Friday Night SmackDown continued WWE's forward momentum on the April 17 edition of the show thanks to a few major matches and announcements.

The Miz and John Morrison were forced to put the SmackDown Tag Team Championships on the line in a unique Triple Threat match as The A-Lister fought The New Day's Big E and Jey Uso.

Bayley forced Tamina to go through Sasha Banks to get to the SmackDown Women's Championship. The veteran has been waiting for an opportunity like this for a long time, and The Legit Boss was clearly scared of what Tamina could do.

In a pair of Money in the Bank qualifiers, Daniel Bryan met Cesaro in the ring and Naomi and Dana Brooke battled for an opportunity.

After months of drama, Sonya Deville tried to clear the air with her best friend Mandy Rose, explaining her actions that kept God's Greatest Creations from Otis.

This show promised big matches, moments and potential buildup to Money in the Bank, setting up the May 10 pay-per-view to be must-watch TV.

Braun Strowman Talks About Bray Wyatt on A Moment of Bliss

Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross invited Braun Strowman to A Moment of Bliss. The Monster Among Men explained that the past was the past with Bray Wyatt, and he was looking toward the future.

Strowman found a present waiting under the turnbuckle. When he opened it, he found his old black sheep mask. As he stared at it, Wyatt's laugh echoed through the Performance Center.

Grade

B+

Analysis

This was a simple but effective segment when Strowman seemed confident but was not ready for Wyatt's mind games. The WWE universal champion may feel ready to be his own man, but it's always difficult to forget your past.

The story continues to build in unique fashion. It will fun to see just what both men do to keep this story as interesting as possible.

Sasha Banks vs. Tamina (No. 1 Contender Opportunity)

Sasha Banks was unable to get Tamina off her feet most of the match. The veteran threw her around with ease as Bayley watched seemingly confident on commentary. The Role Model tried to distract Tamina late, but Lacey Evans got involved and took out Bayley.

After a superkick outside then a second superkick in the ring, Tamina pinned The Boss. The Sassy Southern Belle raised the No. 1 contender's hand in victory.

Result

Tamina def. Banks by pinfall to earn a future SmackDown Women's Championship opportunity.

Grade

C+

Analysis

This was a fine match but completely unremarkable. Tamina has worked better in her current role than any time in the past five years, but she's still not able to do much in the ring. She just stays on her feet while her opponent works around her.

Banks may be good enough to make that work, but the tension never ramped up. It was always obvious that Tamina would win. Hopefully, Bayley vs. Tamina has more of a story behind it.

Sheamus vs. Denzel DeJournette

Sheamus made quick work of one of NXT's young developing stars. He took out Denzel DeJournette with a Brogue Kick.

As Michael Cole tried to transition to a Jeff Hardy video package, The Celtic Warrior threatened Cole for distracting from his win. Hardy's video package focused on his struggles his drugs and alcohol, promising the redemption next week in the final video focusing on Hardy's journey.

Result

Sheamus def. DeJournette by pinfall.

Grade

D

Analysis

Sheamus should not be wasting his time steam-rolling through NXT stars, but at least a story is beginning to form. He has a target in Hardy. The Charismatic Enigma should be wrestling regularly again, and his first feud should be against The Celtic Warrior.

DeJournette is one of many guys that have done nothing to date in WWE but are getting some exposure as local enhancement talent. Some of these NXT guys will take advantage and rise soon.

Money in the Bank Qualifier: Naomi vs. Dana Brooke

Carmella found Dana Brooke backstage preparing for her Money in the Bank qualifier. She questioned why her tag team partner was focused on a solo opportunity rather than their WWE Women's Tag Team Championships opportunity. Brooke promised she could multitask.

The incredible athlete showed that she could against one of the only women in WWE that can keep up with her speed. Naomi pushed Brooke, but The Glow could not put away the match with the Rear View. Brooke rolled her up for three to earn a Money in the Bank opportunity.

Result

Brooke def. Naomi by pinfall to qualify for the Money in the Bank ladder match.

Grade

B

Analysis

This was a fun athletic showcase between two talented women in need of a real opportunity. It told a great story even if it was short as Brooke was outmatched, but she refused to give up.

It felt like a huge moment when she managed to pull out the win. Brooke has a perfect opportunity to make an impact in Money in the Bank this year. She feels like the ultimate dark horse to take the briefcase.

Sonya Deville Promises to Ruin Mandy Rose's Life

Sonya Deville begged Mandy Rose to come out and hear her explanation. God's Greatest Creation listened to her best friend as Deville made clear she had finally seen the truth. She called Rose the most selfish woman she had ever met.

Deville promised to ruin Rose's life and finally make it to the top after years of living in God's Greatest Creation's shadow. Dolph Ziggler interrupted to beg Rose to give him a second chance. However, Deville ruined the moment by laying out her former friend.

Otis marched to the ring and took out Ziggler. He hit the Caterpillar on The Showoff while Rose sent Deville running.

Grade

A

Analysis

The midcard has struggled to tell strong compelling stories with any talent for several years now, but this story continues to land no matter who is involved. Deville cut a scathing promo, the best of her career. It reshaped the way this story will develop.

It also made Deville and Ziggler more interesting as heel. While Rose's former partner wants to hurt God's Greatest Creation, The Showoff wants to win her back. He will likely turn against Rose when he realizes she has truly chosen Otis.

Money in the Bank Qualifier: Daniel Bryan vs. Cesaro

WWE announced that Money in the Bank would be held in WWE Corporate Headquarters with competitors having to climb the entire building to make it to the Money in the Bank briefcase.

This contest was interrupted as it got going by the mysterious hacker, who promised to reveal the truths in the SmackDown locker room.

With Drew Gulak in his corner, Daniel Bryan wanted to show off, starting the match fast. He outmaneuvered Cesaro with technical offense until The Swiss Cyborg's strength stopped him. Bryan barely survived Cesaro by rolling through into the Yes Lock for the tap out.

Result

Bryan def. Cesaro by submission to qualify for the Money in the Bank ladder match.

Grade

B+

Analysis

Cesaro and Bryan always deliver, so this was as good as one would hope for a thrown-together match with no crowd from two of the best in WWE. The two kept the pace up. The sequences between the two were so smooth, yet the action was equally physical.

In the end, The Planet's Champion had to win. He adds more excitement to the men's Money in the Bank ladder match. It is a shame both cannot compete as they would add so much to the contest.

King Corbin Makes a Statement by Injuring Elias Backstage

King Corbin attacked Elias backstage then dragged him around backstage with his guitar. He found a quiet corner to keep beating down The Living Truth. Finally, he broke Elias' guitar on the musician's back.

Grade

C

Analysis

This was a fine segment, but it continues to force the issue of Corbin vs. Elias. The two are not good together. It would have been better to move past it all after their unexciting WrestleMania clash.

The Living Truth could be a great underdog in the Money in the Bank ladder match, but he will be likely taken out of the equation by The King. A second round between these two sounds like a drag.

SmackDown Tag Team Champion The Miz vs. Big E vs. Jey Uso

Jey Uso, Big E and The Miz all cut promos ahead of this match, promising to walk away with tag team gold.

While The A-Lister had a good showing including hitting the Skull Crushing Finale into a figure four leg lock on Uso, Big E got involved and hit the Big Ending on Miz to win. Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods' recorded reactions were shown as they celebrated the title returning to New Day.

Result

Big E def. Miz and Uso by pinfall to become the new SmackDown tag team champions alongside Kofi and Woods.

Grade

B

Analysis

This was a solid but rushed main event. After so much build-up, it was odd that more time was not given to these teams to deliver. All three competitors have chemistry and delivered as they could with time.

It was interesting to give the title to New Day now especially in this format. It certainly sets up nicely for the eventual return of Woods. However, the original idea seemed to be WWE re-establishing Miz and John Morrison as a dominant team.