Friday Night Smackdown – May 19th 2023: Results & Review
Welcome to this review of this past Friday’s episode of Friday Night Smackdown, right here on Nerdly. Let’s see what went down on this week’s show as the “Night of Champions” gets ever closer!
Match #1: Pretty Deadly def. The Brawling Brutes
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
In their in-ring debut on SmackDown, Pretty Deadly took on Butch and Ridge Holland of The Brawling Brutes. With Sheamus providing commentary, Butch and Holland used their strength to combat the debuting duo. Holland’s power was on full display as he lifted both Prince and Wilson, dropping them unceremoniously. The Brawling Brutes continued to hammer on Pretty Deadly with both brutes hitting 10 Beats of the Bodhran. Just as Butch and Holland were looking to wrap up a victory, Pretty Deadly snatched the win with Spilt Milk.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #2: Asuka def. Zelina Vega
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Zelina Vega, still buzzing from the reception she received in Puerto Rico at WWE Backlash, took on the dangerous Asuka. Asuka, who faces Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair at WWE Night of Champions, was competing in her first match on SmackDown after being drafted in the 2023 WWE Draft. Vega connected with a 619 and nearly put away The Empress of Tomorrow with a Meteora, but the No. 1 Contender kicked out. After attempting some unique pinning attempts, Vega got caught with the Asuka Lock, giving Asuka the submission victory.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: The Street Profits def. LA Knight & Rick Boogs
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
After proclaiming he could beat The Street Profits with any tag team partner, LA Knight teamed with Rick Boogs. Boogs looked impressive early, lifting Montez Ford up for shoulder presses then curling Angelo Dawkins, using them as weights in a gym. Just as Boogs and Knight were rolling, the two suffered a miscommunication, and Ford hit From the Heavens to wrap up the win. After the match, Knight dropped Boogs, seemingly ending their partnership after just one week.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #4: Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn def. Valentina Feroz & Yulisa Leon
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
In their first SmackDown match since being drafted from NXT in the 2023 WWE Draft, NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn took on Valentina Feroz and Yulisa Leon. Fyre and Dawn wasted no time getting in the winner’s column, nailing Leon with their vicious tandem finishing move.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #5: The LWO def. The Usos
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Needing to secure a win and get back in Roman Reigns’ good graces, The Usos took on The LWO. The Usos employed a sound strategy in the early goings, isolating Santos Escobar from making the tag to Rey Mysterio. Once Escobar was able to tag in the WWE Hall of Famer, Mysterio lit up Jey Uso with scintillating offense. Both Mysterio and Escobar nearly claimed the win after a Canadian Destroyer from Mysterio and a top-rope hurricanrana from Escobar. As Mysterio was going for the 619, he ran into a superkick from Jey. Jey followed this up with a huge Frog Splash from the top-rope, but Mysterio miraculously kicked out. With both Usos up top to hit the double splash, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn distracted The Bloodline members, allowing Escobar to hit a huge splash on Jimmy to get the monumental win.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
Good god this week’s episode of Smackdown was mid. So mid. Only the main event saved the day really, though I really dug the Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn tag match – those two squash their opponents with aplomb and I loved it. The opening match was less than stellar as was the LA Knight/Rick Boogs tag match… Rick Boogs! Really?! Surely I’m not the only one who couldn’t give two hoots about Boogs? Having LA Knight team with him seems to be punishing Knight IMHO. Even the Roman Reigns coming unhinged stuff couldn’t help this week’s show I’m afraid.