WWE SmackDown Results: Shinsuke Nakamura's Inopportune Win and Top Takeaways

SmackDown Live traveled across the pond this week for a seriously hyped event in London's O2 Arena. Multiple major events and matches were announced ahead of time to set up this show as a potentially game-changing night for the blue brand.

The big match of the night, Shinsuke Nakamura vs. AJ Styles, did not disappoint with a surprising clean result as The Artist finally managed to get one up on The Phenomenal One. However, this non-title match may end up being Nakamura's only victory over Styles.

The event also included the potential first step on Asuka's return to the top with the announcement she would face SmackDown women's champion Carmella at Money in the Bank. One star still delayed on his road to glory was Daniel Bryan, who continued his lackluster feud against Big Cass.

Two more stars qualified for Money in the Bank on the night, but both have different outlooks for their futures. Becky Lynch remained on an inconsistent run by suddenly capturing a major victory, while Xavier Woods helped The New Day defeat The Bar and may be setting himself up to break out soon enough.

From big matches to disappointing stories, this week's SmackDown hinted at more than a few major events down the line, potentially answering the question of which SmackDown stars are on the rise.

Shinsuke Nakamura Finally Wins at the Wrong Time

Going into WrestleMania, everyone expected Nakamura would walk out as WWE champion, but he has failed repeatedly when faced with his greatest rival. This week, though, The Artist finally overcame Styles, defeating him clean with a pair of Kinshasas.

While the win was a big deal, it could be a bad sign for Nakamura. Instead of finally getting his victory in a battle for the title, The Rockstar took down Styles in a match to determine the stipulation of their next meeting. It was the closest you can get to a throwaway win over a world champion.

Nakamura has proved he can defeat Styles and will be able to choose any stipulation that favors him. In storytelling terms, Nakamura has everything going for him, which rarely works out well for heels in WWE.

This entire rivalry has done a great job building the threat of The King of Strong Style. His heel turn has made him more entertaining and engaging, but he has not been allowed to stand out above The Phenomenal One.

Their fights continue to inch closer to the dream match promised in their first bout, so their Money in the Bank clash should be spectacular. However, it likely will not end well for Nakamura.

Asuka Set to Rebound from WrestleMania Loss

Carmella planned a "Royal Mellabration" this week to continue praising her own achievements, but general manager Paige interrupted to ruin the champ's fun. Instead of letting Carmella gloat, she announced The Princess of Staten Island would next be facing Asuka at Money in the Bank.

Just over one month after losing her first match in WWE and joining SmackDown Live, this looks like the chance for Asuka to rebound and potentially take the title she failed to capture at the Showcase of the Immortals.

The Empress of Tomorrow is clearly still a focus for WWE, likely more so than current champion Carmella. It would be an easy way to move past her first loss if Asuka was to quickly capture her first gold, though it may not come right away.

Carmella has already defeated Charlotte Flair and moved on from the former champion, who was considered a higher priority than Asuka. If Charlotte can lose to Carmella, Asuka can do the same. However, the most interesting story to tell would be Asuka taking the title and getting another shot at Charlotte soon.

This feud should define SmackDown for months to come, and it will be interesting to see just how The Empress is treated by the time it ends.

Daniel Bryan Stuck in a One-Sided Feud with Big Cass

Credit: WWE.com

Rebounding quickly from his loss last week to Rusev, Bryan made a statement on SmackDown by destroying Cass in a brutal attack on his leg after the seven-foot giant ran his mouth again. It was the latest showcase of how little potential this feud has for both stars.

After squashing Cass in less than eight minutes at WWE Backlash, Bryan remains the top star in this rivalry while Cass comes off as an ineffective bully. He's playing the same role as The Miz or Kevin Owens—without the overwhelming charisma—rather than relying on his size and strength.

The problem here is that Cass has been so completely established as lesser to The Beard at this point that there's no point caring about the feud. Why waste Bryan's first feud back on someone so underdeveloped? It makes Cass look bad and Bryan look worse if Cass ends up cheating a victory off him at some point.

When this all first started, it seemed WWE had big plans for both men, re-establishing Bryan near the top of SmackDown while creating a new top monster heel. Instead, it has just felt like a delaying action to keep The American Phoenix out of title contention for a few months.

Becky Lynch's Inconsistent Booking Defines Her Value in WWE

Last week, Lynch seemed to have hit her lowest point, but she quickly rebounded by defeating both Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville this week to qualify for Money in the Bank. This victory was her first defining win in months, proving the company still relies on The Irish Lasskicker.

Even though she is rarely protected, she will always be heavily highlighted in major matches. The women's ladder match would be far less interesting without Lynch in the mix, so the company was willing to delay the story of the former members of Absolution to give Lynch a victory.

Unfortunately, she is unlikely to win the ladder match and will probably fall flat shortly thereafter. It was the same story for Lynch going into 'Mania and even as far back as last year's Money in the Bank event. For whatever reason, the Straight Fire Superstar remains SmackDown's most talented underused star.

Arguably, Becky Balboa is among the elite female talent in WWE. She rarely puts on a bad match regardless of opponent, often overachieving, and she is electric when given a microphone. Even when SmackDown was her show, though, she couldn't even hold the championship for three months.

Now it looks like too many stars have jumped her in line, and she would need a career-defining victory to change her standing. That likely will not come any time soon.

Xavier Woods Potentially Set to Break Out at Money in the Bank

Credit: WWE.com

For the second time in three weeks, Woods took a victory for New Day, this time earning his team a spot in the men's Money in the Bank ladder match. While any of the three men could compete in the match, the entire focus of this tag team feud with Sheamus and Cesaro has been on the trombone player.

All three would be great additions to Money in the Bank. Kofi has stolen the show multiple times in ladder matches with his athleticism, and few stars, if any, are more explosive than Big E.

Woods, though, would benefit the most from this opportunity to shine.

With the least gold to his name, Woods has been the least respected member of his accomplished trio, often playing the manager role for the tag team. It is time for him to spread his wings before the team potentially implodes.

If Woods gets the chance to compete alongside top stars like Braun Strowman, Balor and Miz, he could steal the show as the match's main highflier. Regardless of which New Day member is in the match, though, SmackDown continues to add far more interesting performers to the men's ladder match than Raw.

While it is unlikely stars like Rusev or Woods would emerge with the briefcase, it is more exciting to think about them winning than the expected front-runners like Strowman or KO.