WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from April 11

When the Superstar Shake-up came to a close, WWE SmackDown Live ended up with quite the roster to play with.

Charlotte Flair instantly altered the women's division with her presence. Kevin Owens brought the United States Championship to the blue brand. The often-underused Sami Zayn found a new home. 

SmackDown looked different in a number of places. Former NXT stars made their impact on Tuesday's show, and WWE thrust little-seen midcarders into the spotlight. Not all of it worked, but the show didn't lack freshness.

After the night's bouts, an air of promise lingered. SmackDown enters this stretch of the WWE calendar with the right parts to continue its momentum.

Read on for a breakdown of Tuesday's matches, moments and stories.

Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn Join SmackDown

Owens emerged in a suit with his U.S. title draped over his shoulder, announcing his arrival to SmackDown. He talked about how superior Canada is to America.

Baron Corbin stepped out to confront him. He claimed he was owed a championship match.

Sami Zayn then arrived, telling everyone he's now a part of SmackDown. AJ Styles followed him to the ring and proclaimed SmackDown was the house he built.

SmackDown general manager Daniel Bryan announced that the winner of Owens vs. Chris Jericho at Payback will be a member of the blue brand and that Corbin, Styles and Zayn would fight later on Tuesday night to decide the No. 1 contender for the U.S. title.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "SmackDown just got a huge upgrade because I'm here now."—Owens.
• "I am here for me. I am here to be the new face of America."—Owens.
• "You can beat up everyone in this arena, but you can't beat me."—Corbin.
• "You cannot be here. This cannot be real."—Owens when seeing Zayn.
• "This is not the Kevin Owens show. This is SmackDown Live."—Styles.

Grade

A-

Analysis

A crowded scene turned out to be a taut, energy-filled one. Things moved along quickly, introducing SmackDown's new stars and wasting no time in giving them something to fight over.

Separating Zayn and Owens would have been smart, as their feud is bordering on being overexposed. 

Still, both men promise to thrive in their new home. SmackDown is the better-written show, and it's one where midcard titles matter. Owens should be able to boost the United States Championship as a result.

Randy Orton vs. Erick Rowan

Randy Orton battered Erick Rowan and had fun doing it. The big man fired back with heavy strikes.

The fight moved outside, where The Viper took control.

Bray Wyatt appeared on the big screen. He warned his foe of what was to come in their House of Horrors match.

Rowan attacked Orton with the ring steps. He then laid out the WWE champ. 

Result

Orton wins via disqualification. 

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Rowan crashed into the ring steps.
• "I'm the nagging conscience of a world that has thrown itself away to moral monsters."—Wyatt.

Grade

C+

Analysis

The story progressed an inch or two here. Wyatt, though, gave little insight into what a House of Horrors match is, making it hard to create tension ahead of the bout.

Rowan's attack wasn't especially impressive considering how he's never been booked to be more than a stooge.

Once this Wyatt-Orton rivalry is over, Rowan is going to struggle to stay relevant. He's best suited to be a part of a faction, and his crew is dissolving.

The Usos vs. American Alpha (SmackDown Tag Team Championships)

A focused Jason Jordan and Chad Gable started hot, using superior teamwork to outdo The Usos.

The champs briefly slowed the match down, but Gable blasted through The Usos. His high-energy offense had the heels reeling.

American Alpha scored a number of near-falls. The duo looked to be on the verge of victory, but a series of superkicks left Gable out cold. The Usos outlasted the opposition to get the win.

The Shining Stars ambushed American Alpha afterward.

Result

The Usos win via pinfall to retain the tag team titles.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Jey Usos slammed his face into the ring post.
• Gable hit a picture-perfect moonsault. 
• Gable and Jordan hit simultaneous suplexes outside the ring.

Grade

B+

Analysis

The Usos and American Alpha put on a high-energy, engaging match. This latest glimpse of their chemistry is further proof WWE should have made this rivalry a higher priority a long time ago.

The Shining Stars are a letdown addition. They won't do anything for the blue brand's tag team division issues.

Jinder Mahal vs. Mojo Rawley

New England Patriot Rob Gronkowski sat in the stands as the battle unfolded.

Mojo Rawley and Jinder Mahal slugged it out to kick things off. Mahal slowed the pace down to grind his foe into the mat.

Mahal then confronted Gronk. That set the stage for Rawley to take down his opponent.

Result

Rawley wins via pinfall. 

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Gronk threw his drink in Mahal's face.
• Rawley jumped into the crowd to celebrate with Gronk.

Grade

C

Analysis

In a repeat of WrestleMania 33, Gronk got a big moment and Rawley got a win. The hyped powerhouse looked solid during the brief bout. He is one-dimensional, but WWE is apparently invested in showcasing him.

Mahal is an underwhelming addition to SmackDown. He'll likely be the stepping stone for all the midcard babyfaces.

Shane McMahon Addresses State of Women's Division

Commissioner Shane McMahon talked about opportunity and welcomed the entire women's division to come out to the ring. Naomi, Natalya, Carmella, Becky Lynch and James Ellsworth joined him.

The SmackDown commissioner introduced Tamina as a new member of the brand. He then announced Charlotte Flair would be on SmackDown too.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "You better get your little side chick before she gets chin checked."—Naomi to Carmella.

Grade

B

Analysis

The segment felt incomplete. It cut to commercial just as Flair arrived. It would have great to at least see Flair stare down a few of her new rivals.

Tamina will be a solid member of the division. She's no marquee star but will provide depth and give WWE more options each week.

Flair is the big get. She instantly transforms the women's scene on SmackDown. She's a star shooting toward the sky, and she's sure to bring some of her new peers with her.

Tye Dillinger vs. Aiden English

Aiden English introduced himself with a song.

Tye Dillinger soon arrived to fluster the heel. English briefly had The Perfect 10 on the ropes. Dillinger, though, rolled over him. A Tye Breaker ended the match. 

Result

Dillinger wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "I stand here bereft of any company. But now the spotlight is solely on me."—English.

Grade

C+

Analysis

That answers questions about English's position after Simon Gotch's release. He'll be a low-ranking midcarder if that match were any indication.

English's singing gimmick will help him stand out. It's not going to propel him much, however.

Dillinger remains popular, garnering another big reaction. He got his second victory in a row, as WWE continues to welcome him to the main roster with short wins against low-tier talent. That's a smart way to get the ball rolling with him.

Dolph Ziggler Meets Shinsuke Nakamura

Credit: WWE.com

Dolph Ziggler discussed the Superstar Shake-up. He started to mock fans for getting excited about the brand's new arrivals when Shinsuke Nakamura interrupted. 

The Showoff insulted him. 

Ziggler tried to attack Nakamura, but The King of Strong Style blocked it. The heel soon retreated.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "I don't know who you are."—Ziggler.
• The crowd chanted: "Nakamura! Nakamura!"

Grade

B+

Analysis

Ziggler vs. Nakamura doesn't have the appeal of The King of Strong Style against The Miz or AJ Styles, but it will be a fun start to the latter's WWE run.

The Showoff can carry the verbal load. Their matches will be excellent.

This first interaction between them was simple and efficient. Nakamura looked cool and had the heel on the run. The story has to grow more complex from this point, but this was a nice opening.

AJ Styles vs. Baron Corbin vs. Sami Zayn (No. 1 Contender for U.S. Title)

Credit: WWE.com

A wild match saw the momentum swing back and forth.

Corbin gained control early, but Styles and Zayn hurled him from the ring. The Lone Wolf returned to trade shots with Styles.

Zayn went on a flurry that ended with Styles flattening him.

The three foes fired their best shots, scored a number of near-falls and left each other punch-drunk. Styles ended the wild ride with a Phenomenal Forearm.

Result

Styles wins via pinfall to become No. 1 contender.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Corbin suplexeed both Zayn and Styles.
• Zayn hit a springboard moonsault to both foes.
• Styles hit a nasty running knee on Corbin.

Grade

A

Analysis

Zayn in the main event is a sight one could easily get used to. He thrived as a babyface, pouring his guts out as he so often does.

His presence made for a fresh matchup. The high stakes elevated the action. As a bonus, the U.S. title got a lot of focus, something it hasn't received in long while.

Styles going after that belt is a bit of a surprise. He seemed destined to stay in the WWE title picture. Even if that demotion of sorts upsets fans, the bouts he and Owens will have together will be quite the appeasement.