May 16, 2017
Episode 926
(aired live)
#SDLive
City: Manchester, NH
Venue: SNHU Arena
Commentary: Tom Phillips, JBL, Byron Saxton
Ring Announcer: Greg Hamilton
Intro Video
“Take a Chance” by CFO$
Ring Area
Already in the ring, Kevin Owens is standing in front of the Jeri-tron 6,500 with “Kevin Owens’ Highlight Reel” displayed on the screen. Owens has decided to take over the Highlight Reel since Jericho will never (eeeever) be on SmackDown again. Jericho was obsessed with lists, but the only list he’s on now is the injured list. Owens then introduces his guest. In French.
As Owens speaks French, AJ Styles interrupts and heads towards the ring. Owens tells Styles that he isn’t the guest on the Highlight Reel. Styles apologizes, saying he didn’t learn anything in French class. He is about to enter the ring for a fight when Jinder Mahal and the Singh Brothers come out.
Mahal says he is supposed to be the guest on the Highlight Reel. Mahal talks about beating Orton at Backlash, but Styles tells him he should probably focus on his match tonight. Mahal then quotes Gandhi. Styles finally enters the ring, but Owens exits to avoid him. Styles turns to Mahal and calls for him to enter the ring so they can start their scheduled match.
Match 1
AJ Styles vs Jinder Mahal w/ The Singh Brothers
(referee: Jason Ayers; guest commentary: Kevin Owens)
Result: Jinder Mahal wins via pinfall after The Khallas (and some interference from Owens)
Time: 11:42 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. It went about like I expected considering the matchups that these guys are in plus all of the people around the ring that wanted to see AJ lose. The attack from Owens to Styles’ knee in this match also sets it up for AJ to lose on Sunday (or to have him fight as an underdog).
Video
Lana’s dance promo. She’s still coming soon.
Video
In the latest episode of “Fashion Files,” Tyler Breeze reports about his undercover work. Breeze gets nervous about facing The Usos, but Fandango reminds him that he’s the prettiest of the princes. That makes him feel better.
Backstage
Renee Young asks Randy Orton about facing Jinder Mahal at Backlash. Mahal says people don’t like Jinder not because he’s different, but because he’s an ass.
Match 2
Breezango vs The Colons
(referee: Dan Engler)
Result: Fandango pins Epico after a falcon arrow
Time: 3:21 (joined in progress)
Match Thoughts
An okay match. It was fast and frantic, but Breezango looked as good as they could in this type of match. And that was really the point.
Ring Area
After the match, The Usos come out to the stage and welcome the “fashion police” to the “Uso penitentiary.”
** I love the Breezango segments, but The Usos are doing some great work on the mic right now. I wish they would get in the ring more, but from a pure personality standpoint, it feels like the Usos should win on Sunday. Maybe they can just extend this feud. I’d be happy to watch it all summer. **
Ring Area
Shane McMahon heads to the ring to officiate the contract signing for the women’s match at Backlash. He first introduces Natalya, Tamina, and Carmella (who has James Ellsworth tagging along). He then introduces Charlotte, Becky Lynch, and Naomi separately.
With everyone in the ring, Natalya gets on the mic. She thinks it’s funny that Charlotte, Becky , and Naomi are pretending to get along. She also thinks they’re pathetic. Natalya signs the contract, followed by Tamina and Carmella. Becky then gets on the mic and says she can’t wait to slap some faces. She signs the contract. Naomi says her team will snatch their opponents bald. She signs. Finally, Charlotte gets on the mic and says that after her team wins, she’s going to challenge for the title. Charlotte signs.
James Ellsworth breaks it to Becky and Charlotte that they can’t have him. He then tells Naomi that one day Carmella will steal Naomi’s title and her glow. A brawl nearly breaks out, but Shane breaks it up and sets up a match for right now.
Match 3
Carmella w/ James Ellsworth, Natalya, Tamina vs Naomi (SD Women’s Champ) w/ Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch
(referee: Danilo Anfibio)
Result: Carmella wins via pinfall with a schoolboy (after a distraction from a brawl at ringside)
Time: 8:20 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
This was okay. Nothing too surprising, but it did it’s job of adding even more doubt for the chances of Becky, Charlotte, and Naomi at Backlash.
Video
New Day is still on their way to SmackDown.
Backstage
Dolph Ziggler has never understood the hype about Shinsuke Nakamura. So he’s done some research to find all of the remarkable things Nakamura has done in WWE. He found nothing. Ziggler then shows a highlight reel of some of the great things he’s done in WWE himself. With everything he’s done though, nothing will bring him more joy than to beat Nakamura.
Backstage
Dasha Fuentes welcomes Sami Zayn. Zayn informs everyone that he has asked for and received a match with Baron Corbin at Backlash. Zayn thinks that he makes Corbin nervous because he is a threat to his ego. As Zayn is talking, Corbin attacks him from behind. Corbin warns Zayn to stay down and not show up on Sunday.
Backstage
Before tonight’s 205 Live, TJP says he’s done waiting to take what he wants.
Match 4
Randy Orton (WWE Champ) vs Baron Corbin
(referee: Ryan Tran)
Result: Randy Orton wins via pinfall after an RKO
Time: 9:31 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
This was pretty good. Kind of straightforward and not terribly exciting. I was hoping to see Sami Zayn show up at some point, but he didn’t.
Ring Area
After the match, Jinder Mahal comes out and says Orton should relish his time with the WWE Title. As he’s talking, the Singh Brothers attack Orton from behind. Orton manages to fight them off for a little while, but the numbers finally get to him. Mahal and the Singh Brothers beat up Orton as the show ends.
Show Impressions
This show felt like the last show before a PPV (because it was, I guess). Matches went about as expected, and nothing new really happened. I enjoyed the show alright, but it felt like everyone was in a holding pattern, waiting for Sunday.
Match of the Night
AJ Styles vs Jinder Mahal
This one had the best action and went for a surprisingly long time. It wasn’t a classic, but it was a fine TV match.