If what my thoughts of this whole angle are happen to be true, it makes the Roman Reigns saga the very best in many years. Let’s start at the top.
Roman Reigns started the show after getting introduced by Jey Uso, calling Cesaro one of the best wrestlers in the world. But as the Head of the Table, Cesaro can’t fulfill that role.
How can someone like Cesaro have that title with zero Universal title matches? FOX wouldn’t want that.
As Reigns was about to address Jimmy, the man himself interrupted with a shirt that literally said “Nobody’s Bitch” on it. Huh.
Jimmy said that he had a shirt waiting for Jey, and then said he was unsure that Reigns could beat Cesaro. The family had a spat about what it means to be family, and Reigns told Jimmy if he can beat Cesaro, he’ll make SmackDown his show and he can defend the Universal championship for him. Cesaro came out and accepted the challenge.
This whole interaction was amazing. Jimmy being how Jey was months ago, playing around as Roman glares at him. Jey kind of broke out of the trance for a moment when Jimmy said they would be the tribal chiefs if they won the tag team titles, and then snapping out of it when Roman got mad. And then Heyman in the background with the best facial expressions in the business right now.
The main event was a great bout between Jimmy and Cesaro, but that’s not what I want to highlight.
Jimmy cut an interesting promo before the match, saying that he sat home for a year and watched Jey give Reigns all the success he got. He said that Reigns said he doesn’t need Jey, but Jey doesn’t need Reigns. The Usos could be cool as long as Reigns stays out of it. Usos as tag team champions and Reigns as the Universal champion.
It finally clicked with me what’s been going on with Jey Uso here. The whole time he’s been losing matches I kept saying WWE needs to have him be the winner some times, because how could Roman justify in his own mind keeping a loser around as his lackey? And then it hit me.
That’s exactly what he wants. Jey Uso loses because he’s not in a tag team with his brother. That makes Roman the winner of the family, figuratively and literally. If Jey was winning, it would take shine off of the head of the table. That’s why he’s never reprimanded Jey for losing matches. He wants him to lose!
And that’s why he doesn’t want Jimmy tagging with Jey, unless they’re both a cohesive unit in his mob. No one else in the family can be champion. No one else can be a winner.
Obviously I just went into a big fantasy booking, but it’s not like what I’m saying couldn’t be possible. Because when Roman interfered in this match, it was because he thought Jimmy was going to win. He can’t just let Jimmy and Jey do their thing.
Because no one else can be a winner. That’s great storytelling. And I cannot wait to see what happens on Sunday.
Let’s get to the rest of the main hits and misses of this show. For a full rundown of SmackDown, check out the live blog by Claire Elizabeth!
Legitimately shocked
I was ready to type same old shit with the Women’s tag team titles. I did not see this coming.
Tamina was taken out and Jax and Baszler took control. Tamina was able to get back in and break up Jax’s pin attempt.
Baszler set up the Kirifuda clutch and Tamina got out of it. Baszler stopped the Superfly and tagged in Jax. Tamina dropped Jax off the ropes while Natalya took out Baszler.
Natalya distracted Jax and ate a sacrificial Samoan Drop, and Tamina hit the Superfly to win!
Y’all, JAX GOT PINNED!
Tamina and Natalya cut a very emotional promo and it was honestly the first time I was invested in them. I may have even had a tear in my eye.
Where do we go from here, I wonder? I legitimately don’t know. What I do know is that it’s about time WWE got these tag titles off of Shayna and Nia.
Though knowing WWE, REMATCH!
The Rest
You remind me of myself
What would have normally been a whatever moment between ring interview and opponent via satellite took an interesting turn. Belair went through her usual EST stuff, and Bayley kept laughing her off. Then Belair dropped the bomb - Bayley’s mad because she had her silly moment with the Bellas, while Belair won the title in the main event. Bayley dropped her shtick, and said “When I see you out there waving your stupid little ponytail and your shiny sequins, I feel like I’m looking into the mirror at my own past.”
This was the first time we’ve seen Bayley reference her past since turning heel. A heel that became resentful of who they used to be. And she sees it in her opponent. That’s really good storytelling. Bayley won’t win, but I really appreciated this twist.
Well... this was corny
Commander Azeez was presented the Nigerian Medal of Honor by Apollo Crews for helping him in his quest to forever be the Intercontinental champion. Big E interrupted, then Sami Zayn, then Kevin Owens. Zayn baited Owens into the ring and all hell broke loose. Big E made the save for Owens, but Owens super kicked E and E gave him the Big Ending. So we know everyone in the IC game for now. Hmmm. Two baby faces, and two heels. Hmmm.
Don’t be fooled by the fatal four way next week. You know there’s gonna be a tag team match in the near future. C’mon. You know.
King vs. King (King Corbin defeated Shinsuke Nakamura)
Nakamura did one of the smoothest transitions into a triangle submission I think I have ever seen. Unfortunately Corbin was smart and got himself up and rolled it into a pin fall. He threw Shin out of the ring, and then Shin came back and gave him the Kinshasa. Then the funniest moment of the night where Shin took the powers of Corbin’s crown and put it on his head.
After his loss to King @BaronCorbinWWE, @ShinsukeN was FURIOUS! Not only did he attack Corbin, but he took his crown! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/7leOoGq8UF
— WWE (@WWE) May 15, 2021
Legit LOL’ed. King Nakamura? Yes, please.
Rey Mysterio defeated Dolph Ziggler
Decent bout with the two men but it’s nothing new. We just saw Ziggler get defeated last week, and we’re going to see these guys again on Sunday, maybe even beyond Sunday going by WWE’s track record. And wow was there a corny promo after this match. Baby champ? Come on. I’m really hoping that we see another tag title change. I’m all in on the first father/son tag team champions. I’m not all in on corny promos.
Aleister Black is doing Aleister Black things
We are not to be with him, we are to be against him because we’re spectators or something. Still don’t have faith in this gimmick. Hoping WWE can change my mind.
Grade: B
What were your thoughts, Cagesiders?