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KELLER’S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
MARCH 27, 2018
PITTSBURGH, PA. AT PPG PAINTS ARENA
AIRED LIVE ON USA NETWORK
Announcers: Tom Philips, Corey Graves, Byron Saxton
LISTEN TO THIS WEEK’S WADE KELLER PRO WRESTLING POST-SHOW REACTING TO THIS EPISODE…
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[HOUR ONE]
-They went to the announcers first. They threw to a five minute video recap of last week’s big angle with Daniel Bryan being attacked viciously by Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn after he fired them, plus earlier in the show Bryan talked about being medically cleared to return to the ring. Phillips said after the video package they were wondering if Bryan would be able to appear on Smackdown to address what happened.
(1) BOBBY ROODE & RANDY ORTON vs. JINDER MAHAL (w/Samil Singh) & RUSEV (w/Aiden English)
After Roode and Orton each came out to their entrance music, Jinder and Singh walked out. Singh had his right arm in a sling and his neck in a brace. Jinder said because of their attack last week, this “noble tiger” cannot compete tonight. He said he has traded a tiger for a lion this week; out came Rusev with English. Orton tilted his head as he soaked up the upgrade for Jinder. Graves excitedly said, “It just became Rusev Day!” (All I’m thinking at this point is how much sense it would make for Rusev to turn against Jinder here and officially become babyface just in time for Bryan to pick him as his partner against Owens & Sami for WrestleMania. The announcers hadn’t mentioned Shane’s condition yet.)
The bell to start the match rang 11 minutes into the show. Roode hit an early blockbuster on Jinder to score a two count. Samil stood on the ring apron to yell at Roode. Roode grabbed him and was about to punch him when Orton yanked him off the ring apron and threw him into the ringside barrier. Roode, for some stupid reason, was upset at Orton. They argued as they cut to a break. [c]
(Keller’s Analysis: With all due respect to Bayley and Sasha Banks, Roode being upset at Orton there might be the most stupid argument in pro wrestling in years. I hope that’s part of a Roode heel turn, because what a pointless reason to become upset.)
The announcers talked about apparent tension between Orton and Roode. Roode imitated Orton with a standing high dropkick. Orton applauded. Jinder got in some offense against Orton until a hot-tag to Roode at 9:00. Roode signaled for his Glorious DDT, but as he waited for Jinder to stand, Jinder recovered enough to block it. Roode instead hit a spinebuster. Rusev broke up the pin. Roode sidestepped a charging Rusev, but Jinder then surprised Roode with a kick to score a near fall. They cut to a break, but showed the action on split screen. Rusev and then Jinder got in sustained offense on Roode during the break. [c]
Eventually Orton tagged in and rallied against Rusev. He landed a powerslam and then a DDT off the middle of rope. ROrton played to the crowd, then signaled for the RKO. Jinder tried to interfere, but Roode cut him off. Jinder knocked Roode into Orton. Orton then shoved Roode. Roode shoved back. Orton gave Roode an RKO. Rusev then surprised Orton with a Machka kick and scored the pin. Phillips said the wedge is being driven deeper between Roode and Orton.
WINNERS: Rusev & Mahal in 16:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: That finish could lead to Rusev being added to the U.S. Title match, which would make sense in that it puts Jinder in a position of sympathy being in the ring with two babyfaces. Then again, Rusev is a defacto babyface.)
-The announcers hyped Shelton Benjamin vs. Shinsuke Nakamura. [c]
-An elated Jinder approached Rusev and English backstage and thanked him for being his partner. He invited him to join him after WrestleMania for his U.S. Title victory party. He said he’d get him front row tickets at WrestleMania. Rusev smiled sarcastically, then said he’s got a better idea. He said he’s going to find Bryan and turn the Triple Threat match for the U.S. Title into a Fatal Four-way. English sang as they walked away. Jinder then told Samil to “take off that ridiculous neck brace.” Samil did, revealing it was a sham.
-In a locker room, Nakamura walked up to A.J. Styles. He asked if he’s okay. He said last week he wanted to help him, but Styles didn’t want his help. He worried he was losing his confidence. He said he wants him at his best at WrestleMania. He said Styles wants him at his best, too. He asked Styles to be in his corner tonight for his match. Styles said he’d keep an eye out for Chad Gable so nothing gets in the way of their dream match at WrestleMania.
-Becky Lynch made her ring entrance. Ruby Riott made her ring entrance with the rest of the Riott Squad. [c]
(2) BECKY LYNCH vs. RUBY RIOTT
The announcers said Ruby called out Lynch. They fought at ringside early, but Riott took over as Lynch tried to return to the ring. The announcers talked about the Women’s Battle Royal at WrestleMania. Graves said nobody will be loyal to each other because they all want to become champion. Sarah Logan distracted Lynch when she climbed to the top rope, giving Riott an opening. She tried to pin Lynch with her legs on the second rope. The ref saw it. Riott complained. Lynch shoved Riott into a Sarah Logan and rolled her up for a near fall. She tried again and got a leverage three count. After the match Lynch fended off Logan and Morgan. It was a little teaser of a battle royal type of situation as she tossed them out of the ring. Lynch then celebrated as her music played.
WINNER: Lynch.
-They showed Bryan backstage. Phillips said he’d come out to address “the universe” next. [c]
-Bryan came out to his entrance music. Fans chanted “Daniel Bryan!” as he walked onto the stage. He said last week was one of the biggest nights of his career because he got the news he could go back to wrestling. He said he has a job to do as G.M. of Smackdown. He said they’ve said it thousand times that Smackdown is the “land of opportunities.” He said therefore he has proposed one more opportunity for KO and Sami – “but just one.”
[HOUR TWO]
Bryan proposed KO & Sami face him and Shane McMahon at WrestleMania. He looked ghostly and solemn, though, as he said it. He said as a result of complications from the attack by KO & Sami, Shane is hospitalized, but he believes he’ll be ready by WrestleMania. He said if KO & Sami lose, they’ll be fired. He said if KO & Sami win, they will be reinstated to Smackdown Live. He said people have asked why he is giving KO and Sami so many opportunities. He said he has done so because he believes they are two of the greatest performers of their generation, he’s known them 15 years, they have struggled together, and when he needed it they have given him a bed.
He said he is sick of meetings and the responsibilities that come with his job as G.M. He said he’s sick of wearing the blazers “or whatever the hell that thing is.” He said he fought for three years to return to the ring and Sami & KO tried to take that away from him. Boos from the fans. He said he doesn’t care how many times you kick him in the face, he is back and he will fight at WrestleMania. He quickly pointed at the WrestleMania sign. “Yes!” chants broke out.
He said there are things he’s wanted to say, but he felt as a role model and as a G.M. he shouldn’t say them. He said this is not Daniel Bryan the Underdog or Daniel Bryan the G.M., this is the Daniel Bryan who fights for his dreams and won’t take no for an answer and will knock down any wall that is put in front of him, this is the Bryan who is going to kick the asses of KO and Sami at WrestleMania.
(Keller’s Analysis: His demeanor was so grim for 95 percent of the segment it was kind of a downer, but it really picked up at the end with a fiery outburst of determination.)
-Phillips said they’d have an update on Shane McMahon later.
-A selfie promo aired with Benjamin and Gable. The Words on the Screen were back. Shelton said he would TURN IT UP against Nakamura. Gable was upset they weren’t on WrestleMania.
-Graves plugged New Day vs. Bludgeon Brothers. [c]
-Phillips said Bryan added Rusev to the U.S. Title match at WrestleMania.
-Before the match The New Day entered the ring and said they discovered the Road to WrestleMania was “bludgeoned with trash.” They pointed at the WrestleMania sign together. They cut a pretty serious promo about the Bludgeon Brothers, then gyrated and swiveled together at the end. The Bludgeon Brothers came out next. [c]
(3) NEW DAY vs. THE BLUDGEON BROTHERS
They cut to a break during the Bludgeon Brothers’ entrance. They showed the start of the match on split screen. The heels got the early advantage on Xavier. Chaos broke out with everyone, with the Bludgeon Brothers getting the better of New Day. When Erick Rowan was going to introduce mallets into the match, the Usos ran out and attacked them from behind.
WINNERS: No contest.
-Afterward The New Day yelled at the Usos, unhappy they came out. The Bludgeon Brothers interrupted their argument by charging into the ring with mallets. The Usos and New Day retreated toward the back as the Bludgeon Brothers stood in the ring and their music played.
-They replayed a clip from Bryan’s promo. Then they showed that Sami Zayn, via Twitter, “gladly accepted” Bryan’s terms. He said Bryan just made the biggest mistake of his life and they will deliver the worst beating ever. Phillips said Shane suffered a hernia from the attack and then also was diagnosed with diverticulitis, but he was discharged from the hospital earlier. He said it sounds like Bryan knows more about the situation than they do. Then they ran down the WrestleMania line-up. [c]
-The announcers said the match with Bryan & Shane vs. Sami & KO is now official. Phillips said they’d keep everyone updated on the physical status of Shane as they get closer to WrestleMania.
-A video package aired on Charlotte vs. Asuka.
(4) DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. TYLER BREEZE (w/Fandango)
Phillips said, as Ziggler came out, that Breeze, Fandango, and Ziggler have all been added to the Andre the Giant Battle Royal. When Graves talked about the embarrassment of Fandango or Breeze winning the battle royal, Phillips brought up that Fandango once beat Chris Jericho at WrestleMania. After his win, Ziggler admired the Andre trophy and then superkicked Fandango.
WINNER: Ziggler.
-The announcers asked fans to vote for whether Becky, Lana, or Carmella would replace Charlotte temporarily as Roode’s partner on Mixed Match Challenge. [c]
-Phillips hyped that the Usos would defend against The New Day and the Bludgeon Brothers at WrestleMania.
(5) SHINSUKE NAKAMURA (w/A.J. Styles) vs. SHELTON BENJAMIN (w/Chad Gable)
They cut to an early break. [c]
During the match Styles yanked Gable off the ring apron. Nakamura won clean with a Kinshasa.
WINNER: Nakamura.
-After the match, Nakamura thanked Styles for being in his corner. He said he never needed his help, though. He said he only wanted him to at ringside to see how he would beat him at WrestleMania. Styles laughed and said he’s playing mind games. Styles said it’s not just a dream match for the fans, but it’s a dream match for him, too. He said they’ll tear down the house because that’s what they do and they will put on a clinic. He said he sees the ending of the match differently than Nakamura, though. He said outside of him, Nakamura is considered the best. He said when he beats Nakamura, though, then it proves he is better than the best and he is Phenomenal and that This is the House at A.J. Styles Built. He got fired up. Nakamura stayed calm, then made a funny face and said he will beat him at WrestleMania because he is too emotional.
Gable and Benjamin attacked Styles as soon as Nakamura left the ring to his music. Nakamura made a prompt save and cleared the ring of the two heels. Nakamura then teased giving Styles a Kinshasa kick, but instead stopped short, and patted and pet his head, and then backed away. “Talk about a mind game,” said Graves. Phillips said the psychological warfare was taken to a whole new level.
[END SHOW]
LISTEN TO THIS WEEK’S WADE KELLER PRO WRESTLING POST-SHOW REACTING TO THIS EPISODE…
Subscribe to download the show by searching “Wade Keller” in Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts!
NOW CHECK OUT LAST WEEK’S REPORT: KELLER’S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 3/20: Daniel Bryan to appear live day he was medically cleared, Styles-Nakamura hype, U.S. Title hype, more
I’m curious as to why they put Asuka in the mixed match challenge [which has been kind of fun] since we know she isn’t losing the streak there which means Asuka and Miz win it all. At first I thought they might have Miz get pinned but they keep hyping on the fact a Miz loss is an Asuka loss, which I think is wrong. These little side shows can be fun, Mae Young was good until Vince inserted WWE politics into it.