Friday Night Smackdown!

Greensboro, North Carolina
May 16,  2014
resul
ts thanks to wrestleview.com

"Then. Now. Forever." The WWE video leads us into the show.

A video kicks off the show with WWE World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan announcing on Monday Night RAW that he has a neck injury and will need surgery. Bryan vowed to return. Later in the night, Stephanie McMahon used that injury as an excuse to say that Bryan cannot cut it as a champion. Kane then dragged Bryan's unconscious body out to the stage. McMahon followed Bryan on a stretcher to the ambulance. Brie Bella then pushed her and warned her to stay away. McMahon was left looking livid as the ambulance drove off.

We'll get an update on Daniel Bryan's surgery later tonight.

John Cena responds to Bray Wyatt's challenge for WWE Payback

John Cena's music hits, and he comes out to a tremendous reception from the Greensboro crowd. They show a replay of Bray Wyatt challenging John Cena to a Last Man Standing match at WWE Payback. Cena says before he talks about Wyatt's challenge, he wants to say something. Cena says the worst thing is seeing something bad happen to a good person. Cena wishes Bryan a speedy recovery and hopes he comes back soon.

Cena says he's supposed to be out here to answer a challenge from Wyatt on Monday Night RAW, but he doesn't know what the challenge is. As usual, Wyatt spoke with charisma and passion, but he didn't really say anything. Wyatt said "Last Man Standing," but he can't be challenging Cena to that match. Wyatt has never been in that match before. In a Last Man Standing match, there are no rules, barriers, or mercy. It takes a certain individual to be in that match because the only way to win is to beat your opponent until they can no longer answer the count of ten. Cena has had these matches, and they've been the toughest of his career, including JBL. They beat the hell out of each other. It takes a tough individual to have that match, so Wyatt can't be challenging him to that match. Cena says it takes a tough individual. Wyatt is a dangerous man, but only because he manipulates people into doing his dirty work. One thing Wyatt is missing is marbles, rocks, nuggets, pebbles, and raisins. Wyatt shouldn't be singing, "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands." He should be singing, "I've Got No Pearls In My Pants." The crowd responds well to that.

Cena says Wyatt has no brain in his head because if he's challenging him to a Last Man Standing match, then he accepts. Cena says he will be the last man standing at WWE Payback. That's Payback, though. What does everyone want to do tonight? Cena asks if the crowd wants to have fun. Cena says he wants to fight and prove a point. Cena issues an open challenge to any member of The Wyatt Family. He'll let Wyatt choose who he'll face. Cena will bet his own marbles that Wyatt will not choose himself. He'll send one of the Duck Dynasty rejects to do his dirty work for him.

The Wyatt Family's video flashes on the screen, and we're backstage to see Erick Rowan in his sheep mask. Wyatt says, "Hi John," and laughs. Wyatt says Cena probably thinks he knows him pretty well, but he doesn't. His name is Bray Wyatt, that's true, but he walks beside monsters and sings with spirits. He could be the most dangerous man in the world if he felt like it. Thankfully for everyone, their world came to him begging on its knees for mercy. Now they'll be the end to their little story. Now that Cena has accepted the challenge, whoever is the last man standing will conquer all. For the loser, they'll be trapped with in the prison of their own thoughts forever wondering what might have been, but can never be.

Wyatt tells Cena to keep making his jokes, but he's so blind. Wyatt pities him, but he also wants to thank him for helping him find something inside himself that he didn't even know existed. Cena helped him find the cure for Cena's plague. The cure exists in his mind and in us all. His cure will finally take the air from Cena's lungs. Wyatt says they will not allow Cena to medicate them anymore. Tonight, one of them will be standing there to lead the world into tomorrow. Cena will just be there left waiting in the muck of his own ignorance. Wyatt tells Cena to listen, and he sings, "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands." The crowd sings along with him. Wyatt silently says, "Boo," and the screen goes black.

-Commercial Break-

Cody Rhodes and Goldust vs. Jimmy and Jey Uso

Goldust will start the match against Jey Uso. They lock up, and Goldust quickly applies a side headlock. Jey whips him off, and Goldust takes him down with a shoulder block. Goldust hits the ropes. Jey goes for a leapfrog, but Goldust counters into an inverted atomic drop. Goldust hits a pair of arm drags before Jey hits one of his own. Goldust shoves him, and Jey shoves him back. Michael Cole talks about how Cody Rhodes has been celebrating all week about beating Damien Sandow, despite having to rake the eyes to get the victory. Goldust fakes a test of strength, and he punches Jey. Rhodes is tagged in, and he hits Jey with a springboard missile dropkick. Rhodes covers for a one count. Rhodes applies a hammerlock, but Jey fights up and backs him to the corner. Jimmy Uso tags in, and he hits Rhodes with a forearm to the face. Jimmy hits a snapmare for a one count. Jimmy wrenches the arm and chops the chest. Jey tags back in, and they hit a double-team back elbow/elbow drop for a one count.

Jey applies a front face lock, and Jimmy tags in. Jimmy hits a top rope sledge to the back before chopping the chest in the corner. Jimmy sends him to the opposite corner, and Rhodes counters with a slingshot rollup for a near fall. Rhodes quickly goes to a jackknife cover for another near fall. Jimmy quickly punches him and tags in his brother. Jey forearms Rhodes in the midsection before wrenching the arm, but Rhodes gets out with an arm drag. Goldust tags in, and he hits a snapmare followed by an elbow drop for a two count. Goldust sends Jimmy into the ropes, but Jimmy ducks the clothesline. Jimmy hits the ropes, and Rhodes gives him a cheap shot to the back of the head. Jimmy punches him off the apron, and Goldust takes advantage with an uppercut. Rhodes then kicks him down at ringside. Goldust throws him back into the ring and covers for a two count. Rhodes tags in and kicks Jimmy as we go to commercial.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Jey whipped hard into the corner by Rhodes. Rhodes covers, but Jey grabs the bottom rope. Goldust is tagged in, and he sends Jey into the ring post shoulder first. Goldust exits the ring and uppercuts him before getting back in the ring for a two count. Goldust applies a chin lock, but Jey gets out with a snapmare. Goldust comes right back with a spinebuster for a near fall. Rhodes is tagged in, and he hits a top rope sledge. Jey punches him, but Rhodes simply beats him down with punches and kicks. Rhodes applies a short-arm scissor before going to an arm bar. Rhodes sends him to the ropes, and Jey comes back with an uppercut. Rhodes quickly kicks him and hits an uppercut of his own. Rhodes blocks a kick and spins him, and Jey counters back with an enzuigiri. Goldust is tagged in, and he prevents Jey from making a tag. Goldust sends him into the ropes, but he lowers his head and eats a kick. Goldust then charges, but Jey pulls the top rope down to get him out of the ring.

Rhodes throws Goldust back into the ring and tags in. Jimmy tags in as well. Jimmy hits a pair of clotheslines before kicking him in the midsection and delivering an uppercut. Jimmy then connects with a Samoan Drop. Jimmy gets the crowd into it before hitting Rhodes in the face with a hip bump for a near fall. Rhodes pushes him away and goes for Cross Rhodes, but Jimmy counters with a snapmare. Jimmy hits an uppercut before hitting a corkscrew plancha, but Goldust breaks up the pinfall. Goldust quickly clotheslines Jey out of the ring. Goldust signals for a rolling senton off the apron, but Jimmy kicks him off the apron. Rhodes then catches Jimmy with a Disaster Kick, but Jey pulls him off as he pins. Jimmy superkicks Rhodes and hits a big frog splash off the top rope for the win.

Winners by Pinfall: Jimmy and Jey Uso
Match Rating: **

Cody Rhodes is sitting by the commentary table complaining to himself. Rhodes then walks off on Goldust.

We'll take a look at the justice that was served by The Shield this past Monday.

A tweet is shown from Dolph Ziggler's Twitter account. Ziggler said, "Batista is the weak link of Evolution. He's the only one who hasn't evolved." Dolph Ziggler will face Batista later tonight on Smackdown.

-Commercial Break-

Heath Slater w/ 3MB and Hornswoggle vs. El Torito w/ Los Matadores

Slater smiles as he circles the ring. One of Los Matadores throws Slater the cape. Torito goes him in the backside before letting El Torito run through the cape a few times. Slater then chases El Torito around the ring. Slater grabs him by the horns, but El Torito punches him down. Slater quickly picks him up and body slams him down. Slater then flexes his muscles for the crowd. Slater kicks El Torito a few times before standing on him. Slater goes for an avalanche in the corner, but El Torito moves. El Torito goes for a gore, but Slater stops him with his hand. Hornswoggle gets in the ring, and El Torito moves, causing Hornswoggle to hit Slater in the crotch. El Torito tosses Hornswoggle from the ring and hits a springboard bull-sault (BS for short) on Slater for the win.

Winner by Pinfall: El Torito
Match Rating: 1/4 *

A highlight video showcases The Shield serving justice to Evolution this past Monday on RAW. First, The Shield attacked them in the garage. Later in the night, after Triple H accepted The Shield's challenge for WWE Payback, they attacked again. Batista challenged Roman Reigns to a match in the main event, but it ended in a no contest as Evolution tried to interfere. The Shield then dispatched of Evolution a third time. Stephanie McMahon sent out a bunch of heel wrestlers, but The Shield overcame the odds again. They finished by hitting their finishers on a few of them. Finally, they hit Ryback with a Triple Powerbomb.

The Shield will take on Evolution at WWE Payback.

Coming up next, we'll see Nikki Bella will take on Natalya with Eva Marie as the special referee.

-Commercial Break-

A highlight video for WWE Divas Champion Paige airs.

Natalya vs. Nikki Bella
Special Referee: Eva Marie

Eva Marie calls for the bell, and the match begins. Natalya applies a waistlock, and she rolls her up for a one count. Nikki comes back with a Thesz Press, and she bounces Natalya's head off the mat. Natalya gets back in control with a headlock takeover, and she keeps the side headlock applied. Nikki whips her off, and she takes Natalya down with a jackknife pin. Natalya powers up and hits a discus clothesline for a two count. Natalya talks some trash, and Nikki punches her back. They trade punches until Nikki hits a face-buster for a near fall. Nikki argues the count. Nikki sends her into the corner, but Natalya avoids the avalanche. Natalya powers her down and applies a Mexican Surfboard. Natalya then pins her, and Eva Marie is confused before she starts counting. Nikki then sits on Natalya's shoulders for the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Nikki Bella
Match Rating: 1/4 *

Eva Marie hugs Nikki Bella after the match. Natalya doesn't look pleased with the result.

Renee Young is backstage with Dolph Ziggler. Renee asks what made him want to interject himself into the situation with The Shield and Evolution. Ziggler says Batista has been a disappointment ever since coming back. Batista thought he'd be the superstar he once was, but he didn't really evolve. Batista is the weak link of Evolution. It's all about managing expectations. Ziggler warns Batista not to underestimate him because the show-off is going to show him up.

-Commercial Break-

Dolph Ziggler vs. Batista

They circle the ring, and Batista tries to corner him, but Ziggler escapes. Ziggler then gets out of the ring. Batista follows him out, so Ziggler rushes back in the ring. Ziggler attacks Batista as he gets back in the ring, so Batista stays outside. Batista soon drags him out of the ring and sends him into the barricade. Batista powers him into the ring apron, and he talks a little trash. Batista then whips him hard into the steel steps. Batista puts him in the ring, and he throws him across the ring by the hair. Batista pulls the hair some more, but he releases before being disqualified. Batista then whips him hard into the turnbuckle. Batista hits a suplex for a near fall. Batista yells at the referee before applying a chin lock to Ziggler. Batista then applies a body scissor, but Ziggler soon begins to fight up. Ziggler elbows out and hits the ropes. Batista lowers his head and eats a kick. Ziggler leaps on him, but Batista powers him down with a spinebuster. Batista shakes the ropes and stomps his feet. Batista goes for a Batista Bomb, but Ziggler punches out of it, and he plants Batista with a big DDT.

The referee begins counting both men down, but they eventually get to their feet. Batista charges Ziggler, but Ziggler sidesteps him. Batista hits the ring post shoulder first as a result. Ziggler then leaps to the second rope and punches, but Batista gets out with a low blow. The referee calls for the bell.

Winner by Disqualification: Dolph Ziggler
Match Rating: * 1/4

Batista stares coldly at the referee before laying Dolph Ziggler out with a Batista Bomb. Replays are shown of what just happened. Batista goes to leave, but he changes his mind and returns to the ring. Batista throws him out of the ring and viciously whips him into the barricade. Batista asks who hasn't evolved. Batista then hits a Batista Bomb on the edge of the barricade! Referees rush to the side of Ziggler, and they back Batista up. Batista turns and goes to the back.

Later tonight, we'll see John Cena face a member of The Wyatt Family chosen by Bray Wyatt. Sheamus is seen walking backstage. He'll be in action, next.

-Commercial Break-

Sheamus vs. Titus O'Neil

As Sheamus makes his way to the ring, a pre-taped promo is shown. Sheamus says he likes Titus O'Neil because he hits hard and has a chip on his shoulder. O'Neil is a guy who deserves to get kicked in the face. Sheamus hits hard, but he doesn't have a chip on his shoulder. He has gold.

Before the match begins, Titus O'Neil introduces Sheamus to the crowd. O'Neil says there is no question that Sheamus has made a name for himself. He's the new United States Champion, but he didn't pin anyone for it. O'Neil asks how he can be the United States Champion, but he's not from the United States. O'Neil says Sheamus is a tough guy, but so are the divas. O'Neil tells Sheamus to get the hell out of his ring. O'Neil tells the referee to ring the bell, and he turns around. The bell sounds. O'Neil then turns into a Brogue Kick, and Sheamus picks up the easy win.

Winner by Pinfall: Sheamus
Match Rating: N/A

Byron Saxton is outside the Exotic Express. People are partying outside, and they call for Adam Rose. Saxton asks for a comment on his first night on Smackdown, but he doesn't pay attention. There is a man dressed as a cheeseburger. Saxton asks what his issue is with Zeb Colter and Jack Swagger. Rose says they don't have fun, and they're bitter little lemons. A man dressed as a lemon runs around. Rose asks if Saxton is a lemon or a rosebud. They put a clown wig on Saxton, and he dances with the people.

-Commercial Break-

A vignette for Bo Dallas airs, and he reminds you to Bolieve.

Damien Sandow is in the ring. Michael Cole says that Sandow issued an open challenge.

Damien Sandow vs. Santino Marella w/ Emma

Sandow kicks and clubs Santino down. Sandow says, "You're welcome" before dropping some elbows and knees. Sandow puts him in the corner, but he misses a shoulder thrust, causing him to hit the ring post shoulder first. Santino then takes the Cobra out and hits him with it for the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Santino Marella
Match Rating: N/A

Sandow gets on the microphone, and he says he's a great soldier. Sandow says the smart guy loses, and everybody is happy. The problem is someone keeps his microphone on. The microphone is then shut off.

John Cena will take on a member of The Wyatt Family chosen by Bray Wyatt.

-Commercial Break-

R-Truth is in the ring. Paul Heyman walks out to the stage to a chorus of boos. Heyman says his name, and his client's opponent tonight claims to be an advocate for the truth, only he can't handle the truth. The truth is that being a Paul Heyman Guy is the most prestigious position one can attain in sports entertainment. It was a Paul Heyman Guy, his client, Brock Lesnar, who conquered The Undertaker's undefeated streak at WrestleMania. Since R-Truth wants to know "What's Up," his other client won the inaugural André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. There will be many more, but never a first. That same one also won the Triple Threat Elimination Match at Extreme Rules. That same one is known as "The Swiss Superman." That same one should bill himself as not only "The King of Swing," he should be called "The King of RVD." What's up is Cesaro.

R-Truth vs. Cesaro w/ Paul Heyman

Cesaro quickly pounces on R-Truth before sending him into the ropes. R-Truth counters a hip toss with a rollup for a two count. R-Truth punches him to the corner before having a whip reversed on him. R-Truth slingshots over him, splits under a clothesline, and he hits a jumping heel kick for a one count. R-Truth misses a Scissor Kick, and Cesaro hits a Very European Uppercut. Cesaro then connects with the Neutralizer for the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Cesaro
Match Rating: 1/4 *

We'll have an update on Daniel Bryan's neck surgery, next.

-Commercial Break-

The RAW Rebound showcases Stephanie McMahon talking about how Daniel Bryan can't cut it as champion because of his neck injury. Kane then dragged an unconscious Bryan out to the stage, and he was rushed to the hospital. McMahon accompanied his stretcher to the ambulance, and Brie Bella, Bryan's wife, pushed her away.

They show some still photos of Bryan heading in for surgery. It then shows some photos of the surgery and Bryan posing with the doctor afterward.

We'll hear about the state of the WWE World Heavyweight Championship next Monday on RAW.

John Cena's music hits, and he makes his way to the ring to another great reception.

"Greensboro, we're here."

The Wyatt Family comes out to the ring. They surround the ring, and Cena signals for just one of them to come in. They all get on the apron, so The Usos' music hits. They hit the ring to make the numbers even.

-Commercial Break-

Bray Wyatt backs his family up from the ring. Wyatt talks with them at ringside before sending Erick Rowan into the ring to face John Cena.

John Cena w/ The Usos vs. Erick Rowan w/ The Wyatt Family

They bell rings, and Rowan kicks and clubs Cena down. Rowan punches him in the corner before applying a side headlock. Rowan drives him headfirst into the turnbuckle before punching him down. Rowan stumbles him with a head-butt, but Cena comes back with some punches. Rowan reverses a whip, and he takes Cena down with a back elbow. Rowan hits a body slam before giving him a shoulder block to the upper back. Rowan then throws him out of the ring in front of Bray Wyatt, who is sitting in his rocking chair. Wyatt gets to his feet, so the Usos come near to keep them away. Rowan forearms Cena in the face before sending him into the steel steps. Rowan sends him into the ring and covers for a near fall. Rowan then digs his fists into Cena's temples. Cena fights up to his feet and powers out before hitting a dropkick. Rowan quickly comes back with a big boot. Rowan delivers a pump-handle backbreaker, and Cena gets out of the ring to recover. Rowan pulls him up to the apron, and Cena snaps him off the top rope. Cena gets into the ring, and he runs into a clothesline for a near fall. Rowan punches him, but Cena soon comes back with punches of his own. Rowan pushes him away, hits the ropes, and floors Cena with a shoulder block. Rowan goes for a big splash, but Cena rolls out of the way.

Cena goes for a shoulder block, but Rowan doesn't go down. Cena tries to repeat the move, but Rowan applies a bear hug. Cena powers out of the hold, but Rowan quickly reapplies it and hits a side slam for a near fall. Wyatt is seen smiling at ringside. Rowan runs into a back elbow, and Cena takes him down with a back suplex powerbomb. Cena does the "You Can't See Me" taunt to Wyatt before hitting the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena goes for the Attitude Adjustment, but Rowan gets out and hits a fall-away slam. Rowan then avalanches him in the corner. Rowan kicks him back down before smiling at Wyatt. Rowan hits the ropes, and Cena catches him in an STF. Cena looks directly at Wyatt. Luke Harper runs into the ring, and he's taken out by a cross-body from one of the Usos. They then superkick him and hit him with stereo suicide dives. Rowan hits Cena with the claw bomb, but Cena kicks out. Rowan goes for another pump-handle slam, but Cena gets out and hits the AA for the win. The Usos stood in front of the ring to keep Bray Wyatt away.

Winner by Pinfall: John Cena
Match Rating: * 3/4