Tonight’s edition of Friday Night SmackDown comes to us live from Orlando, FL with a closed set at the WWE Performance Center.
What To Expect Tonight On SmackDown: Fresh off the memorable win at WWE Headquarters, we will finally hear from “Mr. Money in the Bank” himself, Otis! Ohhh Yeaaaa! Also on the line-up, NXT Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair will make her return to the blue brand after humbling several rising superstars on NXT. Finally, the Intercontinental Championship is up for grabs, an announcement on how that will be handled, tonight on WWE Friday Night SmackDown!
Featured below are WWE Friday Night SmackDown results from May 15, 2020. written by Wrestling-Edge’s newest female reporter, Jamie Rush. Follow me on Twitter @JamieRush312.
WWE FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN RESULTS (5/15): ORLANDO, FL.
Show Opener
We kick off with a highlight video package from this past Sunday’s Money in the Bank pay-per-view, specifically the Ladder Match that was held with both the Men’s division and Women’s division racing to the top of WWE Headquarters simultaneously.
Special guest appearances as they made their way up each floor of the building, a food fight started by Otis, Vince McMahon’s office with real dinosaur bones, and finally the action on the roof (and off the side of the roof) until Asuka and Otis ultimately won for each division!
With the incredible MITB in our rear-view SmackDown kicks off on FOX as we are told we will be joined by The Queen, Flair coming from RAW to SmackDown for the all new brand to brand invitational. On that note, we hear The Miz’s entrance theme sound in the Performance Center to officially start the show.
Miz TV
The Miz and John Morrison make their way out as they are announced by the panel of commentators at ringside including Michael Cole and Corey Graves. The Miz begins his opening for Miz TV, but is immediately interrupted by Otis’s entrance theme sounding over the speakers. Otis comes running down the ramp and shouting, still celebrating his Money in the Bank victory. Otis finally enters the ring with Miz and Morrison who are already seated for their first guest interview.
Miz tells Otis to have a seat, to which Otis responds, “right here?” pointing to a small director’s chair like Miz and Morrison are sitting in. Miz asks with sarcasm, “Where else would you sit?” Otis reluctantly attempts to squeeze into the seat, only to have it full through half way, stopping short of falling to the canvas. Otis quickly gets back to his feet, briefcase still in hand as he states, “I think i’ll just stand.” The Miz continues on.
“I gotta congratulate you on ‘winning’ the money in the bank match. This must have been the most important victory of your career,” Miz begins. Otis agrees, stating it is the most important win of his career but the most important victory of his life was winning the heart of his beautiful peach, Mandy Rose.
Morrison chimes in, asking how he pulled that one off, adding he must be packing some serious meat. “I got the contract!” Otis shouts. Miz responds, “And?” Otis states, “Some Rolaids, and some Gas-X” Morrison responds, “And?” Otis states shyly, “And a bratwurst… in case I get hungry later.”
Miz then says they were going to delve into how Otis became, this. A baby picture of Otis appears on the screen. Miz looking shocked at the baby photo and asks how much Otis weighed when he was born, to which Otis replies, “12 pounds 14 ounces, the biggest baby to come out of his mother.”
Miz replies, “Your poor, poor mother.” Morrison then asks “Are you pregnant? Miz exclaims, “John!” Morrison continues, “What? It’s 2020, anything is possible.” Miz then agrees as Morrison says Otis looks like he’s about to give birth. They say it would be responsible of Otis to relinquish his briefcase like Becky Lynch did when she announced her pregnancy. Otis replies, “No, no, no… my mother wouldn’t allow it. It stays here with me, my mother has been an Otis fan since day one.”
“I grew up with a learning disability, so things didn’t always make sense to me. But my mother stood by me, and helped me continue in sports, especially wrestling, because that made sense to me.” Another picture of Otis appears on the screen, this time of him as a preteen holding up his muscles in his tighty whiteys. Otis shouts, “Oohhhh Yeeeea! Look at those quads!” Miz attempts to sounds encouraging, then finally breaks. Saying he cant do it, this isn’t right.
Miz explains in semi-disgust that when he was Mr. Money in the Bank, he used it to help launch him into Superstardom, Otis is using it as a lunch box. This clumsy, sweating, stuttering, mumbling, muttering bearded mama’s boy buffoon is Mr. Money in the Bank, AND he got the girl too??! (Otis licks food off the briefcase as Miz shouts). Miz then gets to his feet, demanding Otis get Tucker out there now for a tag-team match.
Otis stutters, explaining Tucker couldn’t be there as he had some difficulties on the Oregon Trail. Miz now enraged as he’s shouting that Miz cannot even make a tag-team match properly! Already upset that Otis didn’t even have to climb the ladder to become Mr. Money in the Bank, the title simply fell into his hands. Miz states Otis has to find somebody willing to team up with his “Shrek” looking-self, anyone willing to team up with him. We then head to Michael Cole as Miz TV comes to a close.
Broadcaster’s Table
Cole states, we have breaking news, Int. Champion Samy Zayn is unable to compete, so there will be a tournament to crown a new champion. The leader board appears on the screen showing Daniel Bryan and Drew Gulak in one corner Elias and King Corbin in another. ‘
Jeff Hardy and Sheamus in the lower corner and AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura in the final corner. The big news is AJ Styles has entered the tournament in an attempt to win the one title that has alluded him. There will be later on that tonight, according to Cole.
Ladies and Gentlemen… Elias
We hear that familiar strum, as Elias makes his way to the stage.
King Corbin vs. Elias
Elias is already in the ring as he made his way out before the video package was shown. Out next is King Corbin as his music sounds in the arena. The referee signals for the bell, the bell rings and the match begins.
Lots of back and forth slaps and kicks between both superstars early on in the match. Corbin is finally able to lock in a half crab on Elias, to which Elias almost immediately is able to break free from. Corbin attempts to follow up with a Back Elbow, landing Elias on the canvas. Corbin goes for the cover, Elias kicks out t two.
Corbin again attempts to apply a submission hold on Elias, Elias once again manages to break free, followed by a Clothesline on Corbin. Corbin lands ringside from the impact of the Clothesline. Elias heads to the top turnbuckle and Dives onto Corbin with a Body Block. Both men attempt to return to a standing position, Corbin slams Elias into the barricade.
To add insult to injury, Corbin strums Elias’s guitar. That was enough to set Elias off, with a new momentum. Elias slams Corbin into the broadcaster’s table with a Baseball Slide. Back in the ring, Elias attempts a rope walk, Corbin blocks the move. Elias is dragged back into the ring followed by a Bossman Lariat. Corbin makes the cover once again, Elias kicks out at two.Finally Corbin rolls to the outside to grab Elias’s guitar, which was a no-no earlier in the match. Elias turns in time to see Corbin smask it on the turnbuckle. Elias jumps up, lands a Jumping Knee Strike for the roll up and the three count.
Winner: Elias
After the Match
Moral of the story, don’t mess with a musician’s instrument. Corbin looks shocked inside the ring, Elias celebrates his victory as he makes his way up the ramp.
Backstage
Otis is seen discussing (with himself apparently) that he cannot find a tagteam partner. Mandy enters, telling him to ask Braun Strowman. Otis kisses Mandy and runs off.
(more backstage) Otis finds Braun, asking him to be his partner. Braun asks if he wants a tag partner or is setting up a chance at the title with the MITB briefcase. Otis promises the latter.
The SmackDown Hacker
“They want to know who I am. I…am everywhere. I see…everyone. I hear…everything. I am the truth, and no one is safe.” We see the usual cut package of technology in everyday use and end with the on-screen message that the truth will be heard.
Naomi vs. Dana Brooke
Out first for this one-fall women’s match up, is Dana Brooke as her music sounds in the Performance Center. She wants to avenge a perceived wrong, as the announcers point out that she feels that Dana Brooke took her spot in the Women’s Money in the Bank match. Dana is out next and both women lock up!
We’re reminded that Naomi is a former two-time women’s champion as the women continue to grapple. Naomi sends Dana into the ropes and hits a drop kick, then as Dana recovers, she hits another! Naomi is fast and furious with her offense until Dana puts a stop to it! Dana sets Naomi up in the corner and does a cartwheel rump bump.
Dana sends Naomi to the opposite corner and goes for the move again, but is blocked. Naomi flies off the top rope with a Crossbody, followed by a pin attempt. Dana Brooke pops out of it, hits a sneaky roll-up and gets the win! Out of the blue, Dana won that one in a very short fashion!
Winner: Dana Brooke!
Quick Announcement
It is announced that “The Queen” Charlotte Flair will be up next just before we’re given a promo for Raw then yet another commercial break!
Also, this Monday on Raw, Edge and Orton will continue the buildup to Backlash, and fallout from Becky Lynch’s abdication will continue.
Becky Lynch Expecting…
As we come back from a clip sends us to where we see Becky Lynch walk away from her wrestling career for what may very well be permanently. Different clips are shown from Lynch’s career including winning Raw and SD titles, Royal Rumble 2019, and main eventing WrestleMania last year.
This Monday’s RAW is shown where Becky explains the Raw Women’s title was actually in the women’s Money in the Bank briefcase. She arranged it with the Powers that Be so that whomever won MitB would be the new champion instead of receiving a title shot.
They edited in a “Becky Becky Becky” crowd chant with the clip of Becky walking off the Raw stage one final time. We’re reminded that news outlet and sports stars flooded social media with congratulations for Becky and Seth. Congratulations!! “The Man” is soon to be “The Mom”!
The Queen (NXT Women’s Champ, Charlotte Flair) Returns
Please welcome the NXT champion, Charlotte Flair, who’s here on Smackdown thanks to the Brand to Brand Invitational. This is a new system that allows a Superstar from Raw and Smackdown will be able to travel to the other brand, limited to four times per year. Unsure if this is four times per superstar or total transactions.
To start things off, Flair brags on how she works for all three brands; the numbers were crunched and apparently the people want more of the Queen. Fox used the Brand to Brand invitational to bring her over to Smackdown. She goes on to point out that five of her twelve championships were won here on Smackdown and she’s surprised her picture doesn’t hang ringside as she’s the greatest, the queen…Charlotte Flair!
Bayley and Sasha Banks Interrupt Flair’s In-Ring Promo
Bayley and Sasha Banks interrupt as Charlotte continues to boast about herself and her abilities, as they make their way out to the ring and we’ve got three of the Four Horsewomen of NXT in the ring at once. Bayley mentions the Fox executives have got a thing for blondes, then blatantly states that everyone are sheep and have a thing for the daughter of Ric Flair.
Bayley and Sasha mock Flair as they then proceed to taunt her with “woo’s”. Sasha mentions the last time that they saw Charlotte Flair was when Bayley defeated Charlotte to win the Smackdown title for the second time. Charlotte brings up that the first time Bayley won the title was when Charlotte was unconscious, then goes on to mock Bayley’s hair cut.
The women trade verbal barbs, with Bayley mentioning she’s the first women’s grand slam champion, and tells Charlotte to go back to NXT or Raw where she can beat Liv Morgan over and over again. Bayley then goes on to state she’s the most dominant woman in Smackdown history, and flaunts that she beat Charlotte, and tells her to get the hell out of the ring.
Charlotte reminds Bayley that she was made relevant by Banks, and that Bayley is still only champ thanks to Banks. Charlotte then hypes Sasha’s career, reminding her that they have had more successful careers than Bayley. Bayley gets defensive, to which Charlotte asks for someone in production to cut Bayley’s mic so Sasha can talk for once.
Bayley then challenges Charlotte to a Champion versus Champion match. Charlotte accepts, with one question, and it’s for Sasha: “Sasha, I want you to think long and hard about this. Are you your own woman, or are you just going to be Bayley’s lackey, and happy to be an after thought?” She then gives a subtle and soft “woo” as her music plays them out!.
Backstage with Braun
We head backstage in time to see Braun Strowman working out with resistance bands (looking as though he stretched out all the “resistance”). Strowman is still deciding whether to take on the tag-team match with Otis as we head to commercial break.
Backstage with the Forgotten Sons
We get a video package, showing the Forgotten Sons with camouflage, American flag patches, as they mention they’re all former soldiers who weren’t welcomed home. They were told they were mentally unstable and resent it, so they’re going to welcome their opponents to fists.
Renee Young w/ The Miz & Morrison
Mrs. Moxley asks the duo of their thoughts on Braun teaming with Otis. They joke around and are overly confident, whether it’s Braun or someone else.
We cut back to the announcers who go over the current Intercontinental Title Tournament bracket and we hear Ride of the Valkyries come over the speakers!
Daniel Bryan vs. Drew Gulak
Daniel is out first for this match-up between friends. We cut to a quick commercial break before Gulak comes out. We’re reminded that Drew is Daniel’s coach, and this match sees two besties square off!
After yet another reminder that these two constantly train together and have taught each other a lot…and again…we finally get the bell to ring! Both men meet in the middle of the ring and shake hands in a sign of good sportsmanship.
As DB and Drew exchange grapples and locks, Corey Graves and Michael Cole remind us how prestigious the IC title is. More than a dozen current Hall of Famers have held the IC title, and we’re reminded of the Ultimate Warrior having the title at WrestleMania VI when he took on a very handsome, well articulated follow from Venice Beach.
Both of these men continue to lock up and grapple, and counter each other. The action often goes down to the mat with locks still held, and back to their feet. DB has a long waist lock, but Drew manages to counter it and locks in the Gu-lock! Daniel makes his way to the ropes and the ref breaks the hold. The announcers continue to compare the friendship between these competitors with sports athletes such as Jordan/Pippen, etc.
Both men are cautious due to a healthy respect for one another (Corey’s words, not mine). DB has Gulak locked up but Gulak powers it into a suplex attempt. DB slams Gulak to the mat and attempts to lock in the arm bar. Gulak counters. DB goes for the Yes Lock but Gulak counters and gets to the ropes, forcing a break.
Both men extend an arm and lock up. Multiple standing switches and locks. DB has Gulak in a waist hold. Drew dumps DB over his head, accidentally dropping DB to the floor at ringside. Gulak looks copacetic as we go to commercial!
We return to the action, Gulak has DB in a Full Nelson. Daniel switches and hits a Belly to Back Suplex and makes the cover. Kick out! Drew gets DB in a headlock, forcing him down to the mat then back to his feet. Daniel attempts to reverse. Looks like he wanted to hit an atomic knee, but nothing came of it. Drew continues to work the head. DB hits a Dragon Screw, a shin-breaker, and another Dragon Screw. Daniel keeps working Gulak’s left leg.
He puts him in a hamstring crusher that’s turned into an Ankle Lock. Drew gets to the rope and the ref threatens to break it, but DB turns it into a suplex. Gulax and Bryan go back and forth. Drew tries for a cover on DB but only gets the two. More exchanges and Drew turns it into another slam! DB catches Drew running, grapples him almost as if going for the O’Connor roll but hits an Overhead Suplex!
Drew back to his feet and charges DB, who counters. Both men are back up. Drew plants DB and goes for a rollup; DB reverses and gets a two. Drew catches DB from behind and locks in the Gu-lock, a Dragon Sleeper! Bryan slips out and goes for the Yes Lock, but couldn’t lock it in. This match picked up pace! Drew and DB counter each other.
Daniel Bryan picks the ankle and hits a wicked looking leg twist, sending Gulak flying. Daniel Bryan slips his legs around Gulak’s and gets him in ankle lock in the middle of the ring! Gulak can’t make it to the ropes and taps out!
Winner: Daniel Bryan!
After the Match
Renee interviews Daniel Bryan and asks what the Intercontinental Championship means to him. DB points out that it’s nearly five years to the day that he had to relinquish the IC title and retire.
He lets us know that he wants to reclaim the title, and will defend it week in and week out, because he wants to be known as the greatest IC champion in history. Gulak approaches as Renee leaves and both competitors shake hands. Classy!
Our main event is up next! We head to commercial break!!
It’s been made official–next week we get Champion vs Champion as Bayley and Charlotte square off! We’ll also see a mixed tag match of Otis & Mandy Rose versus Dolph & Sonya Deville, and two more IC matches as Sheamus takes on Jeff Hardy and AJ Styles takes on Shinsuke Nakamura!
Backstage with Sonya & Dolph
Sonya questions what Mandy’s good at, and runs her down in preparation for the match next week. She mocks Otis and Mandy’s love, and says Mandy’s future is in the trailer park, passing beers to Otis while their redneck children run around. Sonya lets Mandy know that Mandy will never be Sonya, and promises that she’s going to ruin Mandy’s life.
She tells Mandy to go home, get it together, put on her big-girl panties and challenges Mandy to show her why she belongs in the ring with Sonya. “We’ll see you in the ring next week…bitch!” Dolph just grimaces this entire time.
Otis & Mystery Partner vs. The Miz & Morrison
Here we go, folks, it’s time for our main event! Out first is the Miz & Morrison! The former tag team champions are ready to take on Otis and his Mystery Partner! Who could it be? We’re about to find out!Otis comes to the ring, briefcase in hand, as we get a quick snapshot of his career stats, including that he trained at an Olympic facility in Colorado. Riveting!
In the ring, Miz & Morrison taunt Otis, mocking him for having no friends and no one in his corner. Rawrrrrrrr! Otis shimmies and does a little jig with the case as Braun Strowman makes his way out to the ring in what will be a very interesting match–champion and MitB winner side by side!
Otis & Braun vs The Miz & Morrison
Braun flexes and the heels back up. The bell rings and we’ve got John Morrison starting things off with Otis, who thrusts his pelvis repeatedly before swiveling his hips!
The usual fare as Otis gyrates and dances and flaunts his jelly belly in between mounting offense on Morrison. He spins and body slams John Morrison, pop up slams, knocks Miz ringside and finally makes a tag to Braun. Otis and Braun do a double counter-pillar, pop up and hit the double elbow! Morrison rolls to the outside and the Miz checks on his partner as we go to a commercial! Seriously, don’t take shots every commercial break. Ignore that shot game idea I had.
We’re back from break! Miz has Otis in a headlock on the mat, and is in control of this. We get views from during the break where the Miz jabbed a thumb to Otis’ eye and hit him with a DDT. The Miz, one of the “82 percenters, men who have successfully cashed in a MitB contract,” gets Otis in the corner and hits the It Kicks.
Miz continues to work Otis in the corner before hitting another set of It Kicks in the middle of the ring. The Miz hooks the leg and attempts a cover but Otis kicks out. Miz works Otis in a headlock, slowing wearing the big man out.
Otis gets to his feet, Miz on his back with a headlock. Otis can’t make it to his corner and stumbles back to a friendly corner, giving Morrison a chance to tag in. A failed double team move by the former tag champs gives Otis an opening to his a Double Suplex, and he makes the hot tag to Braun! Strowman comes in and dominates, tossing the Miz and Morrison around like ragdolls.
Morrison makes the mistake of going outside as does the Miz. Strowman comes charging at ring side and runs over the Miz! The Miz goes inside, Morrison and Braun follows. Morrison saves Miz from a slam and mounts some offense, back and forth action quickly before Strowman hits the Powerslam and gets the one, two, three!
Winner: Braun Strowman & Otis
After the Match
Braun raises Otis’ hand as both men celebrate! We get a quick recap, then Otis and Braun stand side by side, holding their title/MitB case respectively. Mandy comes out and Otis drops the briefcase at ringside, dancing for Mandy and also causing Braun to come on guard–is Otis cashing it in now?
Otis is caught by Braun’s glaring, and claims that he was just kidding and isn’t cashing it in. Both men then celebrate side by side again, with Mandy, and the show goes off the air with Braun cautiously eyeing Otis!
That’s all folks!!
