The WWE hits the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada tonight (May 1, 2018) for SmackDown Live, for the blue brand's go-home show before the Backlash pay-per-view (PPV) this weekend.

WWE Champion AJ Styles is set to defend his title against Shinsuke Nakamura this weekend, so what will happen between the two rivals before their championship bout at Backlash? Nakamura is set to demand an apology from AJ Styles on Miz TV.

And Big Cass is back in the WWE fold, and has his eyes set on Daniel Bryan. Those two will also settle their differences at Backlash.

Keeping all that in mind, let's take a look at what happened during tonight's episode of SmackDown Live from Montreal:

Miz TV With Randy Orton & Jeff Hardy

The Miz opened up the show with his Miz TV segment in which United States Champion Jeff Hardy would be his guest. Before introducing the United States Champion, however, Miz announced Daniel Bryan was banned from Miz TV for no-showing his scheduled appearance last week.

Out came Jeff Hardy, who Miz asked if he thinks he is a better Intercontinental Champion than Seth Rollins. Hardy responded by saying that if Miz really was better than Rollins then he would have won his match at the Greatest Royal Rumble.

Miz mentioned how Hardy disrespected Randy Orton two weeks ago by jumping in front of him for Shelton Benjamin's open challenge. Out came Orton who cleared the air and said he has no issues with Jeff Hardy - who simply took advantage of a situation, just like he himself did to Hardy last week.

Miz got frustrated that Orton and Hardy weren't angry with each other, and out came Shelton Benjamin. Benjamin is angered that Orton gets a shot at the United States Title at Backlash this weekend. He said since he beat Orton last week he deserves a title opportunity.

Benjamin tried to make his way into the ring but Orton attacked him. Miz jumps Orton and Hardy came for the save. Orton and Hardy cleared the ring to end the segment.

Score - 7/10

The Miz was wonderful on the mic as usual and had the crowd in the palm of his hand. Orton is also a great promo but Hardy's mic work comes off as very forced and cheesy, taking away from the segment. Benjamin coming out to start the scuffle was great, as it set up our next match....

Jeff Hardy and Randy Orton vs. The Miz and Randy Orton

A decent showing from all four men here. Hardy and Orton picked up the win after Orotn hit an RKO on Benjamin and tagged in Hardy for the Swanton Bomb. After Hardy got the pin, however, Orton hit an RKO on Jeff to show that he's still focused on the United States Title, and could possibly be turning heel now.

Score - 8/10

This match was okay but Orton looked very strong and his actions afterwards were a great way to hype he and Jeff's match this weekend at Backlash.

Big Cass Calls Out Daniel Bryan

Big Cass hits the ring after the commentators announce Bryan had been sent home by WWE's medical staff for what they feared could be an infection on his chest. Cass says Bryan is just like WWE fans - regular.

He begins to say real WWE Superstars are seven feet tall like himself. Cass then says he doesn't want to wait until Backlash, he wants to kick Bryan's ass now. Bryan's music hits but instead of Bryan we get a midget dressed just like him.

Cass makes some cheesy jokes before saying "cut" and introducing the midget as a local talent. After letting him bow to the crowd a few times Cass delivers a big boot to his face. The referees come out to stop Cass and end the segment.

Score - 5/10

The old midget routine is old and dated. Cass did okay on the mic until he started making cheesy jokes about fake Bryan's size. This is a long recycled segment that is used far too often. A simply promo from Cass would've done nicely instead of this.

Shinsuke Nakamura Wants AJ Styles To Apologize

Renee Young is in the ring and welcomes WWE Champion AJ Styles. Renne Young mentions that Nakamura wants Styles to apologize for attacking him after their match at the Greatest Royal Rumble last week.

Styles finds that laughable and flat out refuses. Out comes Samoa Joe who continues to take shots at RAW's Roman Reigns. He then says that AJ Styles needs to prepare himself, because regardless of who wins Nakamura vs. Styles at Backlash - he's coming for the WWE Championship.

Nakamura's music hits, and Joe is ready for a fight - but Nakamura is in the ring. Styles takes a low blow from behind and Nakamura finishes him off with a Kinshasa. After a few silent moments of weird facial expressions from Nakamura his music hits to end the segment.

Score - 9/10

Styles was great on the mic here and Joe interrupting is very exciting as it sets up the next WWE Title program after this weekend.

Nakamura coming out from behind to low blow Styles was a nice surprise, but his over the top facial expressions ran a tad too long in this segment. Overall, this was a great part of the show.

Xavier Woods vs. Sheamus

These two actually put on a very solid match. Some interference from both Cesaro and The New Day at ringside caused a distraction that seemed was going to cost Woods the match, however, Sheamus got caught in a rollup pin and Xavier pulled out the win.

Sheamus was not happy after the match and The New Day celebrated as they retreated up the ramp.

Score - 8/10

The match was much better than expected and the dynamic of having The New Day and Cesaro at ringside worked out extremely well.

Woods hasn't received much shine as a singles talent and this match certainly helped his case. It looks like we'll be seeing a lot of work between The New Day and The Bar moving forward.

Becky Lynch, Asuka and Charlotte Flair vs. The IIconics and Carmella

This was a very good match featuring some of the best in-ring workers on the card. Things weren't looking too good for Asuka after losing last week on SmackDown, but she was able to pick up the big win for her team with a brilliant finish that resulted in Peyton Royce tapping out to the Asuka Lock.

Score - 6/10

The Six Woman Tag Team matches every week have ran there course. This match doesn't really help anybody. Lynch and Asuka should've handled the IIconics on their own while Carmella and Flair keep things one-on-one. Lazy booking in my opinion despite a solid match.

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