WWE SmackDown Results 5/24 - King & Queen Of The Ring Semifinals, Cody Rhodes And Logan Paul Meet
Welcome to Wrestling Inc.'s results for "WWE SmackDown" on May 24, 2024, coming to you from the Jeddah Superdome in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia!
One half of the reigning WWE Women's Tag Team Champions Bianca Belair will be going head-to-head with Nia Jax in the semifinals of the Queen Of The Ring Tournament to determine who will be joining Lyra Valkyria in the finals at WWE King & Queen Of The Ring. In the first round and the quarterfinals, Belair defeated Michin and Tiffany Stratton respectively to secure her spot in tonight's match while Jax beat Naomi in the first round and the other half of the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions Jade Cargill in the quarterfinals.
The issues between The Bloodline's Tama Tonga and Randy Orton have remained no secret over the course of the past month, with the pair previously meeting in the ring in a Street Fight involving their respective allies Solo Sikoa and Kevin Owens at WWE Backlash on May 4. Tonight, they will be coming face-to-face once again in the semifinals of the King Of The Ring Tournament, with the winner advancing to take on GUNTHER in the finals at tomorrow's Premium Live Event.
While on the subject of King & Queen Of The Ring, reigning United States Champion Logan Paul will be challenging Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship. Before they square off against one another, they will be standing toe-to-toe one last time in the ring as they meet in front of the WWE Universe.
Additionally, Chelsea Green will be colliding with WWE Women's Champion Bayley after unsuccessfully challenging Roxanne Perez for the "NXT" Women's Championship on the May 7 episode of "NXT". WWE Tag Team Champions Grayson Waller and Austin Theory will also be hosting LA Knight on "The Grayson Waller Effect" as the talk show makes its return.
We are live! Corey Graves and Wade Barrett greet audiences at home as Bianca Belair makes her way down to the ring. Nia Jax follows, and we see Lyra Valkyria watching the action from the crowd.
Nia Jax vs. Bianca Belair in a Semifinals Match for the Queen Of The Ring Tournament
The bell rings and the two lock up. Jax sends Belair crashing into the mat face first, then tosses her across the ring and delivers a splash in the corner. She goes the same thing once more before Belair sets up for a moonsault off the middle rope. Jax avoids it and delivers a shoulder to Jax's midsection, then rains down right hands on her in the corner.
Belair sends Jax's face bouncing off the top turnbuckle, then rains down more right hands on her and sends Jax crashing into the ring post shoulder first. She then delivers a crossbody to her on the outside over the top rope.
Back from the break, Jax grabs the crown Belair is wearing around her braid and places it on her head to mock Belair. She then delivers a headbutt to Belair and looks to lock in a submission, but Belair escapes. Jax then looks to land a leg drop, but Belair avoids it. Jax manages to hit a Samoan Drop, but Belair lands a jawbreaker on her off the top rope and ascends to the top. She lands a crossbody and goes for a pin, but Jax kicks out.
Belair fires off forearms on Jax, but Jax trips her and ascends to the top. Belair pulls her off and delivers a powerbomb, then goes for a pin. Jax kicks out, and Belair looks to get her up on her shoulders. Jax blocks her and sends her knee crashing into the mat, then drags Belair into the corner. She ascends to the middle rope, but Belair pulls her down and onto her shoulders. Jax escapes and delivers a senton, then follows it up with the An-Nia-Lator for the win.
Winner: Nia Jax
After the match, Kayla Braxton grabs a mic. She tells Valkyria she just beat Belair just like she beat Becky Lynch and Rhea Ripley. She then tells Valkyria that she'll do the same to her tomorrow night.
Back from the break, we see Belair icing her injured knee. Tiffany Stratton appears and wishes Belair better luck next time before Byron Saxton enters to check in with Belair to see how she's feeling after her loss. Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae interrupt and begin mocking Belair. Jade Cargill enters, and Hartwell and LeRae beck down.
Back at ringside, Grayson Waller and Austin Theory are waiting inside the ring.
Grayson Waller and Austin Theory Host LA Knight On The Grayson Waller Effect
Waller welcomes fans to a special WWE Tag Team Championship edition of "The Grayson Waller Effect", and introduces his co-host Austin Theory. Theory then gives a grand introduction to their guest, LA Knight.
Carmelo Hayes' music hits, and he makes his way down to the ring. Hayes thanks Waller and Theory for the introduction, and says it sounds like they were describing him. He gloats about being the number one draft pick of "SmackDown", the hottest guy around here, and he is him. Hayes says guys like Waller and Theory need to stick together, and Waller tells Theory he thinks it would be a good idea to replace LA Knight as their guest. Hayes says guys like Waller and Theory need to stick together to show the veterans what the next generation can go.
Hayes then takes a few shots at LA Knight, but Knight's music hits and he makes his way down to the ring. Knight tosses pieces of "The Grayson Waller Effect" set out of the ring, then says he wants to talk to fans. Waller gets upset Knight destroying the set, but Knight tells him to pipe down and tells Hayes that if he keeps knocking at his door, then he'll bite back. He says he doesn't care how long it takes, but Hayes will learn whose game this is. Hayes then attacks Knight, but Knight gains the upper hand and attacks Hayes. Theory and Waller then join Hayes in attacking Knight, but The Street Profits run down to the ring to even the odds.
Carmelo Hayes, Grayson Waller and Austin Theory vs. The Street Profits and LA Knight (w/ B-Fab)
Hayes and Ford begin the action. The bell rings and the two lock up. They go back and forth with one another before Ford connects with a dropkick. Dawkins tags in and delivers a double ax handle off the top as Ford holds Hayes in place. He follows it up with a flapjack, then tags in Knight. Theory tags in on his side, and the two go back and forth. Dawkins and Waller become legal, and Dawkins delivers a shoulder tackle to Waller. He follows it up with a splash in the corner and looks to land a second one, but Theory pulls Waller out of the way. Theory, Waller, and Hayes then triple team on Dawkins, and the action spills out of the ring.
Back from the break, Theory and Waller mock Dawkins by appearing on his side of the ring when he looks to tag out. Waller looks to fly, but Dawkins levels him and tags in Knight. Knight delivers a right hand to Waller, then fires off stomps on him in the corner. He levels Hayes on the apron, then lands a running knee and takes down Theory on the outside. He mocks Waller in the same way and theory mocked Dawkins before he connects with an elbow drop. He goes for a pin, but Hayes breaks the fall. Ford takes down Hayes, but Theory levels him. Dawkins levels Theory with a shoulder pounce, but Waller takes him down with a jumping knee.
Waller looks to land a rolling Stunner, but Knight avoids it and hits BFT. Ford then tags in and lands a Frog Splash for the win.
Winners: The Street Profits and LA Knight
After the match, The Profits celebrate their win with the crowd.
Back from the break, Cody Rhodes makes his way down to the ring. Logan Paul follows.
Cody Rhodes and Logan Paul Meet Face-To-Face In The Ring
Paul says he got played, and for the third time, he's walking down the aisle with a championship in his sights. He says Rhodes is unfortunately the victim this time, and he'll be walking out tomorrow night as United States Champion and Undisputed WWE Champion. He says Rhodes saw him give Michael Cole his brass knuckles yesterday at the King & Queen Of The Ring Kickoff Show, and says he has his word he won't use them in their match tomorrow night.
Rhodes says his experience leads him to believe Paul is a scared kid. He says he's afraid someone will see him as a fraud in WWE, and says his gut tells him Paul has another set of brass knuckles on him right now. Paul says he can be called many things, but a liar isn't one. He promises him that Michael Cole has his brass knuckles, and Rhodes invites a referee into the ring to pat him down.
Paul asks Rhodes if this is airport security, then tells the referee to pat down Rhodes first. The referee does so and finds nothing, then pats down Paul. He finds something in his pant leg pocket, then pulls out a pair of brass knuckles. Paul says the pants aren't his but rather his brothers, then says he said he wouldn't use the brass knuckles in their match tomorrow. He says he brought them as protection, and says Rhodes has them now. Paul hops onro the apron, and says nothing changes. He says he doesn't need brass knuckles to beat Rhodes tomorrow, and invites Rhodes to keep them.
Rhodes then hands off the brass knuckles to the referee, and says they're just a way for Paul to get another click or view. He says the Undisputed WWE Championship has been his dream since he was a kid, then says the Rhodes' are as real as it gets. He says he doesn't think of Paul as a YouTuber and he believes he's a wrestler, but until he respects the ring they're in, he will never be on his level or the Undisputed WWE Champion. He says he'll beat Paul so bad tomorrow he'll regret stepping in the ring with him.
Bayley then makes her way down to the ring.
Back from the break, we see #DIY pour out one of The Street Profits' solo cups as the latter duo chats with Kayla Braxton.
Back at ringside, Chelsea Green and Piper Niven make their way out.
Bayley vs. Chelsea Green (w/ Piper Niven)
The bell rings and Green lands a vicious right hand on Bayley. Bayley dumps her onto the apron, but Green ascends to the top and delivers a dropkick. She goes for a pin, but Bayley kicks out. Green then delivers a boot to the side of Bayley's face off the apron.
Back from the break, Bayley looks to land a neckbreaker on Green through the middle rope. Green avoids it and sends Bayley crashing into the mat, but Bayley lands a powerbomb on her and follows it up with Rose Plant for the win.
Winner: Bayley
After the match, Niven blindsides Bayley but Bayley manages to fight her off. Niven overpowers her and sends her crashing into the mat with a slam. She follows it up with a senton, then connects with an elbow drop. She looks to leave the ring, but opts not to and delivers another senton.
We then head backstage to Nick Aldis' office and see AJ Styles ask him for another shot at the Undisputed WWE Championship whether it's Cody Rhodes or Logan Paul who holds the title. Aldis tells Styles that he would give him another title on a personal level but he can't on a professional level. He says another shot needs to be earned and that takes time. Styles says he doesn't have time, and Aldis says he can't help him out there.
Back from the break, we see Legado Del Fantasma watch a promo video hyping up Andrade as they throw around the idea of adding him to their group.
We then head over and see a tense conversation take place between Paul Heyman, Solo Sikoa, and Tama Tonga.
Back at ringside, Randy Orton makes his way down. The Bloodline follows as we see GUNTHER watch the action from the crowd.
Randy Orton vs. Tama Tonga (w/ Solo Sikoa and Paul Heyman) in a Semifinals Match for the King Of The Ring Tournament
The bell rings and Tonga wastes no time going after Orton. He fires off right hands on him, then fires off headbutts on him. Orton responds with a Fallaway Slam and sends Tonga crashing into the ring post shoulder first, then sends him crashing shoulder first into the opposite corner. He sends him crashing into the ring post in another corner once again, then fires off uppercuts on him and rains down right hands on him in the corner. The action spills out of the ring, and Orton sends Tonga crashing into the announce desk face first. Tonga executes a chop block on Orton.
Back from the break, Tonga looks to deliver a Frog Splash off the middle rope. Orton moves out of the way and looks to land a hanging DDT, but Tonga fights his way out and continues wearing down Orton's injured leg. He wears Orton down with a chin lock, but Orton powers up to his feet and sends Tonga crashing into the corner spine first.
Tonga once again cinches in a chin lock, but Orton escapes and lands a pair of clotheslines on Tnoga. He follows it up with a scoop powerslam, but grabs onto his leg immediately after landing it. Tonga then sends Orton crashing out of the ring and follows him before Orton sends Tonga crashing on top of both the English and Arabic announce desks. He dumps Tonga back inside the ring and connects with a hanging DDT, then sets up for an RKO. Sikoa hops up on the apron, but Orton is sent crashing into him. Tonga looks to take advantage and rolls up Orton, but Orton kicks out and delivers an RKO for the win.
Winner: Randy Orton
After the match, ORton stares down GUNTHER in the crowd. Sikoa surprises him with a Samoan Spike and looks to beat him down in the corner, but Kevin Owens' music hits and he runs down to the ring. He looks to land a Stunner on Sikoa, but Sikoa slides out of the ring before he can land it. Owens and Orton stand tall in the ring, and Owens stare down The Bloodline on the ramp while Orton stares down GUNTHER in the crowd as the show goes off the air.