This week’s Smackdown Live started with Charlotte Flair heading to the ring. Charlotte talked about how Becky Lynch’s attitude is what got her suspended last night. Charlotte said she was healthy and wanted to face Ronda Rousey, and then pointed at the Wrestlemania sign. As she pointed at the sign, a spotlight got on Becky Lynch as she was entering through the crowd. No more limping from Lynch. Lynch got in the ring, and security got around her but refused to do anything. They both shouted at each other until Triple H’s music hit. HHH told Becky to go home and told Charlotte to leave the ring. As HHH was leaving the ring, Becky asked him if Stephanie was medically cleared after she got punched in the face. HHH essentially said that Becky acts tough but is actually scared. He claims that she might actually not be hurt and is scared that the doctor will clear her for the Ronda fight. After he finished his lengthy promo, Lynch slapped him. They had a staredown, and then Lynch left through the crowd. I thought HHH’s promo was a little too long, but was good.
Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Rusev
This next match was Shinsuke Nakamura and Rusev versus Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. The team of Rusev and Shinsuke Nakamura were enemies a couple of weeks ago, but have to co-exist now. After a break Shinsuke tried for a Kinshasa but was given a Spinebuster by Anderson instead. Gallows and Rusev were given hot tags. Anderson and Gallows tried for a Magic Killer but Nakamura came in to stop it. Rusev landed a Matchka Kick to end the match after a great exchange from everyone in the match. Using the logic of the wrestling match last night, the match should have been DQ’d when Nakamura came in. But besides that, the finishing sequence of this match was actually pretty good.
Mustafa Ali vs. Randy Orton
It was announced that next week on Smackdown there will be an episode of McMizTV (Shane and The Miz’s show), with the guests being The Usos. We saw a promo backstage from The Usos. The next match was Mustafa Ali versus Randy Orton. Orton landed a Superplex for a two count. After the break, they were fighting outside the ring, with Ali diving over the commentary table, onto Orton. When Orton got in the ring he was given two Superkicks. Orton tried for a draping DDT but Ali got out of it and landed a move of his own. Ali faked out Orton, making him try for an RKO, and then hit a Tornado DDT off the second rope. Orton took Ali off the top rope when he was trying for a reverse 450 and did an RKO. Great match by both of these guys. After the match, Samoa Joe attack Mustafa Ali.
Daniel Bryan Talks About The Elimination Chamber
Daniel Bryan was in the ring with Erick Rowan to talk to the crowd. Bryan was sporting his new WWE Championship. The crowd was 1000% behind Bryan and he seemed to milk that. Now to be fair this was his home state. Rowan actually talked this time, which I don’t think has happened before. After a video package played, Bryan finished his promo. Wow, a whole segment with no interruptions. That feels like a rarity.
Carmella & Naomi vs. The Iiconics (Peyton Royce & Billie Kay) vs. Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville
We got a triple threat tag team match to preview the Women’s Tag Team Championship match at Elimination Chamber. Deep into the match, Naomi went wild on everyone, nearly kicking Deville’s head off at one point. She got lots of punches in on Mandy because of their recent rivalry. Rose hit Naomi with a move due to Naomi being distracted from dealing with Royce.
Jeff Hardy vs. Daniel Bryan w/ Erick Rowan
The main event of Smackdown was Hardy versus Bryan. Late into this match, Hardy landed a Swanton Bomb. When going for a pin, Rowan dragged Hardy out of the ring, and then attacked him, making the match end via DQ. Bryan put in a Yes Lock after the bell. Samoa Joe came in and attacked Bryan. Mustafa Ali also did a run-in, and took a great Chokeslam from Rowan onto the commentary table. AJ Styles did a run in and got his entrance music. He fought with Orton, who also appeared. This is a rivlary between Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles, with four other guys being background noise. I’m not saying it’s never been like this for a Chamber match, it just shouldn’t be this way.
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