WWE SmackDown Live Results: April 17th, 2018; Latest SmackDown Winners & Video Highlights
SmackDown Live began with AJ Styles, who came out to the ring only to demand payback for what Shinsuke Nakamura did last week to disrupt his match with Daniel Bryan; he said he wants a rematch.
He also wanted to confront Nakamura for his actions since WrestleMania. The World Champion lay down a challenge for the King of Strong Style but the ones to appear on the stage are Rusev and Aiden English.
#1 AJ Styles vs. Rusev
A few moments of banter later, Rusev stepped in the ring with Styles for a short match. AJ had Rusev in a calf crusher before Aiden English interrupted and the match ended in an instant DQ. Daniel Bryan appeared in the ring to help out AJ who was outnumbered and together they drove away AJ's attackers.
Result: AJ Styles def. Rusev via DQ
Backstage, SmackDown GM Paige announced that the main event will be Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles vs Rusev and English.
Shelton Benjamin was out looking for blood, trying to prove that he doesn't need Chad Gable to be successful in WWE. He demanded a big-name opponent and Randy Orton appeared but that was a red herring; he was followed by United States Champion Jeff Hardy who was the real opponent