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For second time since 2014, The Usos participated the first televised SmackDown match of the New Year. Then they lost their titles in less than five minutes. Or did they?
Defending their SmackDown tag titles versus the team of Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin, the blue brand began 2018 with controversy.
After Gable and Benjamin jumped out to an advantage, the challengers hit their finisher early and won the match with a quick pinfall.
.@WWEGable and @Sheltyb803 are completely IN SYNC in 2018! #SDLive @WWEUsos #TagTeamTitles pic.twitter.com/sR0Cttc8pk
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 3, 2018
WAIT A MINUTE...#JimmyUso was NOT the legal man, so this match will be RESTARTED RIGHT NOW! #SDLive #TagTeamTitles @WWEUsos @Sheltyb803 @WWEGable pic.twitter.com/q8YwHtbXgL
— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2018
Before Gable and Benjamin could celebrate their win, The Usos protested and video evidence showed that Jimmy Uso ate the pin but he was not the legal man (Uso).
On the match restart, Gable and Benjamin never could get back on track.
= @WWEGable and @Sheltyb803
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 3, 2018
= @WWEUsos#SDLive #TagTeamTitles #RestartTheMatch pic.twitter.com/KtSXodBg7I
Day One firmly remains H. #AndStill #OnLock pic.twitter.com/i81rv2J1nA
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) January 3, 2018
SPLASH!!!! THE CHAMPS RETAINS THE TITLES. #SDLive #TagTeamTitles @WWEUsos pic.twitter.com/Hzlv3K8DfF
— Italo Santana (@BulletClubItal) January 3, 2018
With momentum on their side, The Usos trucked their challengers and retained the SmackDown tag team championship.
Do you agree with the use of instant replay in pro wrestling? Did Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin get a raw deal?