WWE Smackdown May 21 2019: Hits and Misses from SmackDown Live. Here’s a look at all the segments from tonight’s show that we either liked a lot or didn’t like at all.
Big E returns (Hit)
WWE Smackdown May 21 2019 opened with New Day members Kofi and Xavier introducing their returning brethren; Big E. Kofi’s match against Zayn and Big E’s return were already announced on the WWE.com. The WWE’s opponent for the night came out and berated the trio for their childishness. He spoke of them exhibiting the same toxic culture as the WWE fans and warned Kofi of the beating he intended to give him; A beating that would render the champion unable to walk.
Also Read: Big E returns to WWE
An unfazed Kofi told him not to get fooled by the pancakes; when it’s time to throw down – he’ll throw down. He told him that not only would he beat Sami but he would leave the arena on his own feet. Sami then decided to retreat. It was a fun segment and it’s good to see Big E back. However, it looks like he’s still not cleared to wrestle as he had a knee brace on.
Andrade Vs Ali (Hit)
This felt like a pay-per-view worthy match. The record books will say that Ali won the match but in reality, they both came out winners. A perfect exhibition of skill and talent. Ali sold his injuries from Sunday like a champ. Andrade stayed on top for most of the match and even had had Ali counted out. Twice in fact. But Ali rallied through the pain and refused to give up. Ali won the match via a roll up. Another screwy finish but when you put on a show like these two, these clichés can be overlooked. Hopefully this means that Ali will now be added in the intercontinental match originally scheduled between Andrade and Balor.
Carmella Vs Mandy Rose (Miss)
If your name isn’t Becky or Charlotte, the WWE has no idea what with you. Carmella and Mandy Rose are both decent wrestlers severely hindered by their booking. They were having a fine match that was thrown away for a comedy angle. R-Truth, the current 24/7 champion was out at Carmella’s corner. He was chased away by wrestlers hurriedly scrambling for an opportunity to pin him. Truth hightailed out of the arena carrying Carmella on his back. Anything Truth does is hilarious but your comedy shouldn’t come at the cost of a match. More so if the match features wrestlers from an already horribly overlooked division. Also, why was this match called off as a no contest? Shouldn’t Mandy win via count out?
Kofi vs Zayn (Hit)
Before this match could even start, Kofi found out that Big E was attacked. A distracted Kofi walked out to face Zayn. They had a decent but short match. Kofi reversed the Blue thunder powerbomb into a Trouble in paradise. This segment was never about this match though. It was about what happened next.
Also Read: Dolph Ziggler returns to brutalize Kofi Kingston
Paul Heyman walked out after the match and teased a Lesnar Cash-in. Instead of Brock however, Ziggler made his WWE return and thrashed Kofi. He viciously brutalized the champion by placing a chair over his head and slamming him on the announcer’s table. He then kicked his head several times. The medical team arrived and carried the champion out. Kofi however got up and limped out on his own feet like he had promised earlier in the night. This was the perfect return, a surprise that no one predicted. Kofi getting up to walk on his own makes him look tough as well.
Becky and Bailey Vs Charlotte and Lacey (Miss)
This was a quick match that mostly served as Fan service. One would have thought now that Raw and SmackDown have different champions, they would hold it down on their own brands. The only good thing that came out of this match was Bailey pinning Charlotte. However, that is also a little worrying as it could also mean that Bailey may soon drop the title back to the Queen. Hopefully Bailey gets a long run though.
Ziggler explains his actions! (Super Hit)
Ziggler sold the hell out of this promo. Every word that dropped made the listeners despise and sympathise with him at the same time. He openly admitted that he was jealous of Kofi. He spoke of Kofi’s journey to the top of the mountain and confessed his envy. It should’ve been me “he said while on the verge of tears. Ziggler spoke about how he had a similar journey in the WWE and was yet to receive the same opportunity. The best promos are the ones that blur the lines between reality and script and this was one such example. He then issued a challenge to the WWE Champion at the Super Showdown.
Roman Reigns Vs Elias (Miss)
They could have inserted this match anywhere in the program or even remove it altogether and it wouldn’t have mattered. The Ziggler promo should have been the Main event. I like Roman, Elias, Drew and even Shane but this feud should not be the focal point of the company and it most certainly doesn’t need to feature on both of their brands.
Conclusion
The WWE have really pulled their socks up this week with Raw and SmackDown. Both the shows were brilliant and has me waiting for next week. Raw was slightly better than SmackDown this week. Some segments were completely skippable but the good segments were must see television. Seeing all the New Day together was heartwarming. Hearing Ziggler speak on the mic was heart wrenching. Andrade and Ali were thrilling. Hopefully WWE will keep the momentum going.
Here are the Results of WWE SmackDown May 21 2019:
- Ali beats Andrade
- Mandy Rose and Carmella fight to a No-Contest
- Kofi Kingston defeats Sami Zayn
- Becky Lynch and Bayley beat Charlotte Flair and Lacey Evans
- Roman Reigns defeats Elias
See you next week with another SmackDown: Hits and Misses.
