Here is what’s in store for tonight:
* Daniel Bryan speaks on WWE clearing him for a ring return
* The women’s division reacts to Asuka
* The Road to WrestleMania 34 continues…
Tonight’s WWE SmackDown opens with a video package on Daniel Bryan being cleared to return to the ring. We see footage of his retirement speech in February 2016 plus other highlights from his WWE run, including his big WrestleMania XXX win.
– We’re live from Dallas, Texas as Tom Phillips welcomes us. He’s joined by Corey Graves and Byron Saxton.
– Fans are already chanting “Yes!” as we go to the ring. Out comes SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan to a big pop as Greg Hamilton does the introduction. Fans chant Bryan’s name as he takes the mic.
Bryan thanks the fans. He says something horrific happened to Shane McMahon last week but he will have to address it later as the two people he needs to speak to aren’t here yet. Bryan says he has something else to talk about. He says he had the hardest time of his life two years ago but he focused on one thing since then – being grateful, no matter how tough things got. Bryan says he has a lot to be grateful for and fans pop. Bryan has an amazing family, amazing friends, the best fans in the world and an amazing, beautiful wife, Brie Bella. Bryan gets emotional now. Bryan says when he was depressed or angry and trying to be grateful, and Brie saw all he wanted to do was get back into the ring, she came to him and said it’s wonderful that he’s grateful but he needed to fight for his dreams. Brie is the one who encouraged him to start seeing specialists. Bryan says when one specialist gave him good reviews, Brie told him to go see another, and another. Fans chant “thank you Brie” now.
Bryan says when he saw another specialist and they cleared him, Brie told him to fight for his dreams because that’s what he does. Bryan says he wasn’t just grateful when he got depressed then, he fought. He goes on about how Brie encouraged him to fight for his dreams and not walk away, saying if he fought for his dreams then they would fight for him. Bryan says every hard thing seems impossible until it becomes real and over the last 2 months he’s asked WWE to look over his case again. WWE sent him to the best neurologists across the country and they all said the same thing – you are cleared. Fans chant “yes!” now. Bryan says there was a time when being cleared to compete in a WWE ring seemed impossible but now it is real. Bryan says he has a lot of thank yous. He says they looked at him as the person, not the wrestler, and he’s thankful for that. He’s also thankful for WWE giving his case a second look. Bryan wants to thank every fan in the arena and every fan at home because they have supported him the entire time. Bryan goes on about the fan support and says he’s incredibly grateful.
Bryan says now it’s time for the fun stuff. He doesn’t know exactly when or where he will get back in the ring but… Bryan looks up and sees the WrestleMania 34 banner and fans pop big. A WrestleMania chant starts up and Bryan asks if that sounds like a good idea. Fans chant “yes!” now. Bryan says he doesn’t know for sure if that is going to happen but will he compete in a WWE ring again? Bryan leads a much louder “yes!” chant as his music hits. Bryan leaves the ring as fans go wild.
– Still to come, will there be repercussion for Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens? Also, Rusev vs. Shinsuke Nakamura. We go to commercial.
– Still to come, will there be repercussions for Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens? Also, Rusev vs. Shinsuke Nakamura. We go to commercial.
– Back from the break and referee Charles Robinson congratulates Daniel Bryan backstage. Bryan asks if Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens are here yet but he hasn’t seen them. Bryan asks Robinson to send them to his office when they arrive. Dolph Ziggler walks up and congratulates Ziggler, wanting to be the first to say he can’t wait to beat Bryan. Bryan says Ziggler can certainly try. Ziggler walks off.
Rusev vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
We go to the ring and Rusev is already out with Aiden English. They watch as Shinsuke Nakamuramakes his way out next for this WWE Fastlane rematch.
The bell rings and Rusev grabs Nakamura by the arm and takes control as fans chant for Nakamura. They tangle and go to the mat before coming back up and facing off. They go to lock up again and Nakamura kicks Rusev. Nakamura ends up taunting Rusev and telling him to bring it. They trade big kicks and then some strikes. Rusev tosses Nakamura into the corner and works him over. Rusev whips Nakamura and hits a kick off the ropes for a 2 count. Back to commercial.
Back from the break and they’re going at it. Nakamura floors Rusev off the ropes. We see WWE Champion AJ Styles watching the match from a chair next to the announcers. Nakamura works Rusev into the corner for some Good Vibrations. Nakamura places Rusev on top of the turnbuckles and hits the high knee to the ribs.
Nakamura waits in the corner but Rusev counters and takes Nakamura down. Rusev goes for The Accolade but it’s blocked. Rusev nails a big kick for a close 2 count as English throws a fit at ringside. Rusev waits for Nakamura to get up now. Nakamura ducks the Machka Kick and takes Rusev down into an armbar for a pop. Rusev counters that but Nakamura pins him for the win.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
– After the match, English hits the ring and drops Nakamura from behind. Rusev and English double team Nakamura as AJ watches from his chair at ringside. AJ takes his time getting his jacket off and stands up at ringside but doesn’t enter the ring. Nakamura eventually fights off the double team and stands tall in the ring. AJ looks on from ringside and Nakamura taunts him a bit as his music plays.
– Tom leads us to a video package on the SmackDown Women’s Title match at WrestleMania 34, Asuka vs. champion Charlotte Flair. The promo focuses on Asuka’s dominance. We see Flair backstage watching on a screen. Natalya walks in and says she knows Flair is scared, she can see it and Flair can lie to everyone else but not her. Natalya goes on about Flair’s time coming to an end. Flair tells her to lay off the catnip. Flair says she is excited about facing Asuka. Natalya rants about Asuka coming in and taking her WrestleMania title shot and says Asuka is only undefeated because they haven’t faced yet. Natalya says Flair knows in her heart that she can’t beat Asuka but Natalya can. Flair says Natalya won’t be facing her at WrestleMania but she can have a match with her tonight. Natalya walks off.
– Still to come, rewards or repercussions for Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens? Back to commercial.
Natalya vs. Charlotte Flair
Back from the break and out comes Natalya for this non-title match as SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair waits in the ring.
Back and forth to start. Flair gets the upperhand early on and taunts Natalya. Natalya eventually ties Flair up and rolls her up for a quick pin attempt. Fans “Wooo!” and Natalya yells at them to shut up. Flair turns it around and takes Natalya down a few more times for two more pin attempts. Flair counters in the corner and rolls Natalya up again, holding the bridge for a 2 count. Flair with another quick pin attempt before keeping Natalya grounded.
Flair tosses Natalya around using a scissors now, manhandling her into a 2 count. More action between the two now. Flair ends up kicking Natalya out of the ring and showing off some. We go to commercial with Natalya looking on from the floor.
Jinder talks about the WWE United States Title and how he’s the real champion after restoring prestige to the title when he had it. Jinder talks about the WrestleMania 34 Triple Threat with Bobby Roode and champion Randy Orton, also taking shots earlier in the promo by calling everyone hypocrites. The music interrupts and out comes Roode. Roode says Jinder is the real hypocrite here. Roode downplays Jinder’s claims about respect and says he doesn’t deserve it. Roode enters the ring and goes on about how winning his title back at WrestleMania will be glorio… the music interrupts again and out comes WWE United States Champion Randy Orton.
Jinder introduces Orton and Orton tells him to shut the hell up. Orton says Jinder doesn’t realize why no one respects him and why he’s not in the same class as other former champion. Orton points out Jinder’s stooge and says Jinder sucks. A “you suck” chant starts up. The three face off and Jinder shoves Singh in for a sacrifice. This leads to Orton hitting the RKO on Singh as Jinder watches from ringside. Singh eats a Glorious DDT next. Orton and Roode have a stalemate after blocking finishers. Jinder watches from ringside as Orton and Roode face off. Jinder points up at the WrestleMania 34 banner and yells out as Orton’s music hits.
– Becky Lynch and Naomi are backstage walking. We go to commercial.
Naomi and Becky Lynch vs. Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan
Back from the break and all four Superstars are already out. Tom confirms them for the WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal. The Riott Squad’s leader Ruby Riott watches from ringside. Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan with a double team early on. Naomi tags in Becky Lynch and they also pull a double team. Becky goes at it with Liv now. Becky approaches but Liv sends her face-first into the turnbuckles.
Logan tags in for an aggressive double team in the corner. Logan taunts Naomi before delivering a quick double knees to the face of Becky. Logan keeps Becky grounded now and gets aggressive with her. Fans chant for Becky. Becky tries to make the tag but Logan slams her on her head. Logan gets dumped to the floor. Ruby checks on her. Logan still gets in and stops Beck from tagging, knocking Naomi off the apron.
Logan goes back after Becky but Becky pulls her into the Dis-Arm-Her. Naomi takes out Liv with a Rear View as she runs in and tries to break it up. Becky keeps the hold locked in and Logan taps.
Winners: Becky Lynch and Naomi
– After the match, The Riott Squad heads to the back as Naomi and Becky taunt them. They celebrate as Becky’s music hits.
– Daniel Bryan is backstage when a staffer informs him that Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens have arrived. Bryan wants them told that he will meet them in the ring. Back to commercial.
