Winners And Grades On May 12, 2023

WWE SmackDown advertised the return of Roman Reigns on the first SmackDown with an exclusive roster. SmackDown will also feature fallout from this past weekends’ superb WWE Backlash PLE in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Of course, SmackDown will continue the WWE World Heavyweight Championship tournament with two Triple Threat matches. Edge, Rey Mysterio and AJ Styles will compete in one tourney match while Bobby Lashley, Austin Theory and Sheamus will compete in the other. SmackDown also advertised Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez vs. Damage CTRL.

Last week’s broadcast of SmackDown drew 2.059 million viewers.

WWE SmackDown Results | May 12, 2023

• AJ Styles def. Edge and Rey Mysterio
• Bobby Lashley def. Austin Theory and Sheamus
• Cameron Grimes def. Baron Corbin
• Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan def. Damage CTRL
• AJ Styles def. Bobby Lashley

WWE SmackDown Ratings

• May 5, 2023 | 2.059 million
• April 28, 2023 | 2.473 million
• April 21, 2023 | 2.175 million
• April 14, 2023 | 2.135 million
• April 7, 2023 | 2.468 million

• WWE SmackDown Venue: Thompson-Boiling Arena (Knoxville, Tenn.)
• WWE SmackDown Tickets Distributed: 9,538
• Available Tickets: 813

WWE SmackDown Winners and Grades

AJ Styles Def. Edge and Rey Mysterio

It feels like forever since we last saw Edge, yet he’s just randomly inserted into a SmackDown tournament for a WWE Raw title. And they (read: Roman Reigns diehards) say Cody Rhodes needed to tell a better story?

This was going to be a wrestling-heavy night as the show started with AJ Styles and Rey Mysterio already in the ring.

This match feels like three legends fighting over the last spot on the 2000’s Mount Rushmore.

Though there were three babyfaces in the ring, fans leaned toward AJ Styles, who didn’t even receive any ring music for his in-ring return.

The finish of this match was messed up as Rey Mysterio prepared to take a spear, only for Edge to not give it.

Styles vs. Edge and Rey Mysterio Grade: B+

Bobby Lashley Def. Sheamus and Austin Theory

Austin Theory was featured heavily throughout but ultimately took the pinfall.

I’m expecting a Bobby Lashley vs. Roman Reigns feud down the line, so I don’t rule out The Bloodline getting involved with the Lashley vs. Styles main event.

Lashley was busted open the hard way but was able to finish the match.

After a great Triple Threat match (until the end), Lashley, Sheamus and Theory came up short trying to follow it.

Lashley vs. Sheamus and Theory Grade: B-

Cameron Grimes Def. Baron Corbin

Cameron Grimes won this match in less time it takes to say “shovel.”

I really hope this Cameron Grimes-Baron Corbin feud ends with these two teaming up together.

Grimes vs. Corbin Grade: C+

Roman Reigns Returns

The hook for this segment was “will Roman Reigns congratulate The Usos or give them a pep talk?” After The Usos lost the tag titles and failed to regain them, I think everybody watching knew exactly what the answer was.

Roman Reigns battled “what” chants before giving all the credit for Saturday’s Bloodline win to Solo Sikoa.

Roman Reigns assured Solo that Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens were no longer a problem, but the problem is The Usos.

Roman Reigns tried to bully Jimmy Uso into apologizing, and after Jey Uso apologized on behalf of The Usos, Paul Heyman announced a match for WWE Night of Champions: Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn vs. Solo Sikoa and Roman Reigns.

Roman Reigns Return Grade: A-

Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan Def. Damage CTRL

Bayley’s history as a former two-time tag team champion was mentioned. Whom she won those titles with was not.

Wade Barrett mentioned Raquel Rodriguez was Dakota Kai’s bodyguard in NXT
XT
, and I believe that’s the first time anybody on the main roster has cared to explain their history.

To the surprise of nobody, Iyo Sky accidentally cost Bayley the Tag Team Championships as the Damage CTRL split remains inevitable.

Damage CTRL vs. Rodriguez and Morgan Grade: A-

Bianca Belair’s Championship Celebration

Bianca Belair is being celebrated as the longest-reigning women’s champion of the modern era.

Asuka came down to congratulate Belair on her accomplishment, and poor Bianca fell for it before being misted. Hopefully their WrestleMania rematch will have some semblance of a story.

Bianca Belair Championship Celebration Grade: B-

AJ Styles Def. Bobby Lashley

Bobby Lashley was sporting a giant hematoma on the top of his head. The hematoma burst open during this match as Lashley bled yet again.

The crowd was very mild for this match and I don’t blame them. It can be argued that after the Undisputed World Championship and the Tag Team
TISI
Titles, the WWE World Heavyweight Championship is the third-most important title in wrestling.

Styles and Lashley appeared to get lost at certain points, which is exactly what happened the last time they stepped in the ring together on Raw.

Styles picked up a shockingly clean win over Lashley, setting the stage for Rollins vs. Styles at WWE Night of Champions.

AJ Styles vs. Bobby Lashley Grade: B-