Winners, News And Notes Ahead Of Night Of Champions 2023

WWE SmackDown advertised Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa on the K.O. Show ahead of their big showdown at WWE Night of Champions. SmackDown also advertised Sheamus vs. Austin Theory, Raquel Rodriguez and Shotzi vs. Damage CTRL and AJ Styles vs. Karrion Kross.

Last week’s broadcast of SmackDown drew 2.133 million viewers.

WWE SmackDown Results | May 26, 2023

• Austin Theory def. Sheamus | WWE United States Championship
• Raquel Rodriguez and Shotzi def. Damage CTRL
• Cameron Grimes def. Ashante The Adonis
• LA Knight def. Rick Boogs
• AJ Styles def. Karrion Kross

WWE SmackDown Ratings

• May 19, 2023 | 2.133 million
• May 12, 2023 | 2.149 million
• May 5, 2023 | 2.059 million
• April 28, 2023 | 2.473 million
• April 21, 2023 | 2.175 million

• WWE SmackDown Venue: Colonial Life Arena (Columbia, SC)
• WWE SmackDown Tickets Distributed: 10,207
• Available Tickets: 236

WWE SmackDown Winners and Grades

Austin Theory Def. Sheamus

Perhaps his feud with GUNTHER helped, but Sheamus feels like he’s a level above just about every babyface in the company not named Cody Rhodes.

Sheamus pounded Austin Theory’s chest for a whopping 25 Beats of the Bodhran and the crowd went crazy for it.

If you’re a fan of counting, this was the match for you because it ended with Sheamus hitting Kit Wilson with seven Beats of the Bodhran before he was rolled up for the 1-2-3.

Backstage, Roman Reigns had a great, tense exchange with Jimmy Uso as Reigns challenged Jimmy to “do something” after Jimmy refused to listen to Reigns and sit down.

Sheamus vs. Austin Theory Grade: B

Raquel Rodriguez And Shotzi Def. Damage CTRL

Given the lingering tensions between Bayley and Iyo Sky and the tag team debut of Raquel Rodriguez and Shotzi, this result was as predictable as the AEW Double or Nothing Pillars Match.

Iyo Sky accidentally helped Raquel Rodriguez pin Bayley as Damage CTRL is set to inevitably explode.

Raquel Rodriguez and Shotzi vs. Damage CTRL Grade: C+

Cameron Grimes Def. Ashante Adonis

Cameron Grimes feels like an AEW wrestler in WWE, because he doesn’t have a gimmick, WWE hasn’t really told you what he’s about and his calling card is that he can wrestle. What’s frustrating is Grimes had a fully fleshed-out character in NXT
XT
and it was awesome.

I don’t know who Michael Cole hates more, Dominik Mysterio or Top Dolla.

Grimes finish alone can keep him above water while WWE irons out the details of this character.

After this match, Baron Corbin attacked Grimes as their feud continues.

Cameron Grimes vs. Ashante Adonis Grade: C+

Bianca Belair Appears Live

WWE insists this isn’t the same Asuka from WrestleMania, yet this entire feud feels like a rerun.

Bianca tried a KOD but one of the officials caught Asuka and she landed on her face. The crowd was furious, as they should have been.

Bianca Belair-Asuka Segment Grade: B-

LA Knight Def. Rick Boogs

Fans chanted “yeah!” whenever LA Knight would hit a strike. This man is so over.

The Street Profits were so entertaining on commentary, especially when they trolled Wade Barrett.

After the cheap victory, Montez Ford asked the crowd “this y’all’s man?”

LA Knight vs. Rick Boogs Grade: C

AJ Styles Def. Karrion Kross

Commentary did everything they could to convince you Karrion Kross had a chance to win this match, but come on.

Scarlett was run off by Michin, which eventually opened the door for a clean victory from AJ Styles, who will likely be the runner-up for the runner-up world title.

AJ Styles vs. Karrion Kross Grade: B

The KO Show Featuring Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa

Most of this show sounded like Michael Cole was doing voiceovers from his living room.

After being poked and prodded by Kevin and Sami, Jimmy Uso committed blasphemy by declaring himself the Tribal Chief.

After a brawl broke out, and Reigns took a stunner, Solo Sikoa hit the ring and laid out Kevin and Sami by himself. Reigns recovers quickly, shook off the stunner and Speared Sami Zayn for good measure.

SmackDown went off the air with Roman Reigns holding up both sets of tag titles while Chief Jimmy looked sick to his stomach.

Main Event Segment Grade: B+