WWE SmackDown Live Results: Highlights, Analysis, and Grades for May 16

The Prizefighter Kicks Off SmackDown Live

At the top of the hour, SmackDown Live begins with an appearance by the United States Champion; Kevin Owens. Introducing his personalized version of the talk show Chris Jericho made famous, he turns his attention to the live audience. Claiming that Y2J will never return, he wastes no time announcing the Highlight Reel is HIS show now. For good measure, he shows a video highlighting the damage he inflicted on Jericho.

Turning his focus to AJ Styles, Owens states that the Phenomenal One will suffer the same fate as Y2J. He then goes to introduce his guest for this evening, but Styles decides to arrive on the scene.

Addressing the insults Owens uttered, the Phenomenal One doubted that his Backlash opponent would ever stoop to such a low. Drawing upon the Prizefighter’s Canadian background, Styles declares he’s bringing the United States Championship back to the USA. Unwilling to wait until Sunday, he suggests that the two settle the score immediately. Before his request could be granted, Jinder Mahal appeared as well.

Accompanied by the Singh Brothers, Mahal reveals that he was the one who was supposed to be interviewed. Shifting his attention to Backlash, he replays footage of him pinning Randy Orton last week. Claiming the same thing will occur on Sunday, he tells Styles a similar fate awaits him here tonight.

Choosing to act now rather than later, Styles goes for Owens, who manages to flee the scene. This allows the Phenomenal One to challenge Mahal to begin their match now, and his opponent accepts the request.