5/16 WWE SmackDown Live Results – Welcome to WrestlingAttitude’s live coverage of WWE SmackDown on May 16, live from the First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina.
We are live from the First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina, as Bloodline’s Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu and Jeff Cobb make their way to the ring.
Solo introduces the man who helped keep the US title in this family, J.C. (Jeff Cobb).
Solo says when Roman ruined things at Wrestlemania, he ruined it for his family. They lost everyting and now he is here to take it back. It starts with him winning the qualifying match for Money in the Bank and then winning the match and getting the title back. If anyone tries to step in front of him, they will get taken care of by J.C. and Jacob Fatu. Solo says they better get in where they fit in…
Jacob takes the mic from Solo and he says let’s keep it 100. He says don’t get this twisted. He says he was bringing the US title to the family and he told you he would do it with you or without you. If anyone gets in his way, line them up because he will take care of them by himself. He is says he is all gas and no brakes.
Solo says he knows what Fatu means. We all know what you mean. He tells Jacob not to worry. He is doing this because he loves Jacob. He says that title is proof of him telling Jacob that he loves him. There is something he needs to hear from Jacob. He asks Jacob if he remembers what Jacob used to say all the time. He asks Jacob what did he used to say.
Jacob says he used to say ‘I Love You, Solo’.
Solo says that ain’t how you used to say it. We know how you used to say it. You said it loud and proud. Solo pushes Jacob and he asks him who does he love.
Jacob looks at Solo but LA Knight interrupts. Knight pulls J.C. from the ring and sends him into the ringside barrier and then he goes through the crowd.
Backstage:
B-Fab tells Michin she needs to win that qualifying match because the briefcase will look good with the tag titles. Chelsea, Alba, and Piper show up and Green says if anyone is going to win, it will be here. She says she will lower interest rates for her girls. Alexa Bliss shows up and she tells them she will see them out there and she walks away. B-Fab says no one is allowed to be at ringside for the match. Chelsea says she is going to put a tariff on mediocrity.
We go to commercial.
Women’s Money in the Bank – Qualifier Match: Chelsea Green vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Michin
Michin with a thrust kick to Green and she falls to the floor. Alexa and Michin high five and then they lock up. Michin with a side head lock and take down. Alexa with a reversal. Alexa with an octopus and Michin misses a clothesline but Green trips over Michin. Alexa takes care of Green. Michin with a back slide on Alexa. Alexa with a rollup on MIchin. Green has words for Alexa and Michin and they hit a double drop kick. They hit a double drop kick through the ropes. Michin sends Green back into the ring and Alexa pulls Michin off the apron. Michin returns the favor. Green with a suicide dive onto Alexa and Michin.
Green sends Alexa into the ringside barrier. Green does the same to Michin. Green gets a near fall on Alexa. Green sends Alexa into the turnbuckles. Green with an Irish whip that sends Alexa face first into the turnbuckles. Green with a curb stomp into the turnbuckles fo a near fall. Alexa is sent to the floor. Green sends Bliss into the ringside barrier and then back into the ring. Green with forearms to the back and then she kicks Michin off the apron. Alexa with a rollup on Green for a near fall. Green with a knee and she sends Alexa face first to the mat. Michin with a waist lock and German suplex and a second one. Michin goes for a third one but Green blocks it. Michin with a sit out power bomb for a near fall. Michin with punches and kicks. Michin sends Alexa to the mat and she hits a Pele Kick on Green. Michin with a cannonball to both women in the corner and Michin gets a near fall on Alexa.
Michin gets a near fall on Green. Green blocks Eat Defeat and Michin misses a kick. Michin kicks Alexa and then Green and Michin kick each other at the same time and they go down. Alexa and Green exchange forearms. Alexa with slaps and a drop kick. Alexa runs into a drop kick from Michin. Michin escapes UnprettiHER and hits Eat Defeat on Green but Alexa makes the save. Alexa with a tornado DDT on Michin. Alexa goes up top for Twisted Bliss and she hits it but Green breaks up the cover and sends Alexa to the floor. Green hits UnprettiHER but Bliss pulls Michin out of the ring. Green misses a chop and Alexa hits Sister Abigail for the three count.
Winner: Alexa Bliss
– We take a look back at last week’s match against the Street Profits.
We go to commercial.
Fraxiom (Axiom & Nathan Frazer) vs. #DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa)
Axiom and Ciampa start things off and they lock up. Ciampa with a wrist lock into an arm bar. Axiom with a drop kick and Frazer tags in. Axiom with an octopus and Frazer with a flying boot to send Ciampa to the floor. Johnny is sent to the floor and Frazer with a suicide dive to Ciampa and Axiom to Gragano. Ciampa is sent over the ringside barrier into the crowd on a second one. Johnny is sent into the ringside barrier on Axiom’s second. Axiom goes up top and leaps over Ciampa. Johnny pulls the ropes to trip Axiom on a springboard move. Ciampa with a knee to Axiom and then Gargano tags in and clotheslines Axiom. Gargano sends Axiom into the ringside barrier and then they pat themselves on the back.
Axiom is sent back into the ring and then Axiom chops Gargano a few times. Gargano slams Axiom into the ropes and he poses in the ropes. Ciampa kicks Axiom in the ribs and he chops Axiom. Ciampa with boots to Axiom. Gargano tags in and Ciampa with a splash and Gargano with knees. Ciampa with a hip in the corner. Gargano punches Axiom. Gargano sends Axiom into the turnbuckles and Ciampa tags in and chokes Axiom. Ciampa keeps Axiom from making the tag. CIampa gets a near fall. Gargano tags in and Ciampa sends Axiom into Gargano’s boots. Gargano pushes Frazer on the apron and that draws the referee’s attention and Gargano and Ciampa double team Axiom in the corner. Ciampa with a reverse chin lock. Axiom avoids being sent into Gargano’s boot and he punches Gargano but Ciampa with a kick.
Axiom with chops and Ciampa with a knee to stop the tag. Axiom hits Gargano on the apron and Axiom floats over and tag sin Frazer. Frazer with a chop off the turnbuckles to Gargano and he takes care of Ciampa. Frazer with sling blade and a springboard moonsault into a reverse DDT. Frazer with a shooting star press for a near fall. Frazer goes up top and he misses a Phoenix Splash but he rolls through when he lands on his feet. Gargano with a punch and Frazer with a kick. Gargano with a super kick when Frazer goes for a springboard moonsault. Gargano wtih a super kick and Ciampa with Fairy Tale Ending for a near fall. Gargano with a suicide dive onto Axiom and Ciampa with Project Ciampa for a near fall. Ciampa pulls down the knee pad but he misses and hits the turnbuckles. Gargano knocks Axiom off the apron and Gargano kicks Frazer and goes to the turnbuckles.
Frazer with a kick to Gargano on the turnbuckles and Frazer goes up top for a superplex. Gargano pushes Frazer off and Frazer lands on his feet. Frazer kicks Ciampa. Frazer with a superplex and then they hit Chasing the Dragon for a near fall. Gargano with a forearm and Axiom fires back. They continue the exchange. Gargano with many forearms and Axiom with a waist lock. Gargano holds on to the ropes to stop an O’Connor Roll. Gargano with a super kick and rollup for a near fall. Axiom stretches Gargano and Ciampa goes for the mask. Frazer with a super kick. Gargano with a super kick to Frazer. Gargano goes for a rollup but Axiom counters with a rollup for the three count.
Winners: Axiom and Frazer
After the match, Gargano and Ciampa go after Axiom and Frazer. Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin come to the ring and they attack Ciampa. Shelley chases Gargano out of the ring and Sabin kicks Gargano.
Backstage:
Andrade and Rey Fenix are in the back. Fenix says they did a great job last week. Andrade says they might see each other in Money in the Bank. Fenix says he is ready for the next level and that is Money in the Bank. Solo Sikoa and friends are looking for LA Knight and then they walk away.
– Nia Jax is in the back.
We go to commercial.
Backstage:
Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins see Nathan Frazer and Axiom in the back and applaud their performance. Montez says what you are doing is special and he says that they have talked to Nick Aldis and they are going to get a title match. Montez says the match is next week on Smackdown. Axiom thanks them for the opportunity. Angelo says they will be 100 percent next week and he hopes they are too. Axiom tries to slow Frazer down.
We go to Wade Barrett’s interview with R Truth
Wade asks Truth about the press conference.
Truth says life is tough and the constant pressure of friends, family, bills. Regardless of what is going on in your world, you can depend on John Cena. John says never give up. Truth says you didn’t know when it will come but he says your time is now. Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect are not just words, they are a beacon of light. John did it and so can you.
Wade says Truth is crazy. He points out that Truth saved Cena and then Cena attacked him.
Truth says Cena won that match on his own. The man at the press conference was not John Cena. The John he knows wouldn’t talk about ruining wrestling. Put his friend through a table? He doesn’t want to fight John, but if he has to knock him back into his senses, he will do it. Truth says it will be happening at Saturday Night’s Main Event. John is the greatest of all time, but his hero told him never give up.
Truth says he will hold his head up high because he lives by three words, hustle, loyalty, and respect. Wade wishes Truth luck next week.
Back to commercial.
We Hear from Damian Priest
We are back and Damian Priest tells Drew McIntyre it feels like they are in a cycle. You get involved in my business, I get involved in yours. We sabotage each other until we destroy everything. He says he is banged up and frustrated. He is pissed off at himself for being stuck in this vortex of Drew’s petty, vindictive bulls***. It happens at Saturday Night’s Main Event but it cannot be a regular match. He wants to bash him so much they will need dental records to identify you. It happens in a steel cage. The cycle ends here.
Aleister Black vs. Carmelo Hayes
Before the match and on his way to the ring, Hayes tells Black saying his name makes him sick. You had the chance to kick off his head but you failed. It ain’t over until he wins.
They lock up and Black with a wrist lock and Hayes goes for the leg and applies a side head lock. Hayes backs Black into the corner and Black with a break but Hayes pushes him. Black with an arm drag into an arm bar. Black with a shoulder tackle. Hayes with a leg sweep and cover. They both get back to their feet. Hayes stops short of walking into Black Mass. Black sits down in the cente rof the ring and he blocks a thrust kick. Hayes with an elbow and Black kicks Hayes when Hayes goes for a springboard move. Hayes goes to the floor and Black goes for a moonsault from the turnbuckles to the floor but Miz sends Hayes back into the ring and hits a suicide dive. Hayes with a springboard DDT for a near fall. Hayes kicks Black. Hayes with a forearm and chop. Hayes with another forearm and Irish whip. Hayes with a splash into the corner.
Hayes sends Black to the mat and kicks him in the back. Hayes with a top wrist lock. Black with a knee and kick to the chest. Black goes for a springboard move but Hayes pushes Black over the top rope to the floor. Hayes distracts the referee and Miz kicks Black on the floor. Hayes gets a near fall. Hayes with elbows to the collarbone. Hayes with an enzuigiri. Hayes goes up top and Black with a kick to send Hayes to the floor. Hayes gets back into the ring to beat the count. Black with running forearms and clotheslines. Black with kicks and a leg sweep. Black with a flying boot to the head. Hayes with a waist lock and Black with a standing switch. Black with a moonsault from the ring post to the floor.
Black gets a near fall. Black with a waist lock and Hayes with a back elbow. Hayes with a victory roll for a near fall. Hayes with a super kick and La Mistica. Hayes goes for a suplex but Black with a sunset flip for a near fall. Hayes sends Black into the corner. Black with a kick and Meteora. Black with a German suplex for a near fall. Miz grabs Black’s ankle to distract him and Hayes with a rollup for a near fall. Hayes with La Mistica followed by a suplex for a near fall. Miz tells Hayes to go up top but Hayes is pushed into Miz and Black gets a near fall. Black with elbows but Hayes with First 48. Black with a jumping knee.
Black lifts Hayes up for Black Mass but Miz attacks Black and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Aleister Black (by disqualification)
After the match Black gives Miz Black Mass. Hayes clips Black and goes up top for Nothin But Net.
Backstage:
Byron stops Alexa to ask her about qualifying for Money in the Bank. Alexa says her goal is to win Money in the Bank twice. She stops and walks away.
She sees Charlotte Flair outside Nick Aldis’ office. Charlotte asks what are they doing here. Alexa asks Charlotte about what they talked about. Charlotte says they aren’t friends. Alexa says Charlotte was nice to her when she started in NXT. Charlotte says she does not remember that.
Giulia walks out of Nick’s office and Nick says Giulia is part of the Smackdown Roster. Nick tells Charlotte they need to talk about Money in the Bank.
Charlotte tells Alexa to stay away from her.
Drew McIntyre walks into a commercial.
In the Arena:
Drew McIntyre makes his way to the ring.
Drew says he heard what Priest had to say. The only thing that was accurate was how much violence they have inflicted. Drew says he has been in this vortex for a year and it is the only reason why you are relevant and people care about you. Drew says he has been trying to get rid of him for months. He beat you in a street fight and you are still in his business. Drew says he is obsessed with him. This is jealousy. This is a psychotic level of jealousy. I am better than you in every way. I would have been a grand slam champion if it wasn’t for you at Backlash. He says he thinks Priest is willing to kill him because he choke slammed him onto the concrete from fifteen feet up.
This has to end. He says he will see Priest inside that cage next Saturday. Drew says he guarantees that only one man will walk out of that cage. The other is leaving on a stretcher.
As Drew makes his way up the aisle, Solo Sikoa makes his way to the ring for his match with Fatu and J.C.
We go to commercial.
Men’s Money in the Bank – Qualifier Match: Jimmy Uso vs. Rey Fenix vs. Solo Sikoa
Solo goes after Fenix and punches him in the corner. Solo has some words for his brother and he wants to know if they can work together. Jimmy punches Solo and he chops him. Rey kicks Solo with help from Jimmy. They send Solo over the top rope to the floor. Rey rolls up JImmy for a near fall. Jimmy with a chop. Rey with a shoulder from the apron and a kick. Rey with a rana for a near fall. Rey with an abdominal stretch. Rey with a chop and Jimmy chops back. Rey with an Irish whip and Jimmy floats over. Jimmy with chops. Rey with a kick and a springboard drop kick for a near fall. Jimmy with a punch and chop. Jimmy witih a boot to Rey and Solo pulls Jimmy to the floor and sends Jimmy into the announce table a few times. Rey with a thrust kick to Solo. Rey goes up top and he hits a cross body. Rey gets a near fall on Solo.
Rey goes to the apron for a springboard move and Solo catches him and hits a uranage. Solo knocks Jimmy off the apron into the announce table while Rey rolls out of the way in the ring. Solo with a uranage onto the announce table. Solo punches Rey and hits a back senton. Solo tells Fatu he loves him. Solo grabs Jimmy on the apron and Jimmy punches Solo. Jimmy with shoulders and Solo with a punch to stop a slingshot move. Solo goes to the floor and he looks under the ring and he cannot find anything. Rey with forearms to Solo but they have no effect. Solo with a forearm and kicks to Rey. Solo with a thrust kick to stop Jimmy from getting back into the ring. Solo with a leg drop for a near fall. Solo sets for a suplex on Rey but Rey blocks it.
Rey blocks another suplex and Jimmy pulls Rey down. Jimmy with a thrust kick and uppercut. Solo is sent into the ring post shoulder first by Rey and Jimmy. Jimmy goes up top and Rey with a thrust kick to stop him. Rey sets for a superplex on Jimmy. Rey rolls off the turnbuckles and goes for a wheelbarrow into a bulldog. Jimmy misses and Rey with a victory roll but the referee was out of position. Jimmy with a super kick as Rey comes off the turnbuckles. Solo with a clothesline to Jimmy. Solo with a Samoan Drop to Rey and then he hits one on Jimmy. Solo with running hips to Jimmy and Rey. Rey avoids Samoan Spike and he goes for a crucifix. Jimmy with a super kick and that allows Rey to get a near fall with a crucifix bomb.
Solo rolls to the floor. JImmy and Rey exchange forearms and chops. Jimmy with a dragon whip and Rey with a drop kick and he hits the running kick on the top rope. Rey runs into a spear and Jimmy gets a near fall. Jimmy goes to the apron and he kicks Fatu off the apron when he tries to interfere. Solo with a Samoan spike to Jimmy. Rey with a running kick and then he knocks J.C. off the apron. Solo with a Samoan spike for the three count.
Winner: Solo Sikoa
After the match, Knight attacks J.C. and Fatu and he gets a chair. Nick Aldis comes out and he says if Knight wants J.C., he can get him. They are going to meet in the ring… right now, after another break.
JC Mateo vs. LA Knight
They lock up and Mateo pushes Knight into the corner. Knight with a waist lock and Mateo with a standing switch and he tosses Knight over his shoulder. They lock up and Mateo with a waist lock and Knight goes for a rollup but Mateo blocks it and he stomps on the chest. Mateo with a punch and he tries for a slam but Knight escapes. Knight with a side head lock. Knight bounces off Mateo on a shoulder tackle attempt. Knight with a kick and punches. Mateo catches Knight on a cross body attempt and he tries for a suplex but Knight lands on his feet and hits a neck breaker. Knight with shoulders in the corner and he punches Mateo. Mateo with a bear hug on Knight and Knight with punches. Mateo with a back elbow. Mateo with an elbow to the top of the head. Mateo with a forearm to the back. Mateo with a waist lock and Knight with back elbows.
Mateo with a bear hug but Knight boxes the ears. Mateo with an Irish whip and he runs into a boot. Knight with a bulldog off the turnbuckles. Knight goes to the turnbuckles and Solo gets on the apron to distract Knight. Mateo hits Knight from behind ad he sends Knight over the top rope with a belly-to-belly throw. Mateo sends Knight into the apron and the outer shirt is off. Mateo chokes Knight in the ropes. Mateo chokes Knight in the ropes and Solo with a punch when the referee was dealing with Mateo. Knight rolls to the floor. Mateo sends Knight into the ringside barrier but you don’t send Knight into the announce table. Knight sends Mateo into the announce table many times.
Knight comes off the turnbuckles and is met with a punch to the midsection. Mateo kicks Knight and he gets a near fall. Mateo gets another near fall. Mateo with a head butt and chop. Mateo with a waist lock. Knight gets to his feet and he connects with back elbows Knight with punches. Mateo with a uranage and a forearm for a near fall. Mateo with elbows to the chest. JC with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall. Knight with punches. Mateo with punches of his own. Knight with a kick and Mateo with a back elbow and short arm clothesline for a near fall. Mateo with a waist lock. Knight with a back elbow and Mateo sends Knight to the floor. Mateo sends Knight into the ring post. Mateo goes for a splash against the ring post and Knight moves.
Knight with punches and he connects with jabs. Mateo misses a splash and Knight with a jumping neck breaker. Knight with a side Russian leg sweep. Knight with a reverse DDT and he sets for the YEAHple’s Elbow for a near fall. Knight sets for the BFT and he kicks Mateo. Mateo blocks it and Mateo with a swinging side slam. Mateo with a moonsault for a near fall. Knight with a back elbow and Mateo with a thrust kick. Mateo is sent into the ropes and Knight with a thrust kick. Solo distracts Knight and Knight with a springboard cross body to both. Mateo catches Knight on a slingshot move and hits Tour of the Islands for the three count.
Winner: JC Mateo
– We take a look at the implosion of Legado del Fantasma.
Backstage:
Angel says he was trying to call Humberto and he tells Santos he needs space. Santos says Humberto is listening to people who don’t understand loyalty. He will look past what happened last week and he has gotten an opportunity. He tells Angel to bring Humberto home. He wants to share this together. He tells them it is a sit down dinner party. Angel says he cannot promise anything. Santos says when you stand up for something bigger, it scares people. He has seen loyalty from Angel since day one. What happens if it falls apart due to the actions of one person.
We go to commercial.
We Hear from Nakamura
We are back and Shinsuke Nakamura says LA Knight has not changed. You are the same man who fought him for the US title. You are a man with a hunger for attention. That will bring you down. Aleister Black, I do not rear you. You ide behind smoke and mirros. Deep down inside, you fear the darkeness. There is a deeper darkness lurking behind the shadows. I am sharpening my katana and whatching you. I kno eever moment when your heart beats and I know when you lose control. Next week, I get into Money in the Bank and then you will know that he is an unstoppable storm. An unstoppable blade.
– Next week, LA Knight, Aleister Black, and Shinsuke Nakamura are in a Money in the Bank Qualifying Match. Charlotte Flair, Zelina Vega, and Giulia meet in the Women’s Qualifier. The Street Profits face Axiom and Nathan Frazer for the Tag titles.
Backstage:
Jade Cargill tells Tiffany if she beat Nia, it does not matter because she is going to qualify and win Money in the Bank and cash in. Tiffany says she is always ready. You might be able to win your qualifier and Money in the Bank. As long as she is champion, Jade will never be good enough to beat her for the title.
We go to commercial.
WWE Women’s Championship Match: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Nia Jax
They lock up and Nia pushes Tiffany down. Nia blocks a kick and head butts Tiffany. Nia sends Tiffany into the turnbuckles. Tiffany floats over on an Iris whip and she rop kicks Nia but Nia with a shoulder tackle. Nia with an Irish whip and Nia misses a splash. Tiffany with forearms. TIffany goes for the handspring back elbow but Nia catches Tiffany and drops her over the top rope to the apron. Nia send Tiffany shoulder first into the ring post. Nia goes to the apron and hits a running hip against the ring post. Nia sends Tiffany back into the ring. Nia stretches Tiffany. Nia gets a near fall. Nia with a reverse chin lock. Tiffany escapes and she hits a running hip against the ropes. Nia with a back elbow for a near fall.
Nia with a cobra clutch. Tiffany with a jaw breaker. Tiffany goes to the turnbuckles and kicks Nia. Nia with an elbow to stop Tiffany. Nia climbs the turnbuckles and sets for a super Samoan drop and hits it for a near fall. Nia sends Tiffany shoulder first into the ring post. Tiffany moves and Nia hits the ring post. Tiffany with a baseball slide. Tiffany lands on the ringside barrier and she hits a head scissors that sends Nia into the ring post. Tiffany sends Nia into the ring post a few more times. Tiffany goes up top and she hits a cross body for a near fall. Tiffany with a drop kick to Nia. Tiffany is caught by Nia for a Samoan drop and Nia with a back senton for a near fall. Tiffany avoids a splash from Nia and Tiffany with a rollup for a near fall. Tiffany with a knee and a handspring back elbow intot he corner. Tiffany with a spinebuster for a near fall.
Tiffany goes for a cartwheel but Nia blocks it and hits a power bomb. She gets Tiffany up and hits a sit out power bomb. Nia with a leg drop for a near fall. Nia goes to the turnbuckles. Tiffany with an uppercut and she goes to the turnbuckles. Nia gets Tiffany up for a power slam but Tiffany counters into Spanish Fly for a near fall.
Naomi’s music plays and she makes her way to the ring with a chair. Naomi gets on the apron and . . .
Jade Cargill’s music plays and she avoids a swing from Naomi. Jade with a thrust kick and she sends Naomi into the crowd. Jade follows.
Nia misses a splash and goes into the ring post. Tiffany with Prettiest Moonsault Ever for a near fall. Tiffany goes back up top. Nia stops Tiffany and pushes Tiffany to the floor. Nia adjusts the announce table. Nia gets Tiffany up and hits a Samoan drop onto the announce table. Nia sends Tiffany into the ring and sets for aNIAlator. Tiffany gets up and she goes for a power bomb but Nia turns it into aNIAlator but Tiffany gets her hand on the rope to break the count.
Nia goes to get the title belt and she heads tot he back. Nia gets the chair and Tiffany drop kicks the chair into Nia. Tiffany with Prettiest Moonsault Ever for the three count.
Winner: Tiffany Stratton
We go to credits.
–– Here is what’s in store for 5/16 WWE SmackDown ––
- Women’s Money in the Bank – Qualifier Match: Chelsea Green vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Michin.
- Men’s Money in the Bank – Qualifier Match: Jimmy Uso vs. Rey Fenix vs. Solo Sikoa.
- WWE Women’s Championship Match: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Nia Jax.
- Aleister Black vs. Carmelo Hayes.
- Fraxiom (Axiom & Nathan Frazer) vs. #DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa).
- R-Truth sit down interview with Wade Barrett.
5/16 WWE SmackDown Preview
Tonight’s edition of WWE SmackDown promises high-stakes matchups and significant developments on the road to Money In The Bank 2025. Headlining the show is Tiffany Stratton’s first WWE Women’s Championship defense since retaining the title against Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 41. Stratton will go head-to-head with her former ally Nia Jax, who earned the opportunity by defeating Jade Cargill in a No. 1 Contender’s Match last week—thanks in part to unexpected interference from Naomi, Cargill’s former tag partner and current rival.
Money In The Bank season officially begins tonight, with the first qualifiers for the 2025 Men’s and Women’s Ladder Matches. In the women’s division, Alexa Bliss returns to action in a Triple Threat Qualifier against Chelsea Green and Michin. Bliss made her surprise comeback last week by teaming with Women’s United States Champion Zelina Vega to defeat Green and Piper Niven. On the men’s side, Rey Fenix will clash with Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa in a Triple Threat. This marks Jimmy’s first match since his hard-hitting loss to GUNTHER by referee stoppage on the March 31 episode of RAW.
Fresh off an upset victory in non-title action over the WWE Tag Team Champions The Street Profits, Nathan Frazer and Axiom will look to ride their momentum as they face the returning duo of Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano. This is #DIY’s first appearance since defeating The Street Profits in a Triple Threat TLC Match on April 25, a bout that also included The Motor City Machine Guns.
Also tonight, Carmelo Hayes seeks redemption in a rematch against Aleister Black. Hayes fell short last week following a miscommunication with The Miz at ringside, which allowed Black to secure a pinfall victory.
In a special segment, R-Truth will sit down with Wade Barrett to address the chaos that unfolded during the Undisputed WWE Championship match at WWE Backlash. Truth became an unexpected factor in the title bout between John Cena and Randy Orton, and tonight he will share his side of the story.
With championship implications, MITB stakes, and continuing fallout from Backlash, tonight’s SmackDown is shaping up to be a pivotal episode in WWE’s ongoing narrative.
Stay tuned to WrestlingAttitude, WA.Com On Facebook, Twitter/X, Bluesky and Google News for more.
5/16 WWE SmackDown Live Results
