WWE SmackDown Results and Grades: SmackDown had a couple of big matches involving the women of the brand with a Champion vs Champion clash.

Bayley challenged Charlotte for a match a while back, and this was going to take centre stage on SmackDown.

Further, we had a mixed tag match featuring Otis and Mandy Rose going up against Dolph Ziggler and Sonya Deville.

There were some Intercontinental championship matches too, and one surprise waiting.

WWE SmackDown pulled off one major coup and here are the results and grades.

Strowman gets a challenge

The Miz and John Morrison came out for another segment of the Dirt Sheet. They mocked Braun Strowman and the champion came out too. It led to Morrison inadvertently issuing a challenge for Miz to face the champ, and the Monster accepted.

Grade B

Miz warned Strowman that more was to come from Wyatt but the fun aspect happened as the challenge was issued and Strowman accepted.

Strowman vs Miz

Miz took advantage of some help from Morrison early on to gain an advantage. However, The Monster easily overcame interference from outside and defeated Miz.

"You want me. You got me."

@BraunStrowman vs. @mikethemiz & @TheRealMorrison in a Handicap Match for the #UniversalTitle at #WWEBacklash?????? pic.twitter.com/xqoirU0tvE

— WWE (@WWE) May 23, 2020

Strowman beats Miz

Grade B

This was what the opening segment of SmackDown could have been but it was a welcome change of pace. The match wasn’t anything great and it made Strowman look strong while the tag team looked weak.

However, it was strange that WWE suggested that Strowman could face Miz and Morrison at Backlash and defend his title in a handicap match.

Nakamura vs Styles

Michael Cole broke the big news that AJ Styles had been traded back to SmackDown for some other stars.

The Phenomenal One got into action in an IC match against Shinsuke Nakamura. It was Styles that picked up the win after a tough match.

This is an absolute BATTLE!#SmackDown #ICTitle @AJStylesOrg @ShinsukeN pic.twitter.com/1lJy6lCFYb

— WWE (@WWE) May 23, 2020

Styles beats Nakamura

Grade B

This was a great match between two of the best in the business. It was a shame that Nakamura had to lose but having Styles on SmackDown is a huge plus.

Bayley vs Charlotte

Bayley told Sasha Banks to stay backstage as she challenged NXT champion Charlotte. It was Charlotte that did most of the damage early on but Bayley used her wit in the ring, and some sly moves to pick up a shock roll-up win and even used the ropes.

By any means necessary, @itsBayleyWWE takes down @MsCharlotteWWE on #SmackDown! #ChampionvsChampion pic.twitter.com/8rZtTTSdip

— WWE (@WWE) May 23, 2020

Bayley beats Charlotte

Grade B

Bayley put up a stellar performance as she used a lot of tricks to get the W over Charlotte. It was also surprising that Banks wasn’t told to come out and help Bayley, so we could see more of that too.

Mixed tag match

Otis and Rose came out to face Dolph Ziggler and Sonya Deville. In another decent match on SmackDown, it was Deville who got the pin over Rose after some confusion in the ring.

Insult to injury.@HEELZiggler & @SonyaDevilleWWE take down @otiswwe & @WWE_MandyRose on #SmackDown. pic.twitter.com/KRKmFf2jPY

— WWE (@WWE) May 23, 2020

Deville and Ziggler beat Rose and Otis

Grade B

Deville vs Rose will take place at a grander stage just to bury the rivalry. Deville has gotten the better of Rose several times now, and it will be interesting to see how that goes.

Hardy vs Sheamus

The main event saw Jeff Hardy face off against Sheamus in the Intercontinental championship tournament.

.@WWESheamus is taking his time PUNISHING @JEFFHARDYBRAND on #SmackDown. #ICTitle pic.twitter.com/c1YGxMaAHC

— WWE (@WWE) May 23, 2020

Hardy got the win thanks to a mistake by Sheamus who injured his shoulder. That allowed Hardy to use a roll-up for the win.

Hardy beats Sheamus

Grade B

Another good match on SmackDown as Sheamus and Hardy battled hard. It was a smart finish too with the injured shoulder coming into play as Hardy progressed into the tournament.

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