WWE SmackDown Live May 29 2018: News in Brief

Did we get the Samoa Joe-Daniel Bryan WWE dream match we were all hoping for? Not quite. Here’s the SmackDown Live news in brief…

Samoa Joe cut a typically rousing in-ring promo to start the show. Daniel Bryan came out to confront him. But then Big Cass arrived in a suit and on crutches, saying he’ll face Joe in a MITB qualifier once he’s medically cleared. His injury turned out to be not as serious as we all thought, as Cass revealed he is actually cleared now, then aimed for Bryan with his crutch only to hit Joe, before laying both men out with the Money in the Bank briefcase. Cass was the star of this segment, getting genuine heel heat, which is refreshing in a WWE where many of the heels (like Joe) get cheered.

Shinsuke Nakamura (who got cheered, see what I mean?) beat Tye Dillinger with the Kinshasa. Nakamura laid Dillinger out with the Kinshasa again after the match then counted him out to 10, to hype up the Last Man Standing match at Money in the Bank.

The King of Strong Style’s MITB opponent AJ Styles later cut a backstage promo basically vowing to overcome the odds and defeat Shin. Styles is getting better at promos.

Lana was a heel this week, which felt like a colossal waste of the huge face reaction she got last week. The Ravishing Russian had an in-ring dance-off with Naomi, who was flanked by The Usos. Both women got cheers. So they decided to dance together. Lana then dropped Naomi with a reverse neckbreaker, with excellent timing. This led to The Usos taking out Rusev and Aiden English while Naomi did the same to Lana. This felt like a way to give The Usos and Rusev Day something to do at Money in the Bank.

The New Day beat The Miz and The Bar in an entertaining six-man full of big moves, when Big E pinned Miz with the Big Ending. So it looks like Big E will be in the Money in the Bank match, right?

Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson did a backstage promo where Anderson revealed he has a “hot Asian wife”. That’s nice for him. Their MITB opponents The Bludgeon Brothers did an inset promo, basically being scary.

Asuka beat Mandy Rose with the Asuka Lock. The Empress of Tomorrow’s MITB foe Carmella was on commentary. Asuka’s aura has really taken a beating since her streak ended at WrestleMania. Asuka and Carmella stared down in the ring after the match.

Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair were backstage talking about both being in the women’s MITB match. Becky is so likeable, I really want her to win at MITB. So does Charlotte, apparently. “I want you to win.” What a strange thing for her to say. Paige arrived and reminded them of their days in Team PCB. I’d forgotten about that. The GM teased she had something up her sleeve for Becky and Charlotte.

Sin Cara (who speaks!) greeted Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas backstage like an old friend. Zelina Vega and Almas were not happy at this and ‘Cien’ had choice words for Cara. They walked off. Sin Cara looked upset. I think. It was hard to tell through the mask.

Finally, Samoa Joe beat Daniel Bryan and Big Cass in a three-way to qualify for Money in the Bank. Bryan, who is wrestling like a man possessed since his comeback, had the match won but was caught in the Coquina Clutch and passed out. Afterwards Cass laid out DB with the big boot.

No Iiconics on the show? Boooo!

Did you enjoy SmackDown Live? Please comment below.

• Naomi
• The Bar
• Rusev
• paige
• The Usos
• aiden english
• Carmella
• AJ Styles
• andrade cien almas
• karl anderson
• luke gallows
• The Miz
• tye dillinger
• the new day
• Samoa Joe
• the bludgeon brothers
• Lana
• Shinsuke Nakamura
• Becky Lynch
• Big Cass
• Daniel Bryan
• Asuka
• Zelina Vega
• Charlotte Flair
• mandy rose
• Sin Cara

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