WWE Friday Night SmackDown Results
May 17, 2024
VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.
Commentary: Corey Graves and Wade Barrett
Results by: Roy Nemer of Wrestleview.com
WWE SmackDown kicks off with Then. Now. Forever. Together on the screen.
We cut to a video package hyping up the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments.
In the arena, we cut to different clips of LA Knight, Tama Tonga, Jade Cargill, Nia Jax, Randy Orton, Carmelo Hayes and Cody Rhodes entering the arena.
Live in the arena, Bianca Belair’s music hits and out she comes for the first match of the night.
Queen of the Ring match – Bianca Belair vs. Tiffany Stratton
The bell rings and we are under way. Chants of “EST” from the crowd and Bianca gets Tiffany in the corner but the referee breaks it up. Tiffany slaps Bianca in the face, Bianca goes for a clothesline but Tiffany ducks and she pulls Bianca down onto the mat using her hair. Bianca gets to her feet and slaps Tiffany in the face and takes her down with a waist lock. Bianca goes for the cover but Tiffany kicks out. Bianca with a shoulder tackle and she runs to the ropes but a kick by Tiffany. Tiffany runs towards Bianca but Bianca hits her with a gut buster. Bianca holds her left knee and hits Tiffany with a moon sault. She goes for the cover but Tiffany kicks out. Bianca throws Tiffany into the corner and climbs the second rope hitting her with right hands but Tiffany escapes under her. She grabs Bianca by the braid but Bianca pulls her into the turnbuckle and Tiffany falls to the outside. Bianca on the ring apron but Tiffany grabs her by the braid and pulls her down and Bianca’s leg gets caught in the second rope. Tiffany throws her knee first into the ring steps.
-Commercial Break-
Back from commercial, Tiffany with a modified leg lock onto Bianca in the ring but Bianca makes it to the bottom rope. Tiffany grabs her by the leg but Bianca kicks her away and to the outside of the ring. Tiffany grabs Bianca by the leg but but Bianca pulls Tiffany face first into the ring post. Tiffany rolls back into the ring and Bianca with a shoulder tackle. A body slam by Bianca followed by a fall away slam. Bianca throws Tiffany to the ropes and hits her with a spine buster. She goes for the cover but Tiffany kicks out. Bianca with a forearm and she goes for the KOD but Tiffany lands on her feet and Tiffany trips Bianca onto the second rope.
A double stomp by Tiffany. She goes for the cover but Bianca kicks out. Tiffany goes for a back elbow but Bianca reverses it into a modified release German suplex. The fans chant “Tiffany time” and “this is awesome”. Bianca grabs Tiffany but Tiffany holds onto the ring apron. The referee is distracted and Tiffany hits her with a rake to the eyes and a sliding clothesline. She goes for the Prettiest Moonsault Ever but Bianca trips her up on the top rope. Bianca hits her with KOD. She goes for the cover and gets the pin.
Winner: Bianca Belair
Cathy Kelley is in the ring with Bianca after the match. Bianca tells her that her knee is not 100% but she did not because the EST by making excuses. She is the strongest, roughest, toughest, quickest. The fans chant “EST” and she tells them that next week, injury or not, nothing is stopping her from becoming Queen of the Ring.
We see a clip of last week’s show where Nick Aldis announced that Cody’s next opponent will be Logan Paul.
We see Logan Paul walking backstage and as he is about to enter the locker room of Nick Aldis, out steps LA Knight. Both men go face to face and Nick Aldis comes out of his locker room and he asks Logan to enter his locker room.
-Commercial Break-
Byron Saxton is backstage with Jade Cargill. She tells him that she heard all about Nia, the irresistible force. But to Jade Cargill, she is just in her way. In comes Bianca and Jade congratulates her on her win. Jade asks about her knee and Bianca says it will be fine if she has to stand in the ring across from her. Cargill tells her to take it one match at a night and walks away.
We see a clip of SmackDown last week involving The Bloodline where Solo Sikoa told Paul Heyman that he spoke with Roman Reigns and until Roman Reigns comes back, he is in charge of the Bloodline.
Back in the arena, The Bloodline are backstage and Solo tells Tonga it’s time to go. Heyman asks Solo if he has spoken with Roman today, Solo tells him all the time and walks away.
Cathy Kelly is backstage with LA Knight. He tells her the Bloodline is not looking as good as they used to but Tonga can get introduced to the BFT and he will go to the King of the Ring and be introduced to the crown. In comes Carmelo Hayes who tells LA Knight he can introduce him to SmackDown and how he was the first round draft pick. LA Knight asks him if he remembers who the first round draft pick was when Tom Brady when he was selected. And that’s Carmelo’s first mistake.
The second is looking passed Randy Orton. Hayes says after tonight, the most important letters in WWE will be HIM. LA Knight tells Carmelo if he wants to hear something real, he can hear this and he says “With everybody saying” and the fans chant “LA Knight, yeah”.
-Commercial Break-
King of the Ring match – LA Knight vs. Tama Tonga with The Bloodline
The fans chant “LA Knight”, the bell rings and we are under way. LA Knight with right hands, he throws Tama to the ropes and a back elbow by LA Knight. He goes for a body slam but Tama lands on his feet and he gets LA Knight in a sleeper hold but LA Knight flips him onto the mat. LA Knight throws Tama to the ropes and Tama with a clothesline. The fans chant “We want Roman” and Tama throws LA Knight to the outside. LA Knight gets back in the ring and he hits Tama with a clothesline. A back body drop by LA Knight and he stomps on Tama in the corner. A running knee to the face by LA Knight and we see Solo get onto the ring apron and as does Loa. That distracts LA Knight and Tama hits him from behind. Tama throws LA Knight shoulder first into the ring post and LA Knight falls to the outside of the ring.
-Commercial Break-
Back from commercial, a clothesline from Tama onto LA Knight in the ring. Tama climbs the top rope and goes for a splash but LA Knight moves out of the way. Right hands by LA Knight and a flying clothesline takes Tama down. He clotheslines Tama to the outside of the ring and slams him face first onto the ring apron. LA Knight throws him back into the ring. He throws Tama to the ropes and a pop up powerslam followed by a jumping elbow by LA Knight. He goes for the BFT but Loa pulls Tama to the outside of the ring. LA Knight with a baseball slide onto Loa and he throws Tama back into the ring. LA Knight looks at Solo and tells him to hit him but Solo doesn’t. LA Knight gets back in the ring and Tama slams LA Knight face first onto the mat. He goes for the cover and gets the pin.
Winner: Tama Tonga
-Commercial Break-
LA Knight is backstage with the referee arguing and he walks passed Carmelo Hayes. He tells LA Knight he wasn’t able to get it done and LA Knight pushes him. Both men argue and WWE agents break it up.
In the ring, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis is in the ring with two tables and chairs. He introduces the United States Champion, Logan Paul to the ring.
WWE King of the Ring Championship Match Contract Signing
Logan Paul comes down with his entourage. Logan sits in one of the chairs and Nick Aldis introduces the Undisputed WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes. Logan Paul is seen whispering into the ear of someone that is with him.
Cody’s music hits and out he comes to the ring wearing a suit.
Cody gets in the ring to a loud ovation from the crowd. The fans chant “Cody” and he sits opposite side of Logan. Cody grabs a microphone and asks the fans what they want to talk about. Cody says he loves this place and he asks Logan, on this day 32 years ago, if he has any idea what happened on these grounds. Logan doesn’t know and Cody says the reason he knows and the reason for Logan not knowing is important. He says 32 years ago in Jacksonville, Florida was War Games 1992. It is considered one of the greatest War Games match of all time and the reason he knows this is because just like these fans, he is a fan of professional wrestling, of what he does. Logan claps and laughs. Cody tells Logan he is not a fan, he describe him as a tourist, he is passing through, he is making viral memories and it is time for him to get off the train and drop that United States Champion. And that would make Cody a grand slam champion.
Logan says Cody is saying the same thing the guy before him said and the guy before him said. They have heard it, he doesn’t understand. He says he is not here to listen to Cody talk. He is here to sign a contract. The fans boo Logan very loudly.
The fans chant “You suck” and Logan laughs. He says “what a horrible crowd”. Logan looks at the contract and points to something, saying there is one thing. Logan rips the contract. The fans chant “You can’t read” and he tells them he could read and it wasn’t what he agreed to. He agreed to wrestle Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship, only. He did not agree to put his title on the line and he figured they would do something like this. Logan has his lawyer with him and they take out a contract that they made. Logan says this one looks good to him. He tells Nick Aldis to get it done, to have Cody sign his contract.
Nick Aldis tells Logan he has enough of him and his broccoli head entourage. They did not agree to this in his office, they all know it and he won’t stand for it. Logan’s lawyer asks Nick if he is threatening his client. Cody asks Nick to hold up, he is doing a fantastic job. They got put on the spot, Cody tells Nick to let them finish the paper work and he will bring it to Nick’s office. Nick leaves the ring.
Logan says he signed the contract, the match is made. He says Cody has not done anything to deserve a shot at his United States Championship. He asks Cody what he has done because he has proven every time that he is worthy of every title in this industry. Like Jake Paul’s next victim Mike Tyson would say, sign the contract big boy. He throws the contract towards Cody and stands with his United States Championship.
Cody tells Logan the honeymoon with him is over. After their match, Logan will find out exactly who Logan Paul is on the inside. He mentioned Tyson, in eight days, a WWE Hall of Famer will knock his brother out. And in Saudi Arabia, a future WWE Hall of Famer is going to beat him. Cody signs the contract and Logan goes for aright hand but Cody ducks and clotheslines Logan to the outside. He knocks one of Logan’s entourage with a right hand and powerbombs him through a table. Cody throws Logan’s United States Championship at him and his music hits.
We cut backstage and Cathy Kelley is backstage with Nia Jax. She tells Cathy to stop it, Jade has to hype herself up. Jade is strong, impressive and she is. But Jade won’t be the Queen of the Ring. Nia Jax will be the new Queen of the Ring. Her music hits and the camera follows her through gorilla and to the ring.
-Commercial Break-
Queen of the Ring match – Nia Jax vs. Jade Cargill
The bell rings and we are under way. Nia with a shoulder tackle onto Jade but Jade gets back up and hits her with a spinebuster. Nia falls to the outside and she drags Jade to the outside. She throws Jade on the outside and Jade looks at her daughter who is at ringside. Nia throws Jade and she tells her daughter that her mom sucks. Jade hits Nia with a super kick. She slams Nia face first into the announce table. Nia in the corner and Nia goes for a splash but Nia moves and she hits the ring post face first. Nia clotheslines Jade over the barricade. Nia throws chairs around at ringside and she headbutts Jade and throws her back towards the ring. She grabs a chair and goes to hit Jade with it but Jade blocks it. She grabs the chair from Nia and hits her with it and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: By disqualification, Nia Jax
Both women fight back over the barricade and towards the ring. A European uppercut by Jade and Jade with a headbutt. Jade is cut open and both women fight. Out come WWE officials who break it up.
-Commercial Break-
Tag Team Match – DIY vs. Angel and Humberto
Austin Theory and Grayson Waller are on commentary. The bell rings and we are under way. Gargano and Humberto start the match. An arm bar by Humberto and Humberto with a suplex. He runs towards Gargano but Gargano with a back elbow. Gargano with a hurricanrana and Tomasso is tagged in. They double team Humberto. In comes Angel and they double team him and clothesline Angel and Humberto to the outside. Tomasso throws Humberto back into the ring and Angel is tagged in. Tomasso throws Humberto to the ropes but Humberto reverses it, Angel lowers the middle rope and Tomasso falls to the outside.
-Commercial Break-
Back from commercial, Angel and Tomasso are in the ring. Humberto superkicks Gargano on the outside of the ring. Tomasso with chops and right hands onto Angel but Angel grabs Tomasso’s leg, he tags Humberto and they double team Tomasso. Humberto goes for the cover but Tomasso kicked out. Humberto goes for a suplex but Tomasso blocks it and he lands a suplex. Gargano is tagged in and in comes Angel. Gargano knocks them both down. A spear by Gargano onto Humberto and a suicide dive onto Angel on the outside.
Santos Escobar gets on the ring apron, Gargano gets on the top rope, Elektra trips Gargano off the top rope. The referee tells ELektra and Escobar to leave. DIY hit Humberto with Meet me in the middle. Gargano goes for the cover and gets the pin.
Winners: DIY
Corey and Wade talk about the QR codes which keep flashing on the screen and one of them leads to a video which aired on WWE’s Twitch channel.
Byron is backstage with AJ Styles. tells Byron that his match at Backlash was unbelievable, he was close and he lost. He had a chance to redeem himself, King of the Ring tournament and he lost to Randy Orton. He asks where he goes from here and he says next week, he goes to Nick’s office and they’ll find out where he goes from there. AJ walks away and we cut to the ring.
Randy Orton’s music hits and out he comes for his match.
-Commercial Break-
Byron Saxton is backstage with Bayley and in comes Piper Niven and Chelsea Green. Bayley looks at them and Chelsea says Bayley is the reason Piper lost last week. Bayley tells her she will see her in the ring next week.
King of the Ring match – Randy Orton vs. Carmelo Hayes
The bell rings and we are under way. Orton goes for a right hand but Hayes ducks and he kicks Orton from behind. Hayes slaps Orton behind the neck and Hayes pushes Orton. Orton with a right hand and he throws Hayes shoulder first into the ring post. He hits him with several European uppercuts. Orton throws Hayes to the outside of the ring and he slams him face first into the announce table. He lifts Hayes up but Hayes lands on the announce table and Orton holds his face. Orton trips Hayes up on the announce table. Orton with a headbutt. He slams Hayes onto the announce table twice and the fans chant “one more time”. Orton looks at the crowd and he slams Hayes onto the announce table and the fans cheer.
-Commercial Break-
Back from commercial, Hayes with kicks onto Orton’s leg in the ring. Hayes goes for a kick onto Orton’s leg but Orton moves out of the way. Orton with a clothesline. He goes for a snap powerslam but Hayes holds onto the top rope and Orton falls to the mat. Hayes goes for a kick but Orton moves out of the way and he hits Hayes with a snap powerslam. He goes for the cover but Hayes kicks out. Orton goes for the DDT but Hayes with a kick to the knee and he hits Orton with a double knees to the face. He goes for the cover but Orton kicks out. Hayes with right hands onto Orton’s left knee. Hayes climbs the top rope and jumps, Orton ducks, Hayes lands on his feet, Orton hits him with a DDT. The fans chant “RKO” and Orton gets to his feet.
Orton goes for the RKO, Hayes grabs him by the tights and goes for the cover but Orton kicks out. Hayes with a springboard off the second rope but Orton hits him with an RKO. He goes for the cover and gets the pin.
Winner: Randy Orton
Cathy Kelley is in the ring with Randy Orton and Tama Tonga’s music hits and out come The Bloodline. Orton tells them to hold on. He asks if The Bloodline will come out and try to intimidate him but they must have forgotten who he is and he is Randy Orton, a 14 time World Heavyweight Champion and soon to be King of the Ring. He tells Tama that next week, he will introduce his foot up his ass and after that, he will reintroduce him to the three most deadly, dangerous letters in WWE, RKO. Orton throws the microphone and his music hits with SmackDown going off the air.