Friday Night SmackDown 5/22/2020 Results

ABOUT

The May 22, 2020 edition of Friday Night SmackDown was hosted from the Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.

RESULTS

Segment #1: "The Dirt Sheet" has a surprise guest

The Miz and John Morrison open the show, much like they did last week. They lambasted the Universal Champion Braun Strowman for being dumb enough to partner with Otis last week. Braun didn't take too kindly to being called small-minded though. He got in the face of both "Dirt Sheet" hosts, talling them they should mind their own business, otherwise their gonna "Get These Hands." John Morrison, having faith in his partner, set up a match between the two. While Morrison wore nothing but smiles, The Miz didn't look too thrilled about being put in the ring with "The Monster Among Men."

Segment #2: The Miz "Gets These Hands"

The following match went just as expected. Despite having John Morrison at ringside to cheer him on, The Miz couldn't overcome the monstrous onslaught that is Braun Strowman. After Miz was put away with Stroman's patented Running Powerslam, Morrison challenged Strowman to a Two-on-One Handicap match for the Universal Championship at Backlash, which Braun eagerly accepted.

Segment #3: AJ Styles returns to SmackDown to face Shinsuke Nakamura in the Intercontinental Championship Tournament

An old rivalry was renewed in the Intercontinental Championship Tournament tonight, with "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles returning to SmackDown to take on "The King of Strong Style" Shinsuke Nakamura. This match, much like all of the two competitors' other clashes did not disappoint. They have amazing chemistry together, with Styles' energetic, agile attacks going up against Nakamura's hard-hitting, no-nonsense strikes. Although Nakamura nearly put AJ away at several points, Styles fought back, eventually laying Shinsuke out with the Phenomenal Forearm.

Segment #4: Bayley and Charlotte Flair go head-to-head in Champion vs. Champion action

After setting up the match last week, SmackDown Women's Champion Bayley met NXT Women's Champion Charlotte Flair in a match tonight. Telling best friend Sasha Banks to stay backstage, Bayley wanted to prove that she is better than "The Queen." Two giant egos met in this contest, with Bayley taunting Flair throughout the bout and Flair at one point stealing a commentary headset to talk some trash. Bayley's newfound attitude served to help her in the end. Using some of Flair's signature offense against her, Bayley was able to goad Charlotte into letting her guard down just long enough to get the win.

Segment #5: Sonya Deville and Dolph Ziggler get the best of Mandy Rose and Otis in mixed-match action

Judging from tonight's contest, I think it is painfully obvious that Sonya Deville's mind games are finally starting to get to Mandy Rose. Rose and boyfriend Otis just couldn't get the job done against Deville and Dolph Ziggler. Despite their great relationship, the lovers can't overcome the overt technical prowess of their rivals. Deville's plan to use Ziggler as an Otis distraction worked perfectly, allowing her to hit a brutal knee on Rose for the victory.

Segment #6: Jeff Hardy and Sheamus finally come to blows

After claiming that he was going to tear Jeff Hardy apart upon his return, Sheamus was finally given the opportunity tonight. Sheamus wanted nothing more, but the added bonus of this match being entered into the Intercontinental Championship Tournament probably served as extra incentive for "The Celtic Warrior." Hardy wasn't going down without a fight, though. Although he was dominated by Sheamus for much of the bout, Jeff's underdog soul led him to victory. He was able to use whatever remaining wherewithal he had to evade Sheamus, and get a quick roll-up for the win.

Credit for photos to World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.