This is the Fightful.com live coverage for tonight's episode of WWE Smackdown! Live. Tonight one champion continues his reign and another begins his reign after WWE Fastlane Sunday night where AJ Styles retained his WWE Championship and Randy Orton captured the WWE United States Championship for the first time in his career. Shane McMahon is set to make a major announcement for WrestleMania, Asuka will be on the show to meet face to face with Charlotte and much more so be sure to come back here at 8 PM EST for all of the action and stick around after the show for the post show podcast!
-AJ Styles comes out to the ring and talks about his title defense this past weekend at WWE Fastlane before going on to talk about his WrestleMania match with Shinsuke Nakamura. Shinsuke comes out to the ring and talks about his dream to be in the main event at WrestleMania before they're interrupted by Rusev Day as we go to commercial.
AJ Styles vs Rusev
They lock up to start the match before Rusev just pushes AJ backwards repeatedly, showing off his speed by outpacing Rusev. AJ sends Rusev over the top rope and onto the floor before hitting a flying forearm and rolling him back into the ring. Rusev counters an attempted suplex and hits a huge spinebuster for a quick two count as we go to commercial.
Rusev is in control as we come back from commercial until AJ comes back with a flurry of offense before Rusev counters am ushigaroshi into a roundhouse kick for a near fall. AJ counters a boot into a Pele kick before Rusev counters the Styles Clash. AJ goes for the Calf Killer, but Rusev immediately gets to the bottom rope for the break. Aiden then comes in and attacks AJ for the disqualification as Shinsuke looks on at first before killing Shinsuke with a Kinshasa before leaving as we go to commercial.
Winner: AJ Styles defeats Rusev via disqualification.
Jimmy Uso & Big-E vs The Bludgeon Brothers
They swing hammers and chairs at each other before Jimmy and E get out of the ring before the match can get started as we go to commercial.
The brothers are in control as we come back from commercial, tagging in and out and beating on E until he finally tags Jimmy in. Jimmy takes out both brothers momentarily before Harper turns him inside out with a boot and Rowan sends E into the stairs. The brothers then hit a double powerbomb for the pin and the win.
Winner: The Bludgeon Brothers defeat Jimmy Uso & Big-E via pinfall with a double powerbomb.
-Charlotte comes out to the ring and talks about Asuka choosing her to a title at WrestleMania before Asuka comes out. Charlotte welcomes Asuka to Smackdown! Live before saying that she will gladly the challenge and face Asuka at WrestleMania and that either the queen or the empress will be victorious. Asuka says that she likes a challenge and that Charlotte may be the queen, but she is empress and Asuka bows down to no one. They then square off before seemingly disappearing as Randy Orton comes out to the ring out of nowhere.
-Randy Orton comes out to the ring before Bobby Roode comes out, then Jinder gets in the ring for his and Roode's match.
Bobby Roode vs Jinder Mahal
They go back and forth to start the match before Roode hits a running clothesline in the corner and a neckbreaker. Roode hits a diving clothesline off of the top before Jinder counters the Glorious DDT only for Roode to hit a blockbuster off of the second turnbuckle. Jinder comes back with a thrust kick before Roode counters the Khallas into a spinebuster for a near fall. Roode is then distracted by Singh before Jinder hits the Khallas for the pin and the win.
Winner: Jinder Mahal defeats Bobby Roode via pinfall with the Khallas.
-After the match Randy comes in and RKO's Jinder before holding the belt up as we go to commercial.
Naomi vs Carmella
Carmella grabs Naomi by the hair and immediately starts tossing her around the ring by her hair all the while playing to the crowd. Naomi comes back and does the same to Carmella before they exchange slaps and Naomi drops her with a series of forearms and a knee. Carmella then kicks the ropes when Naomi goes for a springboard move before rolling her up for the pin and the win.
Winner: Carmella defeats Naomi via pinfall with a roll up.
-Shane McMahon comes out to the ring and announces that after tonight he is taking an indefinite leave of absence. Kevin Owens comes out to the ring and he and Sami get in the ring and attack Shane and several referee as we go off the air with them dragging him to the back.
