Welcome to the Smackdown Review for March 20, 2018. For both this and Raw, I will go over what the big talking points were, pick the match of the night, and look ahead to the next show. And since the Mixed Match Challenge has started, I will review who won this weeks match up.
Talking Points
YES
The only question was how long Daniel Bryan could get through his speech before he started crying. Talking about the day two years ago when he gave his retirement speech, Bryan talked about being grateful even when he got depressed or angry. It was Brie who told him he needed to stop being grateful and start fighting. He talked about his treatments and going to the doctors. The most memorable line was “When you fight for your dreams, your dreams fight for you.” Saying he was now cleared, Bryan said he didn’t know when he would step into the ring. The crowd had an answer, pointing to the Wrestlemania sign. Just a special moment that you should watch.
One is Still Dangerous
Jimmy Uso took on Luke Harper as their respective partners looked on. While the Bludgeon Brothers are a dangerous tag team, this match reminded everyone that both men are just as dangerous alone. Harper was throwing some of the hardest knife edge chops I had ever seen or heard. Jimmy tried his best, at one point slamming Harper’s head into the LED side of the ring and having Jay superkick him when the referee was distracted. All for naught, as Harper was able to clothesline Jimmy and win the match. With no sign of the New Day, the Usos might face the Brothers by themselves.
Fired
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn came to the ring to talk to Daniel Bryan. After showering him with praise, Bryan replied the attack on Shane McMahon from last week. Talking about how much history the three men had, Bryan had to do what he had to do. He fired both men. Bryan was then attacked as he tried to shake their hands. This was not a straight beat down as Bryan turned the table and looked like his old self, hitting suplexs and running kicks. The numbers game was too much and eventually Bryan was powerbombed on the side of the ring. Bryan is back, and his match at Wrestlemania just came into focus.
Match of the Night
Natalya vs. Charlotte (Natalya wins by pinfall)
Natalya and Charlotte picked up right where they left off, throwing together another instant classic. There were some unbelievable moments, such as Natalya hitting a superplex from the top rope. As both women lay in the ring, Carmella came out and tried to cash in her Money in the Bank contract. Before the bell could be rung, Charlotte kicked Carmella and pushed her out of the ring. This allowed Natalya to roller her up for the win. Charlotte was furious after the match, and did Carmella and Natalya work together to beat the Queen?
Mixed Match Challenge Week 10
The Miz & Askua vs. Braun Strowman & Alexia Bliss (Askua and Miz win submission)
Ladies and gentleman, we have a new winner in the best match in the Mixed Match Challenge. Everything was perfect here, the beginning had Bliss and Miz tagging their partners right after each other. Strowman finally hit a a drop kick on Miz and the match was on. Askua was terrified about her streak being broken, and Bliss and Strowman came very close to kissing. Bliss actually looked in the closing minutes to being the one who broke the streak. Strowman took Miz out by running full speed through him and the ring barricade. Askua was able to make Bliss tap to the Askua lock. After the match we found out that Finn Balor and Sasha won the vote and will face Charlotte and Bobby Roode next week.
Conclusion
Randy Orton, Bobby Roode and Jinder Mahl will face off at Wrestlemania in a Triple Threat Match for the US Title. The Riott Squad and Naomi and Becky Lynch will join the Woman’s Battle Royal. Shinsuke Nakamura was not angry that AJ Styles did not help him after being attacked by Rusev and Aden English. And finally, Thank You Brie.
