The May 1st episode of SmackDown aired from WWE’s Performance Center. Two more superstars qualified for the MITB Ladder matches on tonight’s episode of SmackDown.
WWE SmackDown Results (5/1)
- Daniel Bryan def. King Corbin via DQ
- Sheamus def. Leon Ruff
- Carmella def. Sonya Deville to qualify for the MITB Ladder match
- Forgotten Sons def. New Day
- Otis def. Dolph Ziggler to qualify for the MITB Ladder match
Here are 5 takeaways from tonight’s show:
King Corbin Beat Daniel Bryan Down
Daniel Bryan squared off against King Corbin tonight. Before the match, Bryan cut a promo hyping up the Money in the Bank match. Bryan said that winning the MITB Ladder match proved to everyone that he belonged here with the very best. Daniel stated that he was hoping that Drew Gulak would get to compete with him but King Corbin and his cronies ruined that.
King Corbin bragged about defeating Gulak last week and rolled highlights from the match. Bryan asked Corbin if he was squander his opportunity once again if he wins the MITB Ladder match. Corbin stated that he is stronger and smarter and is going to show that to Bryan right now.
Match Recap: Bryan controlled the action early and targeted Corbin’s knee. King Corbin battled back for a moment but Bryan sent him back to the canvas and locked in a Heel Hook. Corbin broke free and beat Bryan down as SmackDown went to a break. When SmackDown returned, Bryan hit Corbin with a Dropkick off the top rope. Daniel knocked Corbin out of the ring and went for a Suicide Dive but Corbin caught him. Bryan booted Corbin in the knee before Corbin grabbed a ladder. King Corbin hit Bryan with the ladder and the match ended in a DQ.
After the match, Corbin slid the ladder in the ring and went for End of Days but Bryan escaped. Daniel applied the Yes Lock on the ladder but Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro broke it up. Cesaro leveled Bryan with the ladder and Daniel rolled out of the ring. King Corbin launched Bryan off the entrance ramp and into the ladders next to the stage.
Wyatt Read Strowman A Story
Universal Champion Braun Strowman came down to the ring to cut a promo on Bray Wyatt. He was immediately interrupted by an episode of the Firefly Fun House.
Wyatt was sitting in a rocking chair and was wearing some glasses. Bray revealed that it was storytime and read from a book entitled “The Black Sheep”. The story was about a shepherd that raised the Black Sheep and taught him well. In return, the Black Sheep protected him but then one day the selfish Black Sheep left. The shepherd lost his entire farm and it was a sad ending.
Wyatt suggested a happier ending, one where the shepherd finds the Black Sheep and takes away what makes him happiest. Strowman challenged Bray to come to the ring but Wyatt simply waved goodbye to end the segment.
Sonya Deville Cost Mandy Rose Her Qualifying Match
Mandy Rose battled Carmella in a Money in the Bank Qualifying match.
Match Recap: Carmella avoided Mandy to start things off and moonwalked across the ring. Mandy Rose battled back before Sonya Deville interrupted. Sonya said she gave Mandy Rose her MITB spot last year and tried to hand her the match last year but Mandy still lost.
Deville said that she was sick of standing up here and shouted “karma is a bitch, bitch”. Sonya started making her way down the entrance ramp and Rose got distracted. Carmella capitalized with a Superkick to Rose for the pinfall victory.
After the match, Sonya Deville rushed the ring and attacked Mandy Rose. Deville bashed Mandy into the ring post and followed it up by throwing her into the steel steps. Sonya hit Rose with a running knee to the back of Mandy’s head before finally leaving.
The Forgotten Sons Beat The Tag Champs
New Day faced The Forgotten Sons tonight on SmackDown. The Miz and John Morrison joined commentary for the match.
Match Recap: New Day controlled the action early as SmackDown went to a commercial break. When SmackDown returned, Kofi hit Cutler with a Splash and Big E went for the cover but Steve kicked out at two. Blake leveled Big E with a Suicide Dive and brought him back in the ring.
Forgotten Sons planted Big E with a Powerbomb for a near fall. Cutler and Kofi tagged in and Kingston connected with a Clothesline. Jaxson Ryker sent Big E into the ring post while the referee was distracted. Forgotten Sons then slammed Kofi to the canvas for the victory. After the match, Miz and Morrison chanted “you deserve it!” at New Day.
Otis Qualified For The MITB Ladder Match
Dolph Ziggler faced Otis in a MITB Qualifying match tonight on SmackDown. It was the main event of this week’s show. Before the match, Dolph Ziggler vowed to win MITB and win the title again.
Match Recap: Otis absolutely leveled Ziggler with a shoulder tackle and knocked him out of the ring. Ziggler got back in the ring and Otis sent him flying again. Otis held up Dolph for a bit and dropped him with a Suplex for a near fall. Otis launched Ziggler into the turnbuckle and Dolph rolled out of the ring to try and regroup.
Otis brought him back inside and planted him with a slam for a near fall. Dolph battled back and sent Otis into the barricade outside the ring as SmackDown went to a commercial break. When SmackDown returned, Ziggler was in control and had Otis in a Headlock. Otis broke free and hit Ziggler with a Clothesline. Dolph connected with a Zig Zag for a near fall. Otis hit a Powerslam and followed it up with Caterpillar Elbow for the victory.
Opinion: RAW and SmackDown were both disappointing shows this week in my opinion. It just felt like the shows were mailed in and nothing remotely interesting happened. I’m looking forward to Jeff Hardy returning next week and his confrontation with Sheamus. Hopefully that feud will inject some life into this show. The mystery surrounding the hacker and the feud between Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville are really the only entertaining parts of SmackDown right now. I liked idea of qualifying matches for Money in the Bank but the matches actually have to be entertaining for it to work. It was cool to see Otis get the win tonight but the match itself was completely forgettable.