The 05/07/19 edition of WWE SmackDown Live, out of the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky, just wrapped up. We’ve got the match results, as well as our overall thoughts on the show, for you to check out below. Let us know what you thought about episode #1029 of SmackDown Live by tweeting us, @TheRumbleRamble.
The Phenomenal One Returns
OF COURSE, @AJStylesOrg would be the first to take advantage of the WILD CARD rule!
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) May 8, 2019
It’s his 🏠 after all. #SDLive pic.twitter.com/tOtZSH74Rj
AJ Styles made his return to SmackDown Live, and was just getting into celebrating the occasion with the Louisville crowd when he was interrupted by Sami Zayn.
Sami said that he just knew AJ Styles was going to take advantage of the new Wild Card Rule to come back to his old show and came to give The Phenomenal One a piece of his mind.
The two argued for a moment before The New Day, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, joined Zayn and Styles in the ring, tearing down both Sami and AJ. Kofi appeared to be about to offer AJ Styles a shot at the WWE Championship, a decision to which Sami Zayn vehemently objected.
Instead of giving Styles a title match, Kingston said that he would be willing to take on anyone who challenged him for the championship, setting up a triple threat between himself, AJ Styles, and Sami Zayn to take place later in the evening.
Ali vs. Andrade
.@RandyOrton‘s #RKOOuttaNowhere cannot get any cooler… #SDLive @AliWWE pic.twitter.com/eGXf3pYnpM
— WWE (@WWE) May 8, 2019
Ali and Andrade spent much of the start of the match at a stalemate, neither able to successfully bring down the other. Andrade began to pull away, even getting a near fall, but Ali prevailed.
With a Spanish fly to Andrade, Ali began to gain some steam of his own, but before he could capitalize, he was attacked by Randy Orton. Andrade was thrown from the ring, but Ali refused to stay down, putting the boots to Randy Orton, catching him off guard, but Orton came back with an RKO, laying Ali out.
Andrade then launched himself from the top rope, trying to take The Viper down from behind, but Randy turned, catching Andrade in another RKO and standing tall to close the segment.
Winner: Ali (via disqualification)
Shane McMahon Crowns New Tag Champs
WOAH. WOAH.
— WWE (@WWE) May 8, 2019
WOAH.
WOAH… WOAH.@WWEUsos are HERE on #SDLive, and they have issues with @WWEDanielBryan & @ERICKROWAN becoming the new champs. pic.twitter.com/qTZTG9oYxG
Shane O’Mac came to the ring to give news regarding the SmackDown Live Tag Team Divison, but before getting into that, he took a moment to criticize The Miz for his attack on Shane last night on Raw.
When he was finished talking about Miz’s disgusting actions and how excited he was to get payback at Money in the Bank, he got into the identity of the new tag champs.
He said he thought long and hard about who was worthy of such a title, and the answer came to him: Daniel Bryan and Rowan.
The Planet’s Champ and his protector came to the ring to accept their championships, but as they reached for them, The Usos appeared to object. Shane was less than pleased to see the former tag champs, but The Usos assured him that they were allowed to be there under the new Wild Card Rules.
The Usos said that they couldn’t believe Shane was willing to just give the titles away, such a prestigious accomplishment should be earned. As annoyed as Shane was by The Usos’ appearance, he accepted their suggestion, setting a tag team championship match to take place immediately.
The Usos vs. Daniel Bryan and Rowan
SmackDown Live Tag Team Championship Match
SAME. #SDLive #TagTeamTitles @WWEUsos @ERICKROWAN pic.twitter.com/tUl57o2v7S
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) May 8, 2019
The Usos certainly had their work cut out for them against the former WWE Champion and his behemoth best friend, but held their own at the start of the match.
Rowan used his size to his advantage, however, manhandling Jimmy Uso and knocking Jey to the floor for good measure.
Back from commercial, Jimmy and Jey’s luck seemed to have turned, as they were working together to wear Daniel Bryan down. Jimmy Uso attempted an aerial attack on Bryan, who put his knees up, trapping Jimmy in a LeBell Lock instead.
Jimmy escaped, tagging his twin into the match, who went one-on-one with Rowan. Rowan went for the Iron Claw but caught double superkicks instead. Jey took Daniel Bryan out to prevent interference while Jimmy splashed onto Rowan from the top rope, but Rowan powered through.
The Usos dove onto Rowan at the same time, who caught both of them in mid-air, throwing Jimmy back into the ring for the Iron Claw and winning the match.
As Daniel and Rowan walked through the backstage area with their titles, they were approached by Heavy Machinery. And we can already tell you that we heartily approve a feud between these teams.
Winner: Daniel Bryan and Rowan
Shane O’Mac Makes Another Announcement
Now a steel chair, at #MITB it becomes a steel CAGE.#SDLive @ShaneMcMahon @mikethemiz pic.twitter.com/LbCfs0gRR3
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) May 8, 2019
Following his appointment of the new SmackDown Live Tag Team Champions, Shane McMahon returned to the ring for another announcement, this time regarding the Money in the Bank Ladder Matches.
Before he could get to what he had to say, however, he was attacked from behind by The Miz. Miz chased him up the ramp, but was impeded by Shane’s bodyguards, Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas.
While Miz was busy fighting off Axel and Dallas, Shane ran out from the backstage area armed with a steel chair. Getting retribution for Miz’s previous attack, Shane hammered Miz with the chair, leaving him laid out on the stage.
Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose vs. Ember Moon and Carmella
Surprise, surprise, @WWE_MandyRose & @SonyaDevilleWWE… You’ll be taking on @WWEAsuka & @KairiSaneWWE NEXT WEEK on #SDLive! pic.twitter.com/7GvoFAOBS7
— WWE (@WWE) May 8, 2019
Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville grabbed the upper hand early in the match, and though Ember Moon got a glimmer of offense, Fire and Desire captured the win rather quickly.
Mandy and Sonya didn’t have much time to celebrate, as Paige appeared on the stage with her new clients, Asuka and Kairi Sane. Paige threw verbal jabs at her former clients, telling Mandy and Sonya that she got a major upgrade with her new tag team.
And next week, she will be putting Asuka and Kairi Sane to the test against Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose.
Winner: Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose
Matt Hardy’s Interview is Derailed
😧😧😧#SDLive @LarsSWWE @RonKillings pic.twitter.com/cDHnaouZqb
— WWE (@WWE) May 8, 2019
Matt Hardy was in the midst of a backstage interview when he was approached by R-Truth. The two expressed mutual dislike for their beastly adversary, and unfortunately, were overheard by Sullivan himself, who attacked both men. Matt Hardy was thrown through a door into a storage closet and R-Truth was put through a table, Sullivan looking unconcerned as he walked away.
Aleister Black Gives Another Speech
“I must ask for forgiveness… for my own sins, sins that I will seek absolution from in the form of VICTORY… I shall take from YOU!” – @WWEAleister #SDLive pic.twitter.com/JWV6PmjQ8f
— WWE (@WWE) May 8, 2019
Aleister Black was shown in his dark room giving another cryptic speech, this time speaking heavily of sin and vindication. Black is, by far, my favorite member of any WWE roster, and I love these promos, but it’s time for him to get back in the ring.
Kofi Kingston (c) vs. AJ Styles vs. Sami Zayn
WWE Championship Match
How far will you go for the #WWEChampionship? #SDLive @SamiZayn‘s answer: pic.twitter.com/hKF4G2QUjb
— WWE (@WWE) May 8, 2019
Sami Zayn, in true Sami fashion, delayed the start of the match by arguing with AJ and Kofi. AJ Styles played along for a moment, but just when Kofi thought they were on the same side, Styles roundhouse kicked the champ, officially starting the action.
The early moments of the match were predominantly fought between Styles and Kingston, as Zayn’s strategy appeared to be to allow his opponents to wear each other down, giving him the advantage.
Back from commercial, Sami Zayn had decided it was time to enter the match and had thrown Kofi Kingston into the steel steps, getting a near fall on the champ. He then went after AJ Styles, gaining another near fall, but was stopped by Kofi Kingston.
With a superplex off the top rope, Sami Zayn came close to victory, but couldn’t put Kingston away. He attempted the same move on Styles, who reversed it into a frankensteiner.
Kofi Kingston hit an SOS on AJ Styles, who was holding Sami Zayn at the time, taking him down as well. Kingston struggled to capitalize, however, giving Styles enough time to regain some of his strength.
Kofi laid Styles out with a Trouble in Paradise, unfortunately to the outside of the ring. While Kofi was focused on Styles, Kevin Owens ran down, attacking Xavier Woods from behind.
Sami Zayn took advantage of the distraction with three Blue Thunder Bombs, all of which Kofi Kingston escaped. Kevin Owens looked to be considering assisting his old friend but decided against it. Then, with a Trouble in Paradise to Sami Zayn, Kofi Kingston retained his championship.
Winner: Kofi Kingston
What letter grade would you give tonight’s show? #SDLive
— Rumble Ramble (@TheRumbleRamble) May 8, 2019
