Wrestling Lockup With Brandon 12/13/17: Smackdown Live Cincinnati Recap

By Brandon Albright, @B_Rock1978

Smackdown Live was live this week in Cincinnati, Ohio with the final build up to this Sunday night's WWE Clash of Champions pay per view, live on the WWE Network.

** Smackdown Live Card **

- WWE Smackdown Live Women's Champion Charlotte battled Ruby Riot in a non title match.
- WWE United States Champion Baron Corbin battled Dolph Ziggler in a non title match.
- WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Champions The Usos battled Rusev and Aiden English in a non title match.
- Shinsuke Nakamura battled Kevin Owens.

** Smackdown Live **

- AJ Styles And The Singh Brothers Face To Face: Styles kicks off Smackdown Live to hype his World Title defense against Jinder Mahal at WWE Clash of Champions. Styles gives Mahal props, but says he's not losing what he just won and knows Mahal will do what ever it takes to get back the title. The Singh Brothers interrupt and express they're hatred for Mahal for turning on them. Styles shows compassion for them and The Singh Brothers ask to be in Styles' corner when he battles Mahal because they are done with Mahal. The Singh Brothers complain about getting treated unfairly by Mahal while Mahal travels first class and makes them kiss his feet. Styles then asks The Singh Brothers why they were with Mahal at the live event in India if they're over Mahal. Styles says he's not falling for this trick and attacks The Singh Brothers as Mahal appears on the stage. Styles takes out The Singh Brothers and then stares down Mahal to end the segment. 

- Charlotte vs. Ruby Riot: The first match of the night saw the leader of the Riot Squad, Ruby Riot, battle Charlotte in a one on one match. Nattie Neidhart, who challenges Charlotte at WWE Clash of Champions sat in on commentary for this match. Charlotte goes outside and unloads on Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan, who try to help Ruby. Charlotte then attacks Nattie, but Nattie fires back and attacks Charlotte, getting Ruby DQ'ed. After the match, The Riot Squad beat down Charlotte and attempt to injure her with the steel steps. Naomi hits the ring, takes out Sarah and Liv and then goes after Ruby. Naomi hits the Rear View on Ruby before Sarah and Liv pull her to safety. Lana, Tamina and Carmella suddenly arrive next and unload on The Riot Squad, chasing them off.

- Baron Corbin vs. Dolph Ziggler: The second match of the night saw Corbin battle Ziggler in a one on one match. Corbin, Ziggler and Bobby Roode will battle in a Triple Threat Match at WWE Clash of Champions. Bobby Roode shows up as Corbin and Ziggler take each other out. Roode lays out Ziggler with a Glorious DDT, getting Corbin DQ'ed. After the match, Corbin tries to attack Roode, but also gets laid out with a Glorious DDT.

- The Bludgeon Brothers vs. Colin Delaney and Joe Monroe: The third match of the night saw Luke Harper and Erick Rowan continue their dominace in the tag team division. The Bludgeon Brothers get the easy squash match victory over Delaney and Monroe.

- Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn Occupy Smackdown: Owens and Zayn appear with "Yep" shirts on, trying to sway Smackdown Live GM Daniel Bryan to side with them. Owens says that people think that Vince and Stephanie McMahon are horrible, but Shane McMahon has made his life miserable for the past 9 months on Smackdown Live. Owens says it's time to show the world that this business is bigger than Shane and his vendetta and he and Zayn are Occupying Smackdown. Owens calls out all their supporters to hit the ring and help take over the show, but Daniel Bryan is the only one to appear. Bryan questions Owens and Zayn on their actions and says the night he formed the "Yes Movement" it was about the fans not him. Owens and Zayn rant about Shane and how he's out to get them. Bryan says that Owens and Zayn are talented and he'll make sure the tag team match at WWE Clash of Champions is a fair fight. Bryan then announces that he also will be the special guest referee along with Shane McMahon and knows that he and Shane will have each other's backs in the decision making. 

- The Usos vs. Rusev and Aiden English: The fourth match of the night saw The Usos battle Rusev and Aiden English in tag team action. Both teams will be apart of a Fatal Four Way Match at WWE Clash of Champions. The New Day were on commentary for this match. Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable also arrived to let their voice be heard about the Fatal Four Way Match at WWE Clash of Champions. Rusev hits the Machka Kick on Jimmy setting English up to score the pinfall.

- Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kevin Owens: The main event of the show saw Nakamura and Owens battle it out in a one on one match. Daniel Bryan arrived to do commentary for this match. Owens accidentally knocks out the referee in the match which forces Daniel Bryan to get involved as the referee. Nakamura counters the Pop Up Power Bomb. Sami Zayn hits the ring, but so does Randy Orton, who takes out Zayn. Zayn pokes Orton in the eye and shoves him into the ring post. Zayn distracts Nakamura, allowing Owens to hit the Pop Up Power Bomb for the pinfall by Daniel Bryan.