WWE SmackDown Results, Highlights, and Grades May 8, 2018

Daniel Bryan vs. Rusev

Result: Rusev wins with the Machka Kick

Grade: A

I still can’t believe the two are in a match together, and the dueling chants were a dream come true. The fans on both sides were trying so hard to outdo the others, bellowing “Daniel Bryan!” or “Rusev Day!” This is the kind of atmosphere in a wrestling match that I live for.

Daniel Bryan received an ovation from the crowd after the match, despite losing to Rusev via a Machka kick. He came so close to winning on multiple occasions, and I thought he had the match won at one point. Early on, he injured Rusev’s wrists, which prevented The Bulgarian George Clooney from locking in the Accolade on Bryan. At that point, I thought that there would be no way for Rusev to win and that Bryan would be able to hit the critical blow.

Instead, Aiden English saved Rusev from a running knee strike inside the ring, just when it seemed like Bryan had the match won. Bryan would hit a knee to the outside, but he couldn’t get the job done after suffering a post-match beatdown at Backlash at the hands of Big Cass.

Next: Could Cedric Alexander vs. Hideo Itami Happen One Day?

So Rusev will qualify for the Money in the Bank ladder match, and I honestly couldn’t be happier. It was a huge win for him, and he’s certainly earned it. In general, this was a great match with excellent wrestling from both. Bryan always knows how to tell the right story in the ring and with his facial expressions, which have been his biggest improvement over the years. Oh, and did I mention the atmosphere?