On April 17, 2018, Almas, alongside Zelina Vega, was drafted to SmackDown brand as part of the Superstar Shake–up. A month later, in his in-ring debut, Almas defeated a local wrestler on the May 15 episode of "SmackDown Live". Shortly after his debut, Almas was placed in his first feud with Sin Cara, who tried to convince him to "reconnect" again only for Almas to attack him. Almas defeated Sin Cara on July 10 episode of "SmackDown Live" and again five days later in a rematch at the Extreme Rules Kickoff Show to end their feud. On July 17 episode of "SmackDown Live", Almas suffered his first loss as part of main roster by then–WWE Champion AJ Styles in a non–title match. Throughout August, Almas and Vega started a feud with Rusev and Lana whom they would defeat in various singles matches. This led to a mixed tag team match between the two teams on the Kickoff Show for SummerSlam on August 19, where Almas and Vega were victorious. Two days later on "SmackDown Live", Almas and Vega lost to Rusev and Lana in a rematch, ending their feud in the process. Throughout the rest of the year, Almas continued to perform in various singles and tag team matches, most of which he would go on to lose.