WWE SmackDown on May 17 with our winners’ list, live grades, fan reactions, and must-see highlights. Breaking News

Catch up on all the action from WWE SmackDown on May 17 with our winners’ list, live grades, fan reactions, and must-see highlights.

WWE SmackDown on May 17

Welcome to the report of WWE SmackDown on May 17th! With the King and Queen of the Ring pay-per-view just around the corner, this week’s show was all about setting the stage for that epic event.

Bianca Belair vs. Tiffany Stratton

The start of SmackDown featured a video package hyping up the King and Queen of the Ring matches, as well as Superstars arriving at the venue. Belair’s entrance signaled the beginning of the action, with both women showcasing their power and agility in a physical match filled with fast-paced exchanges.

Stratton’s growing confidence was evident, while Belair’s ability to work well with any opponent shone through. The crowd was engaged throughout, reacting to every near fall. The match saw both competitors coming close to victory multiple times before Belair sealed the deal with her KOD finisher.

She continued to sell her injured leg post-match, hinting at a potential storyline development for her next match.

Result : Belair defeats Stratton

LA Knight vs. Tama Tonga

In the second match of the night, we witnessed an intense KOTR quarterfinal showdown between Tonga and Knight. Ringside, we had Solo Sikoa, Tonga Loa, and Paul Heyman, adding to the excitement.

Tonga attempted to surprise Knight right after the bell rang, but the clever Megastar saw it coming and countered with a series of jabs. However, with the help of distractions from Loa and Sikoa, Tonga managed to gain control of the match. They made it appear as a challenging battle for Knight, setting the stage for his eventual comeback and a massive reaction from the crowd.

Despite Knight’s dominance, he ended up losing when Sikoa successfully diverted his attention, allowing Tonga to deliver a devastating flatliner for the victory.

Result : Tonga defeats LA Knight

Nia Jax vs. Jade Cargill

During the contract signing, Paul tore up the contract when he saw that his title was at stake.

They then signed a new contract specifically for the Universal Championship before Rhodes attacked one of Paul’s friends. Jax gave a brief interview backstage before her quarterfinal QOTR match against Cargill.

Jax took the lead early on and the fight spilled outside the ring. Jax tried to use a chair, but Cargill snatched it and used it first, resulting in her disqualification. The crowd voiced their displeasure as they continued to fight at ringside.

It felt like a cheap way to protect Cargill without advancing her in the tournament to face Belair. The post-match brawl was enjoyable, but overall, it was disappointing.

Result : Jax defeats Cargill via countout

DIY vs. Angel and Berto

Austin Theory and Grayson Waller were at ringside with the commentary team to witness Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa take on Angel and Berto.

Although it was an impromptu match with little backstory, having the champions present hinted at a possible No. 1 contender opportunity for the winners.

The referee caught Santos Escobar and Elektra Lopez cheating, resulting in their ejection, and DIY secured the win shortly after. While the match was decent, it didn’t stand out. DIY is a formidable team that could benefit from more opportunities for longer matches to demonstrate their abilities.

Result : DIY defeats Angel and Berto

Randy Orton vs. Carmelo Hayes

The KOTR quarterfinal bout between Hayes and Orton stole the show this week. Hayes had a couple of segments to build anticipation for the match and ignite a feud with Knight. It was an interesting clash, pitting a fresh face on the main roster against one of WWE’s longest-serving performers.

The tension escalated when Hayes unexpectedly smacked Orton on the back of his head, triggering the Legend Killer’s fury. Orton then unleashed his dominance, effortlessly tossing Hayes around the ring.

It was an entertaining performance that showcased Hayes’ potential as a future star. However, Hayes got a bit too daring and fell right into an RKO, granting Orton the victory.

Result : Orton defeats Hayes