WWE hyped up last night’s episode of Smackdown by announcing Kurt Angle vs. AJ Styles. It was the headliner match whereas we also had a solid title match to crown a new champion. Also, Kofi Kingston finally managed to make it to Wrestlemania in the show aired live from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Kurt Angle to compete in one last match on WWE Raw
The New Day came out to kick off Smackdown Live. They were all serious after going through the rough weeks, lately. So they let knew their decision to quit the WWE before calling out Vince McMahon. The Boss came out to argue that they just can’t quit. Daniel Bryan appeared and wanted New Day to quit. But McMahon announced a Gauntlet tag team match winning which New Day can make way for Kofi to Wrestlemania.
Charlotte Flair came out to be part of a Smackdown women’s championship match against Asuka. The two started with locking heads with Asuka kicking on Charlotte. A German Suplex followed but Charlotte countered a hop attack by moving away. Asuka went for the chokehold lock but Flair hit with a sit-down powerbomb. She bridged into the Figure-eight to win the match via submission and become the new champion!
Kurt Angle vs. AJ Styles started on Smackdown with a hugging session between two veterans. Angle started with a German Suplex on Styles and tried to hit an Angle Slam but Styles dodged it. He locked in the calf crusher but Angle reversed it into the Angle lock. Styles pushed him into the turnbuckles as Randy Orton appeared to hit an RKO on Styles. He went for a further attack but Angle hit the Angle Slam on Orton.
The Miz was out next to cut a promo on Shane McMahon. He wanted to add a stipulation to their Wrestlemania match and make it a Falls Count Anywhere match. Shane appeared with Primo, Shelton Benjamin and SAnitY surrounding him to accept the challenge laid down. Miz wanted to attack Shane but the superstars on the ramp prohibited him.
The Smackdown main event tag team Gauntlet match began with the lineup of Big E and Xavier Woods vs. Gallows and Anderson. It was a quick showdown where E and Woods connected with the Midnight Hour on their opponents to eliminate them.
Rusev and Shinsuke Nakamura joined The New Day to continue the match. Nakamura hit a big knee on Woods who countered with a flying elbow. E received the tag to deliver a belly to belly suplex followed by a big splash. Nakamura was sent outside the ring as E and Woods hit the Midnight Hour on Rusev to pick up the win.
Sheamus and Cesaro were out next on Smackdown to take control of the Gauntlet. Cesaro locked in the Sharpshooter which Woods countered with a jumping DDT. But Cesaro came back a half-crab followed by a huge uppercut. But he missed a top rope move as E shoved him off. Woods rolled up Sheamus using the distraction to pick up the win.
The Usos were the next scheduled opponents for The New Day. But they showed respect to their long term rivals and decided to forfeit.
Daniel Bryan and Rowan came out to have the last match of the Gauntlet. Bryan started in an attacking mode until digesting a slam by Big E. Rowan got the tag and shifted momentums by slamming back E. But Woods and E tripped over the announced table and flipped it on him. Rowan never made it back to the ring in the referee’s ten counts as The New Day picked up the win.
Vince McMahon announced that Kofi Kingston will go to Wrestlemania challenging Daniel Bryan for the WWE Championship. The entire Smackdown locker room celebrates with Kofi inside the ring as the show came to an end.
