6 Takeaways From WWE SmackDown (4/17)

By
Robert Lentini
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bryan cass smackdown

The April 17th, 2018 episode of WWE SmackDown aired live from Providence, RI. It was the second night of WWE’s Superstar Shake-Up.

Jeff Hardy, Samoa Joe, Big Cass, Asuka, Gallows & Anderson, SAnity (Killian Dain, Alexander Wolfe & Eric Young), Sheamus & Cesaro, Andrade “Cien” Almas & Zelina Vega all were announced to join SmackDown’s roster. You can check those out in the links below:

Here are 6 takeaways from this week’s show:

6Daniel Bryan Saved AJ Styles

5Jeff Hardy Joined The SmackDown Roster

4The Bludgeon Brothers Showed The Usos Some Mercy

Harper faced Jey Uso tonight on SmackDown. Jimmy Uso accompanied Jey to the ring as Rowan was also ringisde for the match. Harper defeated Jey with ease after planted him with a Discus Clothesline.

After the match, the Bludgeon Brothers beatdown The Usos and grabbed their mallets. Naomi rang down to the ring to check on her husband, Jimmy Uso, and begged The Bludgeon Brothers to stop. Harper and Rowan then backed away and retreated up the entrance ramp.

3Samoa Joe Joined The SmackDown Roster

2Asuka Is On SmackDown

Carmella came down to the ring to celebrate becoming SmackDown Women’s Champion. Carmella mocked the crowd for chanting “you deserve it!” and said that she didn’t need their approval. She added that she waited for the perfect time to take her rightful spot on the top of the women’s division.

Carmella then cackled in the ring after bragging about defeating Charlotte Flair. She then raised the title and claimed that her cash in last week was historic. Carmella claimed that last week will go down as “biggest moment in all of women’s history”. Carmella then rolled a video tribute to herself.

She then referred to the SmackDown Women’s Championship as “Cleopatra”. Charlotte Flair interrupted and came down to the entrance ramp as the crowd chanted “woo!”. Charlotte stated that the only reason that Carmella had the MITB briefcase was because of James Ellsworth and that she only was able to cash in because of Billie Kay and Peyton Royce.

Charlotte congratulated Carmella on cashing in on an opportunity. Flair stated that it is much easier to get to the top than to stay at the top. Billie Kay & Peyton Royce (The IIconics) interrupted and called Charlotte pathetic for blaming them. Peyton Royce imitated Charlotte and pretended she was a “cranky-poo” baby.

Flair leaped off the ring apron and charged at Royce and Kay. The IIconics teamed up on Charlotte and beat her down. Becky Lynch’s music hit and Becky rushed down the ramp for the save. A bunch of referees separated them as SmackDown went to a commercial break.

When SmackDown returned, Charlotte and Billie Kay were in the middle of a match. Becky Lynch and Peyton Royce were ringside as Carmella took a seat next to the announce table. Charlotte won the match, but was attacked by Carmella and Peyton Royce after the match. They also beatdown Becky Lynch in the corner.

Asuka’s music hit and Asuka sprinted to the ring. Asuka booted Billie Kay in the face and then planted Peyton Royce with a Suplex. Asuka, Becky Lynch and Charlotte stood tall in the ring as Carmella retreated up the entrance ramp.

Opinion: I think both Asuka and Samoa Joe will benefit from being on SmackDown. Samoa Joe will lose to Reigns at WWE Backlash, but will most likely become a bigger star on Tuesday nights. I’m already looking forward to the matches between Joe, Bryan and Styles. Asuka needs to be built up once again after WWE ended her streak at WrestleMania 34.

1Big Cass & Nakamura Ruined The Main Event

AJ Styles & Daniel Bryan battled Rusev & Aiden English in the main event of tonight’s episode of SmackDown. The match started out back and forth as SmackDown went to a commercial break.

When SmackDown returned, Aiden English was in control of AJ Styles. Rusev tagged in and continued the beatdown of Styles in the corner. AJ tried to escape and tag in Bryan, but Rusev blocked him and slammed him into the turnbuckle.

English tagged in and connected with a Clothesline for a two count. Styles finally battled back and tagged in Daniel Bryan as the crowd erupted. Rusev tagged in at the same time and Bryan greeted him with a couple of punches to the face. Bryan leveled Rusev with a Clothesline and got fired up.

Bryan connected with a Dropkick in the corner and then dragged Rusev to the mat for the Yes Lock. Aiden English leaped into the ring to break up the submission. Bryan threw English out of the ring and then hit Rusev with a few Yes Kicks. Daniel Bryan connected with a knee to the face as Shinsuke Nakamura delivered a low-blow to AJ Styles on the ring apron.

Big Cass then got into the ring and booted Daniel Bryan in the face. Big Cass raised his fist in the ring as Nakamura taunted AJ on the outside. Big Cass’ new theme hit as he stood over Bryan in the ring.

Renee Young approached Shinsuke Nakamura on the entrance ramp and asked him why he attacked AJ Styles again. Nakamura once again said “no speak English” as SmackDown went off the air.

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Opinion: I am enjoying Shinsuke Nakamura as a heel and am looking forward to seeing where his storyline goes with AJ Styles. As for Big Cass, WWE was pushing him before his injury last year. Cass made his return tonight and took out fan favorite Daniel Bryan. I always Cass that he was a little wooden and boring with his promos when he was feuding with Enzo last year. I am hoping that Bryan can bring the best out of him and get the crowd to despise him. Tonight was a good start for Big Cass in his return and hopefully that continues.