WWE SmackDown Results, Live Updates, Highlights & Commentary online from Friday Night SmackDown (22nd May 2020)

WWE SmackDown Results May 22nd, 2020: Winners, Grades, Video Highlights for latest Friday Night SmackDown

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The semi-finals for the tournament are Daniel Bryan vs Jeff Hardy and Elias vs AJ Styles. I smell a Bryan/Styles final.

Jeff Hardy defeated Sheamus via pinfall.

Hardy avoids the Brogue Kick and rolls Sheamus up with a victory roll, picking up a huge win and advancing in the Intercontinental Championship Tournament.

Hardy rolls Sheamus in for a Swanton, but Sheamus gets his knees up. Hardy kicks out at two and is blasted with a running knee trembler to the side of the head. Again, kicks out at two.

Hardy dives off the barricade, rocking Sheamus with a flying clothesline.

Atomic drop, leg drop to the midsection, and a basement dropkick to the face give Hardy a near fall. Sheamus avoids a Twist of Fate but is again driven into the ring post.

Sheamus connects with the 10 Beats of the Bodhrán. Hardy escapes a backdrop and lights up Sheamus with some right hands. He sidesteps a tackle in the corner, sending Sheamus shoulder first into the ring post.

Still, Sheamus catches Hardy and drives him into his knee with three Irish Curse backbreaker.

AJ Styles officially traded to SmackDown

Hardy boots Sheamus in the face and hits the Whisper in the Wind.

"It's just not your day, bro. Should've just stayed at home, swigging on the bottle."
-Sheamus

Sheamus slams Hardy in the ring as we come back from the break, and repeatedly drives his knee into the face of the Charismatic Enigma.

"Smile at everybody!"#SmackDown #ICTitle @WWESheamus @JEFFHARDYBRAND pic.twitter.com/pNk8iG0kGs
— WWE (@WWE) May 23, 2020

Sheamus sets up for the 10 Beats of the Bodhrán, but Hardy escapes, hanging him up on the ropes. On the outside, Sheamus catches Hardy diving and slams him spine first on the table.

Sheamus is absolutely clobbering Jeff Hardy in the early moments of this match. Hardy's facepaint is already coming off.

Michael Cole just said something that caught me off guard. Sheamus has never won the IC Title? That's surprising.

It's time for the MAIN EVENT! The final first-round match in the IC Title tournament, it's Sheamus vs Jeff Hardy!

By the way, SmackDown has REALLY done a great job when it comes to building their women's division. Throughout this empty-arena era we've been dealing with, Bayley, Sasha, Mandy, Sonya, Naomi, Lacey, Tamina, and a special guest appearance or two by Charlotte? Top-notch stuff.

The #ForgottenSons will be forgotten no more. #SmackDown @TheWWEBlake @SteveCutlerWWE @JaxsonRykerWWE pic.twitter.com/8ZNFa1hNiK
— WWE (@WWE) May 23, 2020

It's OFFICIAL!@BraunStrowman defends the #UniversalTitle against @mikethemiz & @TheRealMorrison in a Handicap Match at #WWEBacklash! pic.twitter.com/uRyPVwzssC
— WWE (@WWE) May 23, 2020

'The Charismatic Enigma' @JEFFHARDYBRAND wants one final good run and it starts NEXT. #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/ttKgxtqa6P
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) May 23, 2020

#RIPShadGaspard 🙏 pic.twitter.com/P16bE5IKOf
— WWE (@WWE) May 23, 2020

As we return to SmackDown, WWE shows a graphic for the late Shad Gaspard, who sadly passed away earlier this week in a tragic accident.

Jeff Hardy is preparing for Sheamus backstage. He asked the WWE Universe to join him for one last good run, and that run will apparently lead him to the IC Title. It was the first championship that Jeff won on his own. Tonight, his one last blaze of glory runs right through the Celtic Brawler.

Things quickly get out of hand during @otiswwe & @WWE_MandyRose's Mixed Tag battle against @HEELZiggler & @SonyaDevilleWWE. #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/gNMj3O2f1M
— WWE (@WWE) May 23, 2020

After the match, as Otis checks on Mandy, Ziggler rocks him with a superkick.

Sonya Deville and Dolph Ziggler defeat Mandy Rose and Otis via pinfall.

Mandy delivers a nasty clothesline, some knees to the gut and a sliding knee to the jaw, earning her a nearfall. Sonya escapes Mandy's finish and blasts her in the back of the head with a knee, picking up the win.

Ziggler makes it to his corner where Sonya tags back in, but Sonya didn't expect Mandy Rose to pick up a head of steam.

Otis slams high speed into Ziggler in the corner with a big splash.

Mandy lays out Sonya with a running knee, and begins crawling to Otis. Ziggler tries to get Sonya to prevent the tag, but it's too late. Otis runs in and launches Ziggler sky high for a flapjack.

Mandy manages to catch Sonya with some right hands, but a knee to the gut takes her down to her knees. Otis gets back to the apron and cheers on his beautiful peach.

Sonya locks Mandy Rose in a rear-naked choke in the middle of the ring. During the break, Mandy was checking on Otis, but Mr. MITB told her he was fine and to get back in the ring.

As Mandy and Sonya are going at it, Ziggler sends Otis into the steel steps.

Ziggler tags in Sonya, and Mandy comes in hoping to get some redemption for their last match.

Otis overpowers Ziggler, tossing him around the ring and slamming him with a big body slam. A body splash in the corner leaves Ziggler crumbling to the mat.

Dolph Ziggler and Sonya Deville are here to ruin the lives of Otis and Mandy. I mean...Otis is currently Mr. MITB and Mandy's career continues to skyrocket so...they're doing a terrible job.

Next up is a mixed tag match, featuring two of the most popular Superstars in WWE...and Otis and Mandy.

Bayley and Sasha Banks are seen backstage celebrating. Still it uh..you can cut the tension there with a knife.

THAT'S how #SmackDown does it.

SmackDown Women's Champion @itsBayleyWWE defeats NXT Women's Champion @MsCharlotteWWE! pic.twitter.com/V99YGQOZXA
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) May 23, 2020

Bayley defeats Charlotte Flair via pinfall.

Bayley tries to lock Flair in the Figure-4, but gets blasted with another right to the face. Bayley is able to counter a roll-up, however, and gets a pin, thanks to the ropes.

This time it connects, and Flair just barely kicks out.

Bayley reverses, rolling Flair up for a close call. After launching Flair headfirst into the second turnbuckle, she sets up for the elbow drop again.

Flair puts her knees up and counters, following up with a Liontamer.

Bayley escapes a leglock in the ropes and drops Flair with a stunner. She leaves Flair in the corner for a running knee to the head. Bayley sets up for her flying elbow drop.

A big boot gives The Queen a near fall after missing her moonsault. Her leg seems to be fine now.