Last week, SmackDown Live focused solely on finishing the United States Championship Tournament. Now that the tournament is over with Bobby Roode as the new US Champ, the blue brand gets back to focusing on other angles heading into the Royal Rumble. Highlights from this week’s show include Shinsuke Nakamura taking on Baron Corbin, Naomi facing Liv Morgan, and AJ styles competing against Kevin Owensboro and Sami Zayn back-to-back.
Opening Segment
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn come to the ring and brag before their handicap WWE Championship match on Sunday. AJ Styles interrupts and goes back and forth with “Kami” until Owens suggests that Styles backs up his words. Owens wants to face Styles one-on-one immediately followed by Zayn doing the same thing.
SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan interrupts and before he can finish his thought, Styles makes the back-to-back matches for him.
Jey Uso (w/Jimy Uso) vs. Chad Gable (w/Shelton Benjamin)
In just five days, the Usos will defend their SmackDown Tag Team Championships against Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin in 2 Out of 3 Falls match. Tonight is the last chance for either team to build momentum heading into that match.
After a collision in the corner, Chad Gable rolls Jey Uso into a deadlift German suplex to pick a clean victory just days before possibly earning his second SmackDown Tag Team Championship. Winner: Chad Gable
Naomi vs. Liv Morgan (w/Ruby Riott & Sarah Logan)
The ongoing battle between the Riott Squad and the rest of the SmackDown Women’s Division continues, pitting Liv Morgan against former two-time SmackDown Women’s Champion Naomi. Both women are involved in the first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble match.
Naomi hits a very high impact sunset flip roll-up onto Liv Morgan and it is all she needs to pick up the victory. After the match ends, the Riott Squad attacks Naomi and the entire division starts brawling. They start throwing each other over the top rope to give a preview of the Royal Rumble until Charlotte Flair interrupts and reminds them that it is all about an opportunity to face her. Winner: Naomi
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Baron Corbin
After a brief trash-talking session backstage, Shinsuke Nakamura and Baron Corbin go head-to-head.
Nakamura has Corbin set up for the Kinshasa knee strike when Randy Orton appears out of nowhere to hit the King of Strong Style with an RKO. Corbin tries to hit Orton but the Viper counters with a second RKO, building much-needed momentum towards the Royal Rumble. Winner (via getting RKO’d): Shinsuke Nakamura
Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, & Bobby Roode (w/Big E) vs. Jinder Mahal, Aiden English, & Rusev (w/Sunil Singh)
This is a bit of a filler match heading into the main event but it could build important momentum for the Royal Rumble event. The New Day, Aiden English, and Rusev are all in the Royal Rumble match. Bobby Roode just became the new United States Champion last week after defeating Jinder Mahal in the finals of the United States Championship Tournament. Later on tonight, Big E will team up with Carmella to face The Miz and Asuka for the Mixed Match Challenge.
AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens
Thanks to the arguing in the opening segment, AJ Styles has to take on Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in back-to-back matches. First, Styles takes on former Universal Champion Owens who he beat for the United States Championship several months ago.
In about a minute, AJ Styles puts Kevin Owens in the Calf Crusher and forces him to tap out. More importantly, Owens seems to be injured. Winner (via submission): AJ Styles
AJ Styles vs. Sami Zayn
Thankfully for AJ Styles, his first match ended really quickly so it is like he is fresh going into this match with Sami Zayn. Although Kevin Owens is injured at ringside, Styles spends the match without his full attention on his opponent.
After rolling Zayn into the ring, Styles pushing Owens off of a gurney. When Styles enters the ring, Zayn immediately hits him with a Helluva Kick. He then follows it up with a Blue Thunder Bomb to pick up a pinfall over the WWE Champion. Winner: Sami Zayn
