Tonight’s episode of WWE SmackDown LIVE comes to us from the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
What will happen as the fallout from Sunday’s Fastlane PPV begins to unfold. Here are the focal points for tonight’s show as listed by wwe.com:
SmackDown LIVE preview, March 13, 2018: AJ Styles gets ready for WrestleMania and Shinsuke Nakamura
WWE Champion AJ Styles survived a Six-Pack Challenge to hold onto his WWE Championship and ensure that the highly anticipated dream match between him and Shinsuke Nakamura was still on for WrestleMania. The Phenomenal One minced no words in saying what he has planned for WWE’s Rockstar on The Grandest Stage of Them All. What will happen between the two competitors as the road to New Orleans heats up? Find out tonight on SmackDown LIVE at 8/7 C on USA Network.
Shane McMahon to make a WrestleMania announcement
SmackDown LIVE Commissioner Shane McMahon shocked the WWE Universe at WWE Fastlane on Sunday when he prevented Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn from capturing the WWE Championship. Though these actions came after Owens inadvertently superkicked the SmackDown LIVE Commissioner, McMahon doubled down on his actions during Talking Smack, showing no remorse for costing two of Team Blue’s Superstars the chance to win its top title.
Owens took to social media shortly after WWE Fastlane to air his grievances:
I should be @WWE Champion right now.
— Kevin Owens (@FightOwensFight) March 12, 2018
It seems as though there will be no slowing down for SmackDown LIVE’s Commissioner. McMahon will be making a WrestleMania announcement on SmackDown LIVE tonight. Will it have anything to do with the “Yep!” Movement, or has Shane-O-Mac come up with a complete surprise for the WWE Universe?
Asuka to make her first SmackDown LIVE appearance after challenging Charlotte Flair
After defeating Ruby Riott to retain her SmackDown Women’s Championship on Sunday, Charlotte Flair got a major surprise, as Raw Superstar Asuka arrived to declare that she’d use the WrestleMania championship opportunity she won in the first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble Match to challenge The Queen.
With Flair putting her title up against Asuka’s undefeated streak in New Orleans, how will she begin to prepare for the biggest match of her career?
Plus, The Empress of Tomorrow will be making her first-ever appearance on SmackDown LIVE tonight. What does Asuka have planned?
AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura’s Road to WrestleMania begins
With his WWE Championship successfully defended in a grueling Six-Pack Challenge at WWE Fastlane, AJ Styles confirmed that he will take on The Artist Known as Shinsuke Nakamura on The Grandest Stage of Them All, WrestleMania.
The Phenomenal One minced no words in stating his plans for WWE’s Rockstar in New Orleans. How will Nakamura respond as the Road to WrestleMania heats up?
How will Randy Orton deal with the target on his back?
Randy Orton added another accolade to his incredible resume at WWE Fastlane when he defeated Bobby Roode to capture the United States Championship for the first time in his career and become a Grand Slam Champion in the process.
There was little time to celebrate, as Jinder Mahal arrived to confront The Viper. Mahal, who has declared himself the “uncrowned U.S. Champion,” attacked Orton until Roode floored The Modern Day Maharaja with a Glorious DDT. The former champion then planted the new titleholder into the mat with another Glorious DDT. How quickly can The Apex Predator adapt to the huge target that’s now on his back as WrestleMania draws closer?
How have The Bludgeon Brothers changed the SmackDown Tag Team division?
The New Day and The Usos have been laser-focused on each other in recent weeks when, perhaps, they should have been worrying about the monsters lurking around the corner. After months of causing wanton destruction on SmackDown LIVE, The Bludgeon Brothers sent a devastating message to Team Blue’s two top tandems.
Harper & Rowan demolished all five Superstars in unsettling fashion, leaving Xavier Woods with multiple thoracic contusions following a Double Powerbomb on the steel ringside steps. It was a clear warning that The Bludgeon Brothers are coming for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles. The question is: Can anyone or anything stop Harper & Rowan? Find out tonight on SmackDown LIVE at 8/7 C on USA Network.
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