WWE SmackDown aired live from the Yuengling Center in Tampa. It was the first episode of SmackDown following WWE WrestleMania Backlash. Apollo Crews put the Intercontinental Championship on the line against Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, and Big E in a Fatal 4-Way main event.
SmackDown Results (5/21)
- Shayna Baszler, Nia Jax, Bayley def. Natalya, Tamina, Bianca Belair
- Shinsuke Nakamura def. King Corbin
- Dominik def. Robert Roode
- Apollo Crews def. Big E, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens to retain the Intercontinental Championship
Here are the takeaways from this week’s show:
A Parade Of Champions Kicked Off The Show
Sonya Deville started off the show and welcomed everyone to a “extra special” edition of SmackDown. Deville noted that WWE is going back on the road soon and back with the WWE Universe. Sonya claimed that Adam Pearce is on the road scouting locations for their tour.
Deville introduced all of SmackDown’s champions but Apollo Crews grabbed a microphone. Apollo complained about having to defend his title in a Fatal 4-Way later tonight before vowing to destroy Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, and Big E tonight.
Sonya introduced Universal Champion Roman Reigns for the Parade of Champions but Paul Heyman came to the entrance ramp instead. Heyman said this wasn’t a parade of champions, its a parade of title holders. Paul stated that Roman Reigns is not a title holder, he is the champion in WWE.
Paul claimed that fans will buy tickets with confidence because WWE is represented by the Tribal Chief and that Reigns is not interested in being a part of this parade. Heyman added that there will be a “Parade of Champion” later tonight whenever Roman Reigns wants it to happen.
Bayley interrupted and complained about her title reign not being recognized during the ThunderDome era. Bayley mocked the babyface champions but was nice to Apollo and Commander Azeez. She claimed that Bianca Belair cheated in their title match at WrestleMania Backlash and demanded that Sonya Deville strip her of the SmackDown Women’s Championship.
Bianca Belair started trading words with Bayley but was attacked from behind by Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler. Women’s Tag Team Champions Natalya & Tamina tried for the save but Nia and Shayna beat them down as SmackDown went to a commercial break.
Shayna, Nia, Bayley Picked Up A Win
Nia Jax, Shayna Baszler, and Bayley then battled Natala, Tamina, and Bianca Belair in the first match of the night. Nia sent Tamina to the corner and connected with a Splash. Baszler tagged in as Michael Cole explained that Reginald is not ringside because of injuries sustained during the Alexa Bliss magic/fire interference last week.
Belair finally turned the momentum and planted Shayna with a big Spinebuster. Bianca made her way to the top rope but Nia and Bayley dragged Baszler to the outside. Belair opted to take out all three of them with a Crossbody off the top rope. Belair tweaked her knee during the move as SmackDown went to a break.
When SmackDown returned, Bayley was in control and was targeting her attack on Bianca’s knee injury. Belair desperately tried to make it to the corner but Bayley dragged her back. Bianca battled back and launched Bayley out of the ring. Tamina tagged in and beat Bayley down in the corner.
Tamina knocked Shayna off the ring apron and delivered a Powerslam to Bayley. Natalya tagged in and connected with a German Suplex. Tamina tagged back in and leveled Bayley with a Superkick. Tamina went for the cover but Bayley grabbed the bottom rope to break it up at two.
Natalya tagged in but didn’t catch Shayna tagging in as well. Natalya set up for the Sharpshooter on Bayley but Shayna broke it up. Tamina hit Baszler with a headbutt but Bayley then sent her out of the ring. Bayley brought Bianca to the outside and hit a Bayley to Belly. Shayna then got Natalya in the Kirifuda Clutch for the submission victory.
Shinsuke Nakamura def. King Corbin
King Corbin said that Shinsuke Nakamura stealing his crown is the most disrespectful thing he has ever seen and that Nakamura is no king. Corbin vowed to beat Nakamura tonight and take his crown back. Rick Bugez showed up with his guitar and said he was here to rock out with the real king of SmackDown. Bugez riffed Nakamura’s theme and Shinsuke entered with the crown as SmackDown went to a commercial break.
When SmackDown returned, Boogz (Rick Bugez) was ringside as Nakamura was beating Corbin down. Corbin took control with a Powerbomb and went for the cover but Shinsuke was able to kick out at two. Corbin then mocked Nakamura and hit Good Vibrations on him in the corner of the ring.
Shinsuke kicked Corbin in the face and followed it up with some knee strikes. Nakamura set up for the Kinshasa but Corbin countered into a slam for a near fall. Corbin went for a Chokeslam but Shinsuke escaped. Corbin quickly connected with the Deep Six for a near fall. Bugez played the guitar a bit and Corbin got distracted. Corbin went for End of Days but Nakamura countered into a roll-up for the pinfall victory.
Seth Rollins Attacked Cesaro
Universal Champion Roman Reigns came to the ring with Paul Heyman and Jey Uso. Reigns raised the title and pyro went off as SmackDown went to a commercial break.
Reigns claimed to be a humble man and didn’t want to brag on television. Roman instead said he will allow this time for his Special Counsel to celebrate him. Heyman listed off Reigns’ accomplishments and the superstars he has defeated during his Universal Championship reign.
Roman asked for Heyman to get Jimmy down here and Paul obliged. Heyman asked Jimmy Uso to come down to the ring but Cesaro’s music hit instead. Cesaro had his arm in a sling and made his way down the entrance ramp. Cesaro said he was looking for Seth Rollins but had to come to the ring due to the annoying yapping from Reigns and Heyman.
Roman joked that he will break Cesaro’s other arm and Cesaro laughed it off. Cesaro challenged Reigns to a rematch at Hell in a Cell but was attacked from behind by Seth Rollins. Seth slammed Cesaro’s arm into the steel steps and then hit two Stomps on the entrance ramp. Cesaro was stretchered out to end the segment. Rollins was interviewed backstage and claimed that he blacked out. Cesaro was stretchered by him and Rollins went insane. Seth shouted that this was all Cesaro’s fault as he was stretchered away.
Dominik def. Robert Roode
Robert Roode squared off against Dominik Mysterio tonight on SmackDown. Before the match, Roode cut a promo and told Dominik not to let winning the SmackDown Tag Team Championships go to his head. Roode added that Dominik can’t rely on his dad and that he is going to prove that Dominik does not belong here tonight.
Roode hit two Suplexes to begin the action and went for a third but Dominik countered into a roll-up for a two count. Dominik connected with a Crossbody and followed it up with a Frankensteiner. Dolph tried to interfere but Rey Mysterio fought him off. Dominik sent Roode into the ring post and followed it up with a 619. Dominik then hit a Frog Splash off the top rope for the pinfall victory.
Aleister Black Returned & Apollo Crews Retained
Apollo Crews defended the Intercontinental Championship against Big E, Kevin Owens, and Sami Zayn in a Fatal 4-Way match in this week’s main event. Owens and Zayn battled to the floor as Crews and Big E traded shots. Big E hit Zayn and Crews with a Splash on the apron but Owens leaped onto him as SmackDown went to a break.
When SmackDown returned, Big E was beating down Crews in the corner. Apollo battled back and sent Big E out of the ring with a Dropkick. Crews sent Big E into the steel steps and then bounced Kevin Owens’ face off of them. Apollo hit a Moonsault but Sami Zayn launched him into the barricade.
Zayn then hit a Moonsault off the barricade but turned around into a Clothesline from Owens. Back in the ring, Owens hit a Swanton Bomb off the top rope and went for the cover but Big E broke it up at the last moment. Crews got back into the ring and hit Big E with a few German Suplexes for a near fall.
Sami sent Owens flying into the turnbuckle with an Exploder Suplex. Owens avoided the Helluva Kick and went for the Stunner but Sami was able to escape. Zayn connected with a Michinoku Driver but Owens was able to power out at two. Zayn went for a Suplex but Owens countered into a Neckbreaker.
Big E tried to Spear Apollo on the apron but Crews got his knee up. Owens went for the Stunner but Crews countered with a DDT on the ring apron. Big E then leveled Crews with a Spear off the apron as SmackDown went to a commercial break.
Back from the break, Big E connected with a double Suplex on Zayn and Crews. Kevin Owens then hit Big E with a Frog Splash out of nowhere for a near fall. Owens followed it up with a Cannonball but turned around into a Blue Thunder Bomb from Zayn for a near fall.
Zayn and Owens then battled to the outside and Sami planted him with a Suplex. Big E got on a roll and connected with the Big Ending. Commander Azeez dragged Big E to the outside and beat him down. Big E sent Azeez into the ring post and the lights started flickering. Aleister Black showed up and hit Big E with Black Mass. Apollo Crews capitalized with a cover to retain the Intercontinental Championship.
The Usos Will Face Street Profits Next Week
Jimmy Uso approached Sonya Deville backstage and said that The Usos are ready to get back in the tag team division. Sonya wondered if Jey agreed with that and Jimmy claimed that he wouldn’t be saying this if Jey didn’t have his back. Jimmy added that they wanted the Street Profits and Sonya made the match official for next week’s show.
Jey later talked to Jimmy backstage and wasn’t a fan of Jimmy booking matches for them. Jey said he has to inform Roman Reigns of the match next week. Jey told Reigns that he had nothing to do with next week’s match against the Street Profits. Roman got annoyed that Jey used the word “we” and said that this is we and everything we do represents the family.
Reigns hugged Jey and whispered something in his ear before walking away. As of now, The Usos are scheduled to take on Street Profits next week and it will be interesting to see if Jimmy and Jey are on the same page.
