WWE SmackDown aired from the Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. It was the first episode of SmackDown following WWE Money in the Bank. Charlotte Flair returned to SmackDown tonight. Money in the Bank winner Otis was the guest on an episode of Miz TV. The Intercontinental Championship Tournament also began on tonight’s episode.
SmackDown Results (5/15)
- Elias def. King Corbin to advance in the Intercontinental Championship Tournament
- Dana Brooke def. Naomi
- Daniel Bryan def. Drew Gulak to advance in the Intercontinental Championship Tournament
- Braun Strowman & Otis def. The Miz & John Morrison
Here are 5 takeaways from this week’s show:
Otis Joined Miz TV
Otis joined Miz and Morrison for an episode of Miz TV. John joked that Otis was pregnant and maybe he should relinquish the briefcase like Becky Lynch relinquished the RAW Women’s Championship.
They showed several pictures of Otis’ youth and Otis thanked his mother for helping him because he had a learning disability. The Miz got pissed off and called Otis a buffoon. Miz added that he cannot believe he won the briefcase without even climbing the ladder and that he doesn’t deserve Mandy Rose.
The Miz demanded that Tucker team up with him tonight for a tag team match. Otis claimed that Tucker wasn’t here tonight and Miz suggested that he find another partner by the end of the show.
Elias Advanced In The IC Title Tournament
The Intercontinental Championship Tournament kicked off with King Corbin versus Elias.
Match Recap: Elias controlled the match early and hit Corbin with a few chops in the corner of the ring. Corbin battled back and unloaded several elbows to Elias’ chest. Elias connected with a Clothesline that sent Corbin out of the ring. Elias climbed to the top rope and hit a Crossbody outside the ring.
Corbin launched Elias into the barricade before rolling him back into the ring. Corbin grabbed Elias’ guitar and started strumming it. Elias hit Corbin with a Dropkick through the ropes and sent him flying into the steel steps as SmackDown went to a commercial break.
When SmackDown returned, Corbin tripped up Elias on the ropes and hit him with several right hands for a near fall. Corbin followed that up with a massive Clothesline for another near fall. King Corbin hit a Spinebuster and went for a cover but once again Elias kicked out. Corbin followed that with a Chokeslam for yet another two count. King Corbin taunted Elias and smashed his guitar over the ring post. Elias got fired up and hit a knee to the face. Elias then rolled up Corbin for the victory.
Opinion: The announcers sold this as if Elias got pissed off after Corbin broke his guitar. All he did was hit a knee and roll him up. He didn’t attack him after the match or anything. He just left after getting his ass kicked the majority of the match. I honestly do not want to see these two wrestle each other again for a very long time. This “rivalry” has not been entertaining at all.
Bayley Challenged Charlotte After She Insulted Sasha Banks
NXT Women’s Champion Charlotte came down to the ring to begin the second hour of SmackDown. Charlotte claimed that the numbers were crunches, conclusion was clear and people want more Charlotte Flair. Charlotte boasted about being a Flair for a bit before SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley and Sasha Banks interrupted.
Bayley said that the Fox executives must have a thing for blondes or just go crazy like all the other sheep simply because she is Ric Flair’s daughter. Bayley boasted defeating Charlotte in the past and told Flair to go back to NXT or RAW.
Charlotte wondered why Sasha Banks is content standing in Bayley’s corner. Bayley told Flair to shut up and challenged her to a match. Flair accepted and once again turned her attention to Banks. Charlotte asked if Sasha was going to be her own woman or is just happy being an afterthought.
Opinion: I thought this was a good segment and Charlotte and Bayley can put on a great match in their sleep. The inevitable rivalry between Banks and Bayley is something I’m looking forward to as well. Charlotte showing up on every brand is ridiculous but I’ve come to expect it at this point.
Daniel Bryan Advanced In The IC Title Tournament In A Great Match With Drew Gulak
Drew Gulak squared off against Daniel Bryan in the first round of the Intercontinental Championship Tournament.
Match Recap: Bryan brought Gulak to the canvas but wound up rolling to the apron to escape a submission hold. Gulak and Bryan locked up in the middle of the ring and Daniel connected with an Arm Drag. Bryan applied the Yes Lock but Gulak quickly reached the bottom rope to break the hold. Gulak locked in a Dragon Sleeper but Bryan was able to get his leg on the ropes to break the hold.
Bryan hit a Suplex and went for an Arm Bar but Gulak was able to block it. Daniel went for the Yes Lock but Gulak transitioned into a roll-up. Daniel quickly escaped and the two superstars locked up in the middle of the ring once again. Gulak launched Bryan out of the ring as SmackDown went to a commercial break.
When SmackDown returned, Gulak hit a Belly to Back Suplex before locking in a Full Nelson. Bryan tried to break free but Drew brought him to the mat with a Headlock. Bryan hit a Knee Drop but Gulak wouldn’t let go. Bryan hit a Shinbreaker and followed it up with three Dragon Screws.
Daniel went for an Ankle Lock but Gulak reached the ropes. Bryan hit a German Suplex and didn’t let go. Gulak escaped into a roll-up for a near fall. Drew connected with a beautiful Michinoku Driver for a two count and went back to the Full Nelson. Bryan sent Gulak into the ropes and hit an awesome release German Suplex that sent Drew flying across the ring.
Gulak ducked under the Running Knee and rolled up Bryan for a two count. Drew hit a Powerbomb for a near fall and then applied the Gulock (Dragon Sleeper). Bryan escaped and hit another Dragon Screw. Daniel applied the Heel Hook and rolled Drew back into the middle of the ring. Gulak reached for the ropes but had no choice to give up. Daniel Bryan advanced in the Intercontinental Championship Tournament.
After the match, Renee Young interviewed Daniel Bryan in the ring. Bryan noted that he had to forfeit the IC Title five years ago when he was forced to retire. Daniel stated that he wanted to win the title and defend it every week. Bryan added that he wanted the Intercontinental Championship to represent the best wrestler in WWE and he believes that is him. Gulak and Bryan shook hands following the interview.
Otis & Strowman Dominated
The Miz & John Morrison battled Otis and Universal Champion Braun Strowman in the main event of this week’s show. Strowman told Otis he would think about it when he was asked earlier in the show. Otis told Braun that he wasn’t going to cash in tonight.
Match Recap: Otis and John Morrison started off the match. Morrison went for a Headlock but Otis shoved him to the corner. John hit Otis with a boot to the face but Otis responded with a massive Clothesline. Otis knocked The Miz off the ring apron and planted John with a Body Slam. Braun Strowman tagged in and they hit a double Caterpillar Elbow Drop as SmackDown went to a break.
The Miz had Otis in a Headlock when SmackDown returned. Miz sent Otis to the corner and unloaded some kicks to Otis’ midsection. Miz leveled Otis with a Clothesline and mocked Strowman by flexing in front of him. The Miz applied a Sleeper Hold and brought Otis to the corner.
Morrison tagged in and Otis planted them both with a double Suplex. Strowman tagged in and hit Miz with a Splash. Braun slammed Morrison to the canvas and launched Miz into the turnbuckle. Strowman launched Miz across the ring with ease and then chased Morrison around the ring.
Braun ran over Miz with a shoulder tackle and chased him into the ring. Strowman sprinted at Miz but Morrison shoved him out of the way and the Universal Champion launched himself into the ring post. Strowman shrugged it off and hit the Running Powerslam on Morrison for the pinfall victory.
After the match, Mandy Rose came down to the entrance ramp. While Strowman was looking at her, Otis tried to sneak up behind him. Strowman turned around and Otis said he was just kidding. Mandy Rose and Otis then hugged and posed next to Strowman as the show went off the air.
Opinion: Overall, this week’s episode of SmackDown was a decent show. The main event was entertaining but Gulak versus Bryan was by far the match of the night. Next week’s show should be better as three matches have already been announced. Otis & Mandy vs. Ziggler & Deville, Bayley vs. Charlotte, and Sheamus vs. Jeff Hardy in the first round of the IC Title Tournament.