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The WWE SmackDown Live roster made their way over to Japan for night one of a much anticipated weekend which will see two special Live events occur in Tokyo.
However, questions had been asked before about Shinsuke Nakamura's role after an injury forced the King of Strong Style off of television earlier this week.
Nakamura was one of the featured Superstars for the event, but after allegedly being bitten by a police dog forcing him to pull out of SmackDown Live, the Japanese crowd were left waiting to see whether The King of Strong Style would return to his home country.
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Another point of contention was the scheduled match between Daniel Bryan and Big Cass which obviously wouldn't be taking place due to Big Cass no longer working for the company, but WWE had some other plans for Daniel Bryan...
When WWE performs in Japan, it's always a special occasion, and with some pretty spectacular homecomings, this one was always going to be great.
#1 The New Day vs The Bar
Well, The Bar haven't been on television for quite a while, but they did compete against The New Day in the opening match of the night.
It's noted that, as you would expect, The New Day got a very warm reception from the crowd and the crowd was pretty hot for the opening encounter which, as always with these two teams, was very entertaining.
A lot of physicality as always, particularly when Big E clashed with Cesaro or Sheamus, but this match was a classic encounter to start off the night and definitely set the tone for the evening - high energy, high intensity, a lot of hard st
Kofi Kingston pinned Cesaro after hitting the Midnight Hour.
The New Day defeats The Bar
#2 Hideo Itami vs Shelton Benjamin
The second match of the night featured Hideo Itami, a man who made his name in Japan under the moniker of Kenta, and who will soon be returning to star for Pro Wrestling NOAH very soon, against Shelton Benjamin.
As you would expect, the crowd loved the 37-year-old Japanese veteran and, much to the ire of Benjamin, it was the former NXT man who picked up the win over the former Intercontinental and United States Champion via roll up after several false finishes.
It's noted that Itami did not use the Go To Sleep finisher on Benjamin, but he did pick up the win to an incredible reception. The match was said to be a super athletic contest with very fast paced action and a true face-heel dynamic with the crowd hot for both men in offence, Itami as face, Benjamin as heel.
Hideo Itami defeats Shelton Benjamin
#3 Tye Dillinger vs Shelton Benjamin
After his loss to Itami, Benjamin was furious and called out any member of the WWE roster in an open challenge as he wanted another match.
Well, the man who answered the challenge was guaranteed to put in 10/10 effort...
Tye Dillinger answered the challenge and pinned Benjamin very quickly, with two losses to two roll-ups in two successive matches for Benjamin.
After the match, the crowd also chanted "One more time!" wanting to see Benjamin lose in three straight matches.
Tye Dillinger defeats Shelton Benjamin
#4 Shinsuke Nakamura addresses the crowd
While Shinsuke Nakamura was one of the featured stars for the Smackdown Live event in Tokyo, Japan, he was unable to face AJ Styles for the WWE Championship as planned due to an apparent incident with a police dog in Bakersfield last week.
Instead, Nakamura appeared using a crutch and cut a promo before being interrupted by Samoa Joe who demanded he get Nakamura's title shot tonight.
Joe then put Nakamura in the Coquina Clutch before Styles made the save.
You can see some fan footage of the interaction below.
#5 SmackDown Women’s Championship Match - Carmella vs Becky Lynch
Well, aside from her loss in the Money In The Bank Ladder Match, Becky Lynch has been on fire recently. Lynch had a title shot against Carmella in the Land of the Rising Sun as a reward for all her great performances recently.
Unfortunately for Becky, Carmella was up to her usual tricks and, while both women went submission for submission, Carmella got a roll up win using the ropes for leverage.
Carmella defeats Becky Lynch
#6 Andrade 'Cien' Almas vs Sin Cara
Well, this is a match that's been a long time coming, and seemingly never really happened on SmackDown, but Sin Cara did face off against the former NXT Champion in Tokyo.
Sin Cara even had some special gear for the occasion.
Almas won after hitting the double knee strike in the corner.
After the match, Sin Cara officially unveiled his new gear on Twitter.
Andrade 'Cien' Almas defeats Sin Cara
#7 Daniel Bryan vs The Miz
Well, no build needed for this one, and the crowd didn't even know it was going to happen! Miz faced off against long-term rival Daniel Bryan. The original match was said to have been Daniel Bryan vs Big Cass.
As you would expect, this match was very well received and both men went all out, with Daniel Bryan hitting a Jushin Thunder Liger-esque Romero Special.
Miz even hit the world famous "It!" Kicks on Bryan... Ahem.
Daniel Bryan hit the Busaiku Knee Kick for the three count and the win.
Daniel Bryan defeats The Miz
#8 Naomi & Asuka vs Lana & Billie Kay with Peyton Royce
As you would expect, Asuka got a HUGE reaction from the Japanese crowd when she teamed up with Naomi to face off Lana and Billie Kay with Peyton Royce at ringside.
The match revisited Naomi and Lana's rivalry, but the real story here was Asuka who got the crowd going with every strike and hold.
This match was also said to be very high in intensity and the hot tag from Asuka was built very well.
Asuka made Billie Kay tap out with the Asuka Lock for the win.
Naomi and Asuka defeat Lana and Billie Kay
#9 SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match - Fatal Four-Way
The Bludgeon Brothers vs Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson vs The Usos vs Rusev Day
Well, WWE's most dominant team were up next defending their titles in a Fatal-Four Way Match against their Money In The Bank opponents, one of SmackDown's most dominant former champion tag teams, and probably most people's most unexpected favourite team in WWE.
This match was also essentially a homecoming for Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, who spent the better part of their career paerforming in Japan, the crowd definitely appreciated their return.
The Bludgeon Brothers retained their titles after Karl Anderson took their Powerbomb and Flying Clothesline combo.
The Bludgeon Brothers win to retain the titles
#10 WWE Championship Match - AJ Styles vs Samoa Joe
In what was said to be an excellent match, Samoa Joe got his shot he demanded earlier in the night against AJ Styles - and the man who is so revered in Japan got a huge reaction both before and during this match.
You can see the excellent exchange that led to AJ Styles winning below, where The Phenomenal One hit a Phenomenal Forearm off a reversal for the three count.
AJ Styles retains the title via pinfall
What did you think about the live event? Sound off your opinions in the comments section below!
