WWE SmackDown Live
Episode 1030
#SDLive
Original Air Date: May 14, 2019
Event Date: May 14, 2019
(aired live)
City: London, England, UK
Venue: The 02 Arena
Commentary: Tom Phillips, Corey Graves, Byron Saxton
Ring Announcer: Greg Hamilton
Ring Area
Roman Reigns heads to the ring. Reigns says he has a problem with Shane McMahon, so he welcomes the solution to the ring: The Miz.
Miz joins Reigns in the ring. Miz again talks about Shane putting his hands on his father. As Miz speaks, Shane McMahon interrupts. Shane comes out to the stage with Elias.
Shane says Reigns can’t invite people to SmackDown as part of the wild card rule, so Shane bans Miz from the building. Elias tells Reigns that he will find out what WWE stands for on Sunday. Miz and Reigns continue to stand in the ring, so Shane decides he and Elias should make them leave. Shane also brings out someone else who hates Miz: Daniel Bryan.
Bryan, Rowan, Shane, and Elias all head to the ring together. Miz and Reigns are surrounded. A brawl erupts. Reigns and Miz are overwhelmed, but The Usos run out to try to even the odds. They fail. The Usos start to get beaten up, but that gives Miz and Reigns time to recover. Miz, Reigns, and the Usos clear the ring and watch as their opponents back away up the ramp.
Backstage
Elias and Daniel Bryan complain to Shane. Shane decides that the three of them plus Rowan will take on Reigns and the Usos in a handicap match tonight. I Miz decides to get involved, then their cage match on Sunday is off.
Ring Area
In the ring, Randy Orton says he is going to become Mr. Money in the Bank for a second time.
Andrade comes out with Zelina Vega. Zelina says everyone is concerned about spoilers these days, but Andrade and Zelina don’t care about spoilers. They’re going to ruin Money in the Bank for everyone right now by revealing Andrade’s endgame. Spoiler: Andrade says he’ll win.
Match 1
Fatal Four Way Match
Randy Orton vs Andrade w/ Zelina Vega vs Ali vs Finn Balor (IC Champ)
(referee: Charles Robinson)
Result: Andrade pins Finn Balor after a hammerlock DDT
Time: 9:36 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Very good match. Everyone looked good tonight. This was hard-hitting and pretty exciting. I liked that they seemed to go all out just days before the ladder match. Ali took a scary fall to the outside, but he looked to be okay. Andrade also stood out in this match.
Ring Area
After the match, the winner climbs a ladder set up in the middle of the ring. Before he can take the briefcase hanging above the ring, Ricochet runs down to the ring, jumps off the ropes onto the ladders, and takes the briefcase first. Ricochet leaves with the briefcase in his hands.
Selfie Promo
Carmella reminds everyone that she’s already won two Money in the Bank matches. She says it’s time for a three-peat.
Backstage
Kofi Kingston asks Xavier Woods to stay in the back tonight since he’s still not 100%. Woods understands and agrees.
Ring Area
Charlotte Flair heads to the ring. Charlotte says her storied rivalry with Becky Lynch will end with Charlotte as champ.
Video
A look at the rivalry between Charlotte and Becky Lynch.
Backstage
Lacey Evans reminds everyone that she is also facing Becky Lynch for a title on Sunday.
Backstage
Aleister Black says that if opponents try to get in his head, then they will not like the places they have to go to.
Match 2
Four on Three Handicap Match
Shane McMahon & Elias & Rowan (SD Tag Champ) & Daniel Bryan (SD Tag Champ) vs The Usos & Roman Reigns
(referee: Mike Chioda; stipulation: If The Miz gets involved, then his cage match with Shane McMahon will be canceled.)
Result: Shane McMahon pins Jimmy Uso after Coast to Coast
Time: 14:47 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
For a handicap match, this was pretty good. The Usos really made things interesting late in the match with a big burst of offense. Other than that, I liked the match fine, but I wasn’t super invested at any time.
Ring Area
Immediately after the match, Miz runs to the ring with a chair, but Shane escapes.
Video
As previously seen on RAW, Bray Wyatt reveals a secret on the latest episode of the Firefly Fun House.
Selfie Promo
Ember Moon says it’s her responsibility to manifest her own greatness, and she’ll do so in the Money in the Bank ladder match.
Selfie Promo
Bayley will show the world that she’s not just a hugger or a weak link. She will show that she’s a winner.
Ring Area
In the ring, Paige introduces Kairi Sane and Asuka as the Kabuki Warriors. She says they are the future of the women’s division.
Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville come out and head to the ring. They aren’t impressed by Kairi and Asuka’s new name. They also say the future of the women’s division is Fire and Desire.
Match 3
Kairi Sane & Asuka w/ Paige vs Sonya Deville & Mandy Rose
(referee: Jason Ayers; guest commentary: The IIconics)
Result: Asuka pins Mandy Rose with a crucifix pin
Time: 4:55 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
This was fun. Kairi and Asuka looked good as usual. Rose and Deville didn’t seem to be on the same page part of the time, and that helped Kairi and Asuka have their way in the ring.
Backstage
Kayla Braxton welcomes Lars Sullivan. Sort of. She tries to ask Sullivan a question, but she’s too nervous and just walks away. Lars stares at her.
Backstage
Kevin Owens is excited about having Kofi Kingston on the KO Show tonight. But what about the rest of New Day? Well, only Kofi is champ. Owens asks if Kofi can stand on his own, but he says he already knows the answer. As he speaks, New Day’s music begins to play. Owens isn’t happy about that.
Ring Area
Kofi Kingston heads to the ring. Kofi says that Owens will get his chance at the title on Sunday but what about tonight? Tonight, Kofi is supposed to be Kevin’s guest on the KO Show, but where’s the host? Kofi introduces Owens, but Owens doesn’t come out. Is he scared? No, that can’t be it.
As Kofi speaks, Owens appears on the tron. Backstage, Owens asks Kofi if he ever wondered what happens when the dream ends. The reality of the situation is that Kofi’s Dream will end on Sunday.
Kofi is tired of listening to Owens. Kofi wants Owens to come to the ring. He does, and a brawl ensues. As they fight, Sami Zayn arrives and helps Owens beat up Kofi. Xavier Woods runs down to the ring, but he is taken down quickly. In the ring, Kofi is double teamed. Kofi eventually manages to fight back and hits Zayn with Trouble in Paradise. Owens leaves the ring as Kofi checks on Woods.
Show Impressions
I liked this show. The matches were unusually long which I enjoyed, and the quality of those matches was nice.
I did find it funny that Tom Phillips said Sami Zayn was the final wild card for the night despite the fact that there were six RAW superstars on tonight’s show. But I guess Miz doesn’t count for whatever reason, and tag teams only count as one person. Or maybe Lacey didn’t count since she didn’t actually go to the ring. I don’t know. It’s dumb and it makes zero sense because. They haven’t given us enough information to make it interesting. It’s just an excuse to do whatever they want (and have Roman Reigns on every show).
Match of the Night
Randy Orton vs Andrade vs Ali vs Finn Balor
This was super fun and a great preview for Money in the Bank.
Official Results: https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2019-05-14