Wrestling Lockup With Brandon 1/10/18: Smackdown Live Birmingham Recap

By Brandon Albright, @B_Rock1978

What's up wrestling fans, welcome to this week's Smackdown Live recap.

Last week, Sami Zayn scored the upset pinfall on the WWE World Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles, as Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon continued to have issues with each other during the match. Xavier Woods defeated Aiden English and advanced in the WWE United States Championship Tournament. Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable thought they had won the WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Championship, however, due to pinning the illegal man in the match, the match was restarted and The Usos retained. Let's get to this week's recap as the show was live in Birmingham, Alabama.

** Smackdown Live Card **

- Ruby Riot battled Becky Lynch.
- The Bludgeon Brothers battled The Ascension.
- Mojo Rawley battled Zack Ryder in a WWE United States Championship Tournament Match.
- Rusev and Aiden English battled Breezango.
- WWE World Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles, Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura battled Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in a Handicap Match.

** Smackdown Live **

- Renee Young Interviews AJ Styles: Smackdown Live kicked off in the ring with Renee Young interviewing AJ Styles. Styles says he was being sarcastic when he said he wanted a Handicap Match against Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, but he'll hit them hard and fast. Styles says the decision to make the match wasn't fair, but neither is life. Styles says he's not sure what Daniel Bryan's deal is, but it seems like Styles is being pushed into Bryan's business and he also doesn't want to get included in Shane McMahon's either. Styles says he'll beat both Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn and truly be the best. Owens and Zayn interrupt next and Owens promises that Styles has no chance to retain the title at the WWE Royal Rumble and he and Zayn will be the first ever co-world champions. Shane McMahon interrupts next and says he agrees with Styles that this match isn't fair and can't understand why Bryan approves of this. Shane then announces another Handicap Match for tonight's main event. It'll be Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn vs. AJ Styles, Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura.

- Ruby Riot vs. Becky Lynch: The first match of the night saw the women's division in action, with Becky battling Ruby of the Riot Squad. Charlotte and Naomi were at ringside giving Becky back up, as Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan were in Ruby's corner. The match closes out with Ruby attempting the Riot Kick, but Becky counters it and traps Ruby in the Dis Arm Her submission for the tap out win.

- The Bludgeon Brothers vs. The Ascension: The second match of the night saw The Bludgeon Brothers battle The Ascension. The past couple weeks The Bludgeon Brothers have been destroying Breezango with The Ascension coming to Breezango's aide. This week The Ascension got their chance. The match closes out with The Ascension trying to attack earlier, but get destroyed quickly and pinned in a squash match. After the match, The Bludgeon Brothers leave both members of The Ascension laid out.

- "WWE United States Championship Tournament Match": Mojo Rawley vs. Zack Ryder: The third match of the night saw the final match of the tournament between the former tag team partners. The match closes out with Mojo avoiding the Broski Boot by rolling outside. Ryder attempts more offense, but catches a running right hand from Mojo, giving Mojo the win. Mojo advances to the Final Four to face Bobby Roode.

- Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable, Out For Justice: Benjamin and Gable are in the ring, show footage of last week's match against The Usos, state what it takes to be a superior athlete and state that they were robbed last week just like Georgia was robbed against Alabama in the National Championship. Gable says they were the new champs last week. Benjamin mentions the second referee coming down and ordering the match restarted. Benjamin and Gable state that it's come down to jealousy, the second referee was a snitch, a crime was committed and they deserve justice. Daniel Bryan interrupts and hits the ring. Bryan says he understands their complaints, but the referee's ruling will always stand. Bryan says the wrong Uso was pinned therefore the decision is final. Gable accuses Bryan of taking things out on them because Shane McMahon is mad at Bryan. Bryan finally announces a 2 Out Of 3 Falls Match at the WWE Royal Rumble between The Usos and Benjamin and Gable.

- Rusev and Aiden English vs. Breezango: The fourth match of the night saw Rusev and English battle Breezango. The match closes out with Rusev attempting The Accolade on Fandango, but Breeze stops it. All four men begin brawling and it ends with Fandango rolling up Rusev for the pinfall.

- The Shane McMahon And Daniel Bryan Drama Continues: Before the main event, Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan meet backstage. Shane says he and Bryan are not on the same page and Bryan's decisions lately have been horrible. Shane disagrees with the fact that Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn could become co-world champions and feels The Usos shouldn't have to again defend their titles against Benjamin and Gable when they already beat them. Shane accuses Bryan of being unstable. Bryan tells Shane that he could say the same about him considering he's a McMahon. Shane says they'll just agree to disagree at the moment then.

- "Handicap Match": AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura and Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn: The main event of the show saw the three on two handicap match that Daniel Bryan set up in the opening segment of the show. The match closes out with Owens and Zayn purposely getting counted out. Shane McMahon arrives, restarts the match and announces that it's a No Count Out Match now. The match continues with Zayn countering an RKO from Orton. Owens hits the ring with a steel chair and unloads on Orton, getting Owens and Zayn DQ'ed. Shane McMahon arrives again, restarts the match and announces it a No Count Out and No DQ Match. Styles and Owens brawl backstage as Zayn is trapped at ringside with Orton and Nakamura. Nakamura hits the Kinshasa on Zayn and Orton follows with the RKO to grab the victory. 

Wrestling Lockup With Brandon 1/3/18: Smackdown Live Orlando Recap

By Brandon Albright, @B_Rock1978

What's up wrestling fans, welcome to this week's Smackdown Live recap. It's the first Smackdown Live of 2018 and things are moving full steam ahead to this year's WWE Royal Rumble.

Last week, the WWE United States Championship Tournament kicked off with Bobby Roode and Jinder Mahal winning their matches and advancing to the Final Four. Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable earned themselves a WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Championship match. Kevin Owens scored a non title victory over the champion AJ Styles. Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan also continued to have their problems with each other running the show. Let's get to this week's recap, live in Orlando, Florida.

** Smackdown Live Card **

- WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Champions The Usos defended their titles against Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable.
- The Bludgeon Brothers battled Breezango.
- Xavier Woods battled Aiden English in the United States Championship Tournament.
- The Riot Squad battled Nattie Neidhart, Tamina and Carmella in a six woman tag team match.
- WWE World Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles battled Sami Zayn in a non title match.

** Smackdown Live **

- The Champ That Runs The Camp: AJ Styles kicked off Smackdown Live in the ring for a promo. Styles wishes us a Happy New Year and says that main eventing Wrestlemania 34 is his New Year's Resolution. Styles calls out Daniel Bryan to explain why Sami Zayn wasn't banned from ringside last week. Bryan arrives, but immediately gets interrupted by Shane McMahon. Shane apologizes to Styles for what happened last week. Shane asks Bryan why he allowed Zayn at ringside. Before Bryan can give any explanation, Shane cuts him off, accuses Bryan of helping Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn with their "Yep Movement" and announces that he will be at ringside tonight when Styles battles Zayn. Bryan says that we might as well let Owens at ringside too and Bryan will be there too. Bryan gets a "Yes" Chant going to end the segment.

- "WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Championship Match": The Usos (c) vs. Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable: The first match of the night saw the tag team titles on the line as Benjamin and Gable got their shot against The Usos, after becoming the #1 Contenders last week. The match closes out with Jimmy and Benjamin trading shots. Benjamin is tossed outside as Jey unloads on Gable. Gable is sent outside and Jey hits the Uso Dive. The Usos both run the ropes, but Benjamin trips up Jey and sends him into the apron. Benjamin and Gable power bomb Jimmy off the top rope and score the pinfall to win the titles.

- "WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Championship Match": The Usos (c) vs. Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable: Benjamin and Gable believed to have won the tag team titles, however, there was a huddle at ringside with the referee of the match and a second referee from backstage. Jey Uso was the legal man in the match and Jimmy was the one that was pinned. The referee restarted the match after learning of the mess up. The match closes out with both teams brawling outside. Jey with a Samoan Drop and Benjamin hits a spine buster. Benjamin and Gable attempt another top rope power bomb on Jey, but Jimmy saves him with an Uso Kick. The Usos hit double Uso Kicks and an Uso Splash off the top rope to retain their titles in this controversial match.

- Breezango vs. The Bludgeon Brothers: The second match of the night saw another match between Breezango and The Bludgeon Brothers. Before the match can even start, The Bludgeon Brothers attack Breeze and Fandango and beat them down. The Ascension hit the ring to help, but suffer the same fate and get beaten down by Harper and Rowan. The Bludgeon Brothers celebrate as the match ends in a No Contest.

- "United States Championship Tournament": Aiden English vs. Xavier Woods: The third match of the night saw the United States Championship Tournament continue. Before the match, The New Day, Aiden English and Rusev argued backstage about who was winning their match tonight. The winner of this match will battle Jinder Mahal in the Final Four. The match closes out with English getting a near fall power bomb on Woods. Woods counters a super face buster and back drops English to the mat. Woods hits the elbow drop off the top rope on English and scores the pinfall to advance to the Final Four.

- "Six Woman Tag Team Match": The Riot Squad vs. Nattie Neidhart, Tamina and Carmella: The fourth match of the night saw the women's division in six woman tag team action. The match closes out with Tamina knocking Liv Morgan off the apron and then super kicks Ruby. Tamina then plants Sarah Logan with a Samoan Drop. Tamina goes to the top rope, but gets shoved off by Liv as Ruby distracted the referee. Sarah hits a knee to the back of the head on Tamina and scores the pinfall. After the match, Ruby announces that The Riot Squad will be in the Royal Rumble and then gets interrupted by Charlotte. Charlotte calls Ruby a dreamer and then brings out Naomi and Becky Lynch. All six ladies brawl at ringside. Charlotte hits a running boot on Sarah. Naomi lays out Liv and then Becky hits the Bexploder on Liv and Ruby.

- AJ Styles vs. Sami Zayn: The main event of the show saw Styles battle Zayn. Kevin Owens, Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan were all at ringside for this match. The match closes out with Styles and Zayn trading shots that ends with a Styles Pele Kick. The referee gets knocked outside as Styles attempted a Phenomenal Forearm. Styles rolls up Zayn, but Owens distracts the referee until Shane comes over and stops it. Styles argues with the referee about missing the pinfall. Shane gets on the apron and orders the referee to eject Owens. Bryan interrupts and says that if Owens is getting ejected than so should Shane. Styles knocks Owens off the apron. Zayn hits the Helluva Kick on Styles and scores the upset pinfall. After the match, Styles tells Bryan and Shane to stop bickering and he's sick of others getting involved. Styles demands a Handicap Match against Owens and Zayn. Styles then is stunned as Bryan announces it for the WWE Royal Rumble with Styles' WWE World Heavyweight Championship on the line to end the show. 

Wrestling Lockup With Brandon 12/27/17: Smackdown Live Chicago Recap

By Brandon Albright, @B_Rock1978

Smackdown Live was live this week in Chicago, Illinois, for night number two in the WWE's two night visit in the Windy City. Who will step up and try to make a name for themselves as we continue to move on to the WWE Royal Rumble??

** Smackdown Live Card **

- Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable, Rusev and Aiden English and The New Day battled in a #1 Contenders Triple Threat Match.
- The Bludgeon Brothers battled Breezango.
- Ruby Riot battled Naomi.
- Bobby Roode battled Baron Corbin in a WWE United States Championship Tournament match.
- Tye Dillinger battled Jinder Mahal in a WWE United States Championship Tournament Match.
- WWE World Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles battled Kevin Owens in a non title match.

** Smackdown Live **

- Daniel Bryan Addresses The WWE United States Championship and World Tag Team Championship Situations: Daniel Bryan kicked off Smackdown Live and officially announced that he has not heard anything from Dolph Ziggler all week since he laid down the WWE United States Championship. Bryan wishes Ziggler luck, officially strips Ziggler of the title and announces a tournament to decide a new champion. Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable interrupt and demand to know what will be done about the tag team titles because they've never been given their fair match alone against The Usos. Rusev and Aiden English interrupt next with English singing about them deserving a tag team title match. The New Day interrupt next and claim that they too deserve a tag team title match. Bryan puts an end to the arguing and bickering and announces a Triple Threat Match right now with the winners becoming the #1 Contenders.

- "Triple Threat, #1 Contenders Match": The New Day vs. Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable vs. Rusev and Aiden English: The first match kicked off just like Daniel Bryan said with the winning team becoming the new #1 Contenders to the tag team titles. The match closes out with Rusev applying a double Accolade submission on both Woods and Gable, but Benjamin breaks the submission with a head kick. Big E spears Benjamin and then attempts the Big Ending. Benjamin counters but eats an elbow. Big E goes to the top rope, but Benjamin and Gable counter, hit a double team finisher and score the pinfall.

- Daniel Bryan And Shane McMahon Continue To Have Problems: Shane confronts Bryan backstage and says that he still feels upset about Bryan comparing Shane to his father, Vince McMahon. Shane says Vince may be a vicious son of a bitch, but you have to give credit where it's due and he has revolutionized sports entertainment. Bryan accuses Shane of throwing around his weight. Shane accuses Bryan of doing the same and suggests that he should've announced Bobby Roode vs. Baron Corbin for the WWE United States Championship instead of a tournament. Shane then questions Bryan on why he would announce AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens tonight and not ban Sami Zayn from ringside. Bryan says he announced the tournament because this is the land of opportunity and he announced Styles vs. Owens because they had a great feud in 2017 and that's how he wanted to end the year. 

- Breezango vs. The Bludgeon Brothers: The second match of the night saw tag team action, with a rematch from WWE Clash of Champions. The match closes out with The Bludgeon Brothers in full control of the match when suddenly The Ascension hit the ring. The Ascension carry Breezango out of the ring and to safety, ending the match in a No Contest. After the match, The Ascension demand a match against The Bludgeon Brothers next week so they can get revenge for their friends Breezango.

- Ruby Riott vs. Naomi: The third match of the night saw the Women's Division in action. The match closes out with Liv Morgan getting on the apron, but gets knocked off by Naomi. Sarah Logan tries to distract Naomi, but it doesn't work either. Ruby takes out Naomi's knee and then nails the Riot Kick for the pinfall. After the match, the Riot Squad beat down Naomi until Charlotte hits the ring. Charlotte clotheslines Sarah, takes out Liv then goes after Ruby. The Riot Squad finally gain the advantage and beat down Charlotte. Nattie Neidhart, Tamina, Lana and Carmella hit the ring and chase the Riot Squad away.

- "WWE United States Championship Tournament First Round Match": Bobby Roode vs. Baron Corbin: The WWE United States Championship Tournament kicked off with Roode vs. Corbin. The match closes out with Corbin countering the Glorious DDT and hits Deep Six on Roode for a near fall. Corbin puts Roode in the corner and goes for a super plex. Roode fights his way out and then lands a head butt on Corbin. Roode gets caught coming off the ropes by Corbin. Roode counters Corbin and gets the rollup pinfall for the win.

- "WWE United States Championship Tournament First Round Match": Tye Dillinger vs. Jinder Mahal: The fifth match of the night saw the second match in the WWE United States Championship Tournament take place between Dillinger and Mahal. The match closes out with Mahal countering the Tye Breaker, and then rolling through on a Dillinger cross body for a near fall. Mahal hits a gut buster on Dillinger for a near fall. Dillinger counters Mahal offense and gets a near fall DDT. Mahal catches Dillinger and hits the Cobra Clutch Slam for the pinfall.

- AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens: The main event of the show saw Styles battle Owens. Styles stated that he didn't care whether or not Sami Zayn was with Owens tonight or not because it wouldn't make a difference with Styles being the best on the roster. Owens stated that he would prove tonight that he is better than the phenomenal one and has his guardian angel Sami Zayn in his corner. The match closes out with Styles suicide diving onto Zayn as he attempted a distraction. Styles sends Owens into the ring post then back into the ring.

Styles attempts the Phenomenal Forearm, but Zayn distracts Styles, allowing Owens to land a super kick for a near fall. Shane McMahon hits the ring and demands the referee to eject Zayn. The referee, Shane and Zayn are all arguing as Styles rolls up Owens, but the referee doesn't see the pinfall. Owens rolls up Styles and steals the pinfall as the referee finally turns around and sees it. After the match, an upset Styles stares down Shane McMahon to end the show.

Wrestling Lockup With Brandon 12/20/17: Smackdown Live Newark Recap

By Brandon Albright, @B_Rock1978

Smackdown Live was live this week in Newark, New Jersey. Two days removed from WWE Clash of Champions and we move forward to the WWE Royal Rumble next. What feuds will we see building up towards stop number one on the Road to Wrestlemania?

** Smackdown Live Card **

- WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Champions The Usos battled Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable in a non title match.
- WWE Smackdown Live Women's Champion Charlotte and Naomi battled Ruby Riot and Sarah Logan.
- The New Day battled Rusev and Aiden English. 
- WWE World Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles, Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura battled Jinder Mahal, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in a six man tag team match.

** Smackdown Live **

- Daniel Bryan And Shane McMahon Face To Face: Smackdown Live GM Daniel Bryan kicked off the show, hypes the WWE Royal Rumble and tonight's show before getting interrupted by Shane McMahon. Shane says he wants to talk about what happened at WWE Clash of Champions when Bryan fell on top of Shane and stopped the pinfall he was about to count. Shane says he realizes now that it was an accident and the reason he didn't make the pinfall count for Sami Zayn is because all he could think of was what Kevin Owens did to his father Vince McMahon, how Zayn helped Owens at WWE Hell In A Cell and how both Owens and Zayn screwed SDL at WWE Survivor Series. Shane tells Bryan that he needs to explain himself now on why he fast counted for Zayn. Bryan says he did it to protect Shane because Shane can sometimes get hot headed. Bryan loves that SDL is their vision of the land of opportunity, but Shane threatened Owens and Zayn's livelihoods. Shane warns Bryan that Owens and Zayn will stab him in the back in an instant and to not show favoritism toward them. Bryan says that he believes in Shane, but if it's a firing Shane wants then maybe Shane should just fire Bryan. Shane wishes Bryan good luck on tonight's show and walks out.

- The Usos vs. Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable: The first match of the night saw the The Usos battle Benjamin and Gable in tag team action. Jey goes for the Uso Splash on Gable, but Gable gets the knees up. Gable counters the Uso Kick and german suplexes Jimmy. Benjamin hits a knee on Jey and Gable follows with a german suplex. Benjamin and Gable hit a double team finisher and score the pinfall on the champs.

- Charlotte and Naomi vs. Ruby Riot and Sarah Logan: Before the match, Charlotte mentions the first ever Women's Royal Rumble and she'll be waiting for the winner at Wrestlemania. Naomi says it'll be her and she and Charlotte agree to meet at Wrestlemania if it happens. The Riot Squad interrupt and get mocked by Naomi which sets up the tag team match. Naomi gets a near fall kick on Sarah. Charlotte nails a Big Boot on Ruby, as she tries to get involved. Sarah headbutts Naomi as Liv Morgan jumps on the apron. Sarah goes for the spear on Naomi, but misses and nails Liv. Naomi capitalizes and scores the pinfall on Sarah.  

- The New And Former United States Champion??: Dolph Ziggler cuts a promo next about his title victory at WWE Clash of Champions. Ziggler brags and says he's just getting started. Ziggler brags about his IC Title wins, Money In The Bank win and WHC win, but he still goes as unappreciated in the WWE. Ziggler says the fans don't deserve him and he's about to give us something to remember him by. Ziggler lays the WWE United States Championship down in the middle of the ring and walks out without it.

- The New Day vs. Rusev and Aiden English: This match was made official after both teams were dressed in Christmas outfits backstage and argued over New Day merchandise, New Day pancakes and a Happy Rusev Day t-shirt. Kofi hits a suicide dive on Rusev outside as English then gets double teamed and sent face first into a stack of pancakes. Woods takes out English and hits a flying elbow drop off the top rope for the pinfall.

- "Six Man Tag Team Match": AJ Styles, Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Jinder Mahal, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn: The main event of the show saw a huge six man tag team match. The Singh Brothers jump up on the apron and knock down Nakamura after hitting him in the back of the neck. The referee catches them in the act and ejects The Singh Brothers from ringside. Orton hits both Singh Brothers with the RKO, laying them out. Styles goes for the Phenomenal Forearm on Owens and connects. Nakamura charges and hits the Kinshasa on Zayn to score the pinfall.

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.

Wrestling Lockup With Brandon 12/6/17: Smackdown Live San Diego Recap

By Brandon Albright, @B_Rock1978

Smackdown Live was live this week in San Diego, California. Things continue to heat up over on the blue brand as we get closer to next Sunday's WWE Clash of Champions pay per view.

** Smackdown Live Card **

- The New Day battled Rusev and Aiden English.
- The Bludgeon Brothers battled Adam James and Josh Carr. 
- WWE United States Champion Baron Corbin battled Bobby Roode in a non title match.
- WWE Smackdown Live Women's Champion Charlotte battled Tamina in a non title match.
- Randy Orton battled Sami Zayn, with Kevin Owens handcuffed to the ropes.

** Smackdown Live **

- The Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens Show: Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens kick off Smackdown Live in the ring. Owens says that when you're as great of an athlete as he is, you never stop learning. Owens has learned that the McMahon family will stop at nothing when they make you a target. Owens and Zayn point out that Shane used Randy Orton to end his career last week and do his dirty work. Owens showed the world that he's not afraid of Orton or Shane's vendetta and actually outsmarted Shane. Zayn mocks the fans, announcers and the ringside staff. Orton suddenly appears out of nowhere and hits an RKO on Owens. Shane McMahon arrives next, states that he does have a vendetta against Owens and Zayn. Shane announces Zayn vs. Orton tonight with Owens handcuffed to the ropes and Zayn/Owens vs. Orton and a partner of his choice at WWE Clash of Champions.

- The New Day vs. Rusev and Aiden English: The first match of the night saw The New Day battle Rusev and Aiden English in tag team action. English avoids a Big Ending by raking Big E's eyes. Rusev sends Big E into the steel steps, but gets taken out by a Kofi suicide dive. Back in the ring, Kofi goes for a springboard on Rusev, but Rusev shakes the ropes, making Kofi hit the mat hard. Rusev hits a thrust kick on Kofi and scores the pinfall.

- The Bludgeon Brothers Stay Dominate: The second match of the night saw Luke Harper and Erick Rowan battle local wrestlers Adam James and Josh Carr. Harper and Rowan continue their dominance and finish off James and Carr in a quick squash match.

- Baron Corbin vs. Bobby Roode: The third match of the night saw Corbin and Roode go one on one. Earlier in the evening Dolph Ziggler confronted both Corbin and Roode and made it clear that both men have no chance of winning at WWE Clash of Champions now that Ziggler was added to the triple threat match. Roode and Corbin hit each other with clotheslines and lay each other out at the same time. Dolph Ziggler hits the ring and lays out Roode with the Zig Zag, giving Roode the DQ victory. Ziggler then measures up Corbin and hits him with a Zig Zag too.

- Charlotte vs. Tamina: Earlier in the show it was announced that Charlotte would now be defending her title at WWE Clash of Champions in a Lumberjill Match, after many of the women in the women's division argued with Smackdown Live GM Daniel Bryan that they should be the #1 Contender. Nattie Neidhart also confronted the women's division earlier in the show and tried to get some of the ladies on her side to help her during that match. The fourth match of the night saw the champ, Charlotte, battle one of the Lumberjills, Tamina. Charlotte counters the Samoan Drop, hits a Big Boot on Tamina and then gets the tap out win with the Figure Eight submission. After the match, Nattie Neidhart taunts Charlotte from the apron. Ruby Riot, Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan arrive next and taunt the whole women's division. Tamina attacks Sarah and a huge brawl breaks out with with all the women. Carmella and Lana hold back Tamina. Ruby and Liv hold back Sarah. Charlotte escapes and celebrates with her title.

- Randy Orton vs. Sami Zayn, With Kevin Owens Handcuffed To The Ropes: The main event of the show saw Randy Orton and Sami Zayn go one on one, with Kevin Owens handcuffed to the ropes. Zayn and Owens tried to go over Shane McMahon's head and get Smackdown Live GM Daniel Bryan to lift the handcuff clause, but had no luck. Zayn grabs bolt cutters and tries to cut Owens loose, but Orton drops Zayn. Back in the ring, Zayn goes to the top rope, but gets crotched on the ropes, as Owens tries to use the bolt cutters. Orton goes for a draping DDT on Owens, but Zayn gets a near fall rollup. Orton misses an RKO and Zayn misses the Helluva Kick. Orton rolls up Zayn and scores the pinfall. After the match, Owens and Zayn double team Orton until Shinsuke Nakamura hits the ring. Nakamura hits the Kinshasa on Owens as Orton hits the RKO on Zayn.

- Shane McMahon Makes A Huge Announcement: Backstage, Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan are talking. Shane announces that he will make himself the special guest referee in the Zayn/Owens vs. Orton/Nakamura match at WWE Clash of Champions. If Owens and Zayn lose they will be fired from the WWE forever.