WWE Friday Night SmackDown 05 01 2020

WWE Friday Night SmackDown Results
May 1, 2020
Orlando, Florida (WWE Performance Center)
Commentary: Michael Cole and Corey Graves
Results by: Roy Nemer of Wrestleview.com

WWE SmackDown kicks off with Daniel Bryan making his way down to the ring for his match against King Baron Corbin. Bryan gets on the microphone and says it’s no secret that he loves what he does. And one of the things he loves most is tackling new challenges, trying new things. That’s why he is excited that in 9 days, he gets a chance to compete in the most unique Money in the Bank match in history. Because it won’t take place in the ring, it’s taking place in WWE headquarters.

Bryan says it’s 6 men and 6 women all fighting at the same time from the ground floor to the roof. Because inside is a contract for a championship match anytime, any place. And that’s wild. Bryan says he has competed in a lot of wild places. Bars, gas stations, pawn shop parking lots. But it’s the first time he has competed in an office building. He doesn’t know the rules. Can he just take the elevator to the roof? Will he get fined if he breaks something expensive? Is it true that Mr. McMahon has real dinosaur bones in his office?

Daniel says he is excited and he is excited for the opportunity. And no one knows more about than him. Because 9 years ago, he couldn’t get booked on SmackDown. And then he won the Money in the Bank match and shortly after, he cashed it in on Big Show and won the world championship for the first time. Daniel Bryan WWE champion was something that most people thought was impossible. Winning the Money in the Bank match was the pivotal moment of his WWE career. That’s what spawned the yes movement, him main eventing WrestleMania. And that’s what proved to everyone that he belonged in the WWE with the very best.

Bryan says he is also a little sad because he was hoping that his coach and good friend Drew Gulak would get to compete with him. That he would have an opportunity just like he did. But unfortunately, King Corbin ruined it for Drew. Bryan calls out Corbin.

Out comes Corbin who tells Bryan he would be careful what he wishes for when calling out a King. His kind makes Daniel’s kind suffer. Just like he did to his coach as we see a clip of last week’s SmackDown where Cesaro and Nakamura attacked Bryan and Corbin took advantage to beat Gulak.

Corbin said that felt good but Bryan should stop dreaming about winning Money in the Bank. And he’s not the only one to win that match before. Corbin says he will stand tall on top of that ladder looking down at the rest as King Money in the Bank. Bryan tells him what he will do when he wins? If he will squander his opportunity like last time. There have been 23 Money in the Bank winners and Corbin is one of 4 people to completely blow it. How does that even happen? Bryan says he can surprise people, go in and cash it in. And he blew it. Bryan says that makes him a loser, not a king.

Baron Corbin says a lot of things have changed. When Bryan won it, he was hungry and now he’s desperate. Corbin says he was strong when he won it but he’s stronger and smarter now. And he will show that to him right now.

-Commercial Break-

Daniel Bryan vs. King Baron Corbin

The bell rings and we are under way. Corbin gets Bryan in the corner and Bryan gets out of it. Bryan with a kick to the thigh. Corbin gets Bryan in the corner and a right hand followed by a forearm by Corbin as the referee breaks it up. Bryan with kicks to the leg as he tries to take Corbin down. Corbin gets back up and a shoulder block takes Bryan down.

Corbin runs to the ropes but Bryan with a drop kick to the knee takes Corbin down. Bryan with a kick to the back followed by a kick to Corbin’s left hamstring. A single leg take down by Bryan after Corbin gets back up. Bryan continues to go after Corbin’s leg as he gets a leg lock in but Corbin reaches the ropes.

The referee breaks it up as Bryan backs off. Both men back up as Corbin takes Bryan down with a front lock take down. Bryan reverses it into a leg submission. Corbin gets out of it as Bryan goes for another kick but Corbin counters it and right hands by Corbin to the side of the face. Corbin gets Bryan up and a right hand knocks Bryan back down. Corbin bad mouthing Bryan as he hits him with elbows.

Forearms by Corbin as Bryan fights back with right hands and kicks to the legs. The referee breaks it up as Corbin hits Bryan with a right hand. Corbin slams Bryan’s head into the turnbuckle. He places Bryan on the top rope but Bryan fights back with right hands. Corbin with a big right hand knocks Bryan onto the outside. He throws Bryan into the ring post.

-Commercial Break-

Back from commercial, Corbin is in control in the ring. Corbin goes for a power bomb but Bryan lands on his feet, goes for a crucifix cover but Corbin kicks out. A knee to the stomach by Corbin as he quickly gets up. He slams Bryan into the corner. He runs towards Bryan, slides under the ropes, gets back in and hits Bryan with a clothesline. He goes for the cover but Bryan kicks out.

Corbin with a knee to the side of the face. He gets Bryan in the corner and starts to work on Bryan’s left shoulder which was thrown into the ring post earlier in the match. Corbin continues to work on Bryan’s shoulder. He sends Bryan to the ropes, Corbin slides under the ring and Bryan with a suicide dive takes Corbin into the barricade. Corbin is thrown back in the ring, Bryan with a drop kick off the top rope.

Bryan with a kick to the back followed by a kick to Corbin’s left hamstring. Bryan takes Corbin out and an ankle lock in the middle of the ring. Bryan lets go of the ankle lock and stomps on Corbin’s Achilles. He goes for the cover but Corbin kicks out. Bryan again with another cover but Corbin kicks out. And again but once more Corbin kicks out. Bryan with an uppercut. He runs and hits Corbin in the corner with the double knees. He runs towards Corbin but Corbin lands the Deep Six. He goes for the cover but Bryan kicks out.

Both men down in the ring. Right hands by Corbin but Bran reverses it into a half crab as Corbin reaches the ropes. Corbin slides onto the ring apron as Bryan stomps on Corbin and Corbin falls to the outside. Bryan with as suicide dive but Corbin catches him. Cryan with a kick to the left leg followed by a kick to the face. Corbin grabs a ladder and throws it onto Bryan as the referee calls for the bell.

Winner: By disqualification, Daniel Bryan

Baron Corbin argues with the referee after the match. Corbin grabs the ladder and places it in the ring as he throws Bryan into the ring. Corbin goes for the End of Days but Bryan reverses it. He places Corbin on top of the ladder and gets the Yes Lock in on Corbin.

Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro get in the ring as Nakamura kicks Bryan to break it up. Cesaro grabs the ladder and knocks Bryan out of the ring with it. Corbin grabs Bryan and throws him off the stage into the ladders.

Braun Strowman and Alexa Bliss are backstage. They are seen getting along as Bliss hands him a t-shirt of hers as he wipes his face with it and hands it back to her. She drops it to the floor as he walks away.

-Commercial Break-

Out comes the WWE Universal Champion Braun Strowman. He says Wyatt can try to give him gifts to remind him of the past. As he’s talking, the FireFly Fun House starts. Wyatt says tonight he has something special in store for everyone. It’s story time.

Wyatt says tonight’s tale is a true story called “The Black Sheep” as he holds up a book cover with a black sheep face. He says once upon a time, there was a black sheep and he looked a lot like Strowman. He was big, he smelled a little funny but he was stronger than any other animal on the farm. The good shepherd who was very smart, handsome saw the black sheep alone./ And he took him to his home and he raised the black sheep and taught him well. And in return, the black sheep protected the farm. But one day the selfish black sheep left in search of greener pastors. He dint say thank you or good bye. No note, nothing. The shepherd was very sad.

Why would you leave me he cried. His cries fell on deaf ears. And eventually, all of his other animals abandoned him as well and the shepherd was all alone. And he lost the entire farm. The end.

Wyatt says that’s a pretty sad ending. Let’s come up with a happier ending he says. One where the shepherd finds the black sheep and he reminds him of his mistakes. And he takes away what makes him happiest and then the shepherd will take the black sheep to the slaughter house.

Strowman cuts him up and says he’s done with puppets and Firefly Fun House. If he has something to say, to come down to the ring and say it to his face. Wyatt smiles and waves.

-Commercial Break-

We see a video of Make a Wish’s 40th anniversary with John Cena narrating it.

Sheamus vs. Leon Ruff

The bell rings and we are under way. Ruff with a drop kick. He goes for another but Sheamus moves out of the way. HE sends Ruff to the ropes and Ruff with a kick to the face. Sheamus grabs him but back elbows. Sheamus with a back breaker. He looks at Michael Cole and gives him another back breaker. A third back breaker by Sheamus onto Ruff as he tosses him to the outside.

Ruff stands up as Sheamus lifts him up and has him on the ring apron. Sheamus clubbing away at Ruff’s chest. He places Ruff in the corner and hits him with the Brogue Kick. He goes for the cover and gets the pin.

Winner: Sheamus

After the match, Sheamus walks to Cole and asks him if he will talk about his good mate Jeff Hardy. Cole says yes as we see a clip of Jeff Hardy, Chapter Four: The Comeback.

Sheamus asks if Jeff Hardy will be on SmackDown next week and Cole says he will. Sheamus says he’ll be there too.

Kayla Braxton is backstage with Otis and Mandy Rose. She asks him about his match with Dolph Ziggler. He says he beat Ziggler at WrestleMania and tonight he will beat him again. He will get the Money in the Bank contract not just for him but for his beautiful peach.

Mandy calls Sonya her former best friend. Mandy says what Sonya did hurt her but she’s looking forward and not back. And her focus is on Carmella, she’s a former champion and even the Money in the Bank. But just like Otis, they will both win the Money in the Bank matches. But first things first, she got this as she gives Otis a kiss on the cheek.

-Commercial Break-

Money in the Bank qualifier – Carmella vs. Mandy Rose

The bell rings and we are under way. A head lock take down by Mandy as Carmella reverses it into a leg scissor. Mandy kicks out. A snap mare take down by Carmella as she moon walks. A head lock by Carmella as she runs to the ropes and she hits Mandy with a super kick. She goes for the cover but Mandy kicks out.

An arm bar by Carmella as Mandy reverses it into a body slam. She goes for the cover but Carmella kicks out. A head lock by Mandy as Sonya Deville’s music hits. Out comes Sonya and she says she is supporting Mandy. Sonya starts to talk over the match. She says this time last year she gave Mandy her Money in the Bank spot but you live and learn.

Mandy in control of the match as she goes for the cover but Carmella kicks out. Sonya continues to talk as she slowly distracts Mandy. Sonya says Mandy will probably lose to Carmella as Carmella hits Mandy with a clothesline. Sonya says she will eat her imaginary popcorn and watch the show.

Carmella with right hands followed by a hurricanrana. Carmella gets up and a right hand by Mandy. Sonya calls Mandy to a fight as Carmella hits Mandy with a super kick. She goes for the cover and gets the pin.

Winner: Carmella

Sonya runs to the ring and starts to beat up on Mandy while telling Mandy that Mandy will never be better than her. She throws Mandy to the outside and throws her into the ring post. She grabs Mandy and throws her into the steel steps. She runs and slams her knee into the back of Mandy’s head. Referees come out and break it up as Sonya tells Mandy she will ruin her life.

-Commercial Break-

WE cut backstage where Mandy is getting looked at by the doctor as Otis asks how she;s doing. She says she will be fine as the doctor asks Otis to leave. Otis walks away and bumps into Ziggler who asks if Mandy is fine. Otis looks at him as Ziggler walks away.

The New Day vs. The Forgotten Sons

Before the bell could ring, out come The Miz and John Morrison. They join Cole and Graves on the announce team. The bell rings and we are under way.

Big E is in the ring with Cutler in the ring. Big E in control as Kofi is tagged in. They double team Cutler. Kofi goes for the cover but Cutler kicks out. A right hand by Cutler as Blake is tagged in. Kofi gets Blake in the corner and stomps on him. A basement drop kick by Kofi. He goes for the cover but Blake kicks out. He sends Blake to the ropes but Blake slams Kofi’s head into the mat.

Cutler is tagged back in as they double team Kofi but Kofi dodges the double team and tags Big E in. Big E with a belly to belly on Blake. Followed by another one and another. Big E gets Blake on the ring apron and beats on him. Cutler runs towards Big E but Big E with a back body drop on the outside. Big E with a big splash on Blake.

-Commercial Break-

Back from commercial, Kofi is in the ring with Cutler as Big E is tagged in. They double team Cutler as Big E goes for the cover but Cutler kicks out. The fights goes to the outside as Big E chases Cutler who gets back in the ring and tags Blake in. Big E is throws to the outside as Blake hits him with a suicide dive. Big E thrown back in the ring as Blake goes for the cover but Big E kicks out.

Cutler is tagged in as they double team Big E. Cutler with the cover but Big E kicks out. Big E tries to fight back but Cutler with right hands. Blake is tagged in and a double team on Big E. Blake goes for the cover as Big E kicks out. Blake with a double knees to the back as he gets on top of Big E’s back but Big E stands up and slams Blake into the corner. He tries to make the tag but Blake throws Big E in the corner and stomps on him.

Blake runs towards Big E but Big E slams him into the mat. Cutler is tagged in as is Kofi who jumps off the top rope and slams Cutler down. Kofi with a drop kick. He runs to the ropes and a flying forearm. Kofi with the boom drop. Kofi knocks Blake off the ring apron. He turns around and Cutler with a back breaker. He goes for the cover but Kofi kicks out.

Cutler places Kofi on the top rope and goes for a suplex but Kofi with a right hand. Kofi headbutts Cutler down as he jumps but Cutler moves out of the way. Kofi with a flying leg takes Cutler down. He goes for the cover but Cutler kicks out. Kofi runs towards Cutler but a back elbow by Cutler as Blake is tagged in. They double team Kofi. Blake goes for the cover but Kofi kicks out. Cutler is tagged back in.

Kofi throws them both to the outside. Big E is tagged in. Kofi runs to the ropes as Big E throws him over the top rope onto the Forgotten Sons. Kofi throws Cutler back into the ring as Big E tags Kofi in. Blake breaks it up. Big E throws Cutler to the outside, Big E goes for the suicide dive but Cutler moves out of the way. Big E is thrown into the ring post by Ryker.

Kofi and Cutler are in the ring as Blake is tagged in. They double team Kofi again as Blake goes for the cover and gets the pin.

Winners: The Forgotten Sons

John Morrison and The Miz clap and chant You deserve it.

-Commercial Break-

Tamina is backstage. And she’s asked about her match against Bayley. Tamina says it took her four women to beat her at WrestleMania. She is up for the challenge. She won’t be intimidated. And in comes Sasha Banks who says Tamina helped her more than she could imagine. Banks says she has a championship match at Money in the Bank but they are both strong women. No need for name calling or cheap shots. In comes Bayley from behind but Tamina grabs her as Sasha attacks Tamina. They both throw Tamina onto equipment backstage. In comes Lacey Evans to even it all as WWE officials break it up.

Dolph Ziggler is backstage and in comes Sonya who says she wishes she was backstage to see Mandy. She encourages Ziggler as he says people think they know him and see him as the bad guy. But they both know that he’s not a bad guy. He gets why they cheer on Otis because they see themselves sitting next to Otis but guys like that don’t ever really win. They get pats on the back, sympathy licks. The occasional participation award. Ziggler says if you are looking for a winner, you are looking at it. And he will win and he will go to Money in the Bank and he will win again. And he will cash in the contract again. And he will win, again.

Ziggler says after Sonya’s is done hurting Mandy, he will slide next to her as new champ and make her feel better.

-Commercial Break-

Money in the Bank qualifier – Otis vs. Dolph Ziggler

The bell rings and we are under way. Otis knocks Ziggler out of the ring with a shoulder block. Ziggler gets back in the ring as Otis goes after him but Ziggler moves out of the way. Ziggler grabs the leg of Otis and tries to take him down but Otis throws him away.

Otis with a vertical suplex. Otis goes for the cover but Ziggler kicks out. Ziggler kicks Otis in the stomach and hits him with right hands. Ziggler goes to throw Otis in the corner but Otis blocks it and slams Ziggler face first into the corner. Otis with a big body slam. He goes for the cover but Ziggler kicks out. Ziggler with a right hand and another followed by a headbutt. Otis catches Ziggler and slingshots him into the corner as Ziggler falls to the outside. Otis throws Ziggler back into the ring and hits him with a back drop. He goes for the cover but Ziggler kicks out.

Ziggler is in the corner as Otis runs towards him but Ziggler moves out of the way. Otis lands shoulder first and falls to the outside. Ziggler pushes him shoulder first into the barricade.

-Commercial Break-

Back from commercial, Ziggler is in control of the match. A right hand by Ziggler as he throws Otis in the corner. He grabs Otis and goes to throw him in another corner but Otis blocks it and knocks Ziggler down. Ziggler back up and a standing drop kick takes Otis down.

Ziggler with a headbutt and another drop kick. Otis bounces off the ropes and falls. Ziggler with a sleeper but Otis gets to his feet and throws Ziggler away. Ziggler back to his feet and a kick to Otis but Otis starts to fire up. A head butt by Otis knocks Ziggler down. A right hand knocks Ziggler down followed by a clothesline.

Otis runs towards Ziggler but Ziggler hits him with an elbow. Otis runs towards Ziggler and slams him into the corner. Otis goes for the caterpillar but Ziggler moves out of the way. Ziggler goes for the famous-er as Otis blocks it. Ziggler hits him with the Zig Zag. He goes for the cover but Otis kicks out.

Both men down as Ziggler is the first up. He goes for the super kick but Otis catches him and lands a fall away throw. Otis with the caterpillar and lands it. He goes for the cover and gets the pin.

Winner: Otis