5 things WWE got right on Smackdown Live this week (27 March 2018)

This week in WWE, the build towards Wrestlemania 34 continued, and Smackdown Live produced an eventful show.

From highlighting underrated talent to finally booking a main event superstar right, WWE accomplished many things before the go-home episode of Smackdown Live, which will make it easier to make these narratives a success at the "Show of Shows".

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#1 The Bludgeon Brothers look strong

The build towards this match has been splendid

Since their devastating beatdown of The Usos and The New Day at the 2018 Fastlane pay-per-view, WWE has been booking Harper and Rowan as the hammer-wielding brutes they need to be.

And this week on Smackdown Live, Harper and Rowan clashed with The New Day in tag team action. While the match didn't make it a classic showdown these teams can deliver, that was not its purpose.

The goal here was to make The Bludgeon Brothers look like monsters, and by booking The New Day and The Usos to react accordingly WWE accomplished that.

#2 Rusev in the US title match

Rusev will elevate this match immensely

Rusev, at the height of his popularity, was the hottest star in the company. WWE stripping away the foreign heel gimmick of the Bulgarian Brute was the best thing that could've happened to his career, as his likability and coming timing was let to shine.

And it was those factors that made his Rusev Day gimmick into one of the hottest selling merchandise in the company, and strong merchandise sales mean strong booking. On Smackdown Live this week, Rusev finally found himself in the US Title match at WrestleMania, and his presence means that WWE could be giving fans what they what on April 8th - Rusevmania.

#3 Becky builds momentum

Becky deserves more

Becky Lynch is often considered the most underrated, overlooked and most poorly booked talent in all of WWE.

While competing in the Women’s Battle Royal at WrestleMania may seem like a step down for Lynch, her victories over Ruby Riott and outsmarting the Riott Squad on Smackdown Live this week could indicate big things for her at WrestleMania.

WWE has started building up Becky as a legitimate wrestler in the company and that was clear on Smackdown Live.

#4 Owens and Zayn stay fired

Daniel Bryan delivered a passionate promo about the recently fired superstars

When a WWE Superstar gets fired, wrestling fans know that these ex-employees will return to attack other Superstars or to get their hands on their boss.

Therefore, WWE tries and take every unnecessary way to make these fired Superstars either look like badass babyfaces or sneaky heels, and that takes away the realism from the firing. However, when Daniel Bryan fired Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, many expected the duo to return and wreak havoc the following week, but to WWE's credit, they didn't.

With Owens and Zayn slated to take on Shane McMahon and Bryan at Wrestlemania for their jobs, WWE would be wise to have the pair make their first appearance back the "Show of Shows" itself.

#5 Nakamura is finally booked right

Nakamura has been underutilized for months

For months, WWE hasn't booked Shinsuke Nakamura to his full potential, whether it was in his matches, in his promos or even his gimmick.

However, this week on Smackdown Live, WWE addressed all of those areas by booking Nakamura the best he has ever been, by pitting him against the talented Shelton Benjamin, making his promos more direct and bringing out the best from his wacky character.

These things made his programme with AJ Styles feel more like a championship programme with two serious pro wrestlers, instead of the over-the-top way feuds get started in WWE.

WWE booked Nakamura as a man that wants to fight the best and beat the best; that was conveyed in the right way on this week's edition of Smackdown Live.