Posted on 5/23/126 by Bob Magee
Rhea Ripley kicks off SmackDown
The reigning WWE Women’s Champion got our night going as she
made her way to the ring. We got a recap of Jade Cargill’s
return from two weeks ago and how the former champion and
her Baddies put a beating on Ripley, Charlotte Flair, and
Alexa Bliss.
“Welcome to Friday Night Mami”, Ripley opened in her usual
manner. She talked about how she had one week off and
everyone missed her. All Jade Cargill and her crew did was
manage to piss Ripley off. She said that if Cargill wanted
it so badly, she’d beat her again at Clash in Italy for the
WWE Women’s Championship. As Ripley raised her belt high,
her uneasy allies Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss interrupted.
Flair said that she appreciated Ripley wanting to defend her
title, but she and Charlexa had their six-woman tag match
tomorrow night at Saturday Night’s Main Event to look
forward to. Flair wondered where Ripley was last week when
Cargill and her Baddies laid her and Bliss out. Ripley said
that she went home to see her family. Ripley got mad at
Flair’s accusations, stating that Bliss got the most of the
brunt and that if Flair couldn’t have the back of her own
partner, how can she count of Flair’s help.
Fatal Influence, the trio making waves on SmackDown as of
late, interrupted the proceedings. Jacy Jayne said that her
group was making an impact and that Ripley, Bliss and Flair
were at each other’s throats since Fatal Influence arrived.
Flair didn’t have time for this as she offered any two of
Fatal Influence to face her and Bliss in tag team action
later tonight.
This was a good opener to establish the situation of “can
they co-exist” with Ripley and Bliss/Flair.
**************
– Backstage, Alexa Bliss gave the bad news to Charlotte
Flair that she wasn’t going to team up with her tonight
against Fatal Influence. Instead, Flair will have to team up
with Rhea Ripley, because Bliss wants the two to get their
acts together and stop bickering already.
Talla Tonga vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Talla used his strength to push Nakamura away to start off,
but the King of Strong Style briefly dodged a strike from
the big man. Talla took over with a clubbing strike to the
chest as he then stomped at his smaller foe in the corner.
Talla threw Nakamura hard into the opposite corner, which
left him down and out. That was followed by a scoop slam to
the mat. Just as Talla charged into the corner, Nakamura
dodged and began trying to hit him with kicks to the chest.
As Talla staggered back against the ropes, Nakamura
clotheslined him out of the ring.
That advantage was all but fleeting, as Nakamura got taken
out and thrown into the barricade as we took a commercial
timeout.
As we returned from commercial, Nakamura was slammed again
by Talla. A chokeslam attempt by Talla was turned into a
triangle choke by Nakamura, who transitioned it into a
guillotine choke. Nakamura escaped the grasp of Talla as he
battered him with a strike to the back of the big man’s
knee. Nakamura again avoided a running attack from Talla,
which left his foe trapped in the corner. On a kneeling
Talla, Nakamura connected with the Scorpio Rising kick for
the near-fall. Nakamura had Talla lined up for Kinshasa, but
Solo SIkoa got on the apron to create enough of a
distraction. This led to a running powerslam and a chokeslam
by Talla for the three.
After the match, Sikoa and Talla looked like they were gonna
finish Nakamura off, but Tama Tonga interrupted. After some
hesitation, Tama hit Nakamura with the dulled, not-so-hidden
blade of the Cutthroat. Just as Sikoa was going to hit the
Samoan Spike, Damian Priest ran down with a chair in hand.
The M.F.T.s backed off.
Talla Tonga def. Shinsuke Nakamura via pinfall
I can’t say that I’m excited about the MFT drama being a
continued thing, but this match was okay. I’m not fully on
board on the Talla Tonga train.
**********
– As Nick Aldis was chatting with Charles Robinson, the
lights flickered briefly. Aldis told Robinson to look into
it. Cody Rhodes interrupted and wondered when Gunther was
coming. Aldis said that he was going to make sure that the
Clash in Italy contract would be signed. Sami walked into
the room and offered to help Rhodes against Gunther.
“Thanks, but no thanks,” said Rhodes as he left the room.
A very petulant Zayn whined about how Cody Rhodes always
going to get what he wants, unaware that Rhodes was standing
behind him. This led to a match between Zayn and Rhodes to
be made for later tonight.
– The MFTs were in conversation backstage, as Tama Tonga
said the reason everyone was coming to get them, was that
everyone thinks they’re weak. He said that Sikoa had to face
Damian Priest on his own, for the sake of “The Family”.
WWE Women’s U.S. Title Open Challenge: Tiffany Stratton (c)
vs. Lash Legend
Nia Jax and Lash Legend came out, and had some words to say,
as we learned that Legend was going to face Stratton for the
Open Challenge.
Legend shoved down Stratton as the bell rang, and she used
her size to effortlessly throw Stratton around. Another Biel
throw was turned into a somersault dodge by Stratton, but
Legend’s running shoulder tackle knocked her down
afterwards. Stratton got back on it with a dropkick that
sent her rolling out of the ring. That was followed by a
vaulting press over the ropes onto Legend. An apron
chokeslam by Legend left Stratton out cold as Chelsea Geen
ran down to look after Stratton. That was our cue to take a
break in the action.
Our match continued from the commercial break as Stratton
was still under siege against the offense of Legend. In the
corner, Legend attempted a move from the corner, but
Stratton countered it into an Aloha Arn Sunset Flip pin
attempt. Legend kicked out and then applied a resthold on
Stratton. A jawbreaker from the Women’s U.S. Champ broke the
hold. Legend ran right into the corner post, which allowed
Stratton to hit another jawbreaker, followed by an athletic
springboard stunner for the near-fall. Legend attempted a
powerbomb, but Stratton countered that by sending her into
the corner. Stratton went for her cartwheel Alabama Slam,
but Legend caught that into a powerbomb for a close near-
fall.
Legend went for the Lash Extension, but Stratton reversed it
into a crucifix. Chelsea Green pushed Nia Jax into the
corner, as Legend grabbed a hold of her from the ring.
Stratton snuck up and got the rollup pin to retain the
Women’s U.S. Title.
Tiffany Stratton def. Lash Legend via pinfall to retain the
WWE Women’s U.S. Championship
That was not at all a good match. Both Stratton and Legend
seemed like they were moving in molasses for the bulk of it.
The only interesting aspect was Chelsea Green giving
Stratton unwanted help to advance their story.
**********
– Nick Aldis was told of the power issues as he was directed
to an unmarked room. In the room, we saw Danhausen was gain
trying to reanimate the corpse from last week. Aldis told
Danhausen to stop messing around, as the lights went out.
– Elsewhere, The Miz & Kit Wilson were interviewed, as Miz
insisted that there was no curse. He complained about the
Cleveland Cavaliers being cursed by Danhausen as Fraxiom
rolled up. This led to a tag match between Wilson and Miz
versus Fraxiom to be made for next week in Barcelona.
Trick Williams enters the scene
The United States Champion, flanked by his good friend Li’l
Yachty, walked down to the ring with the crowd’s adulation
for him as big as ever.
Williams and Yachty talked about what they did last week
before Carmelo Hayes walked down to interrupt his old
friend. The former U.S. Champion talked about how both he
and Williams knew that this day was going to come. Hayes
talked about how if it weren’t for Williams, he would’ve
still be the U.S. Champion. However, Hayes wasn’t here to
discredit Williams’ achievements as of late. But, Hayes
pointed out how there’s a difference between holding a
championship and carrying it. He discussed how he won the
crowd over with his blood, sweat, and tears. That’s why
Hayes wanted Williams to do the right thing and give the
crowd what they want: Trick Williams vs. Carmelo Hayes for
the United States Championship.
Yachty responded, stating that Williams had a schedule to
keep, but Hayes butted in. He said that he and Williams go
way back and that the old Trick Williams would never let
anyone tell him what to do. Then again, Williams must be
used to playing second fiddle.
Williams pointed out that we would indeed see him face Hayes
right here and right now.
I enjoyed this segment. It played off of Hayes and Williams’
history and was a great way to get this match going.
**********
Trick Williams vs. Carmelo Hayes
This match kicked off after the commercial break. Williams
had the early advantage with a shoulder block and a scoop
slam. Hayes got back on his feet and used his agility to
dodge the U.S. Champion. In the corner, Hayes chopped at the
chest of Williams, which forced his foe to scurry to another
corner. That didn’t leave him any peace from the chops.
Williams blocked Hayes’ last chop and then delivered a hard
slap that left him down and out.
Hard Irish whip by Williams was followed by the spinning
kick to the face of Hayes. Standing suplex from Williams
kept momentum firmly in the U.S. Champion’s side. Williams
dropped Hayes throat-first onto the top rope as he sized him
up for a side kick. Hayes avoided it and sent Williams over
the top rope. He made a run for the ropes and looked for a
big diving attack, but Li’l Yachty got in the way to protect
Williams, which halted Hayes’ advance in the ring. This led
to a break in the action.
Williams had Hayes in a resthold as we returned from break.
The former U.S. Champ broke the hold and began to fight
back. Williams and Hayes traded blows until the former hit a
jumping neckbreaker as he then kipped up to his feet.
Meanwhile, Ricky Saints appeared at ringside in the midst of
this. Hayes recovered and hit the springboard clothesline
and then followed it with Dirty Diana for a close two-count.
Saints yelled at Hayes to focus on the match. Williams hit a
pop-up uppercut on Hayes, but got hit with a series of
superkicks from his opponent. Williams roared back with his
spinning kick for the near-fall. Williams targeted Hayes for
the Trick Shot, but was intercepted with First 48. One,
two….. 2.99999!!!!!!!!! Hayes took notice and headed up top,
perhaps looking for Nothin’ But Net. Ricky Saints provided a
distraction, which didn’t seem to sit well with Williams.
Saints argued with the referee as Hayes rolled up Williams
to no avail. Hayes punched Saints off the apron, but that
opened him up to Williams’ Trick Shot as he ended up looking
up at the lights at the end of it all.
Trick Williams def. Carmelo Hayes via pinfall
That was a really good match, and I do like this U.S. Title
picture opening up with Hayes and Saints being a key part of
it. Hope to see more of this in the coming weeks.
**********
– Ricky Saints was badmouthing Carmelo Hayes backstage, but
he got socked in the jaw for his troubles. Hayes warned
Saints to stay away from his business.
– A recap of Brock Lesnar’s return on Raw was shown.
Charlotte Flair & Rhea Ripley vs. Fallon Henley & Lainey
Reid
Flair and Henley started off this tag match, as the latter
kicked it off hot with the head scissor takedown. Flair
dragged Henley to her corner as Ripley blindtagged. Reid
entered the match for Fatal Influence and had Ripley trapped
in the corner for a bit. A leap from the middle rope was
turned from a crossbody to a fallaway slam by Ripley. Flair
tagged herself in by patting Ripley on the head. Outside the
ring, Reid and Henley isolated Flair as Fatal Influence was
in control as we headed to commercial.
We returned from the break with Flair trying to fend off
Reid and Henley with chops. However, Reid’s well-placed
superkicked folded Flair up like an accordion. Irish whip to
the corner was turned into a leap over the corner by Flair.
A boot for Henley, but Jacy Jayne tripped up Flair while
Reid distracted the referee. Henley kept Flair grounded with
a chinlock, but that got broken up. Flair attempted to reach
out to Ripley as she used elbow strikes to create some
distance. However, Henley prevented it. Henley was thrown
out of the ring, which seemingly gave Flair the opening to
tag, but Reid stopped it with a clip of the leg. Flair hit a
neckbreaker on Reid, which finally gave Ripley the hot tag.
Ripley ran through Reid and Henley with a superkick in the
corner, followed by a German suplex on the latter. Capoeira
kick by Ripley led to the Razor’s Edge and the Shining
Wizard to Reid. Henley broke the count, but Flair took her
out, and then Jayne with a dive to the corner.
In the corner, Flair took the superkick from Reid, as Ripley
hoisted her up for Riptide. Meanwhile, Flair blindtagged
into the match and finished off Reid with Natural Selection.
Post-match, Jade Cargill and the Baddies attacked Charlexa
and Ripley, as Fatal Influence joined in the attack. In the
ring, Cargill took out Ripley with Jaded.
Charlotte Flair & Rhea Ripley def. Fatal Influence via
pinfall
This was an alright match, but not really feeling Jade
Cargill in the title picture at the moment.
**********
– Jade Cargill and the Baddies bragged about their handiwork
as they also took shots at Fatal Influence in the process.
Cargill promised to take her WWE Women’s Title back at Clash
in Italy.
Damian Priest vs. Solo Sikoa
Priest went after Sikoa right away by taking him out as he
reached the apron. The leap from stairs and a takedown from
Priest, who then followed that with a hard throw to the
steel steps. In the ring, Sikoa bounced back with a throat
strike to Priest. However, fought back with a jumping elbow
strike. On the apron, Priest was distracted by Talla Tonga,
which allowed Sikoa to grab him for the scoop slam into the
ring as we took a break in the action.
We returned from the break as Priest and Sikoa dueled on the
top rope with trading strikes. A bell clap from Priest
stunned Sikoa long enough for the superplex. Priest rose to
his feet and began battering Sikoa with his strikes of the
punch and kick variety. That was followed by leaping
shoulder charges onto Sikoa into the corner, followed by a
Broken Arrow for the near-fall. Priest charged his elbow up,
as Tama Tonga created a distraction while the ref was
focused on Sikoa. Talla Tonga struck Priest, who stumbled
into Sikoa’s Spinning Solo. Priest kicked out and then hit
Sikoa with the rebound lariat. Tama Tonga again got on the
apron but got dropped to the ground. Talla Tonga got on the
apron and got teed up for the kicks, but Sikoa intercepted
Priest with the Samoan Spike for the win.
The M.F.T.s tried to attack Priest some more, but Royce Keys
ran down and took out Talla and Tama Tonga. He sized up
Sikoa to fight him, but Sikoa backed up. A delirious Priest
grabbed Keys by the throat, thinking he was a threat.
Solo Sikoa def. Damian Priest via pinfall
This match was alright, I supposed. The finish being more
MFT interference stuff and the Sikoa/Tama tension being
really wishy-washy didn’t help matters either.
– Chelsea Green ran into Blake Monroe, who remarked that she
saw Green and that now she wish that she didn’t. After
Monroe left, Nia Jax literally ran into Green as payback for
earlier. The crack team of road agents got Jax and Legend to
back off, with the damage already done to Green.
– Royce Keys was still angry about being grabbed by the
throat, stating that R-Truth called him to help Damian
Priest out. Priest seemed angry as he didn’t ask for Keys’
help and that for all he knew, he could be working for the
M.F.T.s. Keys responded, flatly stating that if it was an
issue that Priest wants, then it may very well be an issue
he’s going to get if he’s not careful.
Cody Rhodes vs. Sami Zayn
Zayn offered a handshake to Rhodes, who accepted as our main
event got underway. Armdrag by Zayn was followed by another
handshake, but Rhodes seemed annoyed by it. Rhodes slid
under a Zayn dropkick as he then hit him with the drop-down
uppercut. Standing suplex was followed by Rhodes now
offering a handshake of his own. Zayn refused it as the two
traded chops to the chest in the corner. Zayn ran Rhodes and
got hit with the powerslam. Rhodes tried to go for maybe a
Cody Cutter, but Zayn tripped him up as we took our final
commercial break of the evening.
Our main event returned from the break as Zayn tried to lift
Rhodes up for a suplex, but he found himself taking a ride
for a Rhodes suplex instead. Rhodes hit Zayn with the Dusty
punches, followed by the Cody Cutter for the near-fall as
the champ favored his hurt leg. Rhodes set Zayn up for Cross
Rhodes, but that was reversed as he got sent over the top
rope onto the apron. Rhodes then was sent crashing over the
announce table by a Zayn charging attack. By the closest of
margins, Rhodes made it before the count of ten on one leg.
Zayn smelled blood and had Rhodes lined up for the Helluva
Kick, but struck out on the swing. Rhodes hit the “Super”
Cody Cutter off the corner, but Zayn just managed to kick
out a two.
Zayn rolled up Rhodes but couldn’t get the win. The Blue
Thunder Bomb from Zayn had similar results. Zayn went after
Rhodes’ damaged leg and applied the Figure Four leglock
right in the centre of the ring. Rhodes fought through the
pain and managed to reverse it to put the pressure on Zayn’s
knee. A rope break managed to force Rhodes to release the
hold. As both Zayn and Rhodes got back to their feet, the
two exchanged strikes until a Disaster Kick knocked Zayn
loopy. As Rhodes had Zayn at his mercy, Gunther snuck up and
applied the sleeper hold. However, Zayn completely missed
the Helluva Kick That opened him up for Cross Rhodes and the
win.
Post match, the mercurial Austrian put Rhodes to sleep as
Zayn just left.
Cody Rhodes def. Sami Zayn via pinfall
*************
A good main event to a middle of the road edition of
SmackDown. The Gunther/Rhodes feud is good stuff and is
probably one of the only good things about SmackDown as of
late, which has felt just kind of there.
I will say that the U.S. Title scene is at least heating up
and I do like Trick Williams, Carmelo Hayes, and Ricky
Saints. It’s a lot more preferable to the Gingerbread Man
antics of the last few weeks. It’s something I’ll be keeping
an eye on in the coming weeks.
Not so good was the MFT's stuff because I’m still not a fan
of it, especially with the group whittled down to just three
guys. I dunno, I’m just not a fan.
All in all, just an okay show with nothing really exciting
to write home about, but thankfully nothing really awful to
complain about.