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The Best Episodes of WWE SmackDown Season 20

Every episode of WWE SmackDown Season 20 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of WWE SmackDown Season 20!

The Best Episodes of WWE SmackDown Season 20

The superstars of World Wrestling Entertainment's "SmackDown" brand collide each and every Friday on WWE Friday Night SmackDown.
  1. Background image for January 2, 2018 (Orlando, FL)
    6.1/10(37 votes)

    #1 - January 2, 2018 (Orlando, FL)

    S20:E1

    The disunity between Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan came to the forefront during AJ Styles' main event showdown against Sami Zayn, leading to a huge Royal Rumble WWE Title Match announcement. Elsewhere, Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable finally got their two-on-two opportunity at SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  2. Background image for January 9, 2018 (Birmingham, AL)
    6.0/10(35 votes)

    #2 - January 9, 2018 (Birmingham, AL)

    S20:E2

    Shane McMahon put Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn against a wall when he scheduled them in a 3-on-2 Handicap Match against WWE Champion AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura and Randy Orton. However, the challenges presented by the Commissioner wouldn’t stop there for The “Yep!” Movement.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  3. Background image for January 16, 2018 (Laredo, TX)
    6.2/10(33 votes)

    #3 - January 16, 2018 (Laredo, TX)

    S20:E3

    In an impromptu main event, the Final of the United States Championship Tournament went down when Jinder Mahal took on Bobby Roode after each qualified earlier in the night. Elsewhere, the women of Team Blue continued to slug it out as the first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble draws near.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  4. Background image for January 23, 2018 (Washington, DC)
    6.4/10(35 votes)

    #4 - January 23, 2018 (Washington, DC)

    S20:E4

    Feeling backed into a corner, WWE Champion AJ Styles found himself in another jam when he agreed to take on both Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in back-to-back singles matches on SmackDown LIVE. Elsewhere, the Team Blue women threw down in a wild melee just five days before the first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble Match.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  5. Background image for January 30, 2018 (Philadelphia, PA)
    6.2/10(34 votes)

    #5 - January 30, 2018 (Philadelphia, PA)

    S20:E5

    With their WWE Title Match at WrestleMania now official, WWE Champion AJ Styles & Shinsuke Nakamura teamed up against Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn on SmackDown LIVE. The one rub? Owens & Zayn were informed beforehand that they would be squaring off against one another next week, with the opportunity to be the next challenger for Styles’ WWE Championship at WWE Fastlane on the line.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  6. Background image for February 6, 2018 (Kansas City, MO)
    6.4/10(38 votes)

    #6 - February 6, 2018 (Kansas City, MO)

    S20:E6

    Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn’s one-on-one encounter to determine a challenger for WWE Champion AJ Styles at WWE Fastlane took a chaotic turn, leading to Daniel Bryan throwing all three a curveball. Elsewhere, United States Champion Bobby Roode defended his title against Rusev.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  8. Background image for February 13, 2018 (Bakersfield, CA)
    6.5/10(38 votes)

    #7 - February 13, 2018 (Bakersfield, CA)

    S20:E7

    Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn tried to take control of their own destiny by ambushing Dolph Ziggler and Baron Corbin before their match to see who would advance to the WWE Title Match alongside them and WWE Champion AJ Styles at WWE Fastlane. However, their plan would ultimately backfire when SmackDown LIVE Commissioner Shane McMahon flipped the script and gave both Ziggler and Corbin a chance to advance, potentially making it a Fatal-5 Way Match for the title at WWE Fastlane.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  9. Background image for February 20, 2018 (Phoenix, AZ)
    6.5/10(37 votes)

    #8 - February 20, 2018 (Phoenix, AZ)

    S20:E8

    With the WWE Championship Fatal 5-Way Match at WWE Fastlane coming into focus, WWE Champion AJ Styles took on Baron Corbin in non-title competition, and Kevin Owens squared off against Dolph Ziggler, with Sami Zayn playing a pivotal role in both bouts.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  10. Background image for February 27, 2018 (Los Angeles, CA)
    6.7/10(37 votes)

    #9 - February 27, 2018 (Los Angeles, CA)

    S20:E9

    John Cena arrived on SmackDown LIVE with a clear plan to move forward to WrestleMania, setting his sights on the WWE Title Match at WWE Fastlane. Elsewhere, Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan continued to clash over Bryan’s handling of Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  11. Background image for March 6, 2018 (Green Bay, WI)
    6.4/10(37 votes)

    #10 - March 6, 2018 (Green Bay, WI)

    S20:E10

    The one-on-one main event between WWE Champion AJ Styles and Dolph Ziggler took an unexpected turn after The “Yep!” Movement injected themselves with a surprise attack. Elsewhere, Randy Orton and Jinder Mahal rekindled their epic rivalry, as United States Champion Bobby Roode watched on from the announce desk.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  12. Background image for March 13, 2018 (Indianapolis, IN)
    6.3/10(33 votes)

    #11 - March 13, 2018 (Indianapolis, IN)

    S20:E11

    After announcing he'd be taking an indefinite leave of absence from his position, SmackDown LIVE Commissioner Shane McMahon delivered on his promise to make a major WrestleMania announcement, but the plan backfired on him when Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn were not happy with what they heard. Elsewhere, matters intensified between WWE Champion AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura, as their WWE Title Match at WrestleMania 34 draws closer.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  13. Background image for March 20, 2018 (Dallas, TX)
    6.9/10(41 votes)

    #12 - March 20, 2018 (Dallas, TX)

    S20:E12

    On one of the biggest nights of his life, SmackDown LIVE General Manager Daniel Bryan spoke emotionally about once again being cleared to compete in WWE. When he fired Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn later in the night, however, his celebration turned upside down, as he suffered a brutal assault at the hands of The "Yep!" Movement.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  14. Background image for March 27, 2018 (Pittsburgh, PA)
    5.9/10(36 votes)

    #13 - March 27, 2018 (Pittsburgh, PA)

    S20:E13

    Shinsuke Nakamura took on Shelton Benjamin in the main event of SmackDown LIVE, with WWE Champion AJ Styles in The King of Strong Style’s corner at the Royal Rumble Winner’s behest. Elsewhere, SmackDown LIVE General Manager Daniel Bryan laid down a once unthinkable challenge to Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn for WrestleMania.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  15. Background image for April 3, 2018 (Nashville, TN)
    6.1/10(36 votes)

    #14 - April 3, 2018 (Nashville, TN)

    S20:E14

    WWE Champion AJ Styles & Shinsuke Nakamura teamed up against Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable, but did their mutual respect last through one final SmackDown LIVE prior to their WrestleMania 34 dream match? Elsewhere, Shane McMahon returned to SmackDown LIVE… and so did Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  16. Background image for April 10, 2018 (New Orleans, LA)
    7.1/10(44 votes)

    #15 - April 10, 2018 (New Orleans, LA)

    S20:E15

    In the wake of WrestleMania, Team Blue saw the dawning of a new era, as Shane McMahon made Paige the new General Manager of SmackDown LIVE. Then, in a fantasy match of Paige's creation, WWE Champion AJ Styles battled Daniel Bryan, a showdown that would fall victim to the wrath of The King of Strong Style. Plus, Carmella cashed in her Money in the Bank contract to become the new SmackDown Women’s Champion after the debuting IIconics laid waste to Charlotte Flair.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  17. Background image for April 17, 2018 (Providence, RI)
    6.9/10(38 votes)

    #16 - April 17, 2018 (Providence, RI)

    S20:E16

    AJ Styles & Daniel Bryan formed a fantasy team as they took on Rusev & Aiden English, but Shinsuke Nakamura and the newest SmackDown LIVE Superstar Big Cass made sure to make their presence felt. Elsewhere, SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella’s ’Mellabration was unceremoniously interrupted several times, including one interjection from the division’s newest threat.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  18. Background image for April 24, 2018 (Louisville, KY)
    6.2/10(33 votes)

    #17 - April 24, 2018 (Louisville, KY)

    S20:E17

    In a huge Six-Man Tag Team Match main event, AJ Styles reunited with Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows to take on Shinsuke Nakamura, Rusev & Aiden English. Elsewhere, Big Cass’ disdain for Daniel Bryan grew to new heights, which would prove to have a major impact on WWE Backlash.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  19. Background image for May 01, 2018 (Montreal, QC)
    6.2/10(34 votes)

    #18 - May 01, 2018 (Montreal, QC)

    S20:E18

    Two super-teams squared off as Charlotte Flair teamed with Asuka & Becky Lynch to take on SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella and The IIconics in a memorable main event. Elsewhere, the tension between WWE Champion AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura continued to mount, with a major stipulation being added to their title match at WWE Backlash.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  20. Background image for May 08, 2018 (Baltimore, MD)
    7.1/10(32 votes)

    #19 - May 08, 2018 (Baltimore, MD)

    S20:E19

    WWE Money in the Bank was the focus of every blue brand Superstar, as three competitors qualified for the Money in the Bank Ladder Matches. Elsewhere, the growing beef between The New Day and The Bar continued.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  21. Background image for May 15, 2018 (London, England)
    6.9/10(31 votes)

    #20 - May 15, 2018 (London, England)

    S20:E20

    WWE Champion AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura collided in London’s O2 Arena with the winner getting the opportunity to pick the stipulation for their title match at WWE Money in the Bank. Elsewhere, two more Superstars claimed their place in the Money in the Bank Ladder Matches, and Big Cass finally pushed Daniel Bryan past his limit.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  22. Background image for May 22, 2018 (Worcester, MA)
    6.6/10(35 votes)

    #21 - May 22, 2018 (Worcester, MA)

    S20:E21

    Daniel Bryan took on U.S. Champion Jeff Hardy for the first time, with a Men's Money in the Bank Qualifying Match against Samoa Joe hanging in the balance. Plus, Lana and Naomi both qualified for the Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match, and Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson earned an opportunity to battle SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Bludgeon Brothers on June 17.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  23. Background image for May 29, 2018 (Raleigh, NC)
    6.9/10(31 votes)

    #22 - May 29, 2018 (Raleigh, NC)

    S20:E22

    In a shocking turn of events, a Triple Threat Match between Daniel Bryan, Samoa Joe and Big Cass was announced as the final Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match. Elsewhere, The New Day and The Bar squared off in a major Six-Man Tag Team Match.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  24. Background image for June 05, 2018 (Corpus Christi, TX)
    6.8/10(32 votes)

    #23 - June 05, 2018 (Corpus Christi, TX)

    S20:E23

    With WWE Money in the Bank momentum being the theme of the night, all of SmackDown’s participants in the Men’s Ladder Match did battle, as The New Day squared off against The Miz, Rusev and Samoa Joe in Six-Man Tag Team action. Elsewhere, Charlotte Flair took on Becky Lynch, and Jimmy Uso & Naomi faced Lana & Aiden English.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  25. Background image for June 12, 2018 (Memphis, TN)
    6.5/10(32 votes)

    #24 - June 12, 2018 (Memphis, TN)

    S20:E24

    In a thrilling 10-Woman Tag Team Match main event, Asuka made a massive statement heading into WWE Money in the Bank when she defeated SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella just five days before their title match in Chicago, literally putting all eyes of the SmackDown LIVE Women’s division on her.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  26. Background image for June 19, 2018 (Toledo, OH)
    6.6/10(38 votes)

    #25 - June 19, 2018 (Toledo, OH)

    S20:E25

    Rusev won a star-studded Gauntlet Match to earn the right to challenge WWE Champion AJ Styles at WWE Extreme Rules. Elsewhere, SAnitY made an unforgettable debut and left an immediate impression.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

Season 20 Ratings Summary

"January 2, 2018 (Orlando, FL)" is the best rated episode of "WWE SmackDown" season 20. It scored 6.1/10 based on 37 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 1/2/2018. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "January 9, 2018 (Birmingham, AL)".