WWE SmackDown Live Results: Highlights, Analysis, and Grades for May 16
By Grant Mannis
Baron Corbin vs Randy Orton
Result: Randy Orton wins via pinfall
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Moments before our main event, Sami Zayn talks about Baron Corbin backstage. Announcing that the two are set to face at Backlash, he insults the Lone Wolf before all hell breaks loose. Corbin arrives on the scene and drops the Underdog from the Underground. He closes out the segment by stating that the same fate awaits Zayn on Sunday.
Focusing now on the final match of the evening, Corbin and Randy Orton delivered a solid contest. In the opening minutes, the Lone Wolf and the Viper toyed with one another and traded moves. Orton went for the RKO early, but it was countered by Corbin. Despite this, the WWE Champion stayed in the match with kicks and stomps. The assault wouldn’t last long though, as a stiff clothesline allowed Corbin to take control.
After another commercial break, The Lone Wolf makes use of power moves to dictate the pace of the match. Choosing to talk trash and pose under a chorus of books, he ends up accidentally hitting the ring post when charging at Orton. This gave Orton an opportunity to bounce back, and he was able to do so. An RKO outta nowhere sealed the deal a short time later, ending Corbin’s night.
While The Viper celebrated his victory, Jinder Mahal came out to announce his intention to destroy Orton and win the WWE Championship this Sunday. Then the Singh Brothers blindsided the champion, and despite Orton’s best efforts, he falls to the trio. The show ends with Mahal once again standing tall over Orton.
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