WWE SmackDown video highlights: Royal Rumble build continues

SmackDown’s build to the Royal Rumble picked up on last night’s episode from Greensboro, North Carolina.

Stipulations were added to both The Fiend vs. Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns vs. Baron Corbin at the pay-per-view. The Fiend will now defend his Universal Championship against Bryan in a strap match, while Reigns vs. Corbin will be falls count anywhere.

Kane and Bryan set a trap for The Fiend in last night’s opening segment. The Fiend came through the ring and tried to attack Kane, but Kane (who was now outside of the ring) asked what took him so long. Bryan then ambushed The Fiend and hit the running knee.

Bryan tried to fight with The Fiend, but The Fiend escaped back through the ring.  Bryan pulled one of The Fiend’s dreadlocks out as he bailed.

The strap match stipulation was then set up by Bryan issuing a challenge to The Fiend. Bryan did a backstage interview and said the stipulation was his idea of how to beat someone who always disappears when they’re in trouble.

Reigns announced the falls count anywhere stipulation after defeating Robert Roode in their tables match last night.

Bayley vs. Lacey Evans for the SmackDown Women’s Championship and Sheamus vs. Shorty G have also been added to the Royal Rumble card, and Braun Strowman and Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura have declared for the men’s Royal Rumble match.

More coverage from last night —

• Kairi Sane returns to the ring at WWE house show
• Updated list of confirmed WWE Royal Rumble entrants
• NXT Melbourne, FL, live results: Mike Kanellis returns
• WWE 205 Live results: Isaiah ‘Swerve’ Scott vs. Raul Mendoza
• Two more matches confirmed for WWE Royal Rumble
• Falls count anywhere stipulation set for Reigns-Corbin at Royal Rumble
• Daniel Bryan to face The Fiend in strap match at WWE Royal Rumble
• WWE SmackDown live results: Reigns vs. Roode tables match

WWE SmackDown video highlights —

Kane and Daniel Bryan set a trap for The Fiend

Daniel Bryan challenges The Fiend to a strap match at the Royal Rumble

John Morrison returns to the ring against Big E

The Usos vs. The Revival

Lacey Evans attacks Sasha Banks, Bayley replaces Banks in their match

SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley vs. Lacey Evans in a non-title match

Shorty G brawls with Sheamus after Sheamus mocks his height

Braun Strowman declares for the Royal Rumble match, wants an Intercontinental title shot

Braun Strowman saves Elias from Shinsuke Nakamura, Cesaro, and Sami Zayn

Sonya Deville vs. Alexa Bliss

Roman Reigns vs. Robert Roode tables match

SmackDown fallout: Tucker wants Otis to be careful and not get his heart broken

SmackDown fallout: The Usos send a message to the tag team division

SmackDown fallout: John Morrison and The Miz react to Morrison’s in-ring return