This is the Fightful.com live coverage for tonight's episode of WWE Smackdown! Live. Tonight conventional wisdom said it would never happen, but it has and Daniel Bryan has been cleared to wrestle again and tonight he is going to give an announcement as to what he will be doing for WrestleMania. Be sure to come back here at 8PM EST to find out what the American Dragon will say and much more and be sure to stick with us for the post show podcast!
-We open the show with a video package for Daniel Bryan's retirement and subsequent career resurgence before he comes out to the ring and talks about his retirement and the journey back to being cleared and able to get back in the ring and perform. Daniel talks about how he struggled with depression and how he focused on being grateful. He talks about how Brie told me he needed to fight and see as many specialists as possible. Daniel goes onto thank various people including the WWE medical staff and the WWE Universe before thanking Brie and before the crowd convinces him to come back at WrestleMania; Daniel saying that he's not sure about it, but he will compete in the ring again before leaving as we go to commercial.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs Rusev
They exchange head locks and head scissors to start the match before exchanging kicks and forearms. Rusev then beats Shinsuke down in the corner before hitting a wheel kick as we go to commercial.
Shinsuke retakes control as we come back from commercial, dropping Rusev repeatedly before hitting Good Vibrations in the corner and his signature knees in the corner. They counter each other's finishers until Rusev hits a roundhouse kick for a near fall. They then dodge each other until Shinsuke wins with a sunset pin.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura defeats Rusev via pinfall with a sunset pin.
-After the match Rusev Day attacks Shinsuke, but he quickly dispatches of both Rusev and Aiden as we go to commercial.
Tye Dillinger vs Baron Corbin
They lock up to start the match before Tye puts Corbin in a headlock that he powers out of before dropping Tye with a right hand. Tye clotheslines Corbin over the top rope and onto the floor before rolling him back into the ring and going for a diving cross body, Corbin catching him before tossing him out of the ring when Tye counters the End of Days. Corbin then rolls Tye back into the ring and hits the End of Days for the pin and the win.
Winner: Baron Corbin defeats Tye Dillinger via pinfall with the End of Days.
Charlotte vs Natalya
They lock up to start the match before countering each until Natalya gets a quick two count off of a roll up. Charlotte then puts Natalya in a head scissors before hitting a neckbreaker into a boot that sends her out of the ring as we go to commercial.
Natalya is in control as we come back from commercial until Charlotte comes back with a clothesline and a boot before going for the Figure Eight, but Natalya counters into a sharpshooter, Charlotte getting to the bottom rope for the break. Natalya then hits a discus lariat for a near fall before Carmella comes out to the ring and tries to cash in, but Charlotte boots her before she can. Natalya then uses the distraction to roll Charlotte up for the pin and the win.
Winner: Natalya defeats Charlotte via pinfall with a roll up.
Jimmy Uso vs Luke Harper
The match starts during the commercial before we see Harper in control of Jimmy as we come back from commercial, until Jimmy sends Harper over the top rope and onto the floor. Jimmy sends Harper into the LED board before Rowan distracts Jimmy momentarily. Jimmy then knocks Rowan off of the apron before he tries to get in the ring and Jey hits Harper with a superkick at ringside for a near fall. Harper then turns Jimmy inside out with a discus lariat for the pin and the win.
Winner: Luke Harper defeats Jimmy Uso via pinfall with a discus lariat.
-Jinder comes out to the ring and talks about being disrespected before he's interrupted by Bobby Roode who is interrupted by Randy Orton. Jinder then runs away before Randy and Roode tease their finishers on each other as we go to commercial.
Becky Lynch & Naomi vs Riott Squad
Becky and Naomi double team Liv to start the match before Liv tags Sarah in and Naomi takes Liv out with the Rear View before Becky forces Sarah to tap out with the Disarmer.
Winner: Becky Lynch & Naomi defeat Riott Squad via submission when Becky forces Sarah to tap out with the Disarmer.
-Daniel Bryan comes out to the ring and has Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn come out to answer for what they did to Shane last week. They congratulate Daniel for being cleared to wrestle again before he calls them out for attacking Shane last week. Daniel then temporarily suspends them before they attack Daniel as we go off the air.
