WWE SmackDown
April 18, 2017
Louisville, Kentucky
Commentary: JBL, Byron Saxton and Tom Phillips
Results by: Adam Martin of Wrestleview.com
The show opens with an “in memory” graphic for Matt Anoai’ aka Rosey.
A video package runs focusing on the Superstar Shake Up last week.
The Queen Arrives on Smackdown Live
We go live to Louisville where Charlotte opens the show heading to the ring. Charlotte gets on the mic and talks about “The Queen” arriving on Smackdown Live. She has already lost her patience and wonders if Shane and Daniel went on summer vacation. Charlotte can’t figure out why she hasn’t been granted a shot at the Smackdown Women’s Championship. She screams, “What…has been taking…so long!?”
Smackdown Women’s Champion Naomi is out next to interrupt. Naomi has a mic and tells Charlotte this is Smackdown Live. She says around here we don’t have kings and queens. Naomi says we do have champions and Charlotte is looking at one. Naomi hates to see Charlotte out her begging the way she is. She doesn’t want to waste any more time. Naomi isn’t scared. She throws down her title and attacks Charlotte right away.
Naomi dumps Charlotte out of the ring under the bottom rope. Charlotte tries to get inside the ring and a referee runs down to pull her back. Naomi catches Charlotte with a kick sending her flying off the ring apron to the floor below.
Shane McMahon walks out and asks Louisville what is up. He asks if they want to see them fight. Shane says they will fight tonight. He adds superstars have to earn title shots. Shane says if Charlotte can beat Naomi tonight, Charlotte will become the No. 1 contender.
We hear from Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton and JBL at ringside. As they are talking, we go back to the ring and Charlotte quickly attacks Naomi and dumps her out. Charlotte picks up the Smackdown Women’s Championship and holds it up high. Naomi is back in attacking Charlotte and sending her to the outside through the ropes. She grabs her title and raises it up. Charlotte is not pleased and heads to the back.
The six pack challenge to determine a new No. 1 contender for the WWE Championship featuring Sami Zayn, Luke Harper, Dolph Ziggler, Erick Rowan, Mojo Rawley and Jinder Mahal is plugged and that match is up next.
-Commercial Break-
Backstage, Natalya is arguing with Shane McMahon and thinks she should be the No. 1 contender for the WWE Smackdown Women’s Championship. Shane says Natalya has always had the opportunity. Natalya says Smackdown Live is her house. Carmella walks in with James Ellsworth and also agrees that Charlotte shouldn’t be able to just show up and demand things. Tamina walks up and wants to know when she gets her opportunity.
Six Pack Challenge
No. 1 Contendership for the WWE Championship
Sami Zayn vs. Luke Harper vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Erick Rowan vs. Mojo Rawley vs. Jinder Mahal
Big brawl breaks out when the bell rings. Harper tosses Mojo to the corner. Ziggler with rights to Jinder. Rowan works over Sami in the corner. Jinder dumps Mojo out of the ring. Rowan is also sent out by Harper. Harper plants Ziggler face first on the mat and follows with a big boot for a two count. Harper with big elbows to Rowan in the corner and splashes back in over him. Harper with a sitdown driver on Sami for a two count.
-Commercial Break-
We are back live as two superplexes take place in two corners. Sami with a sunset flip powerbomb on Jinder off the other corner for a two count to avoid another superplex. Sami avoids a Zig Zag attempt, but eats a big superkick from Ziggler. Ziggler with a superkick on Harper, but Harper responds with a clothesline right away. Rowan with a big powerbomb on Harper. Jinder and Rowan take each other out with a double clothesline. Mojo takes out Jinder. Sami sends Mojo over. Harper sends Sami over the top rope. Harper with a suicide dive catching Jinder on the outside. Harper is back in and hits a double suicide dive on Mojo and Sami on the outside. Ziggler dropkicks Harper off the ring apron. Rowan catches Ziggler with a spin kick and Rowan gets a close two count. Rowan has Ziggler up and powerbombs him to the outside over everyone else! Rowan tosses Sami in and gets another two count.
-Commercial Break-
Back live, Mojo is catching Ziggler with a series of clotheslines and a big splash in the corner. Ziggler responds with a quick elbow, Mojo catches Ziggler and drives him down to the mat. Mojo cuts off Rowan on the ring apron. Mojo catches Ziggler with a huge right hand in the corner. Jinder tosses Mojo out and covers Ziggler. Sami breaks it up at the last second. Sami with rights to Jinder. Jinder catches Sami with a huge high knee. Rowan plants Jinder. Harper breaks up the pinfall attempt. Rowan puts Harper up on the top turnbuckle and throws big palm shots to the head. Ziggler sends Rowan into Harper. Harper gets crotched on the top turnbuckle. Ziggler with a Zig Zag on Rowan for another close two count. Harper with a sitdown powerbomb on Ziggler for a two count. Jinder sends Harper into the steel steps. Sami avoids a corner shot by Jinder and Jinder is out. Sami dives over the top rope and takes out Harper on the outside. Mojo with a charge taking out Rowan. Sami catches Mojo with a springboard moonsault off the ring apron. Sami with an exploder on Jinder in the corner. Sami gets held up in the corner by The Bollywood Boyz. This allows Jinder to grab Sami around the neck in a clutch and slam him back down to get the win.
Winner: Jinder Mahal
After the match, Jinder Mahal says the fans boo him because of his backstage. “You Americans don’t accept diversity, but you’ll have no choice but to accept Jinder Mahal as your next WWE World Champion.” As Jinder goes to celebrate, WWE Champion Randy Orton walks out on stage with the title over his shoulder and a mic in hand.
He congratulates Jinder, but says his prize won’t be this title. Orton gets inside the ring. “The only prize you’ve awarded yourself is an RKO from yours truly.” He brings up having to deal with Bray Wyatt first. Orton isn’t sure what a House of Horrors is, but if it’s anything like the last house, he’ll burn it to the ground.
Bray Wyatt shows up on the screen and tells Orton he wants him to feel his pain and suffering. He tells Orton to run as the segment comes to a close.
-Commercial Break-
A promo runs promoting the arrival of The New Day on Smackdown Live.
A video package runs focusing on Shinsuke Nakamura.
Backstage, Renee Young is with AJ Styles. He is asked if he prefers to face Kevin Owens or Chris Jericho pending the outcome of Payback. Styles says either way he has the home field advantage when Baron Corbin walks up. He wants to know what the question is. Renee says she is interviewing AJ right now. Corbin laughs asking why. Styles talks about winning the main event last week. Corbin says he wasn’t pinned. Styles offers having a match tonight. Corbin agrees and reminds Styles he asked for this.
Backstage, Charlotte is confronted by Natalya, Carmella and Tamina. Natalya bumps her in the shoulder when she walks by.
-Commercial Break-
If Charlotte wins, she becomes No. 1 Contender
Naomi vs. Charlotte
Charlotte with a snapmare into a headlock to keep Naomi grounded early. Naomi with a takedown on Charlotte. Naomi with a backslide pin for a two count. Charlotte locks up the head of Naomi and drops her face first into the mat repeatedly. Naomi with another roll up for a two count. Charlotte quickly knocks Naomi down and goes back to the headlock. Naomi breaks free and drops a quick leg over Charlotte. Charlotte fires in with a chop. Naomi responds with a quick leg kick. Charlotte and Naomi exchange shots. Naomi with a big kick to the head of Charlotte that drops her and results in a two count after a pinfall attempt by Naomi. Both Charlotte and Naomi fall over the top rope.
-Commercial Break-
Back live and Charlotte drops Naomi down getting another two count. Charlotte drops knees over the jaw of Naomi repeatedly. Charlotte misses dropping a knee. Naomi catches Charlotte with a kick in the corner and throws elbows. Naomi with a clothesline and a nearly botched jawbreaker attempt on Charlotte. Naomi catches Charlotte with a top rope cross body for another two count. Charlotte with a huge chop and kicks the lower back of Naomi coming off the ropes. Charlotte hits Natural Selection and gets the pinfall.
Charlotte will challenge Naomi for the Smackdown Women’s Title next week.
Winner: Charlotte
American Alpha is headed to the ring next.
-Commercial Break-
Backstage, Charlotte comes across Natalya, Tamina and Carmella. She smiles and lets out a “WOOOOOOOO” as she walks off.
American Alpha vs. The Colons
The Shining Stars were now being announced as The Colons.
Chad Gable is all over Primo early with a big takedown. Tag to Jason Jordan who drops a shot over Primo and throws him down face first on the mat. Tag back to Gable who connects with an overhead suplex into a bridge. Epico interrupts to break up the pinfall attempt. Gable is sent shoulder first into the steel post and Epico gets the tag. Epico connects with a gutbuster on Gable and throws some right hands. Gable has Epico in an armbar against the ropes. Gable slides under Epico and tags in Jordan. Jordan with a dropkick to Primo and a charge to Epico in the corner. Jordan with a charge to Epico and Primo breaks it up. Gable sends Primo over the top rope. Primo kicks Jordan. Epico rolls up Jordan to get the pinfall.
Winners: The Colons
-Commercial Break-
Backstage, Tye Dillinger says the WWE Universe made their voice heard. A video package plays focusing on Dillinger showing up in the Royal Rumble.
Before the match, Kevin Owens kicks out the ring announcer and introduces himself as “your” United States Champion from Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Face of America Open Challenge
WWE United States Championship
Kevin Owens (c). Gary Gandy
Owen’s opponent is from Louisville.
The bell rings and Owens attacks him right away in the corner. Owens throws him into the ropes and catches him with an awkward Pop Up Powerbomb to get the pinfall.
Winner and still WWE United States Champion: Kevin Owens
After the match, Kevin Owens calls the fans lazy citizens. He talks at French to the crowd and announces he is joining commentary for the main event tonight.
Baron Corbin heads to the ring. The main event is next.
-Commercial Break-
Austin Aries plugs WWE 205 Live tonight on the WWE Network.
AJ Styles vs. Baron Corbin
Corbin blocks a kick early from Styles and throws him down. Styles fires back with kicks to the calf of Corbin. Corbin with a big right hand that sends Styles flying back. Styles takes the back of Corbin and applies a sleeper. Corbin drops Styles face first off the ring apron.
-Commercial Break-
Corbin with big knees to Styles and then throws him right at the corner. Styles slides and bounces off the steel ring post! Back inside, Styles catches Corbin with boots in the corner and throws more rights. Corbin with elbows responding. Corbin slides out, slides back in and Styles side steps him sending him shoulder first into the steel ring post. Styles catches Corbin with a Pele Kick. Styles with a leaping elbow to Corbin in the corner. Styles with a kick that drops Corbin down and Styles with a quick forearm off the ropes for a two count. Corbin with a big backbreaker on Styles and Styles kicks out after two. Corbin can’t believe it. Styles gets the Calf Crusher applied on Corbin. Corbin gets to the bottom rope to break it up. Corbin with a huge Deep Six on Styles. Styles again kicks out. Styles dumps Corbin to the outside. Styles with a forearm to Corbin on the ring apron. Styles then throws a big knee at Corbin sliding across the ring apron. Corbin counters Styles and dumps him over his head right into Owens at ringside. The referee has started a count. Styles with a forearm to Corbin off the ring apron sending Corbin into the crowd. Styles rolls in as the referee reaches 10.
Winner via count out: AJ Styles
Quick Match Results:
* Jinder Mahal won a Six Pack Challenge over Sami Zayn, Dolph Ziggler, Luke Harper, Erick Rowan and Mojo Rawley to become No. 1 Contender for the WWE Title
* Charlotte def. Naomi to become No. 1 Contender for the Smackdown Women’s Title
* The Colons (Primo and Epico) def. American Alpha
* Kevin Owens def. Gary Gandy to retain the WWE United States Title
* AJ Styles def. Baron Corbin