Welcome to the Smackdown Review for April 17, 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
Talking Points
Solo
After it was announced last night that Chad Gable would be moving to Raw, one had to wonder how Shelton Benjamin would react. After claiming that his positive message on twitter was a “hack” job, Benjamin told the WWE universe that he wanted some competition. Randy Orton came out to the ring, but suddenly Jeff Hardy came out past him and entered the ring. It seems that the US Title is staying on the blue brand. Benjamin and Hardy had a good match that ended with a Hardy pin fall. His interruption of Orton leads me to believe that a feud with the Viper is coming, Grand Slam vs. Grand Slam.
Stand by Your Man
Jay Uso decided that he would take on Harper a little more than a week before the Usos challenge the Bludgeon Brothers at Greatest Royal Rumble. Harper proved that one brother is just as bad as two as he threw Jay from pillar to post and won with a pin fall. The action did not stop after the bell as Jimmy Uso was brought in to be destroyed. Things looked to get even more ugly when the Brothers pulled out their hammers, but Naomi begged them to stop. Harper and Rowan did, retreating from the ring. The addition of Jimmy’s real-life wife poses some interesting questions. Do the Brothers have a line they will not cross? Can Naomi be used by the Usos to stop the rampage?
New Arrivals
Big Cass in back in action, but the Miz decided to take a week off before joining Smackdown. Samoa Joe brings his brand of destruction to the blue brand. The Bar look to add to their tag team resume, while Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville rejoin their leader. R-Truth might be on Smackdown? Askua looks for new foes to destroy as Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson might trade one club for another. SAnitY moves to the main roster, joining Andrade Cien Almas and Zelina Vega.
Match of the Night
AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan vs. Aden English and Rusev (Styles and Bryan win by DQ)
This match was less about the match, and more about how it ended. Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles is a pay-per-view main event, so forces will have to be put in place to keep them apart until the time is right. For Styles, it is still Nakamura who looks for cheap shots and then won’t explain his actions. For Bryan, Big Cass looks at him to make a name for himself. Both men attacked and left the good guys on the ground. Rusev and Aden English look great as a tag team, but there are now a lot of teams to compete with.
Conclusion
Carmella had her celebration, but it was crashed by Charlotte and Becky Lynch. The new Women’s champion joined the Iconic Due, but Askua made short work of everyone. Joe said that just because he is now on Smackdown, his match with Roman Reigns is still on. It seems all matches are still on for Backlash. A big week is coming up.
