This week, SmackDown Live looks towards its next Pay-Per-View: Fastlane. A fatal four-way match determines who will challenge Bobby Roode for the United States Championship next week, the tag division is heavily featured, and the main event features the dream team of AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura.
Opening Segment
Just like Monday Night Raw this week, SmackDown Live starts with their Royal Rumble winner: Shinsuke Nakamura. He lists all of the men he kneed in the face on his way to winning the Rumble before saying that he is going to do that to AJ Styles and become the new WWE Champion. Before he finishes his promo, he is interrupted by Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.
Owens and Zayn rightfully claim that they were screwed out of the WWE Championship this past weekend and tell Nakamura that they will be co-champions by the time WrestleMania comes around. They look to get the jump on Nakamura when AJ Styles comes out and suggests a tag team match, pitting him and Nakamura against “Kami.”
Announcement
Next week’s main event will pit Kevin Owens against Sami Zayn to determine who faces AJ Styles for the WWE Championship at Fastlane.
Kofi Kingston (w/Xavier Woods & Big E) vs. Rusev (w/Aiden English) vs. Zack Ryder vs. Jinder Mahal (w/Sunil Singh) – #1 Contender’s Match (United States Championship)
On the Royal Rumble Kickoff Show, Bobby Roode successfully defended the United States Championship against Mojo Rawley, who answered the call for an open challenge. This match includes three members of the US Championship tournament and Kofi Kingston, who has held the title numerous times. According Roode on commentary, the winner of this match will challenge for the US Title next week.
After clearing the ring with a series of Machka Kicks, Rusev locks in the Accolade on Kofi Kingston to become the new #1 Contender. Rusev’s first couple of years in WWE saw him undefeated for most of it, where he held onto the US Title only until he faces John Cena at WrestleMania. Winner, and NEW #1 Contender: Rusev
The Bludgeon Brothers vs. Irrelevant Tag Team
Before this match segment starts, The Usos cut a promo listing every team they have “locked down” since being a part of SmackDown Live. Jimmy and Jey claim to be better than every tag team in WWE, which is the perfect time for the Bludgeon Brothers to comes to the ring and start their match.
Unsurprisingly, Luke Harper and Erick Rowan destroy the “competition,” pinning Rory Gulak (Drew Gulak’s brother) to pick up an easy win. Winners: The Bludgeon Brothers
Charlotte Flair Promo
After being asked by Renee Young about the Women’s Royal Rumble match, Charlotte Flair starts to address the Ronda Rousey situation. However, she is interrupted by the Riott Squad before she can even say anything. After Ruby Riott calls her a “cheap imitation of [her] father,” the trio assaults the SmackDown Women’s Champion.
The segment is about to end when Carmella rushes to the ring with a referee and her Money in the Bank briefcase. She looks to hit Flair with a big boot as she is getting up, but she accidentally hits the ref and sends him flying out of the ring.
Baron Corbin vs. Tye Dillinger
Earlier tonight, Tye Dillinger was complaining to Shane McMahon about his Royal Rumble spot being stolen when Baron Corbin stormed in. Corbin wanted to make the conversation about him, but Dillinger quickly reminded him of how he failed to cash in the Money in the Bank briefcase.
Dillinger attempts the Tye-Breaker, but Corbin’s size prevents the Perfect 10 from getting him up. Corbin then finishes him off with the End of Days to secure a much-needed victory. Winner: Baron Corbin
Breezango vs. Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin
Tyler Breeze and Fandango were doing a Twitter Q&A backstage earlier when they were interrupted by the frustrated team of Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin. Gable and Benjamin lost to the Usos 2-0 in a 2 Out of 3 Falls match and are immediately looking to get back in that #1 Contender’s spot. An added bonus is that Breezango can have a competitive match again.
After Gable clotheslines Fandango out of the ring, he assists Benjamin to powerbomb Breeze and to pick up yet another win. Winners: Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin
AJ Styles & Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
While this seems like a thrown together main event, this could be the last time Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn team up for some time. Owens and Zayn face each other in a #1 Contender’s Match next week to determine who challenges AJ Styles for the WWE Championship at Fastlane. Owens is known to turn on his friends so if he loses, he could snap again and he and Zayn could go back to being enemies.
Owens tries to escape, but Styles throws him back into the ring and Shinsuke Nakamura immediately picks him off with the Kinshasa knee strike. Winners: AJ Styles & Shinsuke Nakamura
