Tonight on Smack Down Live, the go home show for TLC. Will rivalries peak before the TLC PPV? Can stars make it to the PPV? Find out here on our Smackdown Live recap.
The New Daniel Bryan continues his path. SDL’s second ever Rap Battle. The World’s Greatest Tag Team reunites.
Opening match, Daniel Bryan vs Mustafa Ali. Daniel Bryan wins via Heel Lock.
The New Daniel Bryan opens the show with an apology. Bryan apologizes to sheep for lumping them in with the fans. Mustafa Ali enters, and asks Bryan on what happened to him. Ali stated that Daniel was an inspiration to the underdogs. Bryan then goes all hippie mode and asks Ali on vehicle he drives. Mustafa responds to Bryan’s question with an SUV, in which angers Bryan, and the fight starts.
Ali gains quick control over Bryan, yet it was short lived. Daniel regains control over Ali and lands his former Yes Kicks. Mustafa doges the last kick and launches towards Daniel. Now outside, Bryan slams Ali into the ring post, taking him out. After gloating and Ali getting back into the ring, Bryan climbs the turnbuckle. Ali quickly meets him at the top, and hits a Spanish Fly for a two count. Daniel fights back and puts Ali in the Yes Lock, and then the Widow’s Tree. After multiple hard kicks from Bryan, the two exchange in a counter fest. Mustafa attempts a 45o splash, only to have Bryan move. Daniel then attacks Ali’s knee and lock in the Heel Lock for the win.
Rap Battle.
New Day enters to host the second ever SDL Rap Battle. The battle is between The Bar and The Usos. With The Bar hilariously dressed in their best 80’s Adidas track suit, they start with an “Ice, Ice, Baby” take. The Usos then retort with a more traditional rap battle verse, including a verse on how Cesaro lost his teeth. As expected, a brawl ensued with The Bar standing tall.
The World’s Greatest Tag team reunite.
The Miz pleads Shane McMahon to hear him out. Eventually, Shane arrives and questions on why The Miz thinks that they are a team. The Miz states if they tag up one more time and lose, that he is done. However, if they win they will be a tag team. Local workers come out and this time attack McMahon. Shane-O-Mac fights both off and then locks in the local talent for a submission win. Later on, it becomes known that The Miz set everything up. Meaning, The Miz told the ref that the match was sanctioned from Paige and the local talent would be paid to take a fall.
A new Chair Match for TLC announced. Big Tag Team match. Wrestlemania rematch!
The Viper enters.
Randy Orton makes his way to the ring in response to the newly announced match vs Rey Mysterio. Orton cuts a promo on how no one will survive his RKO, especially in a chair match. After a video package of what Randy has done to Mysterio, The master of the 619 surprise attacks Orton with a chair and sends the Viper towards the locker room angry.
Rusev/Jeff Hardy vs Shinsuke Nakamura/Samoa Joe. Rusev wins via Macha Kick pinfall.
Before the match begins, we are treated to the once per show “Dance Break” Shinsuke took the distraction to attack Jeff Hardy. Shin in control, quickly tags in Joe and the bruiser takes it to Hardy. The team of Shinsuke and Joe utilize quick tags and makes Jeff Hardy’s life Hell. Eventually, Hardy hits The Whisper In The Wind and hot tags Rusev in. The Bulgarian Brute simply dominates Shinsuke, Hardy hits a Twist of Fate on an interfering Joe. Nakamura attempts to capitalize on the chaos with a Kinshasa, yet is met with a Macha Kick for the pinfall.
Wrestlemania rematch. Asuka vs Charlotte Flair. Asuka wins via disqualification.
Before The Empress of tomorrow and The Queen face off, Becky Lynch makes her way to the announcer’s table. Asuka quickly takes it to Flair. Landing every strong strikes she is capable of, however Flair fights back with hard chops. Every time Asuka attempts to lock in a submission hold, Charlotte powers out. The Queen, takes slight control of the match and attempts a Moonsault. Yet, The Empress was ready and lifts her knees, then applies the Asuka Lock. Flair powers out again, only for Asuka to cinch in an armbar.
After the commercial break, the two warriors trade hard strikes. With Asuka coming out on top with an Octopus hold. After sometime in the hold, Flair yet again powers out of the submission. This time Asuka was ready, countering the power move with a Triangle Hold. Eventually, The Queen forces her way out again and delivers a sitting powerbomb. Now Flair taunts Asuka locking in a Figure Four and slapping The Empress. Asuka reverses the hold and launches an assault.
The fight spills outside and Flair is frustrated. Charlotte grabs a Kendo stick and attacks Asuka, earning a disqualification. Standing proud Flair then attacks Lynch, The Man was not having it and attacks Flair with the Kendo stick. Shortly after Becky’s attack on Flair, Asuka gets a hold of the Kendo stick and viciously attacks both Flair and Lynch. The Empress of Tomorrow stands tall over her broken opponents for TLC.
This feud may be one of the headline matches for TLC.
Even though this feud seem to be on a short build, these ladies know how to bring it. This was simply the highlight of the show and made me anticipate their match more than any other one booked. Ok, I’m looking forward to the New Day vs The Bar vs The Usos as well. Yet, not as much as this Triple Threat TLC match.
