On May 17, WWE SmackDown went live from Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. The show featured a contract signing for the champion vs. champion match between Cody Rhodes and Logan Paul. We witnessed the Quarterfinals from the blue brand in the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments. Let’s look at WWE Smackdown May 17 Results, Winners, Grades, and Analysis.
Tiffany Stratton vs Bianca Belair
The show started with a bout from the Queen of the Ring tournament. Tiffany slapped Bianca, but the EST soon replied with a slap, too. Belair landed a gutbuster and a moonsault for a two-count. Tiffany used Bianca’s braid to her advantage and drove Belair into the ring steps, targeting her knee.
Stratton applied the modified leg lock to further wear down Bianca’s knee. Bianca fought back with a shoulder tackle and a fallaway slam. Belair delivered a spine buster for a near fall. Tiffany landed a double stomp, but Bianca replied with a German Suplex. In the end, Belair won via KOD.
Winner: Bianca Belair
Grades: B
Analysis: A fun match will begin on Friday Night SmackDown. Tiffany performs well and can make herself and her opponent look awesome at the same time. Bianca advanced in the tournament. WWE is more focused on showing that Belair’s knee is hurt, so it’s a bit strange why they went with her in the next round.
Backstage: The Bloodline was backstage. Paul Heyman asked Solo Sikoa if he had talked with Roman Reigns that day. Solo said, “All the time”.
LA Knight vs Tama Tonga
Next was a King of the Ring tournament match between LA Knight and Tama Tonga. Tonga beat Dawkings on the WWE SmackDown May 10 Episode. Knight started with punches in the corner. Tonga applied the sleeper hold, but Knight replied with a clothesline. Knight continued the assault with a backbody drop and a running knee strike. Solo and Tanga Loa climbed to the apron, which caused a distraction for Knight. Tonga got the advantage and sent Knight into the ring post.
Tonga delivered a clothesline and went for a splash. Knight moved out of the way and delivered a clothesline of his own. Knight landed a power slam and a jumping elbow. Loa pulled Tonga out of the ring during a BFT attempt. Knight landed a baseball slide on Loa. In the ring, Tonga took advantage of the distraction and slammed Knight face-first for the victory.
Winner: Tama Tonga
Grades: B-
Analysis: A decent match with a Bloodline style of ending. Tama Tonga advanced in the tournament. It feels a bit bad for LA Knight. WWE should give him a chance to shine in this tournament.
Backstage: LA Knight and Carmelo Hayes entered an argument that almost turned into a brawl, but WWE Officials prevented that.
Contract Signing on WWE Smackdown May 17 Results
Nick Aldis was in the ring with a contract signing setup. He introduced both Logan Paul and Cody Rhodes. Cody asked Logan about what happened 32 years ago in Jacksonville, Florida. Logan didn’t have a clue. Rhodes told everyone that the WarGames 1992 happened 32 years ago in Jacksonville, Florida. He called Logan a tourist, not a fan, who will drop the United States Championship in Saudi Arabia, and Cody Rhodes will become a grand slam champion in WWE.
Logan said Cody was saying the same stuff as every other opponent. He called the crowd a horrible crowd after they chanted, “Logan sucks”. Paul pointed at the contract and ripped it. He said that he wouldn’t put his US Title on the line and that the match would only be for the Undisputed WWE Championship. Logan brought his lawyer with him, and they had another contract. They gave it to Aldis to have it signed by Cody.
Nick Aldis was unhappy, but Cody told him to discuss it in the office. Aldis walked away. Logan said Cody hadn’t done anything to earn the US Title opportunity. He threw the contract toward Cody. The American Nightmare signed the contract and vowed to beat Logan at the King and Queen of the Ring Tournament premium live event in Saudi Arabia. Logan went for a cheap shot, but Cody ducked and sent Paul to the outside with a clothesline. One of Logan’s entourage suffered a powerbomb through the table.
Grades: B
Analysis: They turned the champion vs. champion bout into an Undisputed WWE Championship match. Logan won’t put his US title on the line. It means he will be on the losing side.
Jade Cargill vs Nia Jax
Jade Cargill faced Nia Jax in the Queen of the Ring tournament match. Jax delivered a shoulder tackle, but Cargill landed a massive spinebuster. Jade’s daughter was present at the ringside. Nia told her that her mom sucks. An infuriated Jade Cargill superkicked Jax and slammed her onto the commentary table. Jax delivered a clothesline and a headbutt. Back in the ring, Nia had a chair in her hand. She went for an attack on Jade, who escaped. Cargill now grabbed the chair and attacked Jax. The match ended in disqualification. The brawl continued. Cargill delivered a European Uppercut and a headbutt. WWE Officials broke it up.
Winner: Nia Jax via DQ.
Grades: B
Analysis: It’s a smart way to have Jade Cargill lose a singles match. Tiffany’s loss earlier tonight was baseless, then. Stratton would have been a great Queen of the Ring if they had not gone with Jade Cargill.
DIY vs Angel and Humberto
Gargano and Humberto started as the tag team champions, and Austin Theory and Grayson Waller joined the commentary team. Humberto landed a suplex. Gargano replied with a hurricane. Ciampa was tagged in. Angel and Humberto sent him to the outside. Humberto superkicked Gargano. Angel and Humberto did the double teamwork on Ciampa.
Gargano got the tag and delivered a spear to Humberto and a suicide dive to the outside onto Angel. Santos Escobar and Elektra Lopez tried to interrupt, but the referee told them to leave. DIY hit Meet in the Middle on Humberto for the win.
Winners: DIY
Grades: B
Analysis: A fun tag team match. DIY won, and they seem to be in line to challenge for Theory and Waller’s titles.
Randy Orton vs Carmelo Hayes
The night’s main event was the next King of the Ring tournament match, where Randy Orton faced Carmelo Hayes. Melo tried to dominate, but Randy caught him in multiple European uppercuts. At ringside, Randy slammed Hayes onto the commentary desk. Orton delivered a headbutt and slammed Hayes twice on the commentary table. Randy did the same again on fans’ demand, and the crowd applauded.
Hayes prevented the snap power slam back in the ring on the first attempt, but The Viper soon caught him in a snap power slam. Hayes replied with a double knee strike in the corner for a two-count. Orton hit Hayes with a DDT. As Melo springboarded off the middle rope, Randy caught him with an RKO for the victory. The Bloodline came out after the ring. Randy told Tama Tonga he was a 14-time World Champion and a future King of the Ring. Orton said he would introduce Tonga to the three most dangerous letters in WWE, R-K-O.
Winner: Randy Orton
Grades: B+
Analysis: A good main event with Randy Orton and Carmelo Hayes. The Viper won and advanced in the tournament. He will face Tama Tonga next week.
Overall, It was a decent episode of SmackDown. They are focusing much more on the quality of wrestling, especially with the King and Queen of the Ring tournament matches. It’s disappointing to say that they changed the anticipated Champion vs Champion match between Cody Rhodes and Logan Paul into a simple match for the Undisputed WWE Championship only. What do you think of this WWE SmackDown May 17 Results? Let us know in the comment section.
