Smackdown Live (9/18/2018) Results

WWE Champion AJ Styles admits that perhaps Samoa Joe did get the short end of the stick at HIAC, because Styles did tap out just as the ref was hitting the count. But Styles says lady luck shined on him, and perhaps it was karma for all the horrible things Joe did and said regarding Styles’ family. But Styles has a match against Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas tonight and Almas took him into deep water last time. He needs to focus on tonight.

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United States Championship Match: Rusev (with Aiden English & Lana) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (c)

Back from commercial and Nakamura has Rusev in a headlock. English cheers on Rusev from ringside and gets on the mic to start a “Rusev Day” chant with the crowd. Rusev manages to make some space and get a breather. Nakamura and Rusev trade shots until Rusev levels Nakamura with some clotheslines and a big kick. Rusev is getting fired up as he plants Nak with a jumping spin-kick. Rusev sets up for the Machka Kick but Nak evades. Rusev still manages to knock Nakamura down with a high-kick to the head and pins for a near-fall.

Nakamura fires back now and he stomps on Rusev in the corner. They end up on the apron and jockey for position. Nakamura hits Rusev with a knee and he falls to the floor. Nak throws Rusev into the barricade and then back in the ring. Nakamura charges in for a Kinshasa but Rusev counters with the Machka Kick. Both men are down. Rusev starts to get up and he lets his rage fire him up. Suddenly, English jumps up on the apron and he yells “Rusev, crush!” Rusev looks at him confused and Nakamura takes advantage of the distraction and rolls Rusev up for the 3-count.

Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura (c)

After the match, English attacks Rusev and leaves him laid out in the ring after a vicious assault. Lana screams at him for what he’s done and the crowd starts to boo.

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Singles Match: AJ Styles vs. Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas

Before the match gets officially underway, Almas attacks Styles from behind and puts a beating on him. The ref asks Styles if he wants to proceed with the match and Styles gives him a staggered affirmative. Bell sounds and Almas jumps on him but Styles starts to fight back until Almas lays him flat with a big kick. Almas lands a backbreaker for 2. Commercial break.

Back again and Almas is in control. Styles fires back with a DDT. Both men sell. They get to their feet and Almas lands a spinning back-elbow for a near-fall. Styles gets back in it with a fireman’s carry neckbreaker. Styles hits Almas with some forearms and then kips up. He goes for the Styles Clash but Almas backdrops him. Almas goes for a moonsault but Styles rolls away. Almas lands on his feet and continues with a standing moonsault, but Styles gets his knees up.

Styles goes for a springboard but Almas knocks his legs out from under him. Styles gets hung up in the ropes and Almas jumps off the top turnbuckles and drives both his feet down into Styles’ heart. Both men tumble to the floor. Almas gets back in the ring and kicks Styles back to the floor as he climbs up to the apron. Commercial break.

Back again and Styles knocks Almas out of the ring. The ref starts to count him out. Styles brings Almas back in, not wanting to win that way. Styles hits a Phenomenal Forearm to the back of Almas’ head. He pins. 1-2-… but Almas gets the shoulder up. Styles goes for a Styles Clash but Almas fights him off and then lands a missile dropkick off the top turnbuckle. Almas hits double-knees on Styles in the corner and pins. 1-2-… but Styles kicks out. Almas looks for the Hammer-Lock DDT but Styles does a nifty transition into the Styles Clash for the finish.

Winner: AJ Styles

After the match, Samoa Joe attacks Styles. They battle to ringside and Styles starts to fight back. Joe ends up making some space and leaves through the crowd, yelling back at Styles saying, “You’ll never be safe!”

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Singles Match: Asuka (with Naomi) vs. Billie Kay (with Peyton Royce)

Bell sounds and Kay has some success early. She slaps a hold on Asuka and talks trash relentlessly. Asuka manages to counter with an Asuka Lock for the submission victory.

Winner: Asuka

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1042228453389393921

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Smackdown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair meet in the ring and Becky tells her she wants Charlotte to call her ‘queen. Things escalate and Becky ends up putting Charlotte in the Disarm Her before leaving.