Jinder Mahal was shown taking photos with the WWE Championship to kick off the show. Shane McMahon appeared behind him and took the title away from him because it did not belong to him. Shane also informed Jinder that he has a match later tonight against Sami Zayn.
Shane McMahon then came down to the ring and introduced the newest member of SmackDown Live, Chris Jericho. Jericho came down to the ring with the United States Championship around his waist and his list in his hand. The crowd started to chant “Y2J!” as Jericho grabbed a microphone. Jericho referred to SmackDown as “the new show of Jericho” and the crowd once again chanted Y2J. Shane McMahon stated that he was thrilled that Jericho was now a part of SmackDown.
AJ Styles interrupted and the crowd started to chant “AJ Styles!”. Styles informed Jericho that he was standing in the house that AJ Styles built. Styles said that nothing would please him more than to take that United States Championship away from Jericho at WWE Backlash. Styles added that would only happen if Jericho was able to retain his title in his match against Kevin Owens later tonight.
Jericho bragged about defeating Kevin Owens at WWE Payback. Jericho was about to add AJ Styles to the list but Kevin Owens interrupted. Owens’ hand was all bandaged up due to Jericho slamming the steel steps against it at Payback. Owens threatened Jericho and said that he has no idea what is he is in store for tonight. Owens then told AJ Styles to get the hell out of his ring. Styles proceeded to get out of the ring and sprint towards Owens. Styles and Owens traded punches on the entrance ramp and SmackDown went to a commercial break.
Reaction: Owens and Jericho are certainly capable of putting on a great match to main-event the show. I would be shocked if Owens doesn’t get his United States Championship back tonight so WWE can start building towards his match with AJ Styles at Backlash.
Jinder Mahal vs Sami Zayn
Footage of Baron Corbin attacking Sami Zayn during Talking Smack last week was shown before the match. Baron Corbin was subsequently suspended for a week due to shoving an official during the attack. The Singh Brothers accompanied Jinder Mahal to the ring. Jinder Mahal started out the match in control and connected with an elbow to Sami’s face.
Zayn battled back and connected with a chop to Mahal in the corner. Zayn then connected with a Dropkick that sent Mahal out of the ring and SmackDown went to a commercial break. When SmackDown returned, Mahal perched Zayn up on the top turnbuckle. Mahal went for a Superplex but Sami headbutted Mahal off the turnbuckle. Mahal then connected with a viscous knee to Zayn’s face for a two count.
Sami got back to his feet and leveled Mahal with a couple of Clotheslines. Zayn climbed to top turnbuckle and hit a Crossbody for a two count. Zayn hit a Tornado DDT and geared up for the Helluva Kick. Sunil Singh dragged Jinder out of the ring before Zayn could reach him. Sami was then about to Moonsault onto Sunil and Jinder but Samir Singh tripped him up. Zayn then got frustrated and Mahal took advantage and slammed Sami to the mat for the victory.
Winner: Jinder Mahal
Reaction: Jinder Mahal barely got a reaction tonight and that is very concerning. In order for this to work, Mahal has to get the crowd to absolutely hate him. The Singh Brothers assisted Mahal in the victory, but there really wasn’t any outrage from the crowd. Randy Orton is who he is. Half the crowd likes him and the other half finds him incredibly boring. If Jinder Mahal isn’t getting a reaction, there really is nothing to get excited about for the WWE Championship match at Backlash.
WWE still has some time to make this interesting. I really hope that add some intensity to this feud and have Mahal brutally attack Orton soon. That angle worked for AJ Styles and Shane McMahon, might as well try it here. They need to do something because I am starting to lose interest and I was one of the people that was actually willing to give it a chance. This feud needs a jolt ASAP or it is going to fail.
Becky Lynch had a conversation with Tamina, Ellsworth, Carmella and Natalya backstage. Natalya thought it was strange that Charlotte Flair was given a shot at the SmackDown Women’s Championship right when she arrived to SmackDown. Natalya also reminded Becky that she was the first woman drafted to SmackDown and if anyone should be getting title shots, it should be her. Carmella then asked Becky to join them and take over the SmackDown women’s division. Becky replied that she had never thought of that way and said that she would think about it.
Dolph Ziggler was shown backstage and he was complaining about Shinsuke Nakamura not being on SmackDown tonight. Shane McMahon then appeared behind Ziggler while he was complaining about it. Shane told Ziggler that he needed to be worried about Nakamura. Ziggler said that Nakamura was nothing but an entrance. Dolph has a match against Sin Cara later tonight.
Aiden English was in the ring and a spotlight shined down on him. English started singing but was quickly interrupted by Tye Dillinger.
Aiden English vs Tye Dillinger
Dillinger beat the hell out of English to start off the match. Dillinger stomped on Aiden in the corner as the crowd chanted “10!”. Dillinger then picked up English in a Fireman’s Carry and then smashed Aiden’s head on his knee for the victory. Aiden English threw a tantrum after the match.
Winner: Tye Dillinger
Reaction: I actually find Aiden English’s gimmick amusing but I’m guessing most people don’t enjoy it. I think it is great that WWE is building up Dillinger and giving him easy victories. I’ve just seen a bunch of Superstars like him come to WWE’s main roster and not connect with the crowd. I hope he breaks through because he has worked extremely hard for this opportunity. As of now, the crowd is behind him.
Renee Young interviewed Chris Jericho backstage. Aiden English walked by Jericho and he was crying. Jericho mocked English for crying after the match. Jericho complimented English’s hairy chest and singing voice. Jericho then added Aiden English to the list and he started crying again. Jericho then added Renee Young to the list for absolutely no reason and walked away.
Charlotte Flair was interviewed backstage. Charlotte stated that the SmackDown Women’s Championship was her destiny. Carmella, Tamina and Natalya attacked Charlotte for the second week in a row and beat her down.
Naomi & Charlotte vs Carmella & Natalya
Charlotte was supposed to be Naomi’s tag partner but she didn’t come down to the ring due to the attack just before the match. Naomi and Carmella started off the match and delivered a brutal kick to the back of Carmella’s leg. Carmella started shouting at Naomi and Naomi connected with a series of kicks. Natalya was then tagged in and Naomi hit her with a Hurricanrana that sent her out of the ring. Natalya slammed Naomi’s head into the ring post outside the ring and posed for the crowd. The crowd booed her as the action returned to the ring.
Carmella was tagged back in and applied a Chinlock to Naomi in the middle of the ring. Naomi battled out of it but Carmella dragged Naomi to the mat by her hair. Carmella then sat on the back of Naomi’s neck while she was pressed against the second rope. Natalya got back in the match and both Superstars ran into each other in the middle of the ring. Charlotte’s music hit and she limped down the entrance ramp as the crowd cheered her on.
Naomi immediately tagged in Charlotte and she connected with a right hand that sent Carmella flying off the apron. Charlotte then big boot and knocked Natalya to the mat. Naomi connected with a Clothesline on Charlotte and SmackDown went to a commercial break. When SmackDown returned, Carmella had Charlotte in a submission hold. Charlotte battled out of it but Carmella dragged Charlotte to the mat by her hair.
Charlotte was able to tag in Naomi and Naomi connected with a Crossbody off the top rope onto Carmella. Naomi hit Carmella with the Rear View and went for the pinfall but Natalya distracted the referee. Ellsworth then distracted Naomi and Carmella rolled her up and grabbed her tights for the victory.
After the match, Tamina, Natalya and Carmella attacked Charlotte and Naomi. Becky Lynch then sprinted to the ring and the crowd chanted “Becky!”. Becky then extended her hand to to Tamina, Carmella and Natalya. Becky offered Ellsworth a hug. Ellsworth leaned in and Becky shoved Ellsworth into Tamina. Becky then attacked Carmella and Natalya. Tamina got back up and knocked Becky to the mat. Natalya, Tamina and Carmella then took turns beating down Becky Lynch.
Winners: Carmella & Natalya
Reaction: I like this storyline a lot, well besides James Ellsworth’s involvement in it. Charlotte has really benefited from the Superstar Shake-Up in my opinion. Her heel promos on RAW had become robotic and tiresome. She got a great reaction tonight when she came down to the ring after the attack.
I think both the RAW and SmackDown women’s division have gotten better by just swapping Alexa Bliss and Charlotte. I’m still kind of confused as to why Tamina Snuka has a grudge against Charlotte. She hasn’t been around for ages, so why would she be pissed off or feel slighted that Charlotte got a title shot before her? There are certainly things to pick at but for the most part I like this storyline.
Dolph Ziggler vs Sin Cara
Ziggler controlled most of this match but Sin Cara kept fighting back. Ziggler connected with an elbow for a two count. Ziggler connected with a Dropkick and went for the Fameasser but Sin Cara avoided it. Sin Cara then impressively held Ziggler up with one arm and slammed him to the mat. Ziggler quickly bounced back and hit the Superkick for the victory.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
Breezango had a Law & Order spoof as the fashion police entitled “The Fashion Files”. Breezango will face The Usos May 21st at WWE Backlash for the Smackdown Tag Team Championships.
United States Championship: Chris Jericho (c) vs Kevin Owens
Owens started out the match in control and beatdown Jericho for a couple of minutes. The crowd started to chant “stupid idiot!” at Owens as he hit a Senton for a two count. Jericho battled back and hit a Dropkick off the second rope. Jericho then connected with a series of punches and called Owens a stupid idiot. Jericho charged at Owens in the corner but Owens moved and Jericho went flying out of the ring.
Owens followed him out there and hit a Cannonball while Jericho was against the barricade. Owens brought Jericho back into the ring and tried to pin him but Jericho kicked out at two. SmackDown went to a commercial break with Owens in control of the match. When SmackDown returned, Owens went for a Pop-Up Powerbomb but Jericho avoided it. Jericho attempted a Lionsault but Owens got his knees up. Owens went for another Cannonball but Jericho got out of the way. Jericho then attempted a second Lionsault and this time he connected for a two count.
Jericho locked in the Walls of Jericho in the middle of the ring but Owens was able to get to the bottom rope to break the hold. Owens slapped Jericho in the face and went for another Pop-Up Powerbomb but once again Jericho avoided it. Jericho applied the Walls of Jericho again in the middle of the ring but once again Owens was able to reach the ropes. The action spilled out of the ring and Owens connected with a Superkick. Owens followed it up by hitting a DDT on Jericho onto the concrete floor.
Owens brought Jericho back into the ring and hit another Superkick for a two count. Jericho rolled up Owens for two count. Owens finally hit the Pop-Up Powerbomb for the victory. After the match, Owens attacked Jericho and hit another Pop-Up Powerbomb. Officials tried to help Jericho backstage but Owens returned and punched him in the face. Owens then placed Jericho’s head in between a chair and slammed him into the ring post. SmackDown went off the air with Jericho screaming in pain and with blood on his face.
Winner & New United States Champion: Kevin Owens
Reaction: I really don’t understand the point of Jericho winning the title at Payback. Was it just because WWE thought it would be too obvious if Owens retained? Either way, this was a solid match. This is the Kevin Owens that should have been featured during his Universal Championship reign. Chris Jericho’s current WWE run is most likely coming to an end. Jericho is about to go on tour with his band, Fozzy. Jericho knocked it out of the park during this run and I cannot wait till he comes back.
Overall, I enjoyed this episode of SmackDown but I did have some issues with it. The feud between Randy Orton and Jinder Mahal seems to have lost all of it’s momentum and WWE needs to find a way to fix that. I also cannot stand how SmackDown rarely features their tag team division. Breezango became the #1 contenders last week and all they had on the show this week was a goofy Law & Order spoof. The Usos are the SmackDown Tag Team Champions and they weren’t even a part of the show. I’d like to see the tag division featured weekly on SmackDown.
What did you think of this week’s episode of SmackDown? Let us know in the comments below.
