Daniel Bryan took on his new friend Drew Gulak for a chance to advance to the semi-finals of the Intercontinental Championship tournament this week on SmackDown after Sami Zayn failed to return to the Friday Night show.
This was a WrestleMania rematch and another show-stealing display from the two stars, but in the end, it was Bryan’s game plan to work the leg that led him to victory. Gulak tapped from the heel hook and awarded Bryan the victory, which means that he will now face the winner of Jeff Hardy vs Sheamus.
Following the match, Bryan cut an emotional promo regarding the fact that he relinquished the Intercontinental Championship five years ago ahead of retirement, and later awarded it to Ryback, but was never given a chance to reclaim the title. Bryan hopes to regain the Championship in this tournament and make it THE title on SmackDown moving forward.
The night kicked off with Otis on Miz TV, where the challenge was laid down for a tag team match later in the night against Miz and John Morrison if he’s able to find himself a Tag Team partner. Tucker was revealed to be ill which meant that he was unable to be part of the match, so Otis was left to find a new partner.
In a strange turn of events, Otis approached Universal Champion Braun Strowman despite being the Money in the Bank contract holder and knowing that he has a chance to cash in on The Monster Among Men whenever he chooses. Strowman was wary of the request but took Otis up on his offer and partnered him in his match, where the duo actually made a good team.
Miz and Morrison put up a good fight, but in the end, it was Otis and Strowman who came out on top following a Running Powerslam. After the match, Mandy Rose Came out to distract The Universal Champion while Otis looked as though he was going to cash in, but The Monster Among Men spotted him and they brushed it off as a joke.
