The SmackDown Live after WrestleMania turned out to be quite an interesting one, with the build to Backlash slowly beginning. We saw two epic debuts, the furthering of storylines, and the beginning of new ones. Find out what the blue brand had to offer after WrestleMania.
Randy Orton’s addresses the WWE Universe as the new champion
The Viper kicked off the show, proudly holding up the WWE Championship. As he was talking, Bray Wyatt popped up on the screen and said that the era of Wyatt is yet to begin. He said that while he has his rematch, he had a big plan for Randy Orton.
Randy said that he accepted his challenge, and called him out to the ring. Bray appeared behind him as the lights went out, and the assault on Randy began. Orton got dragged out and Erick Rowan, in a new mask, began to attack him. As they laid the beat down on the WWE champion, Luke Harper came out and made the save, clearing the ring.
Backstage, Renee Young interviewed Miz & Maryse. They were asked about John Cena proposing to Nikki Bella, and Miz claimed it was great marketing for John Cena, and that only he could turn it into a WrestleMania moment. The “It” couple then called out Cena and Nikki once more, promising that it would be the last time people would see them on SmackDown Live for a long time.
Randy Orton and Luke Harper vs Bray Wyatt and Erick Rowan was announced as the main event of the evening
Naomi(c) vs Alexa Bliss – SmackDown Women’s Championship
Alexa Bliss started off aggressive on the champion, but in a matter of less than a minute, Naomi found herself dropping the champion on the outside. After the commercial break, Alexa Bliss was working on Naomi’s leg, while kicking up a fuss with the referee who was trying to hold her back.
Naomi fired back at the champion and hit her with the glow kick for a near fall. She sold her knee as being badly hurt as she was hit with a DDT. Naomi struck back at Alexa and applied the same submission hold she used to win the title at WrestleMania, and Alexa Bliss tapped out once again.
Naomi defeated Alexa Bliss to retain the SmackDown Women’s Championship
Curt Hawkins receives a “Perfect” challenge
Curt Hawkins said that all he was hearing about was the shake-up, and said he would count to 10 for a challenger. This immediately saw “The Perfect Ten” Tye Dillinger.
Dillinger received a major ovation, and had a fairly quick squash of Curt Hawkins, finishing him with the Tye Breaker.
Tye Dillinger defeated Curt Hawkins
Mojo Rawley was interviewed backstage about WrestleMania being unreal after winning the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
A recap was shown of Mr McMahon making an announcement about the superstar shake-up
Miz & Maryse call out John Cena & Nikki Bella but get the greatest debut in SmackDown history
John Cena’s music played and Miz & Maryse came out dressed as Jon Cena and Nikki Bella respectively. They began their “Total Bellas Bull****” shtick in front of a crowd who was very receptive to the “It” couple.
Miz said that he and Nikki Bella were “leaving SmackDown Live for a long time”.
The crowd cheered Miz & Maryse’s act. As they were leaving, a violinist came cue - SHINSUKE NAKAMURA. He made an epic entrance and Miz and Maryse departed. Nakamura was left with the crowd who chanted his name heavily, and he was left to embrace the crowd as the violinist played his theme.
And here is a video of Nakamura’s debut:
Dean Ambrose(c) vs Baron Corbin – Street Fight
This was Ambrose and Corbin’s WrestleMania. Corbin started off charging on the champion, and action quickly went outside. After the break, Corbin sent Ambrose through a table.
Corbin took a belt from the under the apron, which he used to whip Ambrose. Corbin placed a chair on the second turnbuckle, but as he charged Ambrose, he ran into the steel steps himself. Ambrose used this to gain momentum on his own.
The match received “this is awesome!” chants as Ambrose sent Corbin through a table, after which Corbin used a steel chair to throw at Ambrose and get back his own momentum. Corbin hit the end of days to defeat his WrestleMania opponent.
Baron Corbin defeated Dean Ambrose
Shane McMahon addresses the “superstar shake-up”
Shane McMahon praised SmackDown Live for being the land opportunity. He said that every RAW superstar should be praying to go to SmackDown Live. AJ Styles then came out. He said that he didn’t know much about the shake-up, and said that he didn’t want to leave and that SmackDown Live was the house that AJ Styles built, which received a huge pop from the crowd.
Styles said he felt that he owed Shane something, and offered his hand to shake. After they shook hands, there was another tease of a fake punch by Styles, after which Styles posed, and once more acknowledged his respect to Shane after walking away.
Randy Orton & Luke Harper vs Bray Wyatt & Erick Rowan
The returning Erick Rowan started off the action against Randy Orton. After the break, Bray Wyatt was in the ring with Randy Orton, and Orton tagged in Harper. The former Wyatt family member then played the hot tag, hitting the suicide dive outside.
In a short while, Bray and Rowan worked together to weaken Harper. Luke Harper finally managed to get the tag on Randy, who cleared Rowan from the ring and hit Bray with a mid-rope DDT. He got ready for an RKO, but the lights went out, and Bray was away on the ramp. Rowan was in the ring but was met with a superkick and an RKO from Randy Orton.
Randy Orton & Luke Harper defeated Bray Wyatt & Erick Rowan
