WWE SmackDown Live Results: Highlights, Analysis, and Grades for May 2

The United States Champion Has Arrived

At the top of the hour, SmackDown Live begins with a recap of an event that occurred earlier today. Conducting a photoshoot with the WWE Championship, Jinder Mahal was spotted by Commissioner Shane McMahon. Instead of focusing on posing for photos, he told Mahal he should prepare for a match with Sami Zayn tonight.

The show then transitions to the live arena, and Shane is seen making his entrance to a pretty decent crowd reaction. After offering a heartfelt thank you for the reception, he turns his attention to welcoming Chris Jericho to SmackDown Live. Once he hits the ring, Jericho refers to the Blue Brand as the “Show of Jericho” and references his title match against Kevin Owens

This brings out AJ Styles, who received a solid reaction from the live crowd as well. The crowd divides on who to support here, and Styles begins by informing Y2J that things have changed. At one point they were former partners, but now Jericho is standing in the place that Styles built. Still, the Phenomenal One would love to face the champion at Backlash, if he can retain the belt tonight that is.

In response, Jericho proclaimed himself to be the new “Face of America” and went to add Styles to The List. Angered over what’s transpiring inside the ring, Kevin Owens comes out to say his piece. The only thing that matters to Owens is the title match tonight. He promises what’s happened between him in Jericho in the past is nothing compared to what will happen later.

Then, Owens and Styles trade words, and before long a brawl breaks out between the two on the ramp. Shane and other officials try to break it up to end the segment.