WWE SmackDown Live
Episode 979
#SDLive
Original Air Date: May 22, 2018
Event Date: May 22, 2018 (aired live)
City: Worcester, MA
Venue: DCU Center
Commentary: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, Corey Graves
Ring Announcer: Greg Hamilton
Ring Area
Already in the ring, The Miz introduces Miz TV. Miz has some exclusives tonight, including the news that his new show Miz and Mrs. will debut on July 24th. He then introduces his guests, New Day. New Day heads to the ring.
Miz wants wants to know which member of New Day will enter the Money in the Bank ladder match. In unison, each member of New Day says it will be “me.” Miz doesn’t like that answer, and he says each member of New Day is being held back by the group. He reminds Kofi that he’s been in many MitB matches, but he hasn’t won any of them. He tells Big E that he won’t be taken seriously because he doesn’t take himself seriously. He then says that Woods has built an empire with Up Up Down Down, and winning the WWE Title could make him a superhero.
Miz again asks who will enter the MitB mach. Woods says it should be Big E. Big E says it should be Kofi. Kofi says it should be Woods. Miz gets angry. New Day huddles up and comes to a decision. Kofi says it will be Big E. They’re not talking about Money in the Bank though. They’re talking about tonight. Miz says since he didn’t get the scoop on New Day’s decision, he won’t fight Big E tonight. New Day proceeds to shame Miz by throwing pancakes at him. Miz runs from the ring.
Backstage
Paige is waiting for Miz backstage. She tells Miz to turn around and head back to the ring.
Match 1
The Miz vs Big E w/ Xavier Woods, Kofi Kingston
(referee: Jason Ayers; guest commentary: Xavier Woods, Kofi Kingston)
Result: The Miz wins via pinfall after a Skull Crushing Finale (and a distraction from Cesaro and Sheamus)
Time: 10:54
Match Thoughts
Good match. Big E used his power to stay ahead of The Miz for most of this match. Miz built up some offense towards the middle of the match, but it took some ringside shenanigans for him to actually find an effective opening.
Backstage
Big Cass yells at people in the back while he walks with crutches due to what Daniel Bryan did to him last week.
Backstage
Dasha Fuentes asks Daniel Bryan about his “second chance” match tonight. After returning to action, Bryan has learned to treat every match as if it’s his biggest opportunity. He says Jeff Hardy is a legend, but tonight Bryan will make a legend tap out.
Match 2
Money in the Bank Qualifying Match
Lana w/ Aiden English vs Billie Kay w/ Peyton Royce
(referee: Mike Chioda)
Result: Lana wins via pinfall after a sitout facebuster
Time: 1:09
Match Thoughts
This was a two-move match and was more about the shenanigans at ringside than the action in the ring. I really wish this match had gone the other way, but it could still lead to interesting things.
Backstage
Zelina Vega talks about Andrade Almas being treated as a VIP for years, but he’s been given nothing on SmackDown. If Almas doesn’t get what he deserves, then Vega and Almas are just going to take it.
Match 3
Andrade “Cien” Almas w/ Zelina Vega vs Kevin Bennett
(referee: Ryan Tran)
Result: Andrade Almas wins via pinfall after a hammerlock DDT
Time: 1:54
Match Thoughts
Another squash. Almas looked as good as could be expected though.
Backstage
Dasha Fuentes welcomes Carmella and asks her about Asuka. Carmella says she isn’t afraid of Asuka, Asuka should be afraid of her.
Ring Area
In the ring, Renee Young introduces AJ Styles. Styles heads to the ring, then Shinsuke Nakamura does the same. Young begins to speak when Styles interrupts her. Styles just wants to know what stipulation Nakamura is going to pick for their title match. Before he answers, Nakamura wants to remind everyone of how he earned the right to choose the stipulation.
After showing footage of Nakamura defeating Styles, Nakamura says Styles will never recover from their upcoming match. With that, Nakamura says his choice for the title match is a pillow fight. Styles jokes about Nakamura being “the king of soft style.” Nakamura says he jokes because he has the upper hand, but Styles jokes because he’s afraid. Styles says that regardless of the match stipulation, Nakamura can’t defeat Styles when it matters.
Nakamura starts to attack Styles, but Styles gets the first strike. The two men brawl out to the floor and into the crowd. Styles goes for a Phenomenal Forearm from the ringside barricade, but Nakamura counters with a chair shot. He follows up with a Kinshasa. With Styles down on the floor, Nakamura counts to ten. On the mic, Nakamura says “last man standing match.”
Ring Area
In the ring, Anderson and Gallows tell The Usos that they blew it when they had a shot at the Bludgeon Brothers, so the Good Brothers are going to rise to the top of the SmackDown tag division. The Usos say that this isn’t Japan or RAW, it’s The Uso Penitentiary. Anderson and Gallows don’t see any wardens, but they do see a couple of nerds. A brawl breaks out.
Match 4
SmackDown Tag Title Number One Contender Match
Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows vs The Usos
(referee: Danilo Anfibio)
Result: Karl Anderson pins Jimmy Uso after a Magic Killer
Time: 5:19
Match Thoughts
Good match. I really liked the final few segments. After a kickout late in the match the ending felt inevitable, but I quite enjoyed how they got there.
Match 5
Money in the Bank Qualifying Match
Naomi vs Sonya Deville w/ Mandy Rose
(referee: Jason Ayers; watching in the back: Becky Lynch, Charlotte)
Result: Naomi wins via pinfall with an O’Connor roll
Time: 4:21
Match Thoughts
Good match. This one was quite physical, and I really liked how the finish leaves it open for more competitive matches between these two.
Backstage
Renee Young asks Jeff Hardy how he feels about his opportunity tonight. Hardy is excited, but he has to take this opportunity one step at a time.
Match 6
Jeff Hardy (US Champ) vs Daniel Bryan
(referee: Mike Chioda; guest commentary: Samoa Joe; stipulation: The winner will face Samoa Joe in a MitB qualifying match.)
Result: Daniel Bryan wins via submission with a heel hook
Time: 8:03 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. Daniel Bryan brought a ton of energy to this match. He was relentless, attacking Jeff practically non-stop. Daniel Bryan seems like he can’t be stopped right now.
Backstage
Samoa Joe tells Renee Young that he’s going to put Daniel Bryan to sleep next week.
Show Impressions
I liked this show, despite some results I’d have liked to go the other way, I didn’t have any issues with this episode. In fact, I found it quite entertaining. I also like how things are shaping up going forward.
Match of the Night
Jeff Hardy vs Daniel Bryan
This was almost a showcase for Daniel Bryan which seems odd considering that Jeff is the US Champ, but regardless, I liked this match the most. I liked the tag match almost as much as this one.
Official Results: https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2018-05-22