WWE SmackDown results and grades 17 April 2020: Could the Miz and Morrison keep their tag titles?

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Saiyed Adeem Karim

WWE SmackDown results and grades: WWE was back in action with some big matches set for this week’s SmackDown.

Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville were set to speak over the Otis issue. There were a few Money in the Bank qualifier matches while the big clash was the Tag Team titles being defended in a triple threat match.

Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville seem to have ended their friendship
Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville were best friends on SmackDown (WWE)

WWE SmackDown had a lot to live up to after the recent firings, and here are the grades and results from this week’s show.

The sheep mask is back

Braun Strowman was interviewed by Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross during ‘A Moment of Bliss’. The champion claimed he was looking forward to facing The Fiend/Bray Wyatt despite their history in the Wyatt Family.

There was a present left for Strowman in the corner of the ring, and it was his sheep mask from his time with Wyatt.

The Fiend’s laughter could be heard around the ring, as this segment ended.

Grade A

While Strowman speaking isn’t all that great, he sounded like someone who wants to do well.

However, Wyatt and his mind games certainly were brought out by WWE, and this was important that they did highlight the champ’s past in the family.

Friendship on the rocks?

Tamina faced off against Sasha Banks with a chance at facing Bayley for the SmackDown Women’s title.

Bayley and Sasha Banks came out to celebrate their WrestleMania 36 success
Bayley and Sasha Banks seemed happy after their WrestleMania 36 success (WWE)

Bayley tried to interrupt the match and cause Tamina to lose, but Lacey Evans came out and helped out.

It was Tamina that came out on top and will now face Bayley, much to the chagrin of the champ.

Tamina beats Banks

Grade B

While the match wasn’t anything great as Tamina mostly stood on her feet, it was interesting that WWE brought back Evans in the feud.

The Southern Belle also spoke about taking out Banks later on, and this rivalry could see more cracks appear as Bayley will have to defend her crown against Tamina.

Sheamus peeved

Sheamus continued his weekly destruction of WWE stars with Denzel DeJournette in the firing line.

The NXT star was hit with repeated elbows and knee strikes before a Brogue kick got it all done.

Sheamus in action on SmackDown
Sheamus in action against Apollo Crews

However, while the Celtic Warrior was celebrating, Michael Cole decided to laud Jeff Hardy just before a promo.

That got Sheamus really ticked off and he lambasted Cole for doing this.

Sheamus beats DeJournette

Grade C

Again, this match was expected to be a crush and Sheamus did his bit. It was interesting to see that the Celtic Warrior was upset with talks of Hardy, and that could get a rivalry going between them when Hardy returns.

Naomi vs Brooke

This was one of the Money in the Bank qualifier matches and it was Brooke that also got a quick pin at the start.

There were several reversals early with quick pin attempts. The match went back and forth as Brooke impressed, and she got the better of Naomi for the win.

Brooke beats Naomi

Grade B

A decent enough match that highlighted how confident Dana is in her abilities. She was seen backstage before this match speaking with Carmella and asking her not to worry about their tag title clash later on too.

It will be interesting to see how a confident Brooke does in the MITB ladder match.

Rose vs Deville

Sonya Deville came out and asked Mandy Rose to listen to her explanation. She begged her former best friend to come out and highlighted, emotionally, how they had been together throughout their careers in WWE.

However, Deville called Rose the most selfish woman she knows and promised to destroy her former best friend’s life.

Dolph Ziggler also came out to ask Rose for a second chance, but Deville hit out at Rose before Otis came out to make the save.

Grade B

There wasn’t much wrong in this storyline and it is great that Deville has turned into an absolute heel.

It seems set that Otis and Rose vs Ziggler and Deville will take place soon, possibly at the Money in the Bank PPV.

Cesaro vs Bryan

The second Money in the Bank qualifier took place between Cesaro and Daniel Bryan. The Money in the Bank PPV will see the match take place in WWE Corporate Headquarters, which is a bit weird.

Daniel Bryan and Shinsuke Nakamura
Daniel Bryan couldn’t get the better of Shinsuke Nakamura in this clash (WWE)

This match was again interrupted by the mysterious figure. This person added he would share more secrets from SmackDown.

Bryan and Cesaro put on a great show and Bryan picked up the win thanks to the Yes Lock.

Bryan beats Cesaro

Grade B

As expected, the pair put on a great show since they are two of the best in the business. It was interesting that Bryan got the win for the MITB match and Cesaro missing out is a bit of a bummer.

Corbin attacks Elias

The rivalry between King Baron Corbin and Elias continued as it was the King who came out on top.

Elias was beaten about backstage with Corbin even breaking a guitar on his rival.

Grade D

This rivalry doesn’t actually make much sense as there is no heat between them. Corbin is one of the best heels in the business but this just doesn’t feel right at the moment.

Triple Threat Tag Team match

The Miz was in a tough position as he defended the SmackDown Tag Team titles against Jey Uso and Big E in a triple threat match.

It seemed that Miz would be keeping the titles that they defended at WrestleMania. However, Big E hit the Big Ending to pick up the titles in the end.

Big E beats Uso and Miz

Grade B

This felt a little rushed as all three competitors had something to say before the clash. It was weird that Big E got the win for his team, given that Morrison won the more difficult match at WrestleMania.

However, it seems that the three teams will face off at Money in the Bank too.

SmackDown ratings

Showbuzz Daily shared the ratings for all the Friday evening shows, and it wasn’t good news for SmackDown.

WWE SmackDown brought in an average of 2,192,000 viewers over the two-hour show. The first hour got a rating of 2,239,000 and the second one got 2,145,000.

Also, this was the lowest ratings SmackDown has received since their move to Fox.

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