This week’s SmackDown not only featured the semi-finals of the tournament to determine a new World Champion but also the long-awaited return of Roman Reigns.
Roman Reigns finally made his return this week. This was his first appearance since his win at WrestleMania 39, which was over a month ago. Join us as we go through everything that happened on the 12th May edition of Friday Night SmackDown.
Edge vs Rey Mysterio vs AJ Styles
It was a match no one thought would happen, but glad it did. This match marked the first time that the three legends stood in the same ring. And it was easily the best match of the night.
It was a high-stakes match, and the three men delivered a fantastic performance. Styles and Mysterio tried to team up against Edge early on in the match. Their plan didn’t work out too well when The Rated-R Superstar hit the Edge-O-Matic on Styles for a near fall. Toward the end of the match, Edge had Rey and Styles locked in a submission move. However, the Phenomenal One broke free and landed a Phenomenal Forearm to pick up the victory.
Winner: AJ Styles def. Rey Mysterio and Edge
Bobby Lashley vs Sheamus vs Austin Theory
The two veterans laid a beatdown on Austin Theory when he tried to bail at the start of the match. What followed next was an extremely physical match between them.
Theory tried to hold his own and sent Bobby Lashley into the steel steps, which busted him open. Sheamus hit the Irish Curse Backbreaker on Theory and almost got the fall. Lashley came in with a bloodied forehead and took The Celtic Warrior down with a spear. He then locked Theory in the Hurt Lock, which he eventually escaped but was met with the Brogue Kick by Sheamus. Lashley then sent Sheamus outside and stole the win by pinning the US Champion.
Winner: Bobby Lashley def. Sheamus and Austin Theory
Cameron Grimes vs Baron Corbin
It was Cameron Grimes’ first night on the blue brand, and he not only made an emphatic statement on his first night, but also defeated the former King of the Ring in mere seconds.
Baron Corbin’s career has been spiraling downward for the last couple of years, and it looks like we’ll have to wait to see him pick up some victories. He talked a big game prior to the match. However, Grimes shut him down with the Cave In and picked up the victory.
Winner: Cameron Grimes
Roman Reigns returns to SmackDown
The Tribal Chief returned to SmackDown after over a month, and he wasted little time addressing the WWE Universe and specifically his cousins.
Things have not been going well for The Usos ever since they lost the tag team titles to Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens at WrestleMania. They failed to take them back in a rematch, and Roman Reigns was not happy. He berated them for their failures while praising Solo Sikoa for doing a good job. Reigns even hit Jimmy at one point. Before Jimmy could retaliate, Jey stepped in and apologized on behalf of his brother and himself. When he asked for another chance to take back the tag titles from Zayn and Owens, Paul Heyman told them that Reigns and Sikoa are already booked to face the at Night of Champions.
It looks like Roman Reigns is tired of relying on his cousins to do his bidding and will settle things for himself.
Women’s Tag Team Championship: Raquel Rodriguez & Liv Morgan(c) vs Damage CTRL
Bayley and co. tried to get back in the mix by challenging for the Women’s Tag Team Championships after their loss at WrestleMania.
Bayley and Kai were in control at the beginning of the match against Liv Morgan. Things turned in the champions’ favor when Rodriguez was tagged in. She singlehandedly took out the competitors. At one point Dakota Kai hurt her knee while performing a dive. While Bayley told the official to check her injury, Sky got up on the apron with the tag titles. Bayley accidentally knocked her off, while Morgan rolled her up for the win.
Winner: Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan retain the titles
Asuka attacks Bianca Belair during championship celebration
Bianca Belair was recently drafted to SmackDown. The RAW Women’s Champion recently became the longest-reigning Women’s Champion of the modern era. She came out to celebrate the milestone but was interrupted by The Empress of Tomorrow.
Asuka extended her hand, as looked to congratulate Belair. Just as Belair shook hands with her, Asuka hit her with the mist. She rolled around the ring, screaming in pain as Asuka seemed to enjoy herself.
AJ Styles vs Bobby Lashley
The epic matchup between The All Mighty and The Phenomenal One started with Lashley in control. AJ Styles fired back with some big strikes and hit a DDT on Lashley which reopened his wound as he started bleeding again.
Bobby Lashley almost won the match as he countered the forearm and hit Styles with the running powerslam. As he tried to finish things with the spear, Styles sidestepped and hit him with a Phenomenal Forearm to pick up the win. He advanced to the finals where he will face Seth Rollins at Night of Champions to determine the new World Heavyweight Champion.
Winner: AJ Styles
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