WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from April 24

Big Cass stepped in the way of Daniel Bryan and The Miz's collision course on Tuesday's WWE SmackDown to deliver a career highlight.

One of the blue brand's newest additions made sure to leave his imprint on the show. Big Cass fired verbal haymakers Bryan's way, showing off his new and improved persona.

Elsewhere on the show, Charlotte Flair and Carmella met briefly with violent results, Asuka's SmackDown tenure didn't start the way her NXT stint did, and AJ Styles joined forces with some old allies.

SmackDown had to balance building toward the Backlash pay-per-view and hyping Friday's Greatest Royal Rumble event. The results were mixed. 

The following is a breakdown of Tuesday's show from Big Cass' opening promo to the six-man main event.

Big Cass Invades Miz TV

The Miz kicked off the show by vowing to win the Intercontinental Championship at the Greatest Royal Rumble. He then challenged Bryan to come at him, but Big Cass emerged instead.

The big man talked about recovering from his ACL injury and expressed jealousy for the attention Bryan has received.

Tension simmered between the two men. Big Cass, though, focused much of his ire toward Bryan who he promised to destroy. Backstage, cameras caught the former SmackDown Live general manager writhing in pain on the floor.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "SmackDown Live just became must-see once again."—Corey Graves.
• "I am living in the shadow of that ordinary, little man."—Big Cass.
• "I'm tall, I'm educated and I'm damn good looking."—Big Cass.
  

Grade

A

Analysis

This was some excellent work from Big Cass, who has returned from injury with more presence and improved mic skills. This slimy braggart version of him has potential. It never hurts to add more depth to a character and freshen things up a bit.

The segment went on a bit longer than it needed to, though. Some line-trimming would have made this more efficient and powerful.

Becky Lynch and Asuka vs. The IIconics

The IIconics admired themselves and mocked Becky Lynch before the bout began.

In the ring, Asuka and Lynch took turns wailing on Billie Kay. The babyfaces dominated until a Peyton Royce cheap shot left The Irish Lass Kicker reeling. Kay and Royce focused on Lynch's left arm as they kept her in their corner.

Asuka and Lynch rallied back, but a collision with each other derailed them. Royce soon scored a three-count albeit with her legs illegally on the ropes.

Result

The IIconics win via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "Instead of The Empress of Tomorrow, it's the Empress of Yesterday."—Kay.
• Asuka and Lynch hit simultaneous hip tosses on Royce.
• Royce slams Lynch into the ring post.

Grade

C+

Analysis

Royce and Kay continue to entertain as SmackDown's resident mean girls.

Another loss for Asuka is a bit of a shocking direction. The IIconics certainly benefit from the cheap win, but WWE can't afford to make The Empress of Tomorrow look too mortal moving forward.

Lynch and Asuka had solid natural chemistry together. It wouldn't be a bad idea to explore this alliance further.

Jimmy Uso vs. Rowan

Credit: WWE.com

The Bludgeon Brothers were left in disbelief on SmackDown.

Naomi expressed concern for Jimmy Uso before his match. He told her not to worry as he had his brother Jey in his corner.

The bout itself saw an aggressive Rowan attack Jimmy. The high-flyer tried to use his speed advantage to keep his foe off balance but ran into a brick wall instead. 

Naomi stepped out, distracting The Bludgeon Brothers by dancing. Jimmy took advantage by beating Rowan with a schoolboy pin.

Result

Jimmy Uso wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Rowan snatches a flying Jimmy out of the air.
• "You're going to have to be something more than human to beat The Bludgeon Brothers."—Graves.

Grade

C+

Analysis

It's smart of WWE to make use of Jimmy and Naomi's natural chemistry. Their moments are always rich with heart.

Naomi playing the cavalry by shaking her tail feather was an odd choice, though. WWE had a strong story going with plenty of emotion. Distraction by booty is a jarring addition to that.

Carmella and Charlotte Flair Contract Signing

Credit: WWE.com

Carmella snatched the microphone from Renee Young to complain about how she was introduced.

The Princess of Staten Island berated the fans before twice airing her highlight reel and demanded a standing ovation that she didn't get.

Flair emerged and signed her contract before laying out the champ with a single blow.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "This isn't Charlotte's kingdom anymore. It's mine."—Carmella.
• Flair slams Carmella's face into a table.

Grade

B+

Analysis

Carmella repeating her highlights to the point of annoyance was a unique way of generating heat. She's done well so far as champ, flourishing as an in-your-face narcissist.

The segment was timed well. There was no need to drag this out.

Giving Carmella the stage early and the final word for Flair was a wise approach, too.   

Randy Orton vs. Shelton Benjamin

Credit: WWE.com

Shelton Benjamin came away the victor against Randy Orton.

United States champion Jeff Hardy sat at ringside to catch the action.

Shelton Benjamin had the early advantage. He bashed Randy Orton with strikes, leaving him reddened and dazed.

The fight moved to the outside where The Viper took over.

A masked Sunil Singh chop blocked Hardy before getting floored with an RKO from Orton. Benjamin pounced on his opponent amid the chaos and got the victory.

Result

Benjamin wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Benjamin pushes Orton off him to prevent an early RKO from landing.
• Benjamin knocks Orton off the ring apron with a running knee.
• Orton slams Benjamin onto the announce table before staring down Hardy.

Grade

C-

Analysis

Benjamin looks energized following his separation from Chad Gable. His match with Orton didn't get a chance to hit a high gear thanks to the Singh interference, though.

He's going to make a valuable addition to the U.S. title picture, a scene that will pick up once it can ditch Jinder Mahal.

The sooner Orton can stop messing around with Mahal, the better. He's been spinning his wheels as a character for the majority of his feud with The Maharaja.

AJ Styles and The Club vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Rusev and Aiden English

Styles, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows began in complete control. They pushed around their foes with little effort.

The Phenomenal One's focus on Shinsuke Nakamura led to him stumbling. Rusev and Aiden English then beat up on the WWE titleholder.

Nakamura kneed Gallows in the back of the head to finish things off.

After the match, Styles went after Nakamura. The King of Strong Style left the champ lying thanks to a low blow and taunted him afterward.

Result

Nakamura, English and Rusev win via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Nakamura debuts a remixed version of his entrance music (above).
• English sings while holding Styles down on the mat.
• Anderson leaps in front of Styles to save him from taking a Kinshasa.

Grade

B

Analysis

The match itself was no barn-burner. The dramatic moments afterward were the real highlight.

Nakamura's heel turn has bolstered him in a big way, and he was a major part of why there was so much emotion in that final scene.

Rusev, meanwhile, can't even remember what winning feels like at this point. WWE does continue to put him in a prominent spot. Days before his casket match against Undertaker, he was in SmackDown's main event battling the WWE champ.

Gallows and Anderson have now moved from Styles to Finn Balor and back without much to show for it. Perhaps this time around, the duo can make a bigger impact alongside their old Bullet Club brother.