Friday Night SmackDown Results 5/16: WWE SmackDown Recap May 16 2014: With WWE Payback fast approaching, the leader of the Cenation tempted the fury of the monster, with a pair of high-flying equalizers ready to watch his back.
John Cena kicked off SmackDown, accepting Bray Wyatt's challenge for a Last Man Standing Match at WWE Payback. However, considering Cena's extensive history in that particular type of match, he figured the only reason his dangerous foe would dare propose the stipulation was because he didn't have any "marbles" in his head. Cena then threw down the gauntlet and challenged any member of The Wyatt Family to a SmackDown showdown, allowing The Eater of Worlds to choose the opponent!
The Usos def. Cody Rhodes & Goldust
Four days after breaking his losing streak with a huge Raw victory, Cody Rhodes and his brother Goldust looked to get back into the hunt for championship gold in a non-title match against WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos.
When the action broke down into an absolute free-for-all, though, Jimmy gained the advantage over Cody and broke his one match winning streak with a thunderous splash off the top tope.
El Torito def. Heath Slater
One week after El Torito pinned Heath Slater in Six-Man Tag Team action, the pint-sized Superstar once again defeated him one-on-one, thanks to a mistake by Hornswoggle and a wicked Bull-Sault.
Nikki Bella def. Natalya
With fellow "Total Diva" Eva Marie serving as special guest referee, Natalya looked to defeat Nikki Bella in a Raw rematch. As the third-generation Diva transformed her surfboard submission maneuver into a pin attempt, however, Nikki countered to pick up the pin herself.
Dolph Ziggler def. Batista by Disqualification
After making claims on Twitter that Batista was the only member of Evolution that had not actually "evolved," Dolph Ziggler found himself going one-on-one with The Animal on SmackDown.
In the height of the action, Batista delivered a low blow to The Showoff, forcing the referee to call the disqualification. Still, before the smoke cleared, the six-time World Champion unleashed the full extent of his rage, hitting Ziggler with a post-match Batista Bomb before viciously hurling him onto the ringside barrier.
Sheamus def. Titus O'Neil
Prior to their imminent match, Titus O'Neil elected to poke fun at Sheamus' "lily white" appearance and the fact that he was a United States Champion who was not from the U.S. After O'Neil unsuccessfully ordered The Celtic Warrior out of "his" ring, the bell rang and Sheamus hit his outspoken opponent with an instant Brogue Kick for the victory.
Santino Marella def. Damien Sandow
Damien Sandow was brimming with confidence after issuing an open challenge to the locker room. However, when Santino Marella answered the call - with a stumbling Emma at his side - and overcame The Enlightened One with the Cobra, an irate Sandow was left to scream his frustration into the microphone.
Cesaro def. R-Truth
With Paul Heyman explaining to the WWE Universe that the real "truth" was actually his client, Cesaro, The King of Swing overcame R-Truth with a fierce uppercut/Neutralizer combination.
John Cena def. Erick Rowan
Despise John Cena's earlier challenge to take on any member of The Wyatt Family leader's choosing, it looked as if the "New Face of Fear" came to SmackDown's main event ready to launch a 3-on-1 assault. However, the sudden addition of WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos made the creepy trio put that plan on hold.
Instead of taking on the match himself, Bray then chose Erick Rowan to face the leader of the Cenation. As the action of the hard-fought contest reached a fevered pitch, The Usos disposed of an interfering Luke Harper, paving the way for the 11-time WWE Champion to rally back from the Claw and triumph over Rowan with an Attitude Adjustment.
