The real concerns of the Crown Jewel PPV forces a title match tonight. With the John Cena and now Daniel Bryan rumors coming in to fruition. There is a another change in The Crown Royal card. What is the change in the card? What else happened in tonight’s Smackdown Live’s show in Atlanta, Georgia at the Phillps Arena.Let’s dive in to our Smackback recap!
A surprise match.
AJ and Daniel Bryan can not wait.
AJ Styles opens the show to much of the crowds delight and immediately calls out Daniel Bryan. The American Dragon answers the call and confronts The Phenomenal One. Styles starts out with apologizing to Bryan. However, Bryan cuts him off and explains while he respects AJ, all that he sees is the championship he has wanted since his return, nothing personal. AJ retorts with “you didn’t let me finish”. AJ states that that “Pele’ Kick” was intentional and the two about to scrap. Cue Shane McMahon’s music. The Commissioner of Smackdown Live goes on how the audience has seen this before. A fight between two competitors for the championship almost goes to blows. But never happens, until now. Shane makes a match between the two official, for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, right now.
AJ wins over Daniel Bryan via Calf Crusher submission.
Wow, what a fantastic match. The two men started with a lock up and Daniel Bryan takes quick control. Bryan quickly out maneuvers AJ in in the lock up holds. After the string of offensive holds from Bryan, Styles shows his power over Bryan. Over powering Bryan from the holds Bryan puts in him. Another lock up ensues and Bryan gains the upper hand with multiple arm breaks. The match picks up the pace and AJ attempts a out of the ring body splash. However, Daniel quickly counters by running the ring and landing a Suicide Dive. The great counter in facts injures Bryan’s knee. Eventually, Bryan gets AJ in the ring and locks in an arm bar. AJ fights out and lands his Moonsault to reverse DDT.
AJ targets Daniel’s limbs.
Styles quickly targets Bryan’s injured knee. AJ attempts to lock in a knee lock, but Daniel quickly counters with a arm bar. The Phenomenal One powers a slam to take control of the match. Styles attempt to fend off Bryan’s come back with another Moonsault to reverse DDT. However, Daniel was ready and counters with the Yes Kicks. Now the fight is finding both men on the top turnbuckle. Bryan hits AJ with a top turnbuckle Samoan Drop and seemingly hurting his neck. A true commercial break takes places.
After the break, a winner and a surprise.
After the break, Daniel locks in the Yes Lock.Styles breaks its via rope break. This is where things pick up in the fantastic match. Styles counter Daniel’s outside to inside suplex. Suplexing Daniel outside with a suplex and slamming Bryan in the announcer’s table. Bryan gains footing and slams AJ in to the steel steps and gets him back in to the ring. Daniel lands two flying leg shots with AJ in the corner. The American Dragon then attempts a Frankenstiener on AJ, but Styles try to power out. Daniel still hits the Frankenstiener. What follows is a masterful counter fest of locks. In which, Styles powers through and lands a Styles Clash, while in a lock. Styles then followed it up with the Calf Crusher for the win. Daniel Bryan accepts the loss and extends his hand, the two embrace.
Only to be attacked by Samoa Joe! Bryan attempted to help AJ from the attack, but was dealt the same outcome as AJ. There was no topping this match tonight or even maybe at the Crown Royal. Later on, a match between AJ and Samoa Joe is booked for Crown Royal, for the WWE Title. Letting Daniel Bryan to not go the PPV. Just as John Cena refused to do.
Trick or Street Fight. Shinsuke vs R-Truth? Becky Lynch’s next target.
A fun match between New Day and (I’m coining) The Big Bar. Big E wins via Big End pinfall.
A street fight between one member of the New day and The Big Bar (The Bar and Big Show) in costumes. Ok, The New Day were the only ones that showed up in costumes. New Day picked the perfect costume, they came out as The Brood! For those who are new the WWE, two of three Brood members are WWE HOFer’s Edge and Christian. Minus the “Fire Circle” New day did a great job on the entrance. Next up was The Bar, in which Sheamus looked like Kratos from the video game God Of War.
This was a hectic match, with officially Big E and Cesaro as the contenders. The two teams constantly interfered in the match, but it was a “Street Fight”. So we were blessed with a fun entertaining match. In which, not only Xavier Woods used The Brood’s “Blood Spit”, but Big E did as well. Countering Cesaro’s Neutralizer. Big E then lands the Big End for the pin. Fun match.
Shinsuke pins R-Truth via Kinsasha.
Following up the fun match was Shinsuke vs R-Truth? I get continuing the fun, but no one in their right mind would think R-Truth had a chance,or did he? Shin quickly gains control of the match with hard strikes as he is known for However, R-Truth counter with a few of his own hard strikes. Leading R-Truth to have a “Dance Party” with Carmella, newfound friend. Nakamura quickly follows up with hard knee strikes from the outside of the apron. The fight continues in the ring with Nak holding Truth in a chin lock. R-Truth fights out, performs a splits to avoid Shin’ clothesline, and lands a jumping crescent kick. Shinsuke fights back and lands the Kinsasha for the pin. R-Truth looked great, but at the cost of an under used star, Shinsuke.
The Fan’s favorite “Heel” throws out a challenge.
Again, I do not usually cover segments. However, this one involves the crowd favorite that can do no wrong, Becky Lynch. The Lasskicker Goes one how she defeated Charlotte and then. Yup, Becky calls out Ronda Rousey for Survivor Series. Oh boy, Ronda just became a “heel” in WWE fans eyes. Like I said, the WWE fans will never “Boo” Becky Lynch, ever.
Tag team royalty match
Rey Mysterio/ Jeff Hardy vs Randy Orton/The Miz. Jeff Hardy pins THe Miz via Swanton Bomb.
In what could’ve been an eye rolling match, this was actually good. Three out of the four men were veterans among each other, sans The Miz. The match start off between Orton and Hardy. With Randy quickly gaining control with The Miz interference. The duo kept Hardy in their corner for awhile. Eventually Jeff hot tags Rey in and Mysterio flies in to action. What ends up being vintage Jeff and Rey move set, with Hardy landing the Swanton Bomb in Miz for the pin. Then “out of nowhere” Randy Orton RKO’s everyone, even catching Rey in mis-air and his partner The Miz.
That is it.
That was your in between PPV Smackdown Live show. I’m sure there is going to be a lot of fallout for the WWE going forward with the Crown Royal in Saudi Arabia this Friday. We only now have to see what will happen on that day. From the story line perspective to the fan and world reaction.
