder Mahal will actually defeat Orton at Backlash and become the WWE Champion. Having said that, I’m already incredibly bored with Orton as WWE Champion.

SmackDown Tag Team #1 Contender Beat The Clock Challenge: Breezango vs The Ascension 

The Ascension controlled the first couple of minutes of the match. Breeze then hit Viktor with a Superkick and Fandango planted Viktor with a Falcon Arrow for the victory in under three minutes. Breezango will now face The Usos at Backlash for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships.

Winners: Breezango

Reaction: Breezango can actually be a good team when they aren’t being booked as a joke. Tyler Breeze is excellent in the ring, but has just been in one awful situation after another. I’m glad Breezango are the number one contenders and I think they can have an entertaining feud with The Usos.

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A video promo for the House of Horrors Match between Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt at Payback was shown.

Naomi was interviewed by Renee Young backstage. Naomi stated that Charlotte has accomplished a lot but doesn’t like her claiming that she is the greatest of all time. Naomi said that Charlotte will feel the glow tonight.

SmackDown Women’s Championship Match: Naomi (c) vs Charlotte

Naomi’s entrance wasn’t even shown. Instead, promos for Payback were aired and then SmackDown to Naomi standing in the ring. Charlotte started off the match in control. Naomi battled back and slammed Charlotte’s head into the second turnbuckle. Charlotte then tripped up Naomi on the ring apron and slung her to the floor outside the ring. SmackDown then went to another commercial break.

When SmackDown returned, Charlotte was still in control of the match in the ring. Charlotte connected with a chop that knocked Naomi to the mat. Charlotte then trapped Naomi in the corner and connected with several chops. Naomi sprung out of the corner and hit Charlotte with a Jawbreaker. Naomi then hit Charlotte with a few kicks, a Hurricanrana and an elbow to the face. Naomi then leveled Charlotte with a kick to the head for a two count. Naomi hit the Rear View but Charlotte kicked out at two.

Charlotte then planted Naomi with a massive Powerbomb for two. Charlotte went for a Moonsault but Naomi got her knees up. Tamina, Natalya and Carmella then attacked Charlotte and Naomi in the ring. Tamina then kicked Charlotte in the face. Tamina then held up Charlotte and Carmella kicked her in the face. Ellsworth, Carmella, Natalya and Tamina then posed in the ring as SmackDown went off the air.

Reaction: The ending to this match was pretty predictable. The only thing that caught me by surprise was that Becky Lynch didn’t come down to the ring and help out Charlotte after the match.  I’m glad that WWE didn’t give Charlotte the Smackdown Women’s Championship right away, that would have been a bit ridiculous. Overall, this week’s episode of SmackDown was decent. I didn’t think either RAW or SmackDown were anything special this week.

What did you think of this week’s episode of SmackDown? Let us know in the comments below.

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