Three matches have been added to the lineup for tonight’s SmackDown.
Shinsuke Nakamura will face Shelton Benjamin, The New Day will be at full strength for the first time since Fastlane as they take on The Bludgeon Brothers in a two-on-two tag match, and SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair vs. Natalya in another non-title match is set. Those are in addition to Randy Orton & Bobby Roode vs. Jinder Mahal & Sunil Singh, which was announced last week.
Charlotte lost to Natalya last Tuesday when she was distracted by Carmella coming out and attempting to cash in her Money in the Bank briefcase. Charlotte hit Carmella with a big boot before she could officially cash in, then Natalya rolled up Charlotte for the pin.
The New Day vs. Bludgeon Brothers should get us closer to a SmackDown Tag Team Championship match being announced for WrestleMania, which looks to be The Usos vs. New Day vs. Harper & Rowan.
With AJ Styles returning to in-ring action at this weekend’s house shows, he may play a physical role on television for the first time since he faced Rusev on the March 13th episode of SmackDown.
The focal point of tonight’s SmackDown will be the fallout from Daniel Bryan being medically cleared to return and him being attacked by Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn after he “fired” them last week. Bryan was planned to team with Shane McMahon against Owens & Zayn at WrestleMania 34, but Shane has been legitimately hospitalized due to a bout with diverticulitis and will need to undergo surgery for an umbilical hernia.
Shane posted a picture with his sons from the hospital today and thanked everyone for wishing him well: “Thank you everyone for the get well wishes. It truly helps. Im healing up, and I have the best medicine in the world with me.”