The show started with the highlights of last week’s epic triple threat match for the WWE championship involving the champion Bray Wyatt, John Cena and AJ Styles. It also showed the involvement of Luke Harper before the match. Randy Orton’s denial not to compete against his ‘master’ was also shown.

After the highlights, they promoted the No 1 contender’s Battle Royal that was announced by Daniel Bryan for this night.

Daniel Bryan entered the arena at the beginning of the show. He introduced the Smackdown Women’s champion, Naomi. Bryan told her that she deserved the title and all the fans believed that. But then came the hardest part. He reminded her how he relinquished his world title because of injury, how injuries ruined his career. He said that Shane and he went through his medical reports, she would not be able to defend her title in next thirty days which was required, that was why she had to relinquish the title. Naomi broke into tears after some emotional words. Finally, she handed the title over.

Alexa Bliss entered the arena and confronted Bryan. She demanded the title as she said that she was the legal champion. She cut an excellent heel promo. Once again she proved why she was getting all the spotlight. The fans in the arena continuously disturbed her but she still did an amazing job. Bryan made a match between Alexa Bliss and Becky Lynch for the vacated Smackdown Women’s championship. It was a poor booking when you have got your title vacated, you should have made it a multiple diva match to make things more interesting.

Match 1 – WWE Smackdown Women’s championship – Alexa Bliss vs. Becky Lynch

Certainly not the best match between the two but both performed well. Alexa smacked Becky on the throat and pinned her with a role up. Great heelish victory. She celebrated with her on-screen buddy Mickie James after the match. So Alexa Bliss is now two-time Smackdown Women’s champion.

Winner – Alexa Bliss (New Smackdown Women’s champion)

Backstage Dean Ambrose, Kalisto and Miz talked about the 10 man battle royal that was scheduled as the main event. Good way to promote the main event

Match 2 – WWE Smackdown Tag Team champions American Alpha vs. Breezango

Easy victory for the American Alpha. The match did not even go on for two minutes. Fandango got pinned by Chad Gable after a double team electric chair drop.

Winners – American Alpha

After the match, The Usos came out from the crowd. They told that they would get the title away from them very soon, good promo by the Usos. Good to see they are finally building up a tag team title feud. Since the title win, American Alpha did not get any proper storyline, they were just roaming around.

Backstage AJ Styles, Dolph Ziggler Mojo Rowley and Luke Harper hyped the main event.

Match 3 – Falls Count Anywhere Match – Natalya vs. Nikki Bella

Seriously, it was a very good match. Both women performed really well. There were glimpses of hardcore action with all the involvements of the Kendo Stick and the mirror backstage and all and great action outside. At the backstage, Natty threw Nikki to a side and Nikki crashed with Maryse straight. At the end of the match, Nikki locked Natty in the Fearless Lock and Maryse attacked Nikki with a small steel pipe. Miz took Maryse away. Natty pinned Nikki after this attack. We predicted this in our prediction article yesterday. It was a good booking to involve Maryse we would say, it would boost up their WrestleMania feud in a better way.

Winner – Natalya

Backstage Baron Corbin, Apolo Crews, Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt hyped the main event of the night

Main Event – 10 Man Over the top rope Battle Royal to determine the No 1 contender for the WWE championship at WrestleMania

What a match! Seriously, have you ever witnessed such an amazing normal over the top rope battle royal in a weekly show? Honestly, we cannot recall any such. This match had everything, it had WrestleMania storyline build ups, it was intense, it was everything fans had to cheer for. The booking of this match was so good. This match officially started the WrestleMania feud of John Cena and the Miz as the Miz eliminated Cena illegally after he got eliminated himself by Cena. It also helped the progress of Dean Ambrose – Baron Corbin feud. And the ending was excellent. Fans might argue that we should have a clear winner by the end of the match, but we think it was an excellent booking, and it could not be any better. It helped the status AJ Styles getting raised, even though we all know Luke Harper is going to WrestleMania and AJ will face Shane McMahon only, still, it will help AJ’s future for sure. All the wrestlers performed well in this match, especially Baron Corbin who was presented as an unstoppable force. AJ Styles was very good too.

Order of Eliminations;

Mojo Rowley by Baron Corbin
Kalisto by Dolph Ziggler
Dolph Ziggler by Apolo Crews
Apolo Crews by Dolph Ziggler
The Miz by John Cena
Baron Corbin by Dean Ambrose
John Cena by The Miz
Dean Ambrose by Luke Harper
AJ Styles and Luke Harper both got eliminated simultaneously

Result – Draw

Overall it was a very good show. It was a better show than last week. We got a new Women’s champion, we got a great Women’s Falls Count Anywhere match and an amazing over the top rope battle royal. We won’t say it was best Smackdown after brand split, but it indeed was a great and intense show.

Sportzwiki Rating – 3.5/5