Match Ratings For 5/21/2021 WWE Smackdown From Sean Ross Sapp

There’s a Parade of Champions, that Roman Reigns doesn’t attend. Paul Heyman comes out to the Shield music instead, and I really hope that is just his hilariously designated theme song and they didn’t get rid of the new Reigns theme. He says these are just “title holders” and the champion will hve his own parade later tonight. WWE also announces the return of fans in 8 weeks

Shayna Baszler, Nia Jax & Bayley defeated Natalya & Tamina, Bianca Belair
5.25/10

Loved Cole dropping the bit about the Hart Foundation winning the titles in that building. WWE say that Baszler and Nia are a part of the Brand to Brand invitational, so they probably shouldn’t be on the show next week. This match was pretty good. Bayley yanking Bianca Belair outside the ring and hitting a Bayley to Belly on Bianca was the highlight. Natalya gets choked out because even after winning titles, champions can’t look strong and for some reason they have to continue this. It’s never just a one off, but at least Shayna gets a win, I guess? I dunno. The fifth Nia & Shayna vs. Tamina & Natalya 2-on-2 match since April will be on Raw. It will be the 11th match in their feud (since April).

Other Stuff

• Yet another Aleister Black vignette. He’s still got daddy issues.
• Sonya Deville wants to build and promote matches. Bless that character. She promotes Usos vs. Street Profits for next week when Jimmy asks. Jey isn’t happy about not being consulted, and Roman doesn’t seem thrilled either. Montez’s Uso impersonation was fantastic

Shinsuke Nakamura (w/ Rik BOOGS) defeated Baron Corbin
4.75/10

King Corbin’s delivery is still….there. Then…..RIK BOOGS comes out and plays guitar for Shinsuke Nakamura. Pat McAfee is flipping out. Boogs is gonna get over, and this is a natural spot for him. It seems like this feud was booked all out of order. We’ve seen Nakamura pinned two weeks in a row, then attacks Corbin and steals a crown, then Boogs is introduced. Rest his soul, but New Jack would have been undefeated in WWE because every character becomes a distracted dope due to music and his theme just played constantly. A Boogs riff gets Nakamura the win, and this will just continue, I guess. Per usual.

Reigns!

Fortunately, Reigns has his regular theme. Reigns says he teaches his kids about humility. Heyman heaps praise on Reigns, who wants Jimmy Uso out there. Instead, he gets Cesaro in a sling, and Seth Rollins attacks him. Rollins Curb Stomps him twice after Cesaro tried to challenge Reigns at Hell in a Cell. I’m all for a Cesaro push, but both directions are rematch rematch rematch. Backstage, Rollins said he blacks out, and grabs Cesaro on the stretcher and says “why do you make me this person? when will you learn?”

Dominik Mysterio (w/ Rey Mysterio) defeated Robert Roode (w/ Dolph Ziggler)
4.5/10

Robert Roode says Dominik doesn’t belong here, but he’s got the million rematches to prove he does. The setup to the 619 always looks lame, but Dominik wins with the frog splash. Regardless of the nod to Eddie, I wouldn’t even bother doing that move if Montez Ford was on the same brand doing it the way he does. This was the eighth match in this feud.

WWE Intercontinental Title
Apollo Crews (c) (w/ Commander Azeez) defeated Big E, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
7/10

I love an Intercontinental Title match is headlining Smackdown on Fox. Poor Big E can’t stand up without someone diving on him. These guys are knocking the shit out of each other. Apollo has adopted the Triple Germans it would appear. I love a good Fisherman’s Brainbuster and Owens appeases. Apollo with a Death Valley Driver on the apron, then gets YOLO dived by Big E. There are suplexes all over the place in this match. The pace is great, the stakes feel important. Owens gets suplexed on his head outside, too. Even in a Fatal Four Way match they have interference, but Big E fights back and knocks out Azeez. Then Aleister Black lays out Big E with a Black Mass and Apollo wins. Well, then. Good match.

Rating Guide
10- Perfect, 9- MOTY Territory, 8- Excellent, 7- Great, 6- Good, 5- Average to above average, 4- Slightly below average, 3 or below: Poor

Each match starts at a 5 and slides up and down based on entertainment, execution, time, environment, reaction and stakes. The ratings are in no way an indication of a “star rating,” which is a completely different system. A standard, non-offensive “TV match” lands at a 5. The gap between 5.75-6 is generally the largest, with anything reaching 6 being recommended viewing.
These are opinions, and incredibly inconsistent ones that may change upon a second viewing, or sitting on the match for a period of time. Don’t take them too seriously, and have (and share) your own! Our opinions mean exactly the same amount as yours.