DA' HELL HAPPENED #75: WWE SmackDown LIVE - January 2nd, 2018

Hello everyone and welcome to another edition of the "Da' Hell Happened" featuring the review of the first SmackDown LIVE of 2018. Last night, more names were announced for the Royal Rumble matches, another man moved on to the semi-finals of the United States Championship tournament, and a big match was announced for the Royal Rumble PPV. So let's go!

MATCH OF THE NIGHT (HONORABLE MENTION): SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos vs. Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships

Combining the best tag team of 2017 and the athleticism in the team of Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin, these two tag teams produced one hell of a championship match to kick off the new year on SmackDown LIVE. The drama that was created around the sudden shock of having new SmackDown Tag Team Champions so quickly helped the match a lot, and I am definitely into a rivalry between these two teams down the line this year.


MATCH OF THE NIGHT: AJ Styles vs. Sami Zayn

The main event of SmackDown LIVE opposed WWE Champion AJ Styles and Sami Zayn, and after the controversial and confusing defeat at the hands of Kevin Owens last week, Styles had to do something against Owens' partner. Not only was Shane McMahon an important piece of the match, much like last week, Daniel Bryan made it even more confusing, and after a great match Zayn applied the "Halluvah Kick" after so many distractions and confusion. And after the match, the "Phenomenal One" suggested he could face both Owens and Zayn in a 2-on-1 Handicap match, only to the General Manager make it official for the Royal Rumble with the WWE Championship. It's so confusing, but so great at the end.


MVP OF THE NIGHT (HONORABLE MENTIONS):

Xavier Woods: Rolling into 2018 with an opportunity to win his first singles championship in WWE, Xavier Woods was quick to make the most of it and defeat Aiden English in the process, advancing to the semi-finals of the United States Championship tournament where he will face former WWE Champion Jinder Mahal.

Becky Lynch: FINALLY! Becks is back and ready to roll in 25 days at the 30-women Royal Rumble match! I missed her so much, and I can clearly say the Women's division on SmackDown LIVE needed her a lot as well.


MVP OF THE NIGHT: Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens

After creating yet another confusing and controversial main event on SmackDown LIVE, Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens were the biggest winners of the show, leaving the blue brand's first show of the new year with an opportunity to win the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble. It's not everyday you get a 2-on-1 advantage with the WWE Title on the line. I hope WWE doesn't go with the classic "one partner will take the other out so he can win the title" because this team shouldn't be separated anytime soon.


DA' HELL HAPPENED MOMENT OF THE SHOW: Daniel Bryan's heel turn finally happened?

My biggest question coming out of SmackDown LIVE is: can we say Daniel Bryan is a heel again? The way he acted so in favor of Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn showed just that, and it will be confusing if he comes out next week presenting the same reasons he presented for his actions at Clash of Champions.


And with this I finish this week's final DHH. Next week I will be back for more reviews, and in the meantime don't forget to continue checking our blog for more updates and news as we roll into 2018 better than ever. See you next week!

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