WWE SmackDown Results – Mar. 13, 2018 – Styles vs. Rusev

Mar 13, 2018

WWE Smackdown Results
March 13, 2018
Indianapolis, Indiana
Commentary: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton and Corey Graves
Results by: Adam Martin of Wrestleview.com

In-Ring: AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura

Styles grabs a mic. A loud “AJ STYLES” chant starts up. “Welcome to the house that A-J-Styles built.” Styles talks about the odds being stacked against him on Sunday. He admits that when John Cena put him through the announce table, he was in trouble and was even starting to buy into the odds. “Unbelievable, not impossible.” Styles talks about finding a way and still remaining the WWE Champion. He points up at the sign and talks about how he is heading to WrestleMania. Styles talks about the rumblings of him even coming to this company was unbelievable. He mentions how even becoming WWE Champion was unbelievable to some. Styles talks about defending that title at WrestleMania is a huge accomplishment for him. A loud “YOU DESERVE IT” chant starts up. Styles corrects the crowd and says he earned it. He talks about his dream match with Shinsuke Nakamura and how they’ve shared similar paths to WWE. Styles says if fans want to describe him as an “every man” that is fine with him…until he steps into this ring and becomes phenomenal.

Here comes Shinsuke Nakamura to interrupt. Big reaction for Nakamura in Indianapolis. Nakamura talks about Styles being a champion and how everyone likes him. “Everyone likes me too,” adds Nakamura. He says he respects Styles. “At WrestleMania, dreams come true. My dream…knee to face. And I become champion.”

Rusev and Aiden English walk out to interrupt. Rusev faces Styles next.

Non-Title Match
AJ Styles vs. Rusev

Lock up and Rusev pushes Styles away. We see a shot of Shinsuke Nakamura watching the match from ringside. Rusev again shoves Styles to the corner. Styles with leg kicks, but gets dropped with a quick shoulder block by Rusev. Styles with a right and chops to Rusev. Rusev pulls Styles at him and connects with a quick clothesline. Styles catches Rusev with a dropkick bouncing off the ropes. Styles clotheslines Rusev over the top rope. Styles with a springboard forearm connecting with Rusev over the forehead. Rusev with a shot to the throat of Styles followed by a spinebuster for a two count.

Back live, Rusev props Styles up on the top turnbuckle. Styles counters and drops Rusev face first off the corner. Styles drops Rusev with a big clothesline and follows with a flying forearm off the ropes. Styles with a corner clothesline, tries to get Rusev on his shoulders twice, but Rusev counters with a lifting knee and big kick to the head for a close two count. Styles with a Pele Kick and hits his knee neckbreaker on Rusev. Styles grabs his knee and tries to walk it off. Rusev counters a Styles Clash attempt. Styles is countering Rusev, but Rusev grabs the top rope to break free. Rusev is hanging on to the ropes. Styles pulls Rusev off and rolls through into a Calf Crusher. Aiden English jumps in and hits Styles.

The referee calls for the bell.

Winner via DQ: AJ Styles

After the match, Aiden English continues to attack AJ Styles. Rusev is back up and connects with a big kick to the ribs of Styles. Shinsuke Nakamura is in and drops English with a big spin kick. Nakamura with Kinshasa to Rusev. He turns and looks at the WrestleMania sign. Nakamura bails as we see Styles just starting to recover in the corner.

Backstage: Big E and Jimmy Uso

Highlight images of The Bludgeon Brothers attacking The Usos and The New Day this past Sunday night at the Fastlane PPV is shown.

Backstage, we see Big E walking when Dasha walks up talking about what went down on Sunday night. He talks about not being here tonight with Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods because of what The Bludgeon Brothers did at Fastlane. Big E says he will hold things down and will represent The New Day tonight. Jimmy Uso walks up and says he has Big E’s back after what was done to his brother on Sunday night.

Backstage: AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura

Backstage, AJ Styles tells Shinsuke Nakamura he didn’t need his help at Fastlane and didn’t need his help tonight. Nakamura says he will help Styles every week until WrestleMania…until he connects with his knee to the face.

Jimmy Uso and Big E vs. The Bludgeon Brothers

Jimmy Uso and Big E attack Harper and Rowan immediately on the outside. They both grab steel chairs and slide back inside the ring calling for Harper and Rowan to enter. Harper and Rowan grab the mallets and enter the ring with Jimmy and Big E. Jimmy and Big E swing. Harper and Rowan avoid the chair shots. Jimmy and Big E bail.

Commentary points out the match hasn’t even officially started yet.

The match is now in progress when we return live as Rowan drops Big E with a scoop slam. Tag to Harper who chops away at Big E in the corner. Big E throws an elbow and tags in Jimmy Uso who misses a shot jumping off the top rope, but catches Harper with a forearm. Jimmy with an uppercut, kick and Harper avoids a superkick attempt. Jimmy with a corkscrew splash to Harper off the top rope and then takes out Rowan. Harper levels Jimmy with a big boot and tosses Big E out of the ring. Rowan sends Big E into the steel steps. Rowan gets the tag, Harper slaps him and sends Rowan into Jimmy. Harper plants Jimmy with a powerbomb with help from Rowan. Rowan covers Jimmy for the pinfall.

Winners: The Bludgeon Brothers

After the match, Harper splashes Big E against the barricade and then Rowan takes out Big E with a big shot. Harper and Rowan walk to the back with Jimmy still down in the ring.

Backstage: Sami Zayn

Backstage, Sami Zayn blames Shane McMahon for not winning the WWE Championship at Fastlane. He also blames Kevin Owens for also losing on Sunday. Zayn says Owens is a self-absorbed egomaniac and played everyone perfectly leading into Fastlane.

In-Ring: Charlotte Flair and Asuka

WWE Smackdown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair heads to the ring. Charlotte grabs a mic and wanted to be out here to meet Asuka woman-to-woman tonight.

Here comes Asuka making her Smackdown Live debut. We are reminded that Asuka will challenge Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania for the Smackdown Women’s Championship.

Charlotte welcomes Asuka to Smackdown Live. Asuka thanks her. Charlotte talks about traveling the world defending her title. She talks about fans asking her what would happen if she ever had the opportunity to face Asuka. Charlotte admits she wanted Asuka to pick her for the title match at WrestleMania because she wants the challenge. She says while she’s never faced anyone like Asuka, Asuka has never faced anyone like her. Charlotte plans to end the streak and cement her legacy at WrestleMania. Asuka says she chose Charlotte because she likes a challenge. She says Charlotte might be the queen, but she is the empress. “Asuka bows to no one. Because no one is ready for Asuka.”

Charlotte and Asuka smile at each other as the segment comes to a close.

In-Ring: Randy Orton, Bobby Roode, Jinder Mahal

WWE United States Champion Randy Orton is standing in the ring with a mic. We see photo highlights of Orton becoming the new champion at Fastlane on Sunday. Orton says he has been called many different things throughout the course of his career. “Some good. Some not so good. But the one thing I have never been called, ever, until now is United States Champion.” Orton raises up the title over his head. He says winning this title has been him on a short and elite list of Grand Slam Champions. Orton says that is actually a list he cares about. He says Roode earned his respect, but this title is now his and he is taking it to WrestleMania. “And nobody is going to stop me.”

Bobby Roode is out next to interrupt. Roode plans to invoke his rematch clause.

Jinder Mahal walks out next with a mic in hand. He wants to also congratulate Orton. Mahal says he will beat Roode tonight just like how he beat Orton last week.

Bobby Roode vs. Jinder Mahal

Randy Orton takes a seat at ringside for the match tonight.

The bell rings and Mahal goes after Roode in the corner. Roode attempts a Glorious DDT early. Mahal bails out of the ring and stares down Orton.

Back live, Mahal has a headlock applied on Roode. Roode fights to his feet throwing right hands. Mahal and Roode collide in the middle of the ring. Roode with right hands and chops. Roode with clotheslines that drop Mahal including a corner clothesline and swinging neckbreaker combo. Roode with a top rope clothesline that catches Mahal. Mahal avoids another Glorious DDT attempt. Roode with a second rope Blockbuster. Mahal kicks out. Mahal dumps Roode out of the ring. When Roode returns, Mahal connects with a big boot and gets a close two count. Series of counters into a cover by Roode for a two count. Roode plants Mahal with a spinebuster. Sunil Singh distracts Roode on the ring apron. Roode pushes him off and goes up to the top turnbuckle. This allows Mahal to trip up Roode and then connect with the Khallas. Mahal picks up the pinfall victory.

Winner: Jinder Mahal

After the match, Randy Orton immediately slides in the ring and hits an RKO on Mahal.

Backstage: Kevin Owens

Backstage, Renee Young asks Kevin Owens what he thinks about Sami Zayn blaming him for losing on Sunday at Fastlane. Owens says he got screwed over first because of Shane McMahon. He talks about the “little stunt” Sami pulled. Owens calls him a liar and manipulator. He calls himself the rightful WWE Champion. Owens questions why we even needed Shane McMahon at ringside and says the McMahon’s always want attention.

Naomi vs. Carmella

Carmella immediately goes after Naomi in the corner. Carmella stands on Naomi’s hair and pulls her arms up. Carmella wraps Naomi’s hair around the middle rope in the corner. Naomi with a big jumping tackle and right hands to Carmella. Carmella with a big slap to Naomi fires back with a slap of her own. Naomi with body shots to Carmella and follows that up with a clothesline. Naomi with a huge knee to the face of Carmella. Carmella kicks out the legs of Naomi when she tries to springboard off the ropes. Carmella immediately rolls up Naomi and picks up the quick pinfall victory tonight.

Winner: Carmella

In-Ring: Shane McMahon, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn

Smackdown Commissioner Shane McMahon heads to the ring.

We see photo highlights from Fastlane where Shane got involved in the Six Pack Challenge main event for the WWE Championship, preventing both Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn from securing pinfalls to become the new WWE Champion during the match.

Back live, Shane says hello to Indianapolis. He talks about having issues with Owens and Zayn the last few months. Shane isn’t out here to apologize for his actions. He says both crossed the line, especially when Owens put his hands on his father.

Shane talks about getting a match with Owens inside a Hell in a Cell and how Zayn got involved in that match. He says perhaps at times, conduct unbecoming of Smackdown’s Commissioner took place. Shane mentions he recently spoke with Smackdown General Manager Daniel Bryan and announces he will return to the show next week. He announces effective immediately, he is taking an indefinite leave of absence as Smackdown’s Commissioner and that Daniel will have to go at it alone. Shane says before he goes he has one more announcement to make. “It will be Kevin Owens taking on Sami Zayn at WrestleMania.” Shane points to the WrestleMania 34 sign hanging in the arena.

Here comes Kevin Owens to interrupt with a mic in hand. Owens is shaking his head. “Wow, finally a decision I agree with, Shane.” He wishes Shane the best of luck in his future endeavors. Owens talks about being able to beat up Sami Zayn whenever he wants and that he didn’t have to wait for Shane’s “stupid” WrestleMania announcement. Sami Zayn walks out next with a mic in hand, gets in Owens’ face and then talks to Shane. He says Shane is just doing this because it made him so happy to hear these people cheer watching him go at it with Owens. Zayn says if Shane is going to base all of his decisions on these fans, then “thank god you are leaving.” Shane seems confused.

Shane points out he just gave them both the opportunity to fight on the grandest stage of them all at WrestleMania. Owens says they appreciate it, but want to show the appreciation even more. Zayn attacks Shane immediately. Owens joins in. Shane gets the better of Zayn throwing rights. Owens locks up Shane letting Zayn get in shots. Owens gets in shots as well including a big knee. Owens props up Shane in the corner, backs up, charges and connects with the Helluva Kick. Zayn is picking up Shane in the corner and throws him at Owens. Owens connects with a Pop Up Powerbomb on Shane. A WWE referee slides in and Owens takes him out with a big knee. More WWE officials run in and Owens attacks them and tosses them out. Zayn grabs a steel chair and sets it up. Owens puts the head of Shane inside the chair and tosses him face first into the steel ring post. Owens and Zayn grab Shane and drag him to the backstage area. Backstage, Owens gives Shane a powerbomb over a metal barricade. Shane starts to squeal in pain. EMT officials show up with a stretcher and put a neckbrace on Shane as he continues to be in pain.

Quick Match Results

* WWE Champion AJ Styles def. Rusev via DQ in a non-title match
* The Bludgeon Brothers def. Jimmy Uso and Big E
* Jinder Mahal def. Bobby Roode
* Carmella def. Naomi