Minutes to Bell Time

                    May 22nd Episode of Smackdown

                    May 22nd Episode of Smackdown

                    May 22nd Episode of Smackdown

                    May 22nd Episode of Smackdown Results

                    Live results for the May 22nd Episode of Smackdown will begin at 8PM. Come back here to read those results.

                    Cold Open – Video Package for Memorial Day

                    Episode Begins with The Dirt Sheet

                    Miz is mad that Braun Strowman got involved in their match with Otis last week. John Morrison made a joke about Becky Lynch having a child with Seth Rollins. They’re talking trash about Braun Strowman and how Bray Wyatt chose puppets over Braun.

                    Strowman came out laughing. Miz let Strowman know that there is no way that Bray Wyatt is done with him. He went on to remind Braun how Wyatt took him down a spiral. Morrison then challenged Strowman on Miz’s behalf. Braun accepted.

                    Braun Strowman defeats The Miz

                    Miz tried to use some speed, but Strowman caught him pretty quick. Action spilled to the outside where Strowman charged Miz and hit the post. Back in the ring, Miz hit a springboard chop and a dropkick to the knee. Miz went for the DDT, but Strowman picked him up and tossed him across the ring. A release suplex and a powerslam gave Strowman the pinfall victory.

                    Morrison Challenges Strowman to a Handicap Match at Backlash

                    Strowman accepts the challenge.

                    Michael Cole Announces that AJ Style is Officially Traded to Smackdown

                    AJ Styles defeats Shinsuke Nakamura

                    AJ got the first big move of the night when he connected with a dropkick. Nakamura took over before Smackdown went to commercial. He hit his sliding German suplex as Smackdown transitioned to commercial.

                    Back from commercial, Shinsuke knocked Styles to mat with several kicks. AJ hit a pele kick to even things up. Styles connected with an ushigoroshi for a near fall and then locked in the calf crusher, but Nakamura made it to the ropes. Nakamura answered with a Michinoku Driver from the Fireman’s Carry for a near fall. Shinsuke got another near fall after a sliding knee. Styles evaded the Kinshasa, but Nakamura locked him into a triangle submission. Somehow Style’s countered into a Styles Clash for another near fall.

                    Styles won with a Phenomenal Forearm.

                    Recap of Charlotte’s Visit from Last Week

                    Backstage Interview with Sasha Banks and Bayley

                    Bayley asks Sasha to not corner her this evening. It causes a little tension. Banks seems upset.

                    Bayley defeats Charlotte Flair

                    Charlotte and Bayley got off to a slow start, but they both went for pinfall attempts with their feet on the ropes. Action spilled to the outside where Charlotte tossed Bayley over the barricade. Charlotte then got on the headset and told Sasha to get out there, so she could beat them both. Smackdown went to commercial.

                    Back from the break, Charlotte maintained the advantage in the ring. When Charlotte went for her moonsault, Bayley pulled her off the ropes. On the outside, Bayley pushed Charlotte into the barricade and then the ring apron. Bayley maintained the advantage in the ring until Charlotte caught her and hit a fall away slam.

                    Charlotte missed her moonsault, but hit Bayley with a big boot for a near fall. Bayley went for the flying elbow drop, but Charlotte put her knees up and then cinched in a high angle Boston crab. After Bayley escaped, Charlotte went face first into the turnbuckle allowing Bayley to hit the flying elbow for the near fall.

                    Bayley rolled up Charlotte, hooked the ropes, and pinned Charlotte Flair.

                    Ziggler and Sonya defeat Otis and Mandy

                    Dolph and Otis began the match with Otis getting the upper-hand. Mandy and Sonya came in next. Ziggler pushed Otis into the ring steps and Mandy was checking on him as Smackdown went to commercial.

                    Back from the break, Sonya had the advantage over Mandy. She finally got the tag to Otis who overwhelmed Ziggler with a splash in the corner.

                    Ziggler tagged Sonya, but Mandy caught Sonya coming in the ring. Rose hit a running knee strike for a two count. Sonya hit a ripcord knee strike and a running knee for the pinfall victory.

                    Post Match

                    Dolph popped in the ring to kick Otis in the head as he was taking care of Mandy.

                    Backstage Interview with Jeff Hardy

                    His final path to glory runs through Sheamus.

                    Backstage Interview with Forgotten Sons

                    Recap of Braun Strowman angle with Miz and Morrison

                    Match Announcement

                    Braun Strowman defends Universal Championship Against Miz and Morrison at Backlash

                    Backstage Interview with Miz and Morrison

                    Renee Young interviews them. They’re going to beat him. They say Hey Hey and she says Ho Ho.

                    Recap of the Jeff Hardy and Sheamus Feud

                    Jeff Hardy defeats Sheamus

                    Action spilled to the outside where Sheamus tossed Hardy into the post and on top of the announce table. Sheamus was yelling at Michael Cole when Smackdown went to commercial.

                    Back from commercial, Sheamus was still dominating Jeff Hardy. Hardy finally caught Sheamus running into the corner, and he hit whisper in the wind. The advantage didn’t last long though because Sheamus hit the Irish Curse backbreaker to take the advantage back.

                    The tide swung again when Sheamus went shoulder first hard into the post. Jeff went for the swanton bomb, but Sheamus put his knees up and got a near fall.

                    Hardy rolled up Sheamus for a surprise pin.

                     

                    May 22nd Episode of Smackdown Preview

                    Intercontinental Championship Tournament Continues

                    Sami Zayn is unable to defend the Intercontinental Championship, so WWE has stripped Zayn of the title. Sami Zayn won the Intercontinental Championship from Braun Strowman at March 8th Elimination Chamber Pay Per View. He later defended and retained the title against Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania.

                    The tournament began last week with Daniel Bryan and Elias advancing. This week’s matches:

                    Jeff Hardy (2-0) vs. Sheamus (9-0)

                    This match has been brewing for quite some time now and both men are undefeated since returning to action.

                    Sheamus has victories over Leon Ruff, Daniel Vidot, Denzel Dejournette, Cal Bloom, Shorty G on January 26 and January 31, Apollo Crews on February 7, February 14, and March 6.

                    Jeff Hardy has defeated Cesaro and King Corbin so far.

                    AJ Styles (3-5) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (1-5)

                    These men have wrestled at both WrestleMania and Wrestle Kingdom. Neither man has had a particularly great 2020 so far.

                    AJ Styles has defeated Aleister Black, Tozawa, and he won the Last Chance Gauntlet Match. On the other hand, he lost to Otis at Money in the Bank, Drew McIntyre, Undertaker, Aleister Black, and in the Tuwaiq Trophy Gauntlet Match.

                    Shinsuke Nakamura’s only victory of the year was over Braun Strowman in a handicap match. He has losses to Daniel Bryan, Drew Gulak, and Braun Strowman on January 10, January 31, and April 10.

                    Charlotte Flair (9-1) vs. Bayley (5-2) – Champion vs. Champion

                    I think this match is all about getting Sasha Banks hyped up for a match against Bayley. Despite that, Charlotte and Bayley have a history together. This match could be good, but we’ll have to see.

                    Charlotte’s only loss came to Io Shirai when Charlotte intentionally got herself disqualified. Her victories include the Royal Rumble, Mia Yim, Rhea Ripley, Asuka, Sarah Logan, Kayden Carter, Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan, Ruby Riott.

                    Bayley won the Elimination Match at WrestleMania and has defeated Tamina, Naomi, Lacey Evans, and Carmella. She lost two matches to Naomi and Lacey Evans.

                    Otis and Mandy Rose (0-0) vs. Dolph Ziggler and Sonya Deville(0-0) – Mixed Tag Match

                    Sonya Deville has been on fire in this feud with Mandy Rose, but this is her first time teaming with Dolph Ziggler. The lovebirds on the other side of the ring have never tagged before either. We’ll see what happens.

                    Note: I did not attended the May 15th Episode of Smackdown live, but I do average at least one wrestling show per week. Follow the Minutes to Bell Time Instagram to see photos from my experiences. Read about the live experiences here.

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