LECLAIR’S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 5/28: Alt perspective, detailed report on Kofi vs. KO, Shane McMahon Appreciation Night, Bayley vs. Lacey, and more

LECLAIR’S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
MAY 28, 2019
TULSA, OK AT BOK CENTER
AIRED LIVE ON USA NETWORK

Announcers: Tom Phillips, Corey Graves, Byron Saxton

-The show began with a video package covering Paul Heyman’s appearance on last weeks show, leading into Dolph Ziggler’s beat down on Kofi Kingston.

-The letters “KO” lit up the darkened tron as the show opened live in the arena. Kevin Owens headed to the ring for what Tom Phillips referred to as a “Pay-Per-View caliber rematch” to open the show. Phillips threw to a video package recapping the Kofi/Owens feud to date.

In the ring, Owens sat atop the turnbuckle with a microphone. He said he originally intended to start the show with an edition of the Kevin Owens Show. He said after spending all day at the arena, though, he realized the people of Oklahoma weren’t worthy of it. Kevin said the only thing that made Oklahoma bearable is that he gets to beat down Kofi Kingston there in a few minutes.

Owens said he had nothing to do with the attack on Big E during last week’s show. He said perhaps Big E got sweat in his eye, or was busy crafting one of his hilarious tweets and simply made a mistake. Owens said New Day can’t blame him for Big E, but they can blame him for the pain Xavier Woods has been in for weeks. Owens said they can also blame him when Kofi Kingston loses the WWE title to Dolph Ziggler, a direct consequence of the beating he plans to lay into Kingston tonight.

“Can we get to the match?” Phillips asked over Owens. Kevin said he is the show. New Day’s music cut him off, and Kofi Kingston headed to the ring with a large plate of pancakes. Kingston had a slight limp in his step.

“Kevin, enough” Kofi said, “enough with the lies.” He said Kevin is lying about attacking Big E, just like he was lying about wanting to join New Day. He said Owens is lying to himself for thinking he’s going to soften Kofi up for Ziggler. Kofi said he planned to make Owens pay tonight. He said, most importantly, Kevin Owens would leave Smackdown with a clear understanding of why he is WWE Champion. He threw the mic down and prepared for action.

(1) KOFI KINGSTON vs. KEVIN OWENS

Kofi shot out of the corner and dropkicked Owens as soon as the bell rang. KO returned to his feet quickly and gave Kingston a big boot. He began stomping away at the champion. The crowd broke into a brief “Kofi” chant. Kingston took Owens down and delivered a flurry of punches. Owens countered Kofi off the ropes and slammed his head into the mat. Tom Phillips threw to commercial.

Back from commercial, Owens guillotined Kofi off the rope, sending him crashing to the outside. Owens followed him out there and threw him into the barricade, following it up with a hard chop to the chest. He threw Kofi back in the ring and covered him for a two count. Owens began manipulating Kofi’s hand and fingers. He locked in a headlock and repeatedly told the referee that he heard Kofi say “I quit.”

The crowed willed Kingston to his feet, but Owens quickly cut him off with a big clothesline. KO threw several grounded elbows, then applied a chin lock. Kofi broke free after a couple of moments and gave Kevin some right hands. Owens quickly regained control and smashed Kofi into the mat again. Owens went after Kofi’s leg, but Kofi kicked him in the face.

Back on his feet, Kingston kicked KO in the midsection, then dumped him over the top rope. Kofi followed it up with a running dive over the top rope, taking Owens down. He threw Owens back in the ring and went for the SOS, but Owens blocked it. Owens tried for a stunner, but Kofi pushed him away. Kofi tried for the SOS again, and connected this time for a near fall.

Kofi hopped up onto the top rope, but Owens shoved him off and to the outside. The show went to picture-in-picture commercial. On the small screen, Kofi struggled to stand as Owens taunted the crowd. Kofi returned to the ring, but was quickly tossed out again. Owens followed him outside and threw Kofi hard into the barricade. Owens returned to the ring and counted with the referee.

Kingston broke the count just in time. Owens tossed him outside again, and tossed him into the barrier for a third time. Owens found Kofi’s plate of pancakes and dumped them onto the floor. Kofi just beat the referee’s count back into the ring. Owens threw Kofi in the corner and hit a cannonball for a near fall.

Back to full screen, Kingston locked Kofi in another chin lock. Kofi fought out fairly quickly with elbows to the gut. Owens tired to slingshot Kofi over the top rope and out of the ring, but Kingston skinned the cat and held on. Owens kicked him off, then delivered a splash from the apron to the outside. Owens returned to the ring.

The referee reached a count of nine before Kofi broke the count for a third time. Owens climbed to the top rope and hit a frog splash for another fall. Owens returned to the top rope, but Kofi thwarted his plan with a quick toe kick. Kofi battled his way to the top rope to meet KO. He pounded on Owens’ back. Kofi hooked Owens and set up for a superplex, but Owens blocked it. He punched Kofi off, sending him crashing to the mat. Owens hit a top rope senton splash for another near fall.

Owens quickly went for a pop up power bomb, but Kofi leapfrogged it. Owens charged at Kingston, and Kofi caught him with Trouble in Paradise out of nowhere. Kofi crawled over and covered Owens for a three count.

WINNER: Kofi Kingston in 18:00

(LeClair’s Analysis: This match was surprisingly slow until the final couple of minutes. I’m not sure if it’s because Kingston is nursing an injury, or if this is just the pace they opted to work, but this was fairly uneventful even for TV standards. Owens dominated the entire match, and utilized a large number of rest holds. Coupled with two lengthy commercial breaks, and this wasn’t a match that wound up being particularly engaging.)

-Dolph Ziggler was shown in a locker room, watching Kofi celebrate his victory on a monitor.

-Drew McInture and Elias flanked Shane McMahon in a dressing room, discussing something amongst themselves. Corey Graves teased “Shane McMahon Appreciation Night”, coming up later in the show.

-The camera cut to R-Truth and Carmella running through a hallway backstage. “It’s been ‘run Truth, run’ ever since I won this European Championship,” Truth said. He said people even tried to pin him at the dentist office. He thought he heard someone coming, so Carmella hopped on his back and they took off down the hallway. Drake Maverick wandered into view, carrying WANTED posters with Truth’s face on it. He slapped one on the door of the room Truth and Carmella hid in seconds before. They snuck out and run in the opposite direction.

-Back in the arena, Daniel Bryan’s music hit. He and Rowan headed to the ring as Corey Graves contemplated what the tag team champions may have up their sleeves. The show went to commercial.

-After the break, Bryan and Rowan stood in the ring with Kayla Braxton. Kayla said Bryan had asked for this time to reiterate the team’s mission statement. Bryan said the WWE tag team division is a joke. “Speaking of a joke,” Bryan said, “Rowan has one.” Rowan carried out a knock knock joke. “the Smackdown tag team division is a joke” was the pun. Bryan laughed uproariously. Daniel said that, though they are the greatest tag team champions of all time, they still dedicate their lives to saving the planet. He said the people in the audience wasted their Memorial Day by eating the beautiful animals of the planet. He blamed the crowd for eating hot dogs made from an intelligent pig named Wiggles, and burgers made from a cow named Wilbur.

“The people of Oklahoma are worse than anybody,” Bryan said. He said Oklahoma is a leader in fracking and deep oil well drilling. “They may cheer that because it brings them money, but it also brings them EARTHQUAKES!” Bryan yelled. Bryan said their mission statement is save the tag division, and save the planet.

Kayla informed Bryan and Rowan that there are teams waiting to challenge them for their titles. “Who might that be?” Bryan wondered. Heavy Machinery headed to the ring. “Otis may be a product of fracking,” Graves said.

Tucker said Bryan and Rowan are a great tag team. He said as much as Heavy Machinery likes having fun, it’s time to get down to business. “And that business is the Smackdown Tag Team Championship,” Otis added. An official headed to the ring. Bryan accepted the challenge. “Just not here in this fracking state of Oklahoma,” he said. Bryan and Rowan left the ring. Otis danced to Heavy Machinery’s music.

(LeClair’s Analysis: This started out weak, but Bryan gained momentum as he went on. His naming of animals is probably more endearing than he intends it to be, but nevertheless, it generated plenty of heat out of a crowd very willing to boo a guy standing up for the environment. A feud with Heavy Machinery could be fun, and I’m sure Bryan will have a great time playing off of Otis in the coming weeks.)

-Backstage, Bayley was shown warming up for her match with Lacey Evans.

-The camera cut to Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville walking backstage. They were handing out copies of the newest issue of Muscle & Fitness Hers, featuring Mandy Rose on the cover. They stumbled upon Ember Moon, who was reading a copy of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. “Spoiler alert: everyone dies,” Sonya said. Mandy threw all the magazines in Ember’s lap. The announcers teased a match between Mandy and Carmella after the break.

-Back live, Mandy Rose was already climbing into the ring. Her cover photo for Muscle & Fitness Hers was shown on the big screen. Carmella was already in the ring.

(2) CARMELLA vs. MANDY ROSE (w/ Sonya Deville)

Mandy and Carmella locked up. Corey Graves mused about Mandy’s cover and how he has one copy to frame and one to read. Sonya handed Mandy a copy of the magazine and Mandy held it in Carmella’s face. Carmella kicked it out of her hand and pounced on Rose.

Carmella backed Mandy in the corner. Mandy fought out and slammed Carmella’s head into the middle turnbuckle. Carmella whipped back violently. Mandy locked in a chin lock and talked trash. Carmella fought out and rolled up Mandy for a two count. Mandy ducked a clothesline, hit the ropes, then connected with a bicycle knee to the face for a near fall.

Mandy sent Carmella into the corner. Carmella countered out with a hurricanrana, then sent Mandy into the corner. She hit a bronco buster. Sonya hopped up onto the apron and distracted Carmella. This allowed Mandy to roll Carmella into a leverage pin for a three count.

WINNER: Mandy Rose in 3:00

(LeClair’s Analysis: Not much to this one. Carmella’s bump off the middle turnbuckle looked nasty, but she appeared to be just fine. I thought this situation had a little bit of momentum coming off of Money in the Bank, but whatever it had was lost during the non-match last week. Nothing to see here.)

-Backstage, R-Truth scurried about worriedly. Jinder Mahal appeared and attacked him from behind. Truth fought him off and threw him through a doorway and took off. A host of wrestlers came rushing after him, rounding a corner out of sight. Truth popped his head out of a photo booth sitting idly near the corner, successfully evading another onslaught. Drake Maverick ran into Truth and fell down, sending his WANTED signs flying. Maverick began apologizing before realizing it was Truth. Truth took off down the hallway. Drake gave chase.

-Back in the arena, Shane McMahon’s music hit. He walked to the ring with Drew McIntyre and Elias at his side. The announcers teased “Shane McMahon Appreciation Night” coming up after the break.

-The show returned with Aleister Black sitting against a dark backdrop draped in crosshatched light. “You are simply waiting for me to throw out an angle, to pick a fight with somebody,” Black said. He said that’s the conundrum. Black said he’s waiting patiently for someone to pick a fight with him The camera zoomed in as he smiled.

(LeClair’s Analysis: Let’s get Black in the ring, in front of an audience, not cutting these wordy promos that have yet to lead anywhere.)

-From ringside, Greg Hamilton welcomed the crowd to Shane McMahon appreciation night as the second hour of the show began. He delivered his signature Shane introduction.

In the ring, Shane said he was hesitant to hold an appreciation night for himself. He said he doesn’t consider himself a hero. He said he enjoys what he does and is a humble man. He said his greatest adulation is seeing the smiles on the audience’s faces. He said he planned to make sure the fans in attendance and at home were entertained tonight. Shane pointed to the tron. A hype video played, showing a rundown of Shane McMahon’s best in-ring moments, spanning his entire career.

“Under the amazing auspices of Kevin Dunn, wasn’t that amazing?” Shane said. The crowd booed loudly. “No reason to boo Kevin Dunn.” Shane said that video was educational and entertaining, specifically educational for Roman Reigns. Shane said he’s sick of Roman thinking he’s the big dog who can break all the rules.

“The McMahon family has been putting food on your family’s table for generations.” He said Roman bit the hand that fed him when he attacked Vince McMahon. “I’m not only going to beat you, I’m going to beat some respect into you,” said Shane.

Elias told Shane his message was powerful. He said he wrote a song for Shane and began to strum his guitar. A couple of lines in, R-Truth jumped the barricade with Drake Maverick and a referee at his heels. Truth kicked Maverick in the gut and gave him a front suplex. He pinned him to “retain” the 24/7 title.

Truth began dancing to celebrate. Drew McIntyre removed his coat. Shane McMahon looked disgusted. “Are you kidding me?” Shane said. He attacked R-Truth. McIntyre and Elias immediately joined in. Elias hit Truth with the Drift Away. Shane directed Elias to pick Truth up. McIntyre hit R-Truth with the Claymore. Elias pinned Truth to become the new 24/7 champion.

Shane said R-Truth interrupting his celebration gave him an idea. He announced that Elias and Drew McIntyre will team up to face R-Truth and Roman Reigns later in the show. Shane said he’s suspending the 24/7 rule until after the conclusion of the tag match so that Elias can focus.

(LeClair’s Analysis: I found this to be shockingly bad. Shane’s schtick is starting to be less about heel work and more about seeing how quickly he can lull a crowd into complete complacency and boredom. Mixing the 24/7 title shenanigans with this segment didn’t help matters, though I’m thankful it didn’t result in McIntyre pinning Truth to win the title.)

-Backstage, Kayla Braxton introduced a Raw wild card, Lacey Evans. “Excuse me, wild?” Lacey questioned, “does this look wild to you?” She was seated, drinking tea next to Charlotte Flair. Charlotte said they were spilling tea and talking truths. She said Becky couldn’t beat her at Money in the Bank. Lacey added that Bayley “rudely” cashed in her Money in the Bank contract and said Charlotte should still be Smackdown Women’s Champion. Lacey said now that they’ve given Becky her beat downs, they’re planning to send Bayley back to the kiddie pool “where she belongs.”

-Back in the arena, Bayley’s music hit. She headed to the ring. “Go ahead, Byron, get excited,” Corey said, “your inflatable friends are here.” Bayley hit the ring to a modest reaction. The announcers teased her match with Lacey Evans after the break.

After the commercial, Bayley stood in the ring staring down Charlotte, who had joined the commentary team at ringside. Lacey headed to the ring and Tom Phillips mentioned that this is the first time Lacey and Bayley will face one another.

(3) BAYLEY vs. LACEY EVANS

Bayley and Lacey locked up. Bayley grabbed the leg and Evans made it to the ropes to break the attempted hold. Bayley and Lacey went through an athletic exchange off the ropes, ending in a pinning combination from Bayley for a two count. Lacey shoved Bayley to the mat. On commentary, Charlotte and Corey Graves argued with Byron Saxton. Bayley kicked Lacey in the side of the head for a two count.

Lacey swept Bayley’s leg and took her down. She followed up with a diving elbow, coming up and over the apron. Bayley rolled to the outside to recover. Charlotte stood up to stand over Bayley. The show cut to a quick picture-in-picture commercial.

Lacey joined Bayley on the outside and slammed her against the ring apron. She pulled the apron over Bayley and jostled her around before tossing her back into the ring. Bayley tried to kick Lacey away, but Evans continued her attack. She grounded Bayley and locked in a modified chin lock for the rest of the break.

Back in full screen, Bayley quickly battled out and hit a flying cross body. Lacey quickly regained control, took Bayley down, and attempted a pin. Bayley kicked out at two. Lacey sent Bayley into the corner and executed a nice looking headstand into bronco buster from the corner. Bayley recovered and tossed Lacey through the ropes and onto the apron. She hit a stunner-like guillotine on the middle rope. Lacey fell to the outside. Bayley left the ring and got a running start around the corner, hitting a nice dropkick through the turnbuckle. She followed it up with a big clothesline.

Charlotte removed her headset and got in Bayley’s face. Bayley tossed Lacey in the ring, then elbowed Charlotte in the face. Bayley returned to the ring and Charlotte chased her in. The referee held Charlotte back. Lacey rolled up Bayley, but Bayley kicked out. Bayley rolled up Lacey in a leverage pin and got the three count.

WINNER: Bayley in 7:00

Bayley slipped out of the ring quickly. Charlotte slid back in the ring and jawed with the champion. Lacey Evans attacked Charlotte from behind, seemingly blaming her for the loss. Charlotte quickly delivered a big boot to Lacey. Referees stepped in the separate the two. Bayley smiled as she watched the chaos unfold.

(LeClair’s Analysis: Decent enough match. I think it was important that Bayley got the win here, even if it wasn’t entirely clean. I’m interested to see where they go with Charlotte and Lacey, as I thought their reluctant pairing was working to some extent.)

-Backstage, Carmella consoled R-Truth as the announcers teased his tag team match with Roman Reigns against Drew McIntyre and Elias later tonight.

-A graphic promoting The Undertaker’s return to Raw next Monday was shown coming out of commercial. Corey Graves teased The Undertaker’s match with Goldberg at Super Showdown.

-At the announcer’s desk, Tom Phillips spoke briefly about the “historic” rivalry between Triple H and Randy Orton and threw to a video package promoting their match at Super Showdown.

-Coming out of the video package, Sarah Schreiber stood in front of the backstage interview set up. She welcomed Andrade and Zelina Vega. She mentioned Andrade would be facing “Demon” Finn Balor at Super Showdown. She threw to comments Finn made last week to WWE.com. In the video, Finn said he wasn’t cleared to compete on Smackdown. Back live, Andrade took credit for injuring Finn. He told Finn to find his inner demon when he steps up to face him.

(LeClair’s Analysis: I don’t mind putting a microphone in Andrade’s hands every once in a while, but Zelina should be doing most of the talking, especially in a situation like this.)

-Back at ringside, Roman Reigns music hit. He walked to the ring and bumped fists with fans as Tom Phillips teased the tag team match coming up next.

-Last night’s Firefly Fun House aired.

-In the ring, Reigns stood stoically in the corner while his music played. R-Truth’s music hit and he began a slow walk to the ring. Elias appeared from behind and attacked Truth, followed quickly by Drew McIntyre and Shane McMahon. Reigns rushed up the ramp to Truth’s aid. He battled briefly with Drew, then grabbed Elias and tossed him in the ring.

(4) ROMAN REIGNS & R-TRUTH vs. DREW McINTYRE & ELIAS (w/ Shane McMahon)

The bell rang as soon as Roman tossed Elias into the ring. Reigns backed Elias into the corner, mounted him, and delivered a series of punches. The crowd began to count along, but Shane got up on the apron and distracted Reigns. This allowed Elias to fight back, and make a quick tag to Drew McIntyre, who had climbed onto the apron.

Elias and Drew began isolating Reigns, making frequent tags to one another and dominating Roman. Reigns battled back with a Samoan drop on Elias. He made a tag into Truth. Elias tagged in Drew. Truth tried to put up a fight, but was quickly overcome by McIntyre. Drew tossed Truth to the outside and body slammed him on the apron. Phillips sent the show to commercial.

Back from break, McIntyre and Elias were double teaming R-Truth. Shane was shown at ringside, looking pleased with the beating being put on Truth. McIntyre duplexed Truth and stomped away at him, jawing at Reigns in the corner. He and Elias continued to trade tags.

Roman looked on in disgust as the dismantling of R-Truth continued. Reigns tried valiantly to get the crowd into the match and behind Truth, to little avail. Truth finally caught Drew with a kick, then sidestepped him, sending him tumbling to the floor. Truth made a diving tag to Reigns and the crowd came alive.

Reigns cleaned house, taking Drew off the apron and hitting a jumping clothesline on Elias. He followed it up with ten short arm clotheslines in the corner. Elias stumbled out of the corner and got hit with a big boot. new returned to the apron and Reigns hit him with a Superman punch. Elias rolled to the outside and Reigns chased him down and hit a drive-by. Shane tried to get involved, but Reigns hit him with a big uppercut.

McIntyre charged at Reigns on the outside, but Reigns sidestepped him and Drew went crashing up onto the announcers desk. Reigns quickly returned to the ring, ducked a shot from Elias, and hit a spear for the three count.

WINNERS: Roman Reigns & R-Truth in 11:00

Shane McMahon backed hurriedly up the apron, looking rather concerned. McIntyre followed him, leaving Elias alone in the ring. As he recovered, Reigns speared Elias again. R-Truth dragged himself to Elias and covered him for a three count, regaining the 24/7 championship. Truth celebrated with the title, and Roman, as the show faded to black.

(LeClair’s Analysis: Relatively uneventful match. Roman’s flurry at the end got the crowd excited, but there was really nothing to the roughly nine minutes that came prior to that hot tag. I dislike mixing the 24/7 title in with any main event scenario, and putting R-Truth in this match felt like a bit of a reach on a show that severely lacked direction and purpose.)

FINAL THOUGHTS: This does not feel like a company feeling any type of heat coming off of Double or Nothing. Not only was this week’s television business as usual, it was a marked step back from last week. Kofi/KO was a let down, Shane McMahon Appreciation Night was a chore, and the inclusion of the 24/7 title shenanigans in regular storylines felt too hokey for my liking. A very underwhelming, disappointing show.