WWE Smackdown review
May 30, 2014
Taped 5/27/14 in Atlanta, Ga.
Aired on SyFy
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist (Twitter: @gregmparks)


- WWE Open.

- The Shield’s music played as Smackdown kicked off. They descended from their usual post high atop the arena. Michael Cole plugged Payback, once again referring to it as a “Pay Per-View,” so those who thought that phrase would become extinct may be a little early. A graphic aired for The Shield’s match against Evolution at the PPV. Seth Rollins said they’re stronger, angrier, hungrier, and more focused than ever. A video package from Monday of the contract signing was thrown in here. Dean Ambrose then took the mic and said The Shield doesn’t care what Evolution does or what happens to them, because they’re willing to sink pretty low to get the job done. Back to Rollins, who talked about the Elimination Rules aspect of the upcoming match. Roman Reigns finished off the promo by talking about what a mistake Evolution made Monday by putting him through a table. He talked about what weapons they were prepared to use Sunday, saying they’d destroy every announce table available. He said to believe in The Shield. It’s evident in promos like this just how different each man’s style is on the mic. They mix well together.

- Cole narrated brief clips of legendary Intercontinental Champions throughout the years. And Bad News Barrett. Tonight, the IC Champion takes on the United States Champion, Sheamus.

- And, Jimmy Uso vs. Bray Wyatt in a Last Man Standing Match. Wow, giving away a LMS match on Smackdown. Interesting.

[Commercial Break]

- The list of most-watched shows last week on the WWE Network was shown.

1 – KOFI KINGSTON vs. CESARO

No entrance for Kofi. He did get an inset interview, talking about his history with Cesaro and starting his journey back to the U.S. Title. As Cesaro ambled to the ring with Paul Heyman, they showed Cesaro’s post-match attack on Sheamus from Raw. Arm-drag by Kingston, but Cesaro blocked a second try, lifting him up and back down in a back-breaker. Springboard dropkick by Kingston, but Cesaro was up first. Flip kick, then a springboard clothesline by Kofi for two at the two-minute mark. Spinning back kick by Kingston for two. A springboard cross-body attempt by Kofi was met with an uppercut by Cesaro, which was enough to pick up the win.

WINNER: Cesaro, at 2:48. At least Kofi got (pre-recorded) interview time. He wasn’t really treated as even being in Cesaro’s league here.

After the match, Cesaro gave Kingston a Neutralizer. Kofi’s near-fall on the kick, then the uppercut finish was shown.

- Renee Young was backstage with Bad News Barrett. Barrett said his title won’t be in jeopardy on Sunday because Rob Van Dam’s best days are behind him. He turned his attention to tonight’s match, saying he’s not afraid of Irishmen, and Sheamus isn’t even from the United States, yet he’s U.S. Champion. Can you imagine if THIS version of the Bad News gimmick is what WWE gave Bad News Allen/Brown?

[Commercial Break]

2 – TAMINA SNUKA vs. PAIGE

No entrance for Tamina. We got an inset interview from Paige as well, talking about how she deserves to be the Divas Champion despite what others may think. About 20 seconds into the match, Alicia Fox skipped to the ring. Paige hit a cross-body for two as Fox took selfies with fans at ringside. Sunset flip for two by Paige. Fox had Paige’s attention. Fox took the title, which just happened to be sitting in the corner rather than being held by the timekeeper. Tamina took out Paige with a superkick. Fox posed with the title at ringside. Tamina went for a cover and got two. Fox stood on the announce table with the title. Tamina stayed on Paige in the ring, but missed a corner charge. Paige connected on three short-arm clotheslines. She kept an eye on Fox and yelled at Alicia when she went into the aisle. Paige countered a Samoan Drop and hit the Paige-Turner, then the PTO (Paige Tap-Out, which is the scorpion cross-lock) submission move for the win.

WINNER: Paige, via submission, at 3:09. The booking of Paige has been really poor since her title win. That said, I’m digging Fox’s character and look forward to their match on Sunday.

Fox dropped the title on the ramp and headed to the back after Paige’s victory.

- Sheamus was backstage with Renee Young. He said Cesaro made things personal by attacking him after a handshake attempt. He also talked about knocking Barrett’s teeth down his throat tonight.

- A Bo Dallas vignette aired. He’s up next.

[Commercial Break]

3 – XAVIER WOODS vs. BO DALLAS

Woods was already in the ring. Like last week, Bo took the mic pre-match. He noted he’s 2-0 since his WWE debut. He assured everyone that, if they work hard enough, their dreams can come true. After a couple arm-drags Dallas celebrated his success at ringside. Woods had on a rear waist-lock, but Bo sent him out of the ring. Back suplex was followed by a series of knee-drops. A series of offensive moves went in Woods’ favor. The Honor Roll by Woods got him a two-count. Woods came off the top, and Dallas hit him with a dropkick in mid-air. Bo-Dog by Dallas for the win.

WINNER: Dallas, at 2:44. Not bad, but not overly impressive by any means.

Dallas did another victory lap after the match, then again took the mic. He thanked the fans and said tonight, we’re all winners. Dallas gave Woods a hug after the match. JBL lauded Bo’s sportsmanship. The dropkick and finish were replayed.

- The announcers talked on-camera about Bray Wyatt and him saying he’s a necessary evil. They showed the Wyatts segment from Raw. Once again, something related to Bray Wyatt is placed directly after a Bo Dallas match. I’m probably reading too much into it, but interesting to note nonetheless.

- Jimmy Uso takes on Bray Wyatt in a Last Man Standing Match, tonight.

[Commercial Break]

- Both Los Matadores w/El Torito, and 3MB w/Hornswoggle were in the ring. Torito had clippers with him, to signify the Mask vs. Hair match between him and Hornswoggle on the Payback pre-show.

4 – JINDER MAHAL vs. EL TORITO

Torito was fired up and dropkicked the knee of Mahal. He gored the 3MB member in the butt. Springboard headbutt by Torito missed. Mahal stomped him and gave him an atomic drop – right where he had his tail removed. The two teams brawled at ringside while, on the top rope, Torito flipped over Mahal and powerbombed him. Moonsault off the top by Torito for the win.

WINNER: Torito, at 1:40. I never thought I’d get any kind of enjoyment out of this feud, but here we are.

After the match, Hornswoggle tried to sneak up behind Torito, but Torito saw him. Horny tried to escape, but Los Matadores cut him off. Torito got the shears and went after Horny with them until 3MB made the save. JBL made note of how big the hedge-clippers were, much bigger than anything needed to cut anyone’s hair.

- Cole narrated video of past United States Champions. Sheamus vs. Barrett is next.

[Commercial Break]

- Paul Heyman joined the announcers for the next match.

5 – SHEAMUS vs. BAD NEWS BARRETT – CHAMPION vs. CHAMPION MATCH

The burly brawlers went back-and-forth to open the match. They set the tone for a hard-hitting affair early on. Rolling senton by Sheamus, followed by a clothesline over the top rope. From the apron, Sheamus gave Barrett a shoulder tackle at ringside. Barrett avoided a whip into the stairs, and he kicked the stairs into the legs of Sheamus. They went to break at 4:14 of the match.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 7:45 of the match with Sheamus in a rear chin-lock. A brief outburst of offense by Sheamus was cut-off by a sidekick to his head. Brogue Kick by Sheamus missed, but the Winds of Change by Barrett didn’t, and Barrett got a two-count from it. After a roll through, Barrett got to his feet and was surprised by a Brogue Kick for the finish.

WINNER: Sheamus, at 10:43. It felt like we got the beginning and the end of the match, with the middle having taken place during the break. Hard to get a read on the match from that.

Sheamus grabbed Heyman by the lapels after the match, and Heyman begged off. Sheamus left him alone and celebrated his win.

- Renee Young was backstage with The Usos. She talked about their defeat at the hands of The Wyatts Tuesday on Main Event. Jimmy said Bray may have his crazy goons in his corner, but he has an Uso in his corner. Jimmy showed some real personality in finishing off the promo with a flourish.

- Tonight, we’ll see the ultimatum Stephanie McMahon gave Daniel Bryan on Raw.

[Commercial Break]

Titus O’Neil was in the ring for a battle with Big E., a rematch from four weeks ago. Big E. had the American flag with him when he came to the ring, and they took us back to Raw to show us why. A graphic aired for Rusev vs. Big E. at Payback. Before the match could begin, Lana came out with a mic. Lana talked about a red, white, and blue flag that represents power and glory. The crowd chanted “USA” and Lana raised her voice to them. She never gave the punchline to the flag discussion, but Rusev came out waving the Russian flag, so I guess that’s it.

6 – TITUS O’NEIL vs. BIG E.

O’Neil attacked Big E. as soon as the bell rang. He showed some aggressiveness, but was felled by a belly-to-belly suplex. Big E. ran over Titus, then gave him a big splash. He looked at Lana and Rusev, still atop the stage, and gave O’Neil the Big Ending.

WINNER: Big E., at 1:11. Good win for Big E. Facing an undefeated Rusev means it was no time for WWE to get cute and have an even-steven match-up for Big E. tonight.

- The Last Man Standing match was plugged again.

- But next, Adam Rose takes on Jack Swagger.

[Commercial Break]

- Cole thanked Aloe Blacc for “Ticking Bomb,” the theme to Payback.

- Zeb Colter was at ringside, joining the announcers for the next match. They showed Rose defeating Damien Sandow on Monday, with the Real Americans kidnapping the lemon from Rose’s Exotic Express.

7 – JACK SWAGGER vs. ADAM ROSE

Rose still had his lollipop in his mouth as the bell rang. He pranced around the ring before locking up. Rose offered up his lollipop to Swagger, who instead tried to pick the leg of Rose. Rose was too quick, however, and side-stepped Swagger. After a battle in the corner, Rose jumped into the arms of Swagger. After dropping his foe, Swagger ran to ringside to consult with Colter. After more theatrics, Rose dove over Swagger in a pinning combination, holding Swagger’s legs down with his own for the win.

WINNER: Rose, at 2:17. The finish didn’t look great, as Rose didn’t really seem to have Swagger leveraged down, and it appeared Jack should’ve been able to power out. That said, this was as much to continue to get over Rose’s character as anything else, and I think it succeeded.

- We’ll see what happened on Raw as it relates to the WWE World Title, coming up.

[Commercial Break]

- The Raw Rebound aired.

- A graphic was shown for Daniel Bryan’s decision at Payback: Does he relinquish the WWE World Title, or will his new wife be fired?

8 – BRAY WYATT vs. JIMMY USO – LAST MAN STANDING MATCH

When Jimmy came to the ring, they showed the Wyatt Family beating The Usos on Main Event, followed by the post-match assault. Early on in this match, Jimmy jumped over the top rope and onto Bray outside the ring. Bray got to his feet at the count of five and had a hearty laugh. They cut to break at 1:45 of the match.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 4:47 with Wyatt posing for the fans on the second rope as Uso was being counted down in the ring. He made it to his feet, then stumbled backward into the corner. Suplex/throw by Wyatt and again the count was on. Uso with a desperation Samoan drop. Wyatt charged at Uso, but Jimmy low-bridged Wyatt out of the ring. Superkick to Wyatt. When Wyatt took over again, he trashed talked Jey, who was at ringside. Bray tried to suplex Jimmy off the top rope, to no avail. He ended up taking a bump and Jimmy hit a splash off the top. Bray got back to his feet at nine. He tossed Jimmy out of the ring. Wyatt barreled through Uso outside the ring. Jimmy countered Bray and kicked him in the back of the head. He charged Bray and gave him a butt splash with Wyatt sitting against the barricade. Once again, it took Bray to the count of nine to get to his feet. The Wyatt Family got involved at ringside at this point. Another superkick led to Bray being seated in front of the steps. This time, he avoided a butt splash from Jimmy. Sister Abigail connected at ringside. Jimmy didn’t get up from that.

WINNER: Wyatt, at 12:24.

Bray posed after the match as the closing image to the show.


Did you watch Friday's Smackdown episode? Send your 0-10 score & Reax to pwtorch@gmail.com for our TV Reax feature.

Greg Parks has been covering WWE Smackdown for PWTorch.com since January of 2007. He is the host of “Moonlighting with Greg Parks,” a PWTorch VIP-exclusive audio show posted each weekend. Follow him on Twitter @gregmparks for live Tweeting during Raw, Impact, and PPVs, as well as other bits of wisdom. Comments, questions and feedback are welcome, and can be sent to g_man9784@yahoo.com.

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