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WWE SmackDown Recap & Reaction (5/16)

SmackDown Live

Written by

Robert Lentini

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Kevin Owens kicked off this week’s SmackDown with a Highlight Reel segment. Owens stated that he was the new host of the highlight reel since he destroyed Chris Jericho a two weeks ago. Owens said that Jericho will never be seen again in WWE. Footage was shown on the Jeritron 6000 of Owens smashing his head into the ring post while a chair was wrapped around his neck. Owens vowed to defeat AJ Styles this Sunday at Backlash in their United States Championship match.

Owens started introducing someone in French but AJ’s music cut him off. Styles came down to the entrance ramp with a microphone in his hand and made his way towards the ring. Styles bashed Owens for stealing Jericho’s show. AJ said that he was going to take the US Title from Owens at Backlash and bring the title back to the good ol’ USA. The crowd broke out in a “USA!” chant as Styles made his way up the steel steps.

Jinder Mahal interrupted and said that he was supposed the guest of Kevin Owens’ Highlight Reel. Owens scolded Styles for interrupting and called him a rude American. Mahal stated that he was going to capture the WWE Championship this Sunday at Backlash and highlights of Jinder beating down Orton last week. Mahal then began speaking in Punjabi and the crowd chanted “what?!”. Mahal then stated that he was going to defeat AJ Styles tonight on SmackDown. Owens once again guaranteed a victory over Styles at Backlash. AJ got in the ring and Kevin Owens retreated. Styles then told Mahal to get in the ring so they can begin the “AJ Styles Highlight Reel”.

Reaction: This promo was okay. I’m not sure if Jinder Mahal is under the weather or something, but this is two weeks in a row now that he was speaking very lightly into the microphone. I am hoping that Mahal and Orton have some kind of encounter tonight. The shock of Jinder becoming #1 contender has worn off for me and I’m now just looking for a reason to get excited for this match. As of now, I’m not really interested because I am just expecting Randy Orton’s incredibly boring WWE Championship reign to continue.

AJ Styles vs Jinder Mahal

Kevin Owens joined commentary for this match. AJ started out the match in control and connected with a couple of kicks. Mahal then caught Styles and threw him across the ring. Styles responded by connecting with a Dropkick to Mahal’s face and Jinder fell to the mat. Jinder connected with a chop to the throat of Styles and AJ fell down. Mahal then shoved his boot in AJ’s face and then stomped on him a few times.

AJ fought back and connected with a forearm to Mahal’s head. The “USA!” chants started again and Owens bashed the crowd on commentary. The Singh Brothers distracted Styles as AJ ran towards the ropes. Mahal capitalized and connected with a knee to AJ’s face for a two count as SmackDown went to a commercial break.

When SmackDown returned, Jinder was still in control of the match and had Styles in a Chin Lock. Jinder broke the hold and elbowed AJ in the face. Mahal hit a Dropkick for a two count. Jinder once again applied a Chin Lock in the middle of the ring. Styles got out of the hold but Mahal immediately knocked him back down to the mat. Jinder launched Styles into the turnbuckle and then went for a pinfall but AJ powered out at two.

Jinder perched AJ up on the top turnbuckle and then joined him up there. Mahal went for a Superplex but Styles escaped and slammed Mahal’s head into the turnbuckle. Jinder then leaped off the second turnbuckle but was met with a Dropkick from Styles in midair. Styles Dropkicked Jinder in the knee and then hit a forearm to the face for a two count.

Mahal connected with a kick to AJ’s head for a two count. Jinder missed a right hand and Styles connected with a Pele Kick. Jinder rolled out of the ring and Styles hit a Dropkick through the ropes. Back in the ring, Styles set up for the Phenomenal Forearm but the Singh Brothers distracted the referee. Kevin Owens then struck AJ Styles in the knee with the United States Championship. Mahal then hit the Khallas for the victory.

Winner: Jinder Mahal

Reaction: There is no denying that Jinder Mahal’s work in the ring has definitely improved and this match was just another example of it. I would just like to see him attack Orton before tonight’s episode of SmackDown is over.

Another episode of “Fashion Files” was shown starring Breezango. In this week’s episode, Breeze entered in disguise as a janitor. Fandango didn’t realize it was Breeze right away. Breeze then poked fun at Baron Corbin’s fashion. Breeze then stated that The Usos are scary and have incredible hair. Breeze then held up The Usos’ “Day One Ish” shirt and became confused as to what it meant. Breeze then went into a panic and said that Breeezango had no chance against them. Fandango slapped Breeze in the face and called him “Prince Pretty”. Breezango then stated that they will capture the SmackDown Tag Team Championships this Sunday and posed in a freeze frame just before they high-fived.

Orton was shown walking backstage and was stopped for an interview with Renee Young. Orton stated that people don’t like Jinder because he speaks differently, it is because he is an ass.

Breezango vs The Colons

The Colons controlled the match early and took turns beating down Tyler Breeze. Fandango pleaded for a tag but Breeze was too busy getting his ass kicked. Fandango finally got in the match and knocked Epico to the mat. Breeze and Primo were Clotheslined out of the ring. Fandango planted Epico with the Falcon Arrow for the victory.

After the match, The Usos came down to the entrance ramp and taunted Breezango for trying to be funny 5 days before Backlash. The Usos then read Breezango their rights and stated that they were going to take them to trial at Backlash.

Winners: Breezango

Reaction: The Usos are terrific as heels and have cut entertaining promos on Breezango two weeks in a row. I’ve always been a fan of Tyler Breeze and wouldn’t mind seeing Breezango emerge from Backlash as the new SmackDown Tag Team Champions. I wouldn’t have a problem with The Usos retaining either. I’m just hoping that this match is given enough time this Sunday. Breezango might be a goofy team, but they actually work well together in the ring. Hopefully we get to see a solid match between these two teams this Sunday at Backlash.

SmackDown commissioner Shane McMahon came down to the ring for the contract signing for the 6-woman tag match at Backlash. Carmella, Tamina Snuka, Natalya, James Ellsworth, Becky Lynch, Naomi and Charlotte join him in the ring. Natalya grabs the microphone and calls Becky, Charlotte and Naomi pathetic and signed the contract. Becky stated that she cannot wait to slap the Welcoming Committee’s faces this Sunday at Backlash and signed the contract. Naomi claimed that she was going to snatch her opponents bald at Backlash and that they should be focusing on setting up a hair appointment. Naomi then signed the contract.

Charlotte then signed the contract and pointed at Naomi’s Smackdown Women’s Championship and said that after Sunday The Queen is coming for her crown. Charlotte then signed the contract. Ellsworth then grabbed the microphone and quoted Vince McMahon by saying that Becky Lynch had no chance with him. Ellsworth stated that Charlotte may be The Queen, but Carmella is the Princess of Staten Island. Ellsworth then informed Charlotte that she also has no chance with him. Ellsworth then told Naomi that Carmella was going to take her title and her glow. Naomi went after Ellsworth but Carmella got in the way and slammed her head off the table. Shane McMahon put a stop to it. Shane then announced that Carmella will face Naomi next and SmackDown went to a commercial break.

Carmella vs Naomi

Carmella spent the beginning of the match trying to avoid Naomi by hanging onto the ropes. Naomi almost hit the Rear View but Ellsworth dragged Carmella out of the ring. The referee then tossed Ellsworth out and he left ringside. SmackDown went to a commercial break as Ellsworth was being kicked out.

When SmackDown returned, Naomi was in control of the match and took a break to dance around. Eventually, all hell broke loose. Natalya and Tamina started brawling with Charlotte and Becky Lynch. Naomi then knocked Tamina Snuka out of the ring but this gave Carmella an opening. Carmella rolled Naomi up while grabbing her tights for leverage and won the match.

Winner: Carmella

Reaction: The contract signing was entertaining. If Ellsworth must be a part of every episode of SmackDown, I like him in this role much better than facing AJ Styles for the WWE Championship. I think the WWE writers find Ellsworth hilarious. I thought it was funny for a couple of weeks. However, I’ve had enough of lame chin jokes and Ellsworth segments. I would enjoy it more if I thought Ellsworth was advancing Carmella’s career or making her more hatable. Instead, it is just corny humor and nonsense every week. Overall, I have enjoyed this feud though. Charlotte has been giving off the impression that she is not all in with her team. It will be interesting to see how the match plays out this Sunday at Backlash.

Dolph Ziggler was backstage and stated that he was going to show a video of Shinsuke Nakamura’s WWE highlights. A message appeared on the screen that read “footage not found”. Ziggler said that Nakamura has done nothing in WWE and showed highlights of his own career. Ziggler claimed that he will end Nakamura’s WWE run before it begins this Sunday at Backlash.

Reaction: The build up to the match between Ziggler and Nakamura has been decent at best. Having said that, if you are a fan of professional wrestling you should be excited for this match. Both Ziggler and Nakamura are incredible in the ring and I cannot wait for their match at Backlash.

Sami Zayn was interviewed backstage and announced that he has been granted a match with Baron Corbin at Backlash. Sami somehow believes that Corbin is afraid of him. Corbin then attacked Zayn from behind and beat him down.

Randy Orton vs Baron Corbin

Orton controlled the match early and applied a Chin Lock to Corbin. Orton went for the RKO early but Corbin blocked it. Orton then laughed at Corbin and Corbin got pissed off. Corbin leveled Orton with a Clothesline and taunted Orton as SmackDown went to a commercial break.

When SmackDown returned, Baron Corbin was still in control of the match. Corbin charged at Orton in the corner but Orton got out of the way and Corbin slammed into the ring post. Orton then dropped Corbin to the mat twice with a couple of Clotheslines and followed it up with a Powerslam. Corbin rolled to the ring apron but Orton followed him and planted him with the DDT as Corbin was hung up on the second rope. Orton posed for the crowd and they gave him a great reaction.

Orton slammed on the mat and set up for the RKO but Corbin blocked it. Corbin then connected with the Deep Six for a two count. Corbin charged at Orton and Orton once again got out of the way. Corbin slid out of the ring, got back in the ring and was greeted with an RKO from Orton. Orton then pinned Corbin for the victory.

After the match, Jinder Mahal came down to the entrance ramp with a microphone. Mahal stated that he will destroy Orton’s pride, body and future this Sunday at Backlash. The Singh Brothers then attacked Orton from behind. Orton launched both of the Singh Brothers out of the ring and punched Mahal before he could get in the ring. Orton was then setting up the Singh Brothers for a double DDT on the second rope but Mahal attacked Orton from behind. Mahal then hit the Khallas on Orton and posed with the WWE Championship as SmackDown went off the air.

Winner: Randy Orton

Reaction: Corbin and Orton had a decent match. I liked how the show ended with Mahal getting the best of Orton. I still don’t think Mahal has a chance of winning the WWE Championship this Sunday at Backlash. Overall, this week’s SmackDown was much better than last week’s episode. The build to Backlash wasn’t all that great, but there are some matches I’m very interested in watching.

What did you think of this week’s episode of SmackDown? Are you looking forward to Backlash this Sunday? Let us know in the comments below.

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