Smackdown Live Review 05/14/2019

Tonight is the Go-Home Editon of SmackDown Live before this Sunday’s Money In The Bank PPV! Set for tonight is a huge Fatal Four Way between Randy Orton, Andrade, Ali, and Balor. Which one of the four will gain momentum heading into the MITB Match this Sunday? Plus, can Asuka and Kairi Sane continue to make a name for themselves as they take on Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville. Also, after coming to Raw last night what will spill over as Roman Reigns continues to hunt down Elias. Finally, what will happen as Kevin Owens welcomes Kofi Kingston to the Kevin Owens Show? Will, they stick to talking or will this get physical?

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SmackDown Live comes to us from the O2 Arena in London, England.

SmackDown Live kicks off with us being welcomed by Byron Saxton, Tom Phillips, and Corey Graves

In Ring Segment: Roman Reigns
Reigns says he has some unfinished business from last night and he isn’t gonna wait until MITB. he tells how Elias is a huge problem and how they’re gonna solve it. He says here is one of the solutions The Miz. The Miz says it feels good to be back in London and back on blue. Miz says in 5 days Shane can’t run or hide. He says when Sahne put his hands on his father it was unforgivable and unforgettable. He says last night he dodged him but this Sunday he will be locked inside a Steel Cage. Here comes Shane McMahon and Elias. Shane says just because Reigns invited Miz it doesn’t make him the wild card. He says Miz disgusts him and he is gonna invoke his privilege and ban him from the ring and building tonight. Elias tells Reigns to make all the jokes he can because underestimating him will be the biggest mistake of his career. He tells that at MITB he will show why the McMahon’s call him the biggest acquisition in SmackDown Live History. He tells Reigns he will find out that WWE does, in fact, stand for Walk With Elias. Shane tells them if they aren’t gonna leave the ring they are gonna make them. He then says there are a few people who also hate Miz’s guts. Out comes Daniel Bryan and Rowen. The four walk down and surround the ring. They get on the apron and then start the attack on Reigns and Miz. After the numbers game takes advantage The Usos come out to even the odds. They fly through the ropes but then are laid out by Rowen. The Usos are then teamed up on but Reigns helps out. The four clear the ring and Sahne, Elias, Bryan, and Rowen retreat.
My Opinion:
This started the show off hot even though it was reminiscent of Monday but it’s good they are making these rivalries feel important too. I think the titles matches and MITB matches speak for themselves so to hype up these matches is a good idea. I like back and forth between all these guys and it’s making storylines important again instead of wrestlers being lost in the fold when they aren’t in the title picture. Also, I think it’s awesome Shane is constantly out there. He is doing really well with his role and I enjoy it a lot

Backstage Segment:
Elias and Brayn complain to Shane. Shane says he is a hands-on owner and the four of them will take on Roman Reigns and The Usos. he tells if Miz comes anywhere near the match their cage match will be off for Sunday.

Match 1: Finn Balor vs Andrade vs Randy Orton vs Ali
*** Before the match Orton proclaims that this Sunday he will climb the ladder and become Mr. MITB for the second time and then the three most dangerous letters to the WWE Champion will be RKO. Andrade then comes out and Vega makes the claim that in fact, Andrade will be the one to win. Before the commercial break, the match gets underway. As SmackDown returns, Orton is in control working on the limbs of Ali. He gets Balor in the ropes but Ali comes from behind and tries a quick cover but can’t get the three. Orton stays in control and hits a powerslam on Ali. Orton grabs Ali and hits him with an uppercut. Orton throws him off the ropes but Ali is able to turn it into a dropkick. Orton tries an RKO but instead is planted by Ali. Ali goes for the cover and Andrade comes in to break it up. Andrade works Ali and gets him in the corner but Ali escapes. Ali can’t get any real offense and Andrade turns him inside out. Andrade turns to Balor but Balor is able to fight back. Balor controls to control the match and hit an elbow to the throat of Orton. He is able to fight off Andrade and Balor goes to the top. Andrade though knocks him off. Andrade then hits double knees in the corner. Andrade goes for the cover but Balor kicks out. Andrade then goes to the outside and pulls out to ladders and places one in the ring. He hits Balor and then Orton. Ali though is able to hit him with a superkick. Ali then flies over the ropes but Andrade crushes him with the ladder as SmackDown goes to break. As SmackDown returns, Andrade throws Balor int he ladder in the corner. Andrade then tries double knees but Balor pops up and hits a sling blade. Andrade is hen thrown into the ladder. Ali comes out of nowhere and plants Balor face first on the mat. Ali comes off the ropes and rolls and is hit with an RKO. Andrade is in control of Balor in the ring and Balor tries a quick cover but Andrade kicks out. Balor then flies to the outside and takes out Orton and Ali. Andrade then sends Balor into the steps. He brings him int he ring and hits the hammerlock DDT. Andrade gets the 1 2 3 on the cover.
*** After the match Andrade starts to climb the ladder. Ricochet then comes out and jumps from the ropes to the ladder. Andrade and Ricochet then battle before Ricochet throws him off and grabs the briefcase holding it up high and taking it with him.
Winner: Andrade
My Opinion:
These four had a heck of a match and I loved! It was really cool seeing the high flying styles but then having that ground attack of Orton. It shows what we can expect this Sunday and I loved them getting ladders involved to hype people up. After the match that was a really cool moment. Ricochet is someone the WWE Universe loves and having him come out of nowhere and do that was super awesome. I think it shows how quickly things can happen in that kind of and it got me ready for MITB!

Backstage Segment:
Carmella says in the MITB match the odds are in her favor because she has already won twice. She says this Sunday she is gonna threepeat and show everyone why Mella Is Money.

Backstage Segment:
Woods tells Kofi he is gonna go out there tonight with him. Kofi says he knows he isn’t one hundred percent and tells him he is gonna go out there and handle business. Xavier agrees and says he is gonna handle business. Kofi says this isn’t the KO Show it’s the Kofi Show.

In-Ring Segment: Charlotte Flair
Charlotte says this Sunday will be a culmination of her’s and Lynch’s rivalry. She says their story rivalry will end with her victorious as the SmackDown Women’s Champion. A video package is then shown of the rivalry between Lynch and Flair.
My Opinion:
This was a good in-depth look at this storied rivalry between these two. They have gone at it so much that hopefully, Sunday will be the last time for a while. It’d be good to get them away from each other and allow the other to do their own thing but to do that Lynch will probably have to lose. It’s something to come back to in the future because it is so special but I hope they put on a great match and close this chapter.

Backstage Segment:
Lacey Evans says she guest people are too busy watching reruns of the Beck Charlotte show and are forgetting Becky has two title matches. She tells how Becky will lose the match against and her and after she teaches Becky Two Belts about the Women’s Right she will have a new nickname Becky Blackout. She tells she will have a new nickname too, Raw Women’s Champion.

*** We get another cryptic promo from Aleister Black

Match 2: Shane McMahon & Daniel Bryan & Rowen & Elias vs Roman Reigns & The Usos
Bryan starts off against Jimmy. The two lock up and Bryan wrestles him to the mat. They get back to a verticle base and Jimmy works his arm. Bryan fights it off and counters into a headlock. Jimmy comes off the ropes and Bryan knocks him to the mat. Bryan then gets his armed worked and hit with a big chop before being thrown in the corner. Jey comes in and hits Bryan but Bryan is able to fight him off and wrestle him to the corner to tag Elias. Elias tries to take it to Jey but he gets stopped with a kick. Jey looks for a splash but Elias moves and lays him out after he lands. Shane comes in and works the leg of Jey. After continuing the assault Elias comes in and does the same working the leg of Jey. Elias hits him with a chop in the corner and Bryan comes in. Bryan continues working on his leg and hits him with a kick to it. Bryan tries a cover but Jey’s feet are under the ropes. Bryan meets him up top but Jey sends him to the mat. Elias gets involved and it allows Bryan to send him into the barricade as SmackDown goes to break. As SmackDown returns, Rowen throws Jey into the corner and hits him with a splash. He then steps on him and goes to work with huge knee strikes. Rowen hits a splash and goes for the cover but Jey kicks out. Elias comes in and hits him with a kick. He then slams Jey and follows with a knee. Elias goes for the cover but can’t get the three. He tries again but still can’t get it. Elias brings him to the corner and tags, Shane, back in. Sahne taunts him and hits him with a right. Shane hits him with another right. Jey is able to land a kick and looks for a tag. Reigns gets the tag and takes out Bryan with a series of clotheslines. He then hits Bryan with more blows in the corner. Bryan is able to counter reigns and get his team back in control. Elias comes in and hits a huge knee on Reigns. Rowen comes in and slams Reigns. Rowne tries a cover but can’t get the three. Rowen then goes to squeezing on the head of Reigns with his fists. Reigns gets out and tries to take down Rowen but he is driven to the mat as SmackDown goes to break. As SmackDown returns, Elias takes it to Reigns with a kick. He then plants him and taunts the crowd. Elias tries a right hand but Reigns reverse with a shot of his own. Elias hits him with blows to the back and knocks him down. Reigns comes out of nowhere with a Samoan Drop. Jimmy gets the tag and so does Bryan. Jimmy takes it to him and Bryan has to avoid a superkick. Jimmy hits a superkick on everyone and he and Jey hit a double one on Rowen. Jimmy then hits one on Bryan but the pin is broken up by Shane. Jey is taken down by Brayn at the knee and Bryan goes for the cover but Reigns breaks it up. Rowen then sends him to the outside. Rowen comes out and Reigns hits him with a Superman Punch. Elias then sends Reigns into the steps. In the ring, Sahne hits Coast to Coast on Jey and gets the 1 2 3 on the cover. *** After the match Miz comes out and evens the odds with a chair. Shane runs away and leaves his partners to get taken out.
Winners: Shane McMahon & Daniel Bryan & Rowen & Elias
My Opinion:
This was a pretty good match with a lot of mixtures of styles. I really enjoy Shane in the ring and I think he brings a different style in there. This was good for the heels to go over kind of beating down the good guys and letting them get ready for their big fight on Sunday. Miz coming out defintley helps continue to plant the seeds that Shane is scared. It’ll be interesting to see what tricks Sahne will have up his sleeves because it seems right now he wants nothing to do with Miz.

*** Firefly Fun House vignette

Backstage Segment:
Ember Moon says this Sunday she will risk it all to win it all because it is her responsibility to manifest her own destiny. She tells that every time she closes her eyes she sees herself becoming Ms. Money In The Bank.

Backstage Segment:
Bayley tells that the MITB match is the chance for her to step out of the shadows and show what she is capable of. She proclaims that this Sunday she will be the winner.

Match 3: Kairi Sane & Asuka w/ Paige vs Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville
*** Before the match Paige announces that Asuka and Kairi Sane will now be called the Kabuki Warriors. She says you are looking at the future of the entire Women’s tag division. Rose comes out and tells Paige to calm down she just named a tag team, not the royal baby. Rose tells after this Sunday she will be called Ms. MITB. She tells that her Deville will then go for the tag titles. They tell the real team that runs the division is Fire and Desire. Deville starts the match with Asuka and gets around on her. She wrestles her to the mat and gets a standing headlock. Asuka fights her off and tags Sane. Her and Sane double team Deville and she has to go to the outside. Sane flies outside and takes Rose and Deville out. Deville tries to get back in the ring but Asuke sends her to the floor as SmackDown goes to break. As SmackDown returns, Sane hits Rose with chops. Rose sends her off the ropes and is hit with a crossbody. Sane tries a cove but Rose kicks out. Sane throws her to the mat and then tries to hit her in the corner but Deville pulls her out. Rose then hits Kiss the Rose but it isn’t enough to put Sane away. Deville comes in and takes it to Sane. Deville hits a running knee and tries a cover but still can’t keep Sane down. She throws Sane in the corner and Rose comes in to hit her with big kicks. Rose hits a backbreaker and stretches her. Rose throws Sane in the corner but sane is able to fight away and finally make a tag. Asuka comes in and hits a dropkick. Asuka lands a huge kick and follows with a release German. Asuka lands another kick and then tries the Asuka Lock but Deville breaks it up and hits a huge knee. Deville comes in but Asuka stops her and hits with a series of strikes. Deville hits her in the throat and hits a spine buster. Rose comes in and Asuka is able to roll her up and get the 1 2 3.
Winners: Asuka & Kairi Sane
My Opinion:
This was a big win for Sane and Asuka as they continue to work up the ranks. They have all the tools to be the next tag champs and I hope those titles are out to use soon. I think with Asuka and Sane they can bring life to the titles and definitely put on great matches with anyone. I hope they get a shot soon as they seem like the most complete team.

Backstage Segment:
Kayla asks Lars Sullivan if he could comment on the destruction. Lars just stares and Kayla thanks him and walks away.

Backstage Segment:
Owens says we are just moments away from a special edition of the Kevin Owens Show with his guest Kofi Kingston. Owens says he isn’t facing The New Day at MITB, he’s only facing Kofi and it’s time to answer if Kofi can stand on his own. He says he knows the answer and Sunday the WWE Universe will know the answer too. He goes over the ways he could hurt Kofi but Kofi’s music hits in the background and Kofi is shown going to the ring.

In Ring Segment: The Kevin Owens Show w/ Kofi Kingston
Kofi says he has received an invitation to the KO Show and here he is. He tells Owens that at MITB he is gonna get his shot at the title but what about tonight. He says he is here as a guset on the KO Show and it would be fitting is Owens came out to be a host. He then introduces Owens but Owens doesn’t come out. Kofi says okay we might rename it to the Kofi show. He asks Owens if he is sacred or shook. He says no Owens talked all that trash. He says he is out here to give Owens a shot to do what he said he would. Owens comes on the titantron and tells Kofi he guesses his little buddies couldn’t make it. He tells Kofi it is lonely at the top and it came at the worst time possible. Owens asks Kofi if he ever asked what happens when the dream ends. He tells Kofi he is only champion because of the New Day and this Sunday he is gonna take the title. He says he is facing the most dangerous man WWE history and here is proof. A highlight video is then shown of Owens. Kofi says that didn’t prove anything and he is tired of hearing Owens talk. Kofi then clears the ring and says if you won’t come out here. Owens cuts him off and comes out to the ring. Owens comes out plays mind games with Kofi. Kofi runs after him and the two battle in the aisle way. Sami Zayn comes out of nowhere and attacks Kofi. The two then double team him.  Xavier Woods then comes out to even the odds. Owens sends Woods into the post and takes him down. Kofi continues to try to fight the numbers game. Owens and Zayn beat him down and Owens sends him into the steps. Owens brings him in the ring and hits him with rights. He then yells at Kofi in the corner and tells him he could end it right now but he is gonna leave just enough for him to make it to Sunday and he is taking the title. Owens tries a cannonball but Kofi moves. Zayn then jumps Kofi and hits him with rights. Kofi is able to move and hit him with Trouble in Paradise. Kofi then stands tall in the ring.
My Opinion:
This was an awesome way to end the show. First, Owens is amazing as a heel. I love what he is doing and I think he plays the perfect rival for Kofi. These two create magic together and they are doing so well in hyping this match! I can’t wait to see it and it’ll be very intense. Both men seem to be at a standoff right now so Sunday is gonna be a showdown it’ll be a treat for sure, classic heel versus baby face!

Final Thoughts:
I really liked SmackDown tonight. They did so well in hyping up MITB and it got me super excited. I loved the Fatal Four Way, I think they killed it and it was so cool for Ricochet to come out and send Andrade off the ladder and grab the briefcase. They also did really well in hyping Reigns and Elias and Miz and Sane. It continues that back and forth and no one has a clear advantage. Plus this Sunday we get Bryana and Rowen taking on The Usos which will be aweosme! I think they could have done better in hyping the women’s MITB but they did that well on Monday so it wasn’t as needed tonight. Finally, to close the show Owens and Kofi killed it! They are really having the perfect rivalry and they are having that true heel and face type of rivalry. I love seeing it and it makes you excited. Neither one is better than the other and they are just ready to fight. I can’t wait for this Sunday, come big questions will be answered!
Overall Rating: 6.5/10