WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from April 4

Tuesday's WWE SmackDown reshaped the blue brand with two major arrivals from NXT.

Building on the buzz from WrestleMania 33, the show opened the gates for both Tye Dillinger and Shinsuke Nakamura. While Nakamura is the far bigger addition, Dillinger's debut was better crafted. WWE went the traditional route with The Perfect 10's introduction and simply let Nakamura show his face. 

Randy Orton's reign, the Intercontinental Championship rivalry and Naomi's first battle as SmackDown women's champ made their mark on Tuesday's show, as well.

SmackDown left plenty to dissect. A WrestleMania rematch outdid the original. WWE's off-the-rails treatment of Bray Wyatt continued.

The following is a breakdown of the night's matches and moments, complete with highlights and letter grades.

Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt Cross Paths

New WWE champion Orton proclaimed to be Wyatt's master after beating him at WrestleMania. 

From the big screen, The Eater of Worlds said he had a rematch coming but first wanted to drive him insane. He challenged Orton to a House of Horrors match. The Viper accepted.

Wyatt appeared in the ring to ambush Orton. Erick Rowan soon followed suit. Luke Harper ran down the ramp to play the cavalry.

The babyfaces cleared their foes from the ring.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "You will never, ever forget my name."—Orton.
• "The era of Wyatt has only just begun."—Wyatt.
• "Light will turn to darkness, kindness into wrath."—Wyatt.
  

Grade

B+

Analysis

One can only imagine what a House of Horrors match entails, but ideally, it can be a showcase for Wyatt. WWE has to remember the line between campy and creative is a thin one, though, as we saw at WrestleMania.

Wyatt was his usual haunting self, but his threats feel hollow after so many losses.

Rowan's return will allow Wyatt to continue to play the puppet master. That's good news for both men. Rowan was lost without his "family" in the past.

Naomi vs. Alexa Bliss (SmackDown Women's Championship)

Alexa Bliss pounced on Naomi after the opening bell. Naomi fought back briefly, but Bliss brought the champ down by attacking her previously injured knee.

Naomi clocked Bliss with a thunderous kick. She was too hobbled to capitalize.

After withstanding The Wicked Witch's offense, Naomi responded with A Bad Place, forcing Bliss to tap.

Result

Naomi wins via submission.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "It's Naomi's fault for getting hurt."—John "Bradshaw" Layfield.
• Bliss drives Naomi's head into the mat with a big DDT.
• Naomi dances on one leg to celebrate.

Grade

B

Analysis

Bliss' heel work was tremendous. She growled and snarled as she stalked her prey, making top-notch facial expressions throughout.

This was a solid match, one that showed off Naomi's gutsiness to a degree. It ended up being one of Naomi's better efforts.

And it's nice to see a new champion get some real momentum right away. 

Curt Hawkins vs. Tye Dillinger

Curt Hawkins explained he wanted to hear less about the Superstar Shake-Up and more about himself. He issued an open challenge that Tye Dillinger answered.

The Perfect 10 dominated. He stomped and chopped Hawkins silly.

A Tye Breaker ended a quick match.

Result

Dillinger wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• The crowd chants "10!"
• "This is a long time coming for one of the favorites from NXT."—Tom Phillips.

Grade

A-

Analysis

This was no great match, but it didn't need to be. A quick squash over Hawkins was the right way to welcome Dillinger from NXT. It was also smart to introduce him in front of the post-WrestleMania crowd, guaranteeing the biggest reaction for him.

The moment created great energy.

Dillinger opened his career with a one-sided win. He got to be a part of the WrestleMania week buzz.

That's smart booking all around.

The Miz Mocks; Shinsuke Nakamura Arrives

Backstage, The Miz and Maryse promised to rid SmackDown of John Cena and Nikki Bella.

The power couple later took to the ring posed as Cena and Bella. The Miz mocked Cena and his fiancee for taking a hiatus from WWE.

Shinsuke Nakamura arrived just before the heels could leave.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• The crowd chants Nakamura's name.
• "The King of Strong Styles is here."—Phillips.

Grade

B

Analysis

Nakamura only arrived in his debut. He didn't say a single word. He didn't throw a single kick. He didn't even stare down The Miz.

WWE relied on his awesomeness rather than come up with something creative.

Even so, the sight of him on SmackDown is thrilling. He will elevate the brand in a big way.

It wasn't clear if he's going to tangle with The Miz, but if he does, that will be a perfect way to welcome The King of Strong Style.

The Miz's latest mockery of everything from Cena's gait to his posture is a reminder of how hot he is right now and that he is one of the best actors on the roster.

Dean Ambrose vs. Baron Corbin (Street Fight)

Baron Corbin clobbered Dean Ambrose to start things off.

The IC champ and The Lone Wolf soon brawled at ringside. They slugged it out in the stands. Corbin and Ambrose soon welcomed steel chairs, a table and a leather strap into the battle.

Ambrose hurts himself flying at Corbin. That didn't slow him down, though.

He clashed until Corbin hit End of Days to finish off The Lunatic Fringe.

Result

Corbin wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Ambose dropkicks a chair into Corbin's face.
• Corbin slams Ambrose through a table.
• Ambrose sends Corbin into a propped-up steel chair.
• "The mind of Dean Ambrose? That man has a mind?"—JBL.
• Ambrose elbows Corbin through a table.

Grade

A-

Analysis

This was the match these two should have had at WrestleMania.

Their intensity bubbled over. The enemies put their foot on the gas and didn't let up. The bout was powered by urgency and a bit of brutality.

Why this wasn't for the title is baffling and hard to understand, though.

Shane McMahon's Address

Credit: WWE.com

Shane McMahon talked about his father's announcement of a Superstar Shake-Up next week.

AJ Styles interrupted him, sporting a black eye, to confront the commissioner. He said he wanted to stay on SmackDown. The Phenomenal One teased an attack on his boss but left the ring instead.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "Any Raw Superstar should be praying they end up on SmackDown."—McMahon.
• "SmackDown Live is the house that AJ Styles built."—Styles.

Grade

C-

Analysis

What did this really accomplish?

Styles and McMahon shared a moment of respect. Beyond that, all we got was McMahon plugging the Superstar Shake-Up and Styles saying he wanted to stick with the blue brand.

Styles didn't hint at his next move. 

And it was upsetting that McMahon didn't sell the WrestleMania match more. He was a bit too chipper just two days after walking out of a war with Styles.

Erick Rowan and Bray Wyatt vs. Randy Orton and Luke Harper

Credit: WWE.com

Rowan and Wyatt took turns punishing Orton before Harper charged in. Harper went on a flurry, but The Wyatt Family managed to slow him down. 

The Viper led a comeback. A blackout briefly interrupted him, but he hit Rowan with an RKO to end the bout.

Result

Orton and Harper win via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Wyatt clotheslines Harper on the floor.
• "Hopefully we can get Chet Chetterfield from Southpaw Regional."—JBL.

Grade

C

Analysis

Wyatt and Rowan looked cohesive and powerful early on. They lost an average match, though.

And it hurts Wyatt in the worst way for him to use his supernatural gifts and still not get the win. He's an immortal struggling to keep up with the mortals.

WWE can't seem to remain on track with him.