Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown Live recap for February 6, 2018

Commissioner Shane McMahon starts tonight's show. Shane says he would be ecstatic about tonight's main event, but he is not, as the match between Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn will have immense ramifications as the winner will face "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles for the WWE Championship. He does not feel that Owens or Sami deserve another shot at the WWE title, but there is someone who does, and that person is General Manager Daniel Bryan, whom he introduces to the ring. Shane says SmackDown Live is the land of opportunity, and that he and Daniel both signed on for that. They also agreed that they would listen to the fans, and says that when the fans feel somebody deserves an opportunity, it is up to them to decide if they deserve it. Shane feels that Daniel Bryan is not listening. The fans chant "Rusev Day!," and Shane says "Duly noted." He then says Daniel Bryan is not listening because he keeps giving Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn opportunities. He says that the fans feel that somebody else deserves the opportunity. Daniel Bryan says the referee made a mistake in the 2-on-1 Handicap Match at Royal Rumble, and he has made it up to him by pitting Owens and Sami against each other. Daniel Bryan says he thought Shane would give him a pay raise, but Shane tells him not to get too carried away. Shane says he looks forward to the main event, but what bothers him is Daniel's decision to reward that with a WWE title shot yet again. He finds it difficult to figure out why Daniel Bryan keeps giving Owens and Sami opportunity after opportunity. He understand what Daniel Bryan has done here, and says he has changed the WWE landscape with the Yes Movement. Although Daniel Bryan has had a similar career path to Owens and Sami, he is not Owens and Sami, and that the Yep Movement is a cheap imitation of the Yes Movement, and tells Daniel Bryan not to let them manipulate him anymore. He knows that Daniel Bryan feels for them, and that Daniel Bryan would like to compete in the ring again more than anything else. Daniel Bryan stops Shane, asking him what he thinks he is doing. Shane says it is obvious that Daniel Bryan is trying to live vicariously through Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. Suddenly, AJ Styles shows up. Styles says that since last month, he has traveled 10,000 miles defending the WWE Championship and competing at the highest level because that is what he does. He says he was put on the planet to be phenomenal. Styles says he can deal with the trials and tribulations that come with it, and that he was built for the grind. What he cannot deal with, however, is SmackDown Live obsessing over Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. He is not just talking about Daniel Bryan, but also Shane McMahon, as every time they make a decision involving Owens and Sami, it involves him. He does not care who wins between Owens and Sami in tonight's main event, as SmackDown Live is the house that AJ Styles built. He tells Shane and Daniel to stay out of his way, as he controls his own destiny and is heading through Fastlane and towards WrestleMania as WWE Champion.

The New Day eat pancakes and answer fan questions on Twitter in the locker room.

Backstage, "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles runs into "The Artist" Shinsuke Nakamura. Nakamura tells him he will beat him at WrestleMania, then walks away. Styles shrugs it off.

Charlotte Flair beats Liv Morgan with the Figure Eight after Ruby Riott and Sarah Logan are ejected from the match for getting involved. After the match, Charlotte tells commentary "One down...two to go."

Renee Young is in front of Kevin Owens' dressing room door when Owens comes out. Owens says it is up to Sami Zayn and whether or not Sami can handle losing to him if their friendship endures.

The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper and Rowan) beat two unnamed opponents. After the match, The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) show up. The Usos give The Bludgeon Brothers almost the same treatment that The Bludgeon Brothers gave them last week, and walk past The Bludgeon Brothers as they enter the ring for the next match.

Before the next match, The Usos tell the crowd about what being locked down is all about. Instead of the traditional prison system experience, they talk about a state of mind, where the prison is mental instead of physical. They talk about the hunger of success and the thirst of being in the spotlight, as well as how nobody paid attention to them until they dropped their facepaint and bright colors for their current appearance.

The first-ever SmackDown Live Top 10 List is here.

10. "The Perfect Ten" Tye Dillinger

9. Randy Orton

8. Becky Lynch

7. The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso)

6. The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods)

5. Bobby Roode

4. Naomi

3. "The Artist" Shinsuke Nakamura

2. Charlotte Flair

1. "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles

The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods) is not happy about placing 6th on the SmackDown Live Top 10.

We hear from Aiden English. He says the mat is covered in canvas because that is where art takes place. He may be a singer, but Rusev is a very different animal. He tells Bobby Roode to prepare to lose the United States title, for Rusev is ready for his magnum opus.

Aiden English mocks Kansas City, Missouri through song as he introduces Rusev before the next match.

obby Roode retains the WWE United States Championship against Rusev. After the match, Bobby Roode is hit with an RKO out of nowhere, then hits Aiden English and Rusev with RKOs as well.

We hear from Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable, who call Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango) "buffoons in costumes" and "clowns solving mysteries." They want to bring prestige back to the SmackDown Live tag team division, and wonder why Breezango is still part of it. If Breezango have the jokes, they have the punchlines. Last week, they targeted Breezango. This week, they target The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor). That match is next.

Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable beat The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor).

The New Day answer more fan questions on Twitter in the locker room. Xavier Woods and Big E agree that Kofi Kingston would be #1 on the SmackDown Live Top 10 if they were all ranked individually. Kofi says that he would vote for Woods and Big E in the Top 10.

Renee Young interviews Sami Zayn. Sami says it is his opportunity to step out of Owens' shadow, as Owens has won all the championships while he has never won one. He says that is fine as they are best friends. However, they have faced each other constantly, and both of them have each other well-scouted. Owens does not know if their friendship will survive, but neither does he.

Next week: Dolph Ziggler vs. Baron Corbin!

"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles guests on commentary for the next match.

Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn ends when "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles attacks both Sami and Owens on commentary when Sami gets in his face while asking him if he is seeing what is going to happen to Kevin Owens. After the match, Styles continues to attack both men, then General Manager Daniel Bryan shows up and declares that Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens will face AJ Styles in a Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship at Fastlane.

Here are the top 10 moments from tonight's show!