WWE SmackDown live results: Bryan vs. Ali, Charlotte vs. Asuka


Tonight’s SmackDown takes place from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and is the go-home show for TLC.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch defends against Charlotte Flair and Asuka in the first-ever women’s tables, ladders, and chairs match on Sunday. Tonight, Flair takes on Asuka in a WrestleMania rematch. In their first match, Flair ended Asuka’s undefeated streak. Lynch is also scheduled to be in attendance for tonight’s rematch.
Ahead of defending the WWE Championship against AJ Styles on Sunday, Daniel Bryan will face 205 Live’s Mustafa Ali in a non-title match tonight.
Last week, Samoa Joe interrupted Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton with a public service announcement. He mocked Hardy’s past personal issues and substance abuse problems. Hardy responds to Joe’s public service announcement tonight.
The Bar will defend the SmackDown Tag Team titles against The Usos and New Day at TLC. However, tonight they’ll have a different kind of battle. The Bar take on The Usos in a rap battle, which will be hosted by The New Day. Plus, Mandy Rose goes one-on-one with Naomi.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
**********
WWE Champion Daniel Bryan came down to the ring to start SmackDown. He apologized for calling the people sheep last week. He claims that’s offensive to sheep. Sheep don’t ruin the planet like humans. He noted the people take and take especially in Las Vegas. He said the people are more like parasites. The crowd chanted “Daniel Bryan Sucks”. He said the old Daniel Bryan is dead and so is the Yes Movement.
Bryan said the parasites are now attached to a couch in the house that AJ Styles built. He promised to defeat Styles Sunday at TLC. Mustafa Ali heard enough and came out. He tried to introduce himself but Bryan stopped him. He noted he knows who Ali is.
Bryan called Ali the heart of 205 Live and an incredible performer. Bryan noted Ali reminds him of himself. He said the fans don’t deserve to see Bryan vs. Ali. Ali wondered what happened to Bryan. Ali noted he use to look up to him. He said the old Bryan would want a fight. Ali wants a fight.
The fans broke into a “Fight” chant. Bryan asked Ali what kind of car he drives. Ali drives a SUV. Bryan called Ali a small little man. Ali explained he’s got a family but Bryan slapped him. Ali fought back and hit a hurricanrana on Bryan. He followed up with a huge dive to the floor.
WWE Champion Daniel Bryan defeated Mustafa Ali in a non-title match
Bryan was firmly in control and worked over Ali’s leg. Bryan hit the Yes kicks but Ali ducked and scored a near fall. Ali attempted a plancha but Bryan moved. Ali was able to land on his feet but Bryan sent him into the ring post.
During the commercial break, Ali hit the Spanish fly on Bryan. Bryan applied the Yes lock but Ali made the ropes. Bryan caught Ali in the Tree of Woe and hit a running dropkick. He then hit a back suplex but Ali landed on his feet. Ali fired back with hard chops. In an awesome sequence, Ali sent Bryan into the corner but he ran up the turnbuckle into a back flip and landed on his feet. At the same time, Ali ran forward and hit a tornado DDT off the second turnbuckle for a near fall.
Finish came when Ali missed the 054 and Bryan hit Ali’s leg against the ring post. Bryan then locked on the heel hook for the win. After the match, Bryan attacked Ali on the ramp way. Bryan locked on the heel hook again.
The New Day came out in suits to host the 2nd Annual SmackDown Live Rap Battle. Woods said they’re hosting for obvious reasons. The Bar was wearing red Adidas track suits with gold chains. Big E noted The Bar requested the rap battle so they’re probably up to shenanigans.
The Bar went first and was so bad Big E held up a picture of a trashcan. New Day called them trash. The Usos went next and were great. Highlights included comparing The New Day to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Bar to Bebop and Rocksteady. They also brought up Cesaro injuring his teeth on the turnbuckle.
The Bar tried to jump the Usos but they ducked. New Day and Usos went face-to-face but The Bar jumped back in the ring. They beat down both teams and posed with the belts.
In the back, Asuka promised to win the tile Sunday at TLC. First, she’ll beat Charlotte Flair tonight.
The Miz was in the ring with the World Cup trophy. He asked Shane McMahon to come to the ring. He got down on one knee and begged McMahon to come to the ring. He said he’s not Jon Snow and has no problem bending the knee.
McMahon came down to the ring. He asked if Miz is okay. Miz noted McMahon didn’t answer his calls or texts. He said to give him one more chance. They’re meant to be together as a tag team. McMahon noted Miz and the trophy is starting to get weird. Miz said he’s going to prove it to him. He called out a referee and their opponents The Vegas Boys.
The Miz & Shane McMahon defeated The Vegas Boys (Chip & Chad)
The heels jumped McMahon from behind. McMahon fought back and sent one to the floor. At one point McMahon hit an awful looking DDT that looked painful to take. He applied the triangle for the win.
In the back, Paige yelled at the referee for going out to the ring to referee the match. He said Miz told him she approved the match. The Vegas Boys entered with invoices. They said Miz promised she’d pay them $5,000 each. She ripped up the invoices and kicked them out.
Randy Orton came down to the ring and brought in a steel chair. He noted there’s nothing better that a solid steel chair. He said they’re good for sending a message. He showed footage of his two attacks on Rey Mysterio a few weeks ago.
Orton mocked Mysterio for wanting revenge. He called Mysterio his victim and victims don’t get revenge. He said the rest of the roster on Sunday is worried about the letters TLC. Mysterio needs to worry about RKO. Suddenly, Mysterio hit Orton from behind with a chair and hit the 619.
Kayla Braxton interviewed Women’s Champion Becky Lynch in the back. She pointed out that she has to test her face and head in a TLC match on Sunday. She doesn’t have the advantage but she likes that. She’s always fighting against the odds. She promised to be at ringside for the match later. On Sunday she’s going to remind everyone how much chaos there is when the Man comes around.
Jeff Hardy & Rusev defeated Samoa Joe & Shinsuke Nakamura
Before the match could start, R-Truth and Carmella came out for a short dance break.
Hardy was distracted and Nakamura jumped him from behind. The heels isolated Hardy on their side of the ring. Hardy fought back and hit the whisper in the wind on Joe. Rusev got the hot tag and ran wild on Nakamura.
Rusev rocked Nakamura with a kick for a two count. Hardy hit the twist of fate on Joe and followed up with a clothesline off the apron. Finish came when Nakamura went for the Kinshasa but Rusev nailed the Machka Kick for the win.
In the back, Shane McMahon yelled at Miz for hiring The Vegas Boys and tricking the referee. Miz admitted he did it for McMahon. He noted he was never considered best in the world until McMahon came around. Miz extended his hand but McMahon walked away. The fans booed McMahon not shaking his hand.
Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviewed AJ Styles. Styles noted he wants to beat up Daniel Bryan but then he couldn’t compete Sunday. He said this isn’t the new Daniel Bryan. This is the real Daniel Bryan.
In the back, Kayla Braxton interviewed Charlotte Flair. She noted she’s doesn’t break but she breaks records. She’s going to show The Man and The Empress what she can do and make them bow down to the Queen.
Asuka defeated Charlotte Flair by disqualification
Becky Lynch sat at ringside during the match.
Asuka worked over the leg but Flair fought back. Asuka caught Flair with a vicious German suplex. Flair regained control and attempted a moonsault. Asuka got her knees up and applied the Asuka Lock.
Flair dropped backwards to break the Asuka Lock. Asuka re-applied the hold but Flair made the ropes. They traded shots in the middle of the ring. Asuka gained control and worked over Flair’s arm. She applied a triangle but Flair countered into a powerbomb for a near fall.
Flair applied the figure four-leg lock but Asuka reversed and made the ropes. Flair continued to work over Asuka’s leg. Flair went for a spear but Asuka countered with knees to the face. Asuka rocked Flair with kicks and elbows. Flair hit a spear for another near fall.
Flair attempted another moonsault but Asuka got her knees up. Flair caught her legs and attempted the figure four but Asuka reversed into the Asuka lock. They fell to the floor. Flair grabbed a kendo stick and attacked Asuka for the DQ.
Flair then attacked Lynch with the kendo stick. Lynch fought back and beat Flair with the kendo stick. Asuka attacked Lynch and threw her over the announce table. Asuka then beat both Lynch and Flair with the kendo stick.