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7 Takeaways From WWE SmackDown (5/22)

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Written by

Robert Lentini

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The May 22nd episode of WWE SmackDown aired live from the DCU Center in Worcester, MA. Here are 7 takeaways from this week’s show:

The Bar Cost Big E His Match Against The Miz

Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter

SmackDown kicked off with The Miz in the ring. The Miz took a shot at the Boston Celtics losing the last two NBA Playoff games to the Cavaliers before promoting his new docu-series on the USA Network.

The Miz then introduced his guests, New Day, for an episode of Miz TV. Woods, Kingston and Big E came down to the ring. Miz asked which of them is going to compete in the men’s MITB Ladder Match. All three of them sang Nsync’s “it’s gonna be me”. Miz claimed that the New Day hold each other back.

Woods said that Miz quite possibly is the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time and has main evented WrestleMania. Xavier then referred to Miz as a living legend, but the thing that nobody likes about him is that throughout his life, career and relationships he has ever had, he always makes sure that Miz comes first.

The Miz boasted about winning the MITB contract in the past and cashing it in. Miz brought up Kofi being in six MITB matches and never winning. Miz turned his attention to Big E and complimented his size and charisma. Miz stated that Big E has everything it takes to be a champion, but he will never be taken seriously because he doesn’t take himself seriously.

Miz brought up Woods’ YouTube channel and how popularity. Miz called “Fortnite” Fortline and Woods corrected him. Miz added that each of them have a chance to go down as one of the greatest WWE Champions in history with this MITB contract and asked again which member of New Day will compete in the match.

Woods stated that it is going to have to be Big E. Big E then suggested Kofi and then Kingston suggested Xavier. Miz flipped out and said that he brought them down here to give him the scoop and for them to announce who will be in the match. Miz said that he was going to win the men’s MITB Ladder Match and that he could beat anyone of them any day of the week.

New Day huddled up and then Kofi grabbed the microphone. Kingston said that it will Big E. Woods said that they were not talking about Money in the Bank anymore, they were talking about tonight. The Miz asked the crowd if they wanted to see Big E versus The Miz right now and they chanted “yes!”. The Miz stated that if he doesn’t get what he wants, then the fans don’t get what they want.

New Day threw pancakes at Miz while shouting “shame!”. The crowd continued to chant “shame!” as pancakes rained down on The Miz. The Miz rolled out of the ring and retreated backstage. The Miz then bumped into SmackDown GM Paige backstage. Paige said that she gets it and that not everyone likes pancakes. Paige added that The Miz said he could beat any member of New Day any day of the week and told him to back to the ring and prove it.  The Miz paced around on the entrance ramp as SmackDown went to a commercial break.

Big E then faced The Miz as Xavier Woods joined commentary for the match. Woods said that they wouldn’t reveal their strategy on who will be competing in the men’s MITB Ladder Match.

Big E started off the match in control and threw Miz down to the mat. Big E gyrated his hips a bit and then slammed The Miz to the canvas once again. The Miz connected with a few jabs, but got caught in an Abdominal Stretch from Big E. Big E then spanked The Miz a few times as the crowd chanted “New Day rocks!”. Big E continued the beatdown and stomped on Miz on the ring apron. Big E followed it up with a Splash and The Miz fell to the canvas.

Woods and Kingston then poured syrup in Big E’s mouth and wiped the sweat off his back with pancakes. Xavier joined commentary once again as The Miz battled back and slammed Big E face-first off the ring apron. Miz then launched Big E into the barricade as SmackDown went to a commercial break.

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/999082836530380801

When SmackDown returned, Big E was back in control and drove Miz into the corner of the ring. Kofi Kingston was on commentary now and Graves tried to get him to reveal which member of New Day will be in the men’s MITB Ladder Match. Big E connected with three Belly to Belly Suplexes in a row as Woods played the trombone.

Big E connected with a Splash and then Miz retreated the ring apron. Big E lifted him back into the ring and slammed him to the mat for a two count. Miz battled back with a knee to the face and followed it up with a DDT for a two count. Big E and Miz then dropped each other with a double Clothesline.

Sheamus and Cesaro rushed down to the ring and attacked Woods from behind. Kofi left commentary and springboarded off of Cesaro and hit Sheamus with a Crossbody. Sheamus then leveled Kingston with a Brogue Kick. Cesaro hopped on the ring apron and distracted Big E. Big E knocked him down but turned around into a Skull Crushing Finale from The Miz for the pinfall victory.

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/999085200570310657

It was announced that New Day will face The Bar & The Miz next week on SmackDown.

Money In The Bank Will Be Ravishing

Billie Kay faced Lana tonight on SmackDown. The winner of the match will qualify for the Women’s MITB Ladder Match.

Aiden English perfomed before the match to introduce Lana. English sang “Lana is the best, Lana number one!” and the crowd joined in before Lana danced her way down to the ring. Peyton Royce accompanied Billie Kay to the entrance ramp. They poked fun at Aiden English and performed a duet. They cleared their throats in obnoxious fashion as the crowd chanted “Rusev Day!”. They then sang “Lana is a loser!” in extremely high-pitched voices. The IIConics then added that SmackDown will become IIConic after they win MITB.

Aiden English then cleared his throat at ringside and held up a giant “Lana Day!” sign. Peyton Royce and Billie Kay got pissed off and started shouting at him. Lana grabbed Royce and threw her into the barricade. Billie Kay brought Lana into the ring and Lana connected with a kick to the face. Lana shouted “Machka!” and slammed Kay face-first into the canvas for the pinfall victory. The crowd chanted “Lana Day!” as she celebrated on the turnbuckle. Lana has now qualified for the women’s MITB Ladder Match.

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/999088652931256322

Andrade “Cien” Almas Dominated Again

Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter

Andrade “Cien” Almas and Zelina Vega came down to the ring. Almas faced another jobber this week. Backstage before the match, Vega complained about Almas not being given competition on SmackDown.

Almas beat the hell out of the jobber and stomped on in him in the corner to start off the match. Vega shouted instructions ringside as the jobber connected with an elbow to the face. The jobber then ran into a ridiculous back-elbow from Almas and collapsed to the canvas.

Andrade set up the jobber in the corner and connected with Double Knees. Zelina smiled ringside as Almas hit another Double Knees to the back of the jobber’s head. Almas finished him off with the Hammerlock DDT for the easy pinfall victory.

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/999089989634920459

Styles vs. Nakamura Will Be A Last Man Standing Match At WWE Money In The Bank

Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter

Renee Young came down to the ring and introduced WWE Champion AJ Styles for a face-to-face meeting with Nakamura tonight on SmackDown. Nakamura will reveal the stipulation for the WWE Championship at WWE Money in the Bank next month.

Nakamura joined AJ Styles in the ring and circled him a couple of times. Renee was about to ask Nakamura what the stipulation was going to be. AJ interrupted and demanded that Shinsuke tell him what the stipulation was. Shinsuke told Styles to relax and rolled footage of Nakamura defeating him last week on SmackDown to earn the right to choose the stipulation.

Styles said that will never happen again. Shinsuke told him to be quiet and to listen to him very carefully. Nakamura said that he will not just beat him, he will dishonor him and AJ will never recover. Shinsuke added that the title will be his and that AJ’s house is now his. AJ once again asked what the stipulation was. Nakamura then said that it will be a pillow fight and started laughing in the ring.

AJ said that he always knew that Nakamura was the king of soft style. Shinsuke stated that he jokes because he has the upper-hand and Styles jokes because he is afraid. Nakamura then said all he wants to do is hit Styles with a knee to the face. Styles claimed that Nakamura cannot beat him when it matters and that is why he takes those cheap shots. AJ added that he can speak for the WWE Universe and that he is not he Nakamura they wanted on SmackDown Live.

Nakamura went to punch Nakamura, but AJ blocked it. AJ knocked Shinsuke out of the ring and threw him into the timekeeper’s area. Nakamura got up and went after Styles with a steel chair. Styles fought him off and knocked Shinsuke into the crowd. AJ threw Shinsuke over the barricade and back to the ringside area. Styles then leaped off the barricade, but Shinsuke was ready and struck him with the chair.

Shinsuke posed a few times as Styles struggled to his feet. Nakamura kneed him in the ribs and then dropped him on the announce table. Shinsuke geared up against the barricade and leveled him with the Kinshasa. Shinsuke started counting all the way to ten and AJ didn’t get up. Shinsuke got up on the announce table and said that the stipulation will be a Last Man Standing Match at WWE Money in the Bank.

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/999095190844526593

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/999095791133380608

Gallows & Anderson Will Get A Shot At The SmackDown Tag Titles At WWE Money In The Bank

Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter

The Usos faced Gallows & Anderson tonight in a #1 Contender’s Match on SmackDown. Gallows and Anderson cut a promo before the match and said that they blew their chance against The Bludgeon Brothers. The Usos said that this wasn’t Japan or RAW, this is SmackDown Live where The Usos reside. They then welcomed Gallows & Anderson to the Uso Penitentiary. Anderson & Gallows called The Usos a couple of nerds.

Jimmy and Jey punched Gallows & Anderson in the face and a brawl broke out. The match then started with Gallows and Jey. Jey Clotheslined Gallows out of the ring and then hit a Crossbody onto both Anderson and Gallows as SmackDown went to a commercial break.

When SmackDown returned, Anderson had Jey Uso perched on the top rope. Jey headbutted Karl to the mat and leaped to the canvas. Jey Uso connected with a boot to the side of the head and then Gallows tagged in. Gallows missed with a splash and got two boots to the face from The Usos. Jimmy connected with a Superkick and Jey followed it up with a Splash for a two count.

Jimmy tagged in and then climbed up the turnbuckle. Jey climbed up on the opposite side and Anderson shoved him to the floor. Gallows decked Jimmy with a boot to the face and tagged in Anderson. Gallows & Anderson then planted Jimmy Uso with the Magic Killer for the pinfall victory. As a result of winning this match, Gallows & Anderson will face the Bludgeon Brothers for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships.

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/999099087348731904

Naomi Qualified For The Women’s MITB Ladder Match

Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter

Naomi faced Sonya Deville tonight on SmackDown in qualifying match for the women’s MITB Ladder Match. Mandy Rose was ringside for the match.

Sonya threw Naomi to the mat, but Naomi did a spit and taunted her. Deville knocked Naomi down once again as Charlotte was shown backstage watching the match. Deville connected with a couple of jabs to the midsection in the corner. Sonya applied a Headlock, but Naomi got to her feet and broke up the hold by slamming Deville into the turnbuckle.

Deville planted Naomi with a Spinebuster for a two count. Sonya stayed on the attack and stomped on Naomi in the corner. Naomi battled back with a boot to the face and then a kick to the knee. Naomi and Deville then traded kicks and then both connected with a kick to the head at the same time. Deville got up first and kneed Naomi in the ribs. Naomi then rolled up Deville for the pinfall victory. Naomi is now in the women’s MITB Ladder Match.

https://twitter.com/BeckyLynchWWE/status/999101625682857985

Daniel Bryan Submitted Jeff Hardy, Will Face Samoa Joe Next Week

Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter

Daniel Bryan was interviewed backstage about getting a second change to qualify for the men’s MITB Ladder Match. Bryan said that tonight means everything and added that it was insane that he will be facing Jeff Hardy tonight. Bryan stated that Hardy is a difficult mountain to climb, but he loves the challenge. Bryan vowed to tap a legend out tonight on SmackDown.

The winner of the match tonight between Jeff Hardy and Daniel Bryan will face Samoa Joe next week in a qualifying match for the MITB Ladder Match. Big Cass was deemed unable to compete due to an injury suffered last week. Cass was shown backstage on crutches during the show.

https://twitter.com/RealPaigeWWE/status/998612645476528129

Jeff Hardy was interviewed later on during the show and said that he can do things with ladders that captivate the WWE Universe. Jeff said that he and Bryan are about to scorch the fans cerebrums. Hardy then excused himself and said he was about to take flight.

Samoa Joe came down and joined commentary for the match. The winner of Hardy versus Bryan will face Samoa Joe next week in a qualifying match for the men’s MITB Ladder Match.

Hardy and Bryan locked up to start the match. Bryan knocked Hardy to the canvas with a shoulder tackle for a two count. Jeff connected with an Atomic Drop and then a Dropkick that sent Daniel out of the ring as SmackDown went to a commercial break. When SmackDown returned, Bryan and Hardy connected with a double Clothesline and both Superstars fell to the mat.

Bryan connected with a boot to the face that knocked Hardy out of the ring. Daniel followed it up with a Dropkick through the ropes and Hardy crashed into the barricade. Bryan missed with a knee off the apron and then Jeff leveled him with a Clothesline off the ring apron.

The action returned to the ring and Bryan perched Hardy on the top rope. Bryan got Hardy in the Tree of Woe and delivered a sliding Dropkick to his face. Jeff battled back and connected with Whisper in the Wind off the top rope for a two count. Bryan hit a Dropkick to Jeff’s knee and then hit a series of Yes Kicks.

Hardy ducked under a kick and planted Bryan with the Twist of Fate. Jeff made his way to the top rope and went for the Swanton Bomb, but Bryan got his knees up. Daniel then connected hit a kick to the face for a two count. Bryan geared up in the corner and went for the knee to the face, but Hardy was ready and went for a roll-up. Bryan kicked out at two and hit a few uppercuts to the face.

Bryan avoided another Twist of Fate and applied the Heel Hook in the middle of the ring. Hardy reached for the ropes but he couldn’t make it. Jeff then tapped out and Bryan won the match. Samoa Joe grabbed the microphone and shouted “Daniel!” before getting into the ring. Joe said that he fails to see what everyone is celebrating out here, because next week you face me. Joe then had a brief stare down with Bryan and then left the ring as his theme played. Daniel Bryan will face Samoa Joe next week in a qualifying match for the Men’s MITB Ladder Match.

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Samoa Joe then was interviewed backstage. Joe vowed to put Daniel Bryan to sleep next week on SmackDown. WWE SmackDown then went off the air with Daniel Bryan celebrating in the ring.

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/999108040312983554

Opinion: This week’s episode of SmackDown was very entertaining and helped me forget about last night’s brutal episode of RAW. I am already looking forward to next week’s main event between Samoa Joe and Daniel Bryan. I’m sure there will be outside interference during the match, but it still going to be awesome to see them face each other in a WWE ring.

Gallows & Anderson picked up a big win tonight against The Usos. I am much more excited for Gallows & Anderson vs. The Bludgeon Brothers at MITB than I would have been if they just faced The Usos again. I haven’t enjoyed the rivalry between AJ Styles and Nakamura as much as I thought I would have. Tonight’s segment was solid and I hope that we finally get the Nakamura vs. Styles match we deserve at WWE Money in the Bank.

What did you think of this week’s episode of SmackDown? Let us know in the comments below.

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