WWE SmackDown Live Results: Highlights, Analysis, and Grades for April 18
By Grant Mannis
Charlotte Flair vs Naomi
Result: Charlotte wins via pinfall
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Going back to the backstage area, AJ Styles is present to conduct an interview. Asked about whether he’d like to face Chris Jericho or Kevin Owens for the United States Championship, the Phenomenal One is interrupted by Baron Corbin. The two trade words back and forth, hyping up their match later tonight.
Moments before her contest against Naomi, Charlotte Flair was walking backstage and a trio of women caught her eye. Talking amongst themselves, Carmella, Natalya, and Tamina Snuka stood with their eyes set on the Queen.
Once the entrances for Charlotte and Naomi conclude, the two athletes waste no time going at it. Refusing to stay down and out for very long, each woman would regain control moments after losing it. The overconfident Charlotte taunted throughout the contest, and on more than one occasion her gloating cost her the advantage. Still, knowing that a potential title shot was on the line, Charlotte fought tooth and nail to emerge the winner.
Towards the closing moments, both the champion and her competition threw everything they had at one another. On this night, Charlotte was the one who managed to score the huge victory. Countering the Rear View, she would take advantage and plant Naomi with the Natural Selection for the win. So next week, these two will meet once again, with the SmackDown Live Women’s Championship up for grabs.
When Charlotte eventually made her way backstage, she once again saw her three competitors from earlier watching her. Just like last time, she left the area with a look of concern on her face.