The 05/15/18 episode of WWE SmackDown Live just wrapped up. We’ve got the match results and our overall thoughts on the show for you to check out below. Let us know what you thought about this episode of WWE SmackDown by tweeting us, @TheRumbleRamble.
Daniel Bryan Interview
“YE——-“
NOPE!#SDLive @WWEDanielBryan @BigCassWWE pic.twitter.com/Jm5Ha7M9xT
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) May 16, 2018
Daniel Bryan and Renee Young opened the show for an in-ring interview. It took a few minutes before we were able to hear anything Renee was saying because of the massive “Daniel Bryan” chant. After a while, Daniel stepped in and acknowledged their excitement (they quieted right down to hear what the king had to say).
After announcing that he planned to become the WWE Champion, Big Cass came out to shut the party down. He said that Bryan may have fooled the entire WWE Universe, but he knew better. Cass told everyone that he was confident that he’s better than Daniel and he’s out to prove it.
A brawl broke out when Daniel had enough of Cass’ disparaging speech. Referees tried to break it up, but it was too late – Bryan wasn’t going to stop until he did some damage. And after holding a heel hook even after Cass desperately tried tapping out, it’s safe to say he got what he wanted. Daniel Bryan showed a fire that we rarely see in the good guys of WWE, giving us even more proof that he’s one of the best there is (not that we needed it).
The New Day vs. The Bar
Money in the Bank Qualifier
The #Sharpshooter is LOCKED IN? Is @WWEBigE going to tap? #MITB #SDLive @WWECesaro pic.twitter.com/8Uno2GZefS
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) May 16, 2018
This had an interesting prize: the winning team could pick one member to enter the Money in the Bank ladder match. With The Miz as a guest announcer, Xavier Woods took a bit of a beatdown from Sheamus and Cesaro while Big E watched from the corner, waiting to be tagged in.
Big E finally got in on the action and brought it to Sheamus until he was brought down by a double team from The Bar. After a few more minutes of back and forth between the teams, including a marathon sharpshooter from Cesaro, Woods claimed the victory for The New Day with the Limit Break. We’re excited to find out which member will join the ladder match, but regardless of who they pick, all three of them are capable of greatness.
Winner: The New Day
Paige Backstage
.@RealPaigeWWE might have some BEXplaining to do… because @WWE_MandyRose & @SonyaDevilleWWE will BOTH face @BeckyLynchWWE in a #TripleThreat #MITB Qualifying Match TONIGHT on #SDLive! pic.twitter.com/gCpepSyA0t
— WWE (@WWE) May 16, 2018
Our new SmackDown GM, Paige, was shown backstage talking Carmella out of a horse-drawn carriage. Before she could finish her conversation, she was interrupted by the former members of Absolution, Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville. They were still sour about being ditched by the leader of their pack, but Paige is a gracious ruler and granted them a triple threat match against Becky Lynch for a chance to enter the Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match. Which actually made them sourer.
AJ Styles Interview
“I speak the international language of FOREARM to FACE… @ShinsukeN CAN’T beat me in the 🏠 that AJ STYLES BUILT!”#WWEChampion @AJStylesOrg is all confidence heading into his one-on-one match with @ShinsukeN! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/ZA3KEfRaog
— WWE (@WWE) May 16, 2018
Renee Young conducted her second interview of the evening, this time with AJ Styles. She and Styles discussed possible stipulations for his upcoming match against Shinsuke Nakamura, but Styles declared that, ultimately, the conditions of the match won’t matter, he’s going to win no matter what.
The Debut of La Sombra
EL IDOLO has arrived to #SDLive!!!!!! @AndradeCienWWE @Zelina_VegaWWE pic.twitter.com/obW5t2jaiJ
— WWE (@WWE) May 16, 2018
With his advocate, Zelina Vega, at his side, Andrade Almas made his main roster debut and handily defeated Bike Shorts Jake. After his quick victory, Zelina grabbed a mic and demanded better competition than poor Jake. She made it clear that they were not on SmackDown to make any friends, they were going to take over.
Winner: Andrade “Cien” Almas
It’s Rusev Day
Are @RusevBUL & @LanaWWE poised to become the first-ever Mr. & Mrs. Money in the Bank…ON #RusevDay?! #SDLive #MITB pic.twitter.com/NZg4UUUR0t
— WWE (@WWE) May 16, 2018
Aiden English and Rusev were having a conversation about all things Rusev Day. Aiden then said that he had a new song for Rusev to hear, but before he could serenade us, Lana stepped into the room and announced that she nabbed a Money in the Bank qualifying match against Billie Kay next week.
A Royal Mellabration
One small (moon)walk for man, one giant leap for CARMELLA-KIND! #SDLive #RoyalMellabration @CarmellaWWE pic.twitter.com/3T2FS230q2
— WWE (@WWE) May 16, 2018
After her very own town crier and royal guard made an appearance, Carmella made a beeline to the ring to kick-off her Mellabration. She demanded that the O2 crowd treat her like the princess she is, and threw quite a bit of shade when they refused – both toward the crowd and the SmackDown women’s roster. She listed off every woman who was clearly beneath her until Paige interrupted.
Paige broke the news to Carmella that she would be defending her championship at Money in the Bank. And since Carmella was so certain she was better than everyone, she wouldn’t mind that her opponent would be Asuka.
Asuka made her epic entrance and stared down the princess of Staten Island. All it took was a look and Carmella made a run for it with her title.
Shinsuke Nakamura Interview
“I will dishonor @AJStylesOrg, then I will TAKE his title!” – @ShinsukeN #SDLive pic.twitter.com/9W2r3lKDnk
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) May 16, 2018
Shinsuke Nakamura was interviewed by Renee Young backstage. Nakamura said that he didn’t understand the meaning of “chance” and “possibility” and just when we started to worry that he had lost even more English, he clarified by telling Renee that those words weren’t in his vocabulary because he was certain of beating AJ Styles.
Becky Lynch vs. Mandy Rose vs. Sonya Deville
Money in the Bank Qualifier
What’s that? Just a little STRAIGHT 🔥 offense from @BeckyLynchWWE… #SDLive #MITB @WWE_MandyRose @SonyaDevilleWWE pic.twitter.com/RZPs2mUqFY
— WWE (@WWE) May 16, 2018
Mandy and Sonya may be friends, but they did not let that stop them from sabotaging each other. They took turns pinning Becky Lynch while the other one broke it up at the last moment. Although Becky certainly took most of the abuse, the dissension between the former tag partners cost them the match.
Winner: Becky Lynch
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. AJ Styles
The #PhenomenalForearm transcends language. #SDLive @AJStylesOrg @ShinsukeN pic.twitter.com/AzQtN2Xyjl
— WWE (@WWE) May 16, 2018
These two started off at a sprint; if their entrances didn’t bring the crowd to a frenzy, the immediate action did. This match was awesome. Both men gave it everything they had, the bitter rivalry between them very much alive. At one point, the referee was distracted and Shinsuke used it to his advantage, pretending that he had been low-blowed.
In all the confusion, Styles let his guard down just long enough for Nakamura to lay into him. After a brutal Kinshasa, Nakamura brought down The Phenomenal One, meaning that he will be the one to choose the stipulation for their match at Money in the Bank.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
What letter grade would you give tonight’s show? #SDLive
— Rumble Ramble (@TheRumbleRamble) May 16, 2018
