The first MITB qualifying match pits King Corbin against Drew Gulak. Corbin is showing a more aggressive side in recent weeks after he demolished Elias backstage, but now he’s going to try and get in the MITB ladder match. Gulak will look to join his new friend Daniel Bryan in the ladder match for his biggest opportunity in the WWE to date.
On the women’s side, Lacey Evans will take on Sasha Banks to qualify for the Women’s MITB Ladder match. Both women have a history as Banks has stepped up to Evans and her daughter. Sasha has also cost Lacey multiple times, but now Evans can finally get her hands on “The Boss” tonight.
Also, WWE is celebrating 25 years of Triple H tonight. “The Game” has had an incredible career in and out of the ring and no one knows what’s in store for him, not even Triple H himself.
Universal Champion Braun Strowman will take on Bray Wyatt at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view. However, Wyatt has already set his eyes on his former Wyatt Family member and is playing mind games with the “monster among men.” Can Strowman focus on the task at hand, or will Wyatt continue to play games with his former follower?
Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross granted Carmella and Dana Brooke a shot at their Women’s Tag Team Championships tonight. But Brooke has already earned a spot in the Women’s MITB ladder match, so can she focus on this opportunity?
Speaking of tag teams, last week Big E defeated The Miz and Jey Uso to win the SmackDown Tag Team Championships by himself in an impressive performance. But what’s next for The New Day, and how will the former champs, Miz and John Morrison, take the defeat?
Here’s everything that happened on the April 24 episode of Friday Night SmackDown.
WWE FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN RESULTS
New Day Promo
Big E and Kofi Kingston come out to start the night. Kofi starts and says that Big E deserves all the credit. Kofi says that they have more title reigns than some of the most. Lucha House Party interrupts. Lince Dorado congrats Big E and Kofi and says that they are sick of being passed over for other tag teams. Miz and Morrison interrupt and walk straight to the ring. Miz laughs and says that the New Day aren’t legitimate because he lost a singles match. Morrison says their first title defense was at Elimination Chamber and the second and third were singles match. They say that New Day never defeated them in a legit tag match. Gran Metalik tells Miz and Morrison something in Spanish. Miz asks Morrison to translate because he wrestled in Mexico. Morrison says that he said they respect him. Big E and Kofi say that’s not what he said. Before Lince could translate, Forgotten Sons come out. Steve Cutler says that they’ve all served their country and they’ve been treated like garbage since they got back. They say they will make the tag team division forgotten no more. Forgotten Sons attack the New Day and a big scrum happens. The other tag teams scamper off as Forgotten Sons continue to beat down Big E and Kofi.
Backstage
Miz and Morrison are asked about the Forgotten Sons. Miz and Morrison says that Lucha House Party started everything and they’ll have a match with them tonight.
Drew Gulak (with Daniel Bryan) vs King Corbin - MITB Qualifying Match
During the match, Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro grabbed Daniel Bryan. Gulak goes for the save, which is what Corbin needs to get his finisher on Drew. King Corbin wins via pinfall after an End of DaysAfter the match, Nakamura and Cesaro hold Gulak when King Corbin hits him with his scepter.
Sheamus vs Daniel Vidot
Sheamus wins via pinfall after a Brogue Kick
Jeff Hardy Video
Part 3 of Jeff Hardy’s career talks about the return of The Hardy Boyz in WWE with their surprise appearance at WrestleMania 33.
The Miz and John Morrison vs Lucha House Party
Before the match, Sheamus is seen lurking around and snatches Michael Cole’s headphones when he overhears him talking about Jeff Hardy and how he’s been disrespecting him. Gran Metallik pins Miz after a roll up
Sasha Banks (with Bayley) vs Lacey Evans - MITB Qualifying Match
Sasha comes out with a fan made of a picture of Lacey’s daughterDuring the match, Bayley helps Sasha get a foot on the ropes after taking a Women’s Right. When Lacey attacks Bayey, Banks rolls up Lacey but the referee was busy trying to get Bayley out of the ring. Evans pins Sasha after a Women’s RightAfter the match, Tamina shows up and superkicks Bayley at the top of the ramp.
Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman Video
A recap of Strowman and Wyatt’s history is shown to hype up their match at Money in the Bank
Backstage
Dana Brooke approaches Carmella. She brings up how Carmella has a MITB qualifying match next week and shouldn’t she be focused on tonight’s match? Carmella laughs and says that Dana’s performance last week inspired her, but she’ll be ready for tonight.
Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross (c) vs Carmella and Dana Brooke - Women’s Tag Team Championship Match
Bliss pins Carmella after a new tag team move
Triple H Celebration
As Triple H is starting to talk, Shawn Michaels comes out and says how he couldn’t have this celebration without him. Shawn starts to say if Triple H remembers his 25th celebration. After some awkward seconds, Shawn says Triple H doesn’t remember because he never had one. Shawn then shows a compilation of bloopers between him and Triple H. He shows a compilation of all of Triple H’s WrestleMania losses. Shawn then starts to rag on Stephanie McMahon for being no fun. Stephanie calls in and says she is watching live and can see Shawn. Shawn then starts talking about Ric Flair and Evolution, which is when Flair calls in. He congratulates Triple H on this milestone and tells him not to let Shawn superkick him at the end. He’s about to cry when Triple H hangs up. Ric calls back immediately and is crying before the commercial. When they come back from commercial, Road Dogg is on the phone and starts to talk but Triple H eventually hangs up. And when Shawn Michaels is about to talk when he’s interrupted by Vince McMahon. Vince McMahon starts to run down Triple H and brings up older bad segments like the Gobbeldy Gooker, Katie Vick and Bayley - This is Your Life. He ends the segment by telling Triple H he loves him and says that they have to go. The show ends with the lights going down on Triple H and Shawn.
