SmackDown Results: Women’s Tag Titles Relinquished, The Usos Lose

May 20, 2023 John Kleinchester NEWS, Show Reports
Photo Courtesy: WWEonFOX

WWE SmackDown Results
May 19, 2023
Colonial Life Arena – Columbia, SC

By: John Kleinchester

Bloodline on the Brink

Friday Night SmackDown kicked off with Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa coming down to the ring with Paul Heyman and without The Usos. Before Reigns could do anything other than ask the crowd to acknowledge him, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn interrupted. Michael Cole posited: “Are the walls closing in on the tag team champions?” and they showed Imperium’s involvement in the match against Judgment Day this past Monday on Raw. 

Roman said he only has one regret in his career – wasting his life on Sami Zayn. Zayn retorted saying that his one regret was not blasting him with that chair sooner. Sami said that Roman & Solo weren’t as good as them and they aren’t as good as The Usos either. The Usos then jumped Owens & Zayn as Reigns looked on confused. Reigns screamed at them saying that it was his ring and his plan and went to storm off but ran right into Solo Sikoa. Sikoa didn’t budge and Reigns grimaced a bit and then left the ring.

After the break, The Bloodline was all together in the locker room and Reigns was continuing to yell at The Usos for interfering in his plan. Reigns then kicked The Usos out of the locker room and would go on to face the LWO later in the night.

Worth Watching: Great acting here from Roman.

https://twitter.com/WWEonFOX/status/1659718203654787073?s=20

Deadly Debut 

The Brawling Brutes took on the debuting Pretty Deadly. Before the match, a video of Pretty Deadly from earlier in the day was shown with the team in a kitchen crafting the recipe for the perfect team. The finish saw the referee distracted by Butch being struck and falling into the ring which allowed Pretty Deadly to hit their double-team Spilled Milk finisher for the win. Not entirely sure why they needed to execute the move behind the ref’s back as it’s pretty common for teams to hit double-team maneuvers in front of the ref.

Tribute to The Superstar

A tribute video aired in tribute to Superstar Billy Graham who passed away on Wednesday. 

Mist Opportunities 

Asuka and her less-than-stellar newly updated theme song were out next. Footage from last week was shown of Asuka interrupting Bianca Belair’s celebration and spraying her with what the announcers called an “experimental mist” with chili peppers in it. Zelina hung on for a while but finally tapped out in just over six minutes. Asuka wouldn’t let go of the hold after the bell and Bianca Belair ran out to make the save. Asuka attempted to mist Belair again but mostly missed her eyes. 

The Grayson Waller Effect

The Grayson Waller Effect made its Smackdown Debut with guest AJ Styles. Styles noted that his most recent injury was the longest he’s been out of action in his entire career. Styles questioned whether Seth Rollins was training as hard as him with Rollins being on a movie set. Waller said he was excited to hear the words “AND NEW World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins” which caused AJ to jump out of his chair and get in Waller’s face. Waller’s music then played and the segment ended rather abruptly.

Fun Fact: Seth Rollins has been spotted on the set of Marvel’s Captain America: New World Order

LWO

A brief backstage segment aired with the LWO discussing taking on The Usos tonight and I believe they might have sworn in Spanish on primetime network television.

Boogalicious Knights

La Knight and Rick Boogs took on The Street Profits. The story here was that Knight said on SmackDown LowDown that he could beat the Profits with any partner and Boogs ended up getting the call. Boogs was showing off his insane power by push-pressing Montez Ford and then curling Angelo Dawkins. LA Knight seemed a bit annoyed by the spotlight-stealing and the pair ran into each other after a miscommunication. Montez Ford hit his monster frog splash for the win. After the match, LA Knight hit Rick Boogs with the BFT and left him laying.

NXT Call-Ups To the Moon… and Karrion Kross

Cameron Grimes was interviewed backstage and he was excited about having one of the quickest victories in SmackDown history. Grimes said he wanted to go to the moon. 

A backstage promo from Karrion Kross and Scarlett aired threatening AJ Styles and calling him “Alan”. 

NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn “The Unholy Union” defeated Valentina Feroz and Yulisa Leon in just over a minute with The Gory Bomb.

Women’s Tag Titles Relinquished

Because of Liv Morgan’s injury keeping her out of action for an extended amount of time, Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez have been forced to relinquish the tag titles. A Fatal 4-Way Match for the titles was announced for two weeks from now on Monday Night Raw with Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler, Bayley & Io Sky, and Sonya Deville & Chelsea Green taking on Raquel Rodriguez and a new partner of her choosing.

Raquel Rodriguez was interviewed backstage and was interrupted by Bayley & Io Sky saying that Dakota Sky was injured last week as well. The pair challenged Raquel and a partner to a match next week on SmackDown.

Sheamus & Theory 

Austin Theory cut an in-ring promo complaining about being ganged up on by Bobby Lashley and Sheamus last week. Theory said Sheamus beat John Cena twelve years ago whereas he beat him last month. Sheamus interrupted and hit Theory with the Brogue kick. 

The Main Event: LWO vs. The Usos

Before The Usos went to the ring, Paul Heyman approached them saying that Roman Reigns forgives them but will not accompany them to the ring tonight.

The foursome had a competitive match with a fair number of near falls and the crowd was hot. Rey Mysterio went to hit the 619 but ran into a superkick and a splash from the top getting a massive near fall and huge pop from the crowd.

Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn interfered behind the ref’s back causing the LWO to get the win. Backstage, Solo Sikoa was about to leave the locker room and Roman stopped him. Reigns appeared to be disgruntled and deep in thought as the show went off the air.

Announced for SmackDown Next Week (taped tonight):

  • The KO Show with Roman Reigns & Solo Sikoa
  • Raquel Rodriguez & ??? vs. Bayley & Io Sky
  • Karrion Kross vs. AJ Styles
  • United States Championship: Austin Theory vs. Sheamus

Friday Night SmackDown Results:

  • Pretty Deadly over The Brawling Brutes in 8:09
  • Asuka over Zelina Vega in 6:08
  • Street Profits over LA Knight & Rick Boogs in 3:57
  • Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn over Valentina Feroz & Yulisa Leon in 1:19
  • LWO’s Rey Mysterio & Santos Escobar over The Usos in 14:22
About John Kleinchester 155 Articles
New Jersey born and raised. Wrestling fan since Lex slammed Yokozuna on the deck of the USS Intrepid. Favorite Wrestler of all time is Owen "The Rocket" Hart.
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