Shane McMahon & Daniel Bryan had a tense altercation.
With tension seemingly seeping through every single decision made on SmackDown LIVE, Commissioner Shane McMahon and General Manager Daniel Bryan attempted to once again hash out their differences in the ring, this time revolving around Bryan’s decision to give Kevin Owens or Sami Zayn another WWE Title opportunity.
Shane-O-Mac could not get over the fact that he believes Bryan’s “Land of Opportunity” was now only granting opportunities to two Superstars: Owens and Zayn. Bryan retorted by saying that after the Royal Rumble controversy, he thought Shane would be delighted by the idea of his two least-favorite Superstars finally having to rip one another to shreds. Shane didn’t buy Bryan’s reasoning, suggesting that the former two-time WWE Champion was just trying to live vicariously through the leaders of The “Yep!” Movement.
This accusation seemed to take Daniel aback, but before he could respond, WWE Champion AJ Styles hit the scene to say his peace; he was frustrated with both Shane and Bryan for the way they’ve handled Owens & Zayn, but regardless of who he faces at WWE Fastlane, the WWE Champion fully intends to be Phenomenal and walk out with the gold before heading on to WrestleMania. (Via WWE.com)
Shane-O-Mac could not get over the fact that he believes Bryan’s “Land of Opportunity” was now only granting opportunities to two Superstars: Owens and Zayn. Bryan retorted by saying that after the Royal Rumble controversy, he thought Shane would be delighted by the idea of his two least-favorite Superstars finally having to rip one another to shreds. Shane didn’t buy Bryan’s reasoning, suggesting that the former two-time WWE Champion was just trying to live vicariously through the leaders of The “Yep!” Movement.
This accusation seemed to take Daniel aback, but before he could respond, WWE Champion AJ Styles hit the scene to say his peace; he was frustrated with both Shane and Bryan for the way they’ve handled Owens & Zayn, but regardless of who he faces at WWE Fastlane, the WWE Champion fully intends to be Phenomenal and walk out with the gold before heading on to WrestleMania. (Via WWE.com)
SmackDown Women's Champion, Charlotte Flair defeated Liv Morgan by submission.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair once again found herself at a numbers disadvantage as she took on Liv Morgan, who was backed up by The Riott Squad. The Queen, who was speculated to have requested the match after The Riott Squad savagely attacked her last week, kept control in the early goings, but the feeling that Ruby Riott & Sarah Logan could interject never dissipated.
Eventually, Logan hopped up on the ring apron to distract Flair and the official, and Riott saved Morgan by pulling her out of the ring. Their tactics would not pay their usual dividends this time, however, as Riott was caught in the act, and she and Logan were ejected from ringside. This allowed Flair to put Morgan down with a massive big boot before applying the Figure-Eight for the tapout victory. After the contest, Flair said “one down, two to go,” suggesting that she wasn’t quite done with The Riott Squad. (Via WWE.com)
Eventually, Logan hopped up on the ring apron to distract Flair and the official, and Riott saved Morgan by pulling her out of the ring. Their tactics would not pay their usual dividends this time, however, as Riott was caught in the act, and she and Logan were ejected from ringside. This allowed Flair to put Morgan down with a massive big boot before applying the Figure-Eight for the tapout victory. After the contest, Flair said “one down, two to go,” suggesting that she wasn’t quite done with The Riott Squad. (Via WWE.com)
The Bludgeon Brothers defeated Local Competition.
With The Bludgeon Brothers quickly rising up the ranks in the SmackDown Tag Team division, Harper & Rowan took on two local competitors with SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos certainly keeping an eye on the bout.
As for the bludgeonings? Well, they continued, as Harper & Rowan decimated their competition yet again and picked up another devastating victory. After the match, The Bludgeon Brothers proceeded to exit up the ramp when they were interrupted by The Usos. Jimmy & Jay walked around Harper & Rowan, but the rough and tumble tag team barely acknowledged them, opting to instead just grab their hammers and walk away. And, although still confident, The Usos did appear to have a brief moment of uncertainty as they stared down the two behemoths. (Via WWE.com)
As for the bludgeonings? Well, they continued, as Harper & Rowan decimated their competition yet again and picked up another devastating victory. After the match, The Bludgeon Brothers proceeded to exit up the ramp when they were interrupted by The Usos. Jimmy & Jay walked around Harper & Rowan, but the rough and tumble tag team barely acknowledged them, opting to instead just grab their hammers and walk away. And, although still confident, The Usos did appear to have a brief moment of uncertainty as they stared down the two behemoths. (Via WWE.com)
SmackDown Tag Team Champions, The Usos laid down the Uso Street Code.
Echoing their sentiments from last week, SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos took center stage on SmackDown LIVE to remind every other tag team on the blue brand that they were still on lockdown in The Uso Penitentiary. Jimmy & Jey stated that their shouts of “Locked Down” means they have turned their competitors’ minds into prisons … and, so far, they have not been proven wrong. (Via WWE.com)
SmackDown Live GM, Daniel Bryan reveals the first-ever SmackDown Live Top 10 Superstars list.
Daniel Bryan has revealed the first-ever SmackDown LIVE Top 10 Superstars List, as voted on by the Superstars of Team Blue. According to Bryan, the list will influence how he and SmackDown LIVE Commissioner Shane McMahon determine future matchups and opportunities.
When voting, Superstars had to consider locker room leadership, talent and athletic skill. Superstars could not vote for themselves, and neither Bryan nor McMahon voted on the list.
The list is as follows:
10. Tye Dillinger
9. Randy Orton
8. Becky Lynch
7. SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos
6. The New Day
5. United States Champion Bobby Roode
4. Naomi
3. Shinsuke Nakamura
2. SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair
1. WWE Champion AJ Styles
What do you think about the rankings? Let your voice be heard in the comments below and on social media using the hashtag #SDLiveTop10 ! (Via WWE.com)
When voting, Superstars had to consider locker room leadership, talent and athletic skill. Superstars could not vote for themselves, and neither Bryan nor McMahon voted on the list.
The list is as follows:
10. Tye Dillinger
9. Randy Orton
8. Becky Lynch
7. SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos
6. The New Day
5. United States Champion Bobby Roode
4. Naomi
3. Shinsuke Nakamura
2. SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair
1. WWE Champion AJ Styles
What do you think about the rankings? Let your voice be heard in the comments below and on social media using the hashtag #SDLiveTop10 ! (Via WWE.com)
United States Championship: UNITED STATES CHAMPION, Bobby Roode defeated Rusev.
After his huge Fatal-4 Way Match victory last week earned him a title opportunity, Rusev took on United States Champion Bobby Roode for the star-spangled title on SmackDown LIVE.
The Glorious One (who ranked No. 5 on the brand-new SmackDown LIVE Top 10 list) and The Bulgarian Brute battled it out in a competitive contest that saw momentum swing back and forth like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson dangling from the top of a building in the new “Skyscraper” trailer. Roode sullied Rusev Day when he deftly escaped the Accolade just before The Bulgarian Brute could get it synched in and immediately connected with the Glorious DDT for the win.
However, the story wasn’t over there. As Roode began to celebrate after the match, he was met swiftly with an RKO out of nowhere from Randy Orton. The Viper then preyed on Aiden English and Rusev, putting them down with ring-rattling RKOs as well. The Apex Predator’s motives were unknown, but undeniably effective. (Via WWE.com)
The Glorious One (who ranked No. 5 on the brand-new SmackDown LIVE Top 10 list) and The Bulgarian Brute battled it out in a competitive contest that saw momentum swing back and forth like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson dangling from the top of a building in the new “Skyscraper” trailer. Roode sullied Rusev Day when he deftly escaped the Accolade just before The Bulgarian Brute could get it synched in and immediately connected with the Glorious DDT for the win.
However, the story wasn’t over there. As Roode began to celebrate after the match, he was met swiftly with an RKO out of nowhere from Randy Orton. The Viper then preyed on Aiden English and Rusev, putting them down with ring-rattling RKOs as well. The Apex Predator’s motives were unknown, but undeniably effective. (Via WWE.com)
Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable defeated The Ascension.
Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable’s new motive: Take out all the “funny guys” of the SmackDown LIVE Tag Team division. Last week, they targeted and defeated Breezango; this week, they squared off against The Ascension.
Konnor & Viktor attempted to use their size and grit advantages to wear their opponents down with a unique flurry of offensive maneuvers, but Benjamin & Gable persevered, connecting with their wicked powerbomb/bulldog combo for the win. (Via WWE.com)
Konnor & Viktor attempted to use their size and grit advantages to wear their opponents down with a unique flurry of offensive maneuvers, but Benjamin & Gable persevered, connecting with their wicked powerbomb/bulldog combo for the win. (Via WWE.com)
Daniel Bryan announced a Triple Threat match for the WWE Title at WWE FastLane, after Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn ended in a no-Contest.
In a high-stakes main event, best friends Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn squared off with the chance to challenge WWE Champion AJ Styles (who was doing guest commentary) at WWE Fastlane on the line.
The two “Yep!” Movement members treaded cautiously at the onset of the contest, with neither wanting to go full force against their buddy. As the action picked up and their respective onslaughts got more explosive, the action spilled to the outside. Once there, Zayn confronted Styles with a look suggesting that he was ready to brawl. The Phenomenal One, clearly fed up with both members of “Kami,” struck both Zayn and Owens, leading to the match being thrown out. Styles’ attack had Kevin & Sami reeling, allowing Styles to hit a Springboard Crossbody onto them on the outside.
The chaos brought Daniel Bryan back out with a major announcement. Bryan, citing the superlative performances by Owens and Zayn and the outside interference by Styles, declared that The Phenomenal One will defend the WWE Title against Owens & Zayn at WWE Fastlane in a Triple Threat Match! (Via WWE.com)
The two “Yep!” Movement members treaded cautiously at the onset of the contest, with neither wanting to go full force against their buddy. As the action picked up and their respective onslaughts got more explosive, the action spilled to the outside. Once there, Zayn confronted Styles with a look suggesting that he was ready to brawl. The Phenomenal One, clearly fed up with both members of “Kami,” struck both Zayn and Owens, leading to the match being thrown out. Styles’ attack had Kevin & Sami reeling, allowing Styles to hit a Springboard Crossbody onto them on the outside.
The chaos brought Daniel Bryan back out with a major announcement. Bryan, citing the superlative performances by Owens and Zayn and the outside interference by Styles, declared that The Phenomenal One will defend the WWE Title against Owens & Zayn at WWE Fastlane in a Triple Threat Match! (Via WWE.com)
Kalisto defeated Lince Dorado. (WWE Cruiserweight Championship Tournament First Round)
Despite sharing a close bond with Lince Dorado as lucha brothers, Kalisto would not let friendship get in the way of his opportunity to reclaim the WWE Cruiserweight Championship. Before the match got underway, The King of Flight and The Golden Lynx shook hands in a show of sportsmanship before tensely looking up at the WrestleMania sign.
Kalisto managed to gain an advantage as Dorado retreated to the outside of the ring, and The King of Flight followed with a high-impact dive. However, momentum soon shifted, and The Golden Lynx reciprocated with a flip over the ropes on top of his opponent, much to the delight of the WWE Universe.
In control of the contest – and looking at the WWE Cruiserweight Championship on display at ringside, The Golden Lynx grew more aggressive and kept his lucha brother on the defensive. Kalisto did his best to battle back, but he was stopped in his tracks by an incredible super-hurricanrana.
The incredible maneuver took as much out of Dorado as it did Kalisto, and the two luchadors began exchanging hard-hitting blows. The drive of both competitors was on display, especially when Lince grabbed the ropes to stop a three-count after receiving a Salida del Sol.
The battle continued with The Golden Lynx taking advantage of his own survival and hitting the Shooting Star Press. Unfortunately for Dorado, Kalisto rolled out of the ring to regain his bearings and returned to the action. Catching his opponent with an incredible springboard reverse hurricanrana, Kalisto executed the Salida del Sol for a second time to secure the win. (Via WWE.com)
Kalisto managed to gain an advantage as Dorado retreated to the outside of the ring, and The King of Flight followed with a high-impact dive. However, momentum soon shifted, and The Golden Lynx reciprocated with a flip over the ropes on top of his opponent, much to the delight of the WWE Universe.
In control of the contest – and looking at the WWE Cruiserweight Championship on display at ringside, The Golden Lynx grew more aggressive and kept his lucha brother on the defensive. Kalisto did his best to battle back, but he was stopped in his tracks by an incredible super-hurricanrana.
The incredible maneuver took as much out of Dorado as it did Kalisto, and the two luchadors began exchanging hard-hitting blows. The drive of both competitors was on display, especially when Lince grabbed the ropes to stop a three-count after receiving a Salida del Sol.
The battle continued with The Golden Lynx taking advantage of his own survival and hitting the Shooting Star Press. Unfortunately for Dorado, Kalisto rolled out of the ring to regain his bearings and returned to the action. Catching his opponent with an incredible springboard reverse hurricanrana, Kalisto executed the Salida del Sol for a second time to secure the win. (Via WWE.com)
Akira Tozawa vs. Mark Andrews & Tony Nese vs. Drew Gulak is set for next week.
Through the WWE Cruiserweight Championship Tournament, WWE 205 Live General Manager Drake Maverick is ensuring the highest level of competition the division has to offer, as the next two first-round matches were announced on WWE 205 Live.
Former WWE Cruiserweight Champion Akira Tozawa will battle U.K. Championship Tournament contender Mark Andrews in what is sure to be a fast-paced contest. Andrews made his first WWE 205 Live appearance last year when he teamed up with Cedric Alexander to defeat Joseph Connors and James Drake. The U.K. Championship Tournament semifinalist faces a daunting but huge opportunity against The Stamina Monster.
After being confronted by Drake Maverick about the trajectory of their respective careers, friends and frequent tag team partners Drew Gulak and Tony Nese were informed that, as part of the changes underway on WWE 205 Live, the two would face each other in a first-round contest of the WWE Cruiserweight Championship tournament next week. (Via WWE.com)
Former WWE Cruiserweight Champion Akira Tozawa will battle U.K. Championship Tournament contender Mark Andrews in what is sure to be a fast-paced contest. Andrews made his first WWE 205 Live appearance last year when he teamed up with Cedric Alexander to defeat Joseph Connors and James Drake. The U.K. Championship Tournament semifinalist faces a daunting but huge opportunity against The Stamina Monster.
After being confronted by Drake Maverick about the trajectory of their respective careers, friends and frequent tag team partners Drew Gulak and Tony Nese were informed that, as part of the changes underway on WWE 205 Live, the two would face each other in a first-round contest of the WWE Cruiserweight Championship tournament next week. (Via WWE.com)
Roderick Strong defeated Hideo Itami. (WWE CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT FIRST ROUND)
Looking for the opportunity to compete at WrestleMania for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship, NXT Superstar Roderick Strong stepped up to take on Hideo Itami in the first round of the WWE Cruiserweight Championship Tournament. Both Superstars have battled all over the world – including against each other – but now the stakes were higher than ever.
As the contest got underway, both Itami and Strong showed off their technical prowess to a stalemate, each looking for the right opening to mount a full-fledged offense. Strong eventually took control and unleashed stinging strikes across Itami’s chest, but the Japanese Superstar soon turned the tables. First unleashing a series of high-powered kicks, Itami struck with a diving leg drop from the top.
However, as Itami unleashed aggressive strikes, Strong displayed his resilience and his ability to adapt and innovate to shift the tide.
The two continued to strike back and forth with a mix of agile moves and hard-hitting blows. Battling to the outside, the two again threw punches and elbows before Strong incredibly picked up his opponent and threw him back-first into the ring apron.
Knowing the stakes, Strong and Itami remained unrelenting – Itami even executing a super Falcon Arrow, but to no avail as Strong kicked out of the pinfall.
Just as Itami thought he was about to put his opponent down for good, Strong countered, executing a jumping high knee before securing a hard-fought victory and advancing in the tournament with the End of Heartache. (Via WWE.com)
As the contest got underway, both Itami and Strong showed off their technical prowess to a stalemate, each looking for the right opening to mount a full-fledged offense. Strong eventually took control and unleashed stinging strikes across Itami’s chest, but the Japanese Superstar soon turned the tables. First unleashing a series of high-powered kicks, Itami struck with a diving leg drop from the top.
However, as Itami unleashed aggressive strikes, Strong displayed his resilience and his ability to adapt and innovate to shift the tide.
The two continued to strike back and forth with a mix of agile moves and hard-hitting blows. Battling to the outside, the two again threw punches and elbows before Strong incredibly picked up his opponent and threw him back-first into the ring apron.
Knowing the stakes, Strong and Itami remained unrelenting – Itami even executing a super Falcon Arrow, but to no avail as Strong kicked out of the pinfall.
Just as Itami thought he was about to put his opponent down for good, Strong countered, executing a jumping high knee before securing a hard-fought victory and advancing in the tournament with the End of Heartache. (Via WWE.com)