WWE SmackDown Live
Episode 981
#SDLive
Original Air Date: June 5, 2018
Event Date: June 5, 2018 (aired live)
City: Corpus Christi, TX
Venue: American Bank Center
Commentary: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, Corey Graves
Ring Announcer: Greg Hamilton
Ring Area
Carmella heads to the ring. She says tonight isn’t about her, tonight is about Asuka. Everyone deserves to know the truth about Asuka, so she introduces a pair of videos.
Video
The first video highlights Asuka’s undefeated streak. The second video highlights Asuk’s loss at Wrestlemania and the tough time she’s had since.
Ring Area
In the ring, Carmella says she doesn’t fear Asuka. She says the Age of Asuka is over. Everybody is ready for Asuka. Asuka comes out and heads to the ring.
Before Asuka can do anything, Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville come out to the stage. Rose says Asuka is a shadow of her former self. Even though Asuka beat Rose last week, Rose knows she can beat Asuka now. Deville says she can beat Asuka tonight as well. Carmella tells Asuka to just leave. Before Asuka can respond, Paige comes out to the stage.
Paige asks Asuka who she would rather face tonight, Rose or Deville. Asuka wants both of them, so Paige makes a handicap match.
Match 1
Asuka vs Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville
(referee: Jason Ayers; guest commentary: Carmella)
Result: Asuka wins via submission with the Asuka Lock
Time: 11:28
Match Thoughts
Good match. It started off fine, but after a commercial break it got good. Deville and Asuka worked very well together (though it did seem like Deville took a kick to the face because of a miscommunication). I’d like to see Asuka and Deville in a singles match at some point.
Ring Area
After the match, Rose tries to attack Asuka but takes a back fist. Carmella uses the distraction to hit Asuka with her title belt. Carmella then celebrates.
Backstage
Mr. Bootyworth accompanies New Day Day as they apologize to The Miz for being jerks. They ask Miz to help them choose which New Day member will compete in Money in the Bank by picking a name out of a hat. They blindfold Miz, and Miz sticks his hand into what looks like pancake batter. Miz angrily walks away.
Match 2
Karl Anderson w/ Luke Gallows vs Harper w/ Rowan (SD Tag Champs)
(referee: Mike Chioda)
Result: Karl Anderson wins via pinfall with a schoolboy
Time: 2:07
Match Thoughts
Pretty good match. It was certainly surprising. It was very one-sided (as expected), but the finish was what made this interesting. It might not mean much in the long run, but the match at least did add some interest to their upcoming title match.
Backstage
Naomi and Jimmy Uso are ready to introduce Rusev Day to the Uso Penitentiary.
Match 3
Mixed Tag Match
Jimmy Uso & Naomi vs Aiden English & Lana
(referee: Danilo Anfibio)
Result: Jimmy Uso pins Aiden English after a superkick
Time: 6:45 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. Both teams worked quite well together. Naomi in particular added a lot to the match.
Backstage
Paige oversees the contract sining between Shinsuke Nakamura and AJ Styles for their Last Man Standing WWE Title match. Before he signs, Styles tells Nakamura that he knows why Nakamura has been playing games. It’s because Nakamura knows he can’t win. Styles will leave Money in the Bank still the champ.
Styles signs, but Nakamura says his pen is out of ink. He borrows Styles’ pen, but says it’s broken. Fed up, Styles slaps Nakamura. Styles is escorted away from the table, and Nakamura finally signs the contract.
Match 4
Charlotte Flair vs Becky Lynch
(referee: Charles Robinson)
Result: Becky Lynch wins via submission with Disarm Her
Time: 8:27
Match Thoughts
Good match. I think this was a big match for Lynch. I hope she can turn this into some good momentum.
Backstage
Dasha Fuentes welcomes Samoa Joe. Joe wants people to see him as a man who keeps his promises. Last week he promised he’d beat Daniel Bryan, and he did. What you see is what you get with Joe, and pretty soon everyone is going to get it.
Ring Area
Renee Young welcomes Big Cass to the stage. She asks Cass what he’s doing to win this time. Cass reminds everyone that he’s tall. He also tells a story about how he’s been jealous of Daniel Bryan for a long time.
Backstage
Dasha Fuentes welcomes Sin Cara. As Sin Cara talks about Almas, Zelina Vega walks up. Vega tells Sin Cara that she is the best thing that has ever happened to Almas. Sin Cara made Almas weak when they were friends. Almas then attacks Sin Cara from behind.
Match 5
New Day vs Samoa Joe & Rusev & The Miz
(referee: Mike Chioda)
Result: Big E pins The Miz after Midnight Hour
Time: 9:16 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. It’s a lot of fun seeing New Day all in the same match, and they looked really good in this. Their opponents got some offense and looked good too, but this was New Day’s match. This was a fun main event.
Show Impressions
Other than the Big Cass segment, this was a good show. Very entertaining throughout.
Match of the Night
Charlotte vs Becky Lynch
The main event was fun, but this match felt more important. It was also quite good.
Official Results: https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2018-06-05