Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown Live recap for March 13, 2018

"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles shows up to start tonight's show. Styles says the odds were stacked against him at Fastlane, and that when John Cena put him through the commentary table, even he started to believe the odds. He then goes on to say that it was unbelievable, but never impossible, and he still found a way and retained the WWE Championship to go on to WrestleMania. He then says that he remembers where he came from, and says that both coming to WWE and becoming the WWE Champion were both unbelievable events. Going to WrestleMania as WWE Champion is unbelievable, but not impossible. Styles admits his road to WrestleMania was a tough one. The crowd chants "You deserve it," but Styles says he earned it. He then says his opponent "The Artist" Shinsuke Nakamura is one of the greatest Japanese superstars today, and while they have had similar roads to the WWE, the similarities stop when it comes to the WWE Championship. Styles says he is an "everyman," but when he steps into the ring, he is phenomenal. Suddenly, Nakamura shows up. Nakamura says Styles is a champion and that everyone likes him, but everyone likes him too. He also tells Styles he respects him, and that at WrestleMania, dreams come true, and his dream is to become the WWE Champion. Suddenly, Rusev and Aiden English show up for the next match.

"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles beats Rusev by disqualification after Aiden English gets involved as Styles has Rusev in the Calf Crusher. After the match, "The Artist" Shinsuke Nakamura - who has been watching from ringside - runs into the ring and makes the save for Styles, knocking Rusev out in the process.

Backstage, Dasha Fuentes interviews Big E. Big E is not in a good mood due to The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper and Rowan) not only taking their tag team title opportunity, but also destroying The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods), and as long as he is standing, he will represent The New Day. Jimmy Uso shows up, and tells Big E that they will throw down again. For now, they will focus on The Bludgeon Brothers.

Backstage, "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles meets with "The Artist" Shinsuke Nakamura and tells him he didn't need his help earlier. Nakamura tells Styles that he looked like he did, and that he will help him until Wrestlemania, when Styles gets a knee to the face.

Before the next match, Jimmy Uso and Big E get the first strike on The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper and Rowan) and introduce steel chairs into their before-the-bell brawl, but The Bludgeon Brothers bring their hammers into the ring. After a brief staredown, The Bludgeon Brothers knock the chairs out of their hands with their hammers and force Big E and Jimmy Uso to regroup.

The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper and Rowan) beat Jimmy Uso and Big E. After the match, Harper and Rowan double-team Big E at ringside before leaving.

Renee Young interviews Sami Zayn. Sami blames Commissioner Shane McMahon for his failure to take the WWE Championship from "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles, but he also blames Kevin Owens, saying Shane would not have been at ringside had it not been for his obsession with Owens. Sami says Owens has always been there for him, but Owens is an egomaniac. He tried to play him like a fiddle at Fastlane, but he was guilty by association and he paid for it. He then says he will never pay such a price again.

Charlotte Flair shows up. Charlotte says when you are a champion, you are a target, and when Asuka showed up as Fastlane, she knew what was going on and felt excited and honored. She then calls Asuka out to meet her face-to-face, and Asuka shows up. Charlotte welcomes Asuka to SmackDown Live, and Asuka thanks her. Charlotte says she has traveled the world defending her titles, and people have always asked what would happen if she faced Asuka. She then says the answer to that question at WrestleMania. She says iron sharpens iron, and says that she wanted Asuka to pick her as her WrestleMania opponent as she wanted the challenge and wanted to face her. Charlotte goes on to say she has never faced anyone like Asuka, but Asuka has never faced anyone like her. She tells Asuka to be careful what she wishes for, as she will end her streak and cement her legacy. Asuka says she chose Charlotte because she likes a challenge. Asuka says she chose Charlotte because she likes a challenge. She says Charlotte is the queen, but she is the empress, and she bows to no one because no one is ready for her. Suddenly, Randy Orton shows up.

After the commercial break, Randy Orton says he has been called many things throughout his career - some good, some not so good - but he has never been called WWE United States Champion until now. Orton says that winning the title makes him one of only a few Superstars who have become Grand Slam Champions, and says that is one list he cares about. He says that Bobby Roode is a great competitor who has earned his respect, but the US title is his now. Orton says he plans to take the title to WrestleMania and that nobody will stop him. Bobby Roode then shows up for the next match. Roode congratulates Orton on beating him for the WWE United States Championship, but he gets a rematch which will take place at WrestleMania. Roode then says that when he regains the title, it will be absolutely glorious. Jinder Mahal then shows up. Jinder also congratulates Orton for winning the WWE United States Championship, then says it feels like Orton has been in the WWE for an eternity while Roode has been in the WWE for a cup of coffee and held the title before Orton ever did, and that is something that Orton will never be able to change. He tells Orton and Roode to forget about their rematch, as he will beat Roode tonight. Randy Orton then watches the next match from ringside.

Jinder Mahal beats Bobby Roode following the distraction by Sunil Singh on the apron. Randy Orton runs into the ring and hits Jinder with an RKO after the match.

Backstage, Renee Young interviews Kevin Owens. Owens takes exceptions to Sami's comments from earlier tonight and places all the blame on Commissioner Shane McMahon. He says Sami is selfish, and that he was screwed over as well. He says that if were not for Shane, he would be WWE Champion, and says Sami should not have pulled the stunt that he pulled at Fastlane. He says he should be WWE Champion, but that did not happen due to Shane. He says Shane was not needed at ringside, and if Sami cannot see Shane for who he really is, then he will have to be the one to open his eyes to the truth.

Before the next match, Carmella announces she is entering The Fabulous Moolah Battle Royal at WrestleMania.

Carmella beats Naomi after kicking Naomi in the back of the ring as Naomi inadvertently jumps into the ropes.

Commissioner Shane McMahon shows up. Shane apologizes for his behavior, and says that Kevin Owens crossed a line when he attacked his father Vince McMahon, which led to their match at Hell in a Cell. When he had Owens where he had him for his revenge, Sami Zayn took his revenge away from them. Since then, he admits he has gone bonkers upon seeing Owens and Sami and has led to conduct unbecoming of the Commissioner. He has talked with General Manager Daniel Bryan, who will return next week, and has told him that he will take an indefinite leave of absence. Before he leaves, he makes one last match: Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn at WrestleMania. Suddenly, Kevin Owens shows up. Owens wishes Shane "the best of luck in his future endeavors," and says he can beat the hell out of Sami Zayn any time he wants. Sami Zayn shows up and says Shane did it only because the crowd enjoyed them beating the hell out of each other. He then says it is a good thing Shane is leaving if he is going to make decisions based on how the crowd reactions. Shane says Owens and Sami still baffle him after giving them a match against each other at WrestleMania. Owens sarcastically says they appreciate it, and says that they will appreciate what they have for him: a beating. Owens and Sami easily overpower Shane, and Sami hits Shane with a Helluva Kick. Owens hits the pop-up powerbomb on Shane, then referees run into the ring. Owens takes out one of them, then holds down Shane so that he and Sami can put Shane's head through a chair and run it into a ring post. Owens and Sami then drag Shane to the back. Backstage, Owens and Sami powerbomb Shane into some metal racks. Referee Mike Chioda runs in and calls for EMTs to end the show.

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