WWE Smackdown: Daniel Bryan joins Owens, Nakamura match as a referee

Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Daniel Bryan joined Kevin Owens and Shinsuke Nakamura Tuesday on Smackdown in the middle of their match in order to become the bout's new referee.

Bryan's decision to make himself a referee, after Owens accidentally knocked one out, was preceded by the the former world champion inserting himself into the upcoming Clash of Champions Tag Team Match between Owens and Sami Zayn against Randy Orton and Nakamura.

Bryan made himself the second special guest referee in the match alongside, commissioner Shane McMahon, to ensure that everything goes smoothly at the event as Owens' and Zayn's jobs with the WWE are on the line.

As Bryan put on the referee's shirt on Tuesday, however, there was a slight delay in him entering the ring and making a three count while Nakamura pinned Owens. This led to some believing that the Total Bellas star was favoring Owens and his best friend.

Owens won the match with his Pop-up Powerbomb after Zayn distracted Nakamura from outside the ring, giving The Prizefighter an impressive win over The Artist.

"The bottom line is, we are the absolute BEST, not just on Smackdown Live, but in the entire WWE! Yep! Yep! Yep!" Owens said as he celebrated with Zayn up the ramp. The "Yep" chant he started was in reference to Daniel Bryan's signature "Yes" chant.

Clash of Champions airs live from the TD Garden in Boston on Sunday.

Also on Smackdown Live, WWE Champion AJ Styles opened the show by addressing his Clash of Champions opponent Jinder Mahal before the pair's championship rematch at the event.

Styles said Mahal was a threat due to The Modern Day Maharaja previously holding onto the title for six months and that he will do anything and everything to win a match.

The Phenomenal One was then joined by Mahal's henchmen, The Singh Brothers, who attempted to trick the champion into thinking they had left their boss and wanted to be in Styles' corner at Clash of Champions.

Styles saw through the ruse and attacked the Singh Brothers as Mahal entered the arena. Mahal and The Singh Brothers would get their revenge later when they ambushed Styles as he was giving an interview backstage.

"This Sunday, you will not be beating the odds," Mahal said to a powerless Styles.

Other moments from Smackdown Live included Smackdown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair defeating Ruby Riott via disqualification; Dolph Ziggler defeating United States Champion Baron Corbin via disqualification; The Bludgeon Brothers defeating Colin Delaney and Joe Monroe; and Rusev and Aiden English defeating Smackdown Tag Team Champions The Usos.