Shane McMahon Crushes AJ Styles on WWE SmackDown with Flying Elbow Drop (Video)

Shane McMahon closed WWE SmackDown Live by making a statement with his elbow to AJ Styles, his WrestleMania 33 opponent.

Shane McMahon vs. AJ Styles pretty much became official on the Tuesday, Mar. 14 episode of SmackDown. Styles had been looking for a WrestleMania 33 opponent for weeks, and after feeling he had his opportunities for the WWE Championship at the Show of Shows ruined by management, he took out his frustrations on the leading man — Shane.

In a verbal response, McMahon called out Styles to close the show. It led to the Prodigal Son revealing himself as the Phenomenal One’s long-awaited foe for Apr. 2.

Well, as a physical response, McMahon called Styles down to the ring on the Mar. 21 episode of SmackDown. As it looked like Styles was preparing to apologize, he faced an attack from McMahon, which carried out to the announce table. It led to the former NJPW star being laid out on the makeshift structure, only for McMahon to climb to the top turnbuckle and drop a flying elbow on him, sending them crashing through the table.

That’s one way of making a statement, as fans have mocked this match from the moment it was first learned about, right? While McMahon’s punches weren’t exactly convincing (When have they ever been?), it was still a fun way to have the tensions boil between these WrestleMania foes. How it translates in a match won’t be known for another 12 days, but we can speculate on the way there.

Next: Pros and Cons of Styles vs. McMahon at WrestleMania 33

There’s one episode of SmackDown Live left to promote AJ Styles vs. Shane McMahon. They have each gotten the upper hand on different occasions, so how will the build close on Mar. 28?