WWE SmackDown Live Results: Highlights, Analysis, and Grades for April 11
By Grant Mannis
No. 1 Contenders Match for the WWE United States Championship
Baron Corbin vs AJ Styles vs Sami Zayn
Result: AJ Styles wins via pinfall
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
For our main event, three of the top superstars on SmackDown Live battled for the right to become number one contender for the United States Championship. As stated earlier, the winner of this match will face whoever the United States Champion is following Payback.
During the beginning moments of the match, all three men took to the offensive. No one managed to gain control right away, but as the match progressed Corbin used his power to his advantage. Slowing down the pace of the contest, the Lone Wolf systematically wore down each of his opponents. Zayn was eventually able to take the big man down, and in doing so allowed Styles to get back into the match as well.
A brief pause in the action left all three men down on the mat, struggling to continue the fight. However, they pushed on knowing that a title shot was waiting for whoever emerged victoriously. The closing moments consisted of each man hitting his big moves, making the audience wonder who would survive. Upon until the final few moments, this was a match where the result could’ve gone either way.
Taking Corbin out of the equation following a Helluva kick, Zayn seemed poised to achieve the victory. To his surprise, Zayn was caught with the Phenomenal Forearm, which kept him down long enough for Styles to earn the win. The show closes with Styles standing tall amongst the casualties of the match and celebrating inside of the ring.
So what did you think of tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live? Let us know in the comments below.