WWE Smackdown LIVE took place from the taples Center in Los Angeles, California. Here’s all the action that went down last night.
SmackDown LIVE management made AJ Styles vs. John Cena the main event
With his plans to face WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania ruined by the Elimination Chamber and a confirmation that the Undertaker would indeed be resting in peace. John Cena’s road to Wrestlemania saw the former heavyweight champion make a detour to the land of Smackdown LIVE.
A free agent, Cena hit the ring to ask the WWE Universe for a chance at main eventing the Payback match for the WWE Championship into a Six-Pack challenge. SmackDown LIVE Commissioner Shane McMahon and General Manager Daniel Bryan seemed to like the idea, but they agreed that Cena would have to earn his opportunity.
Earn it, by defeating WWE Champion AJ Styles. If Cena could do so, he’d be slotted into championship race at Payback.
Baron Corbin def. Sami Zayn
Back and deadlier than ever, Smackdown LIVE’s lone wolf Baron Corbin had to fight with eyes in the back of his head as he collided with Sami Zayn while Kevin Owens joined the commentary team. While Zayn and Corbin raged on in the ring, it was Owens who found himself blindsided by a superkick from Dolph Ziggler, providing the perfect distraction for Corbin to lock in the End of Days for the win.
Corbin didn’t have time to celebrate however, as he soon felt the sting of a Zig Zag from Ziggler.
Ruby Riott def. Naomi
There’s a war coming between Charlotte Flair and Ruby Riott, with the leader of the Riott Squad picking up an equal amount of wins in the fallout of the divided women’s locker room of Smackdown LIVE. Riott added another victim to her rampage, besting the power of Naomi’s glow as she continues to pick up the pace ahead of a showdown at Fastlane.
The Usos and The New Day came face to face and rekindled their rivalry
We’ve been here before so I’ll keep it short: The New Day and The Usos will clash again at Fastlane, as the current Smackdown LIVE tag team champions are hellbent on taking the gold with them to Wrestlemania. Tensions ran high, it looked like the two groups would start fighting soon enough in the middle of the ring and then…the Bludgeon Bros. made an appearance, forcing both teams to beat a hasty retreat.
Shinsuke Nakamura def. Aiden English
Having been missing for several weeks, this year’s Royal Rumble winner Shinsuke Nakamura was back and better than ever. Thrust into a match with Rusev Day fan Aiden English, the King of Strong Style romped home to victory with a Kinshasa that earned him a quick win despite Rusev’s attempts to get involved in the match.
John Cena def. AJ Styles to be added to the WWE Title Match at WWE Fastlane
Two men, one mission: Glory. With a title match at Fastlane on the line, John Cena had everything to prove and lose as he faced the formidable might of WWE Champion AJ Styles. In a Herculean effort, Cena rose to the challenge and managed to defeat the champion with an Attitude Adjustment that left the ring shaking and Styles down for the three-count.
Victorious, Cena soon found himself on the receiving end of a post-match beatdown, as Baron Corbin, Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens rushed the ring. Back-up soon arrived in the form of Dolph Ziggler, helping Styles and Cena fight off the Yep Movement and the Lone Wolf. Ziggler’s assistance was short-lived however, as he quickly attacked Styles, while Cena caught the show-off in an AA to be the last man standing as Smackdown LIVE went off the air.
Last Updated: February 28, 2018
