On May 29, 2020, WWE Smackdown unfolded at the Performance Center in Orlando, with chaos breaking out as Braun Strowman became involved in a dramatic storyline. Early in the show, Strowman witnessed a shocking car crash involving Jeff Hardy, setting off a turbulent chain of events that dominated the episode and cast suspicion across the roster. The unfolding incident raised immediate concern for the safety of Elias and questioned Hardy’s involvement, with law enforcement swiftly arriving at the scene to investigate.
Announcers Michael Cole and Corey Graves provided live commentary as Renee Young reported from outside the Performance Center. An ambulance was visible near a crashed car perched on the curb, paramedics attending to Elias, and police officers examining a paper marked with Jeff Hardy’s name, indicating the rental vehicle belonged to Hardy. About ten yards away, Kayla Braxton interviewed Braun Strowman, who described arriving moments after the accident, seeing a man flee the vehicle, and dialing 911.
Strowman expressed his frustration over the situation, hoping the culprit would be apprehended. The police quickly discovered Jeff Hardy nearby, limping and disoriented, and questioned whether he had been driving or drinking. Jamie Noble and Jason Jordan assisted Hardy, who repeatedly gasped and appeared confused, as police noted the smell of alcohol and proceeded to detain him for a blood test. Hardy was escorted to his rental car and became distraught as he saw Elias being loaded into an ambulance before being taken away by authorities himself.
The segment concluded with Renee Young confirming that Hardy had been taken for questioning while Elias was transported to a medical facility. Numerous WWE referees observed the ambulance’s departure, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. The scene sent shockwaves throughout the Performance Center and set up a night filled with uncertainty and accusation.
Backstage Chaos and Immediate Fallout Among WWE Superstars
As tension lingered, Adam Pearce called a meeting with the wrestlers to address the impact of Jeff Hardy’s alleged relapse on upcoming tournament matches, specifically the Intercontinental Title Tournament. Sheamus wasted no time ridiculing Hardy, labeling him as a “pathetic junkie,” while AJ Styles argued that he should automatically progress to face Daniel Bryan in the finals due to Hardy’s absence. However, Bryan proposed that both he and Styles earn their way to the finals by competing against other opponents.
The roster broke into heated debate: King Corbin demanded chance, Jey Uso voiced interest on behalf of his partner Jimmy, Dolph Ziggler reminded everyone of his former championships, and Gable asserted that Ziggler’s past did not overshadow his obnoxiousness. Pearce ultimately granted Styles a bye to the finals, setting Bryan up for a match against the winner of an imminent battle royal. The finals of the Intercontinental Title Tournament were announced to air in two weeks.
Explosive Battle Royal Determines Bryan’s Tournament Opponent
The battle royal, featuring Dolph Ziggler, Sheamus, King Corbin, Jimmy Uso, Cesaro, Lince Dorado, Shinsuke Nakamura, Chad Gable, and Drew Gulak, erupted into a chaotic contest with alliances and betrayals at every turn. Corey Graves applauded Styles for his strategic decision to accept a bye, while Cole commended Bryan’s courage in competing.
A series of rapid eliminations included Corbin tossing Gulak out early, Ziggler and Uso engaging in underhanded tactics, and Gable battling valiantly despite interference. The climax came down to Jey Uso, Shinsuke Nakamura, Cesaro, Sheamus, and Gable. After intense action, Cesaro and Nakamura found themselves at odds with Gable, who managed to eliminate each of them. Cesaro illegally reentered the ring to eliminate Gable, narrowing the final confrontation to Sheamus and Uso.
The battle concluded with Sheamus defeating Uso on the apron after delivering a decisive Brogue Kick, securing his place as Bryan’s next opponent for a shot at Styles in the tournament finals.
Cole confirmed that AJ Styles had advanced to the finals, while Daniel Bryan would meet Sheamus later in the night to vie for a place opposite Styles. The narrative set a tense precedent for the remainder of the evening.
Growing Tensions in the Women’s Division Escalate with Lacey Evans and Sonya Deville
Outside the tournament, the Smackdown women’s roster saw its own share of hostilities. A backstage confrontation between Sonya Deville and Lacey Evans quickly escalated, sending both competitors hurtling toward an intense showdown.
Put your hair up and square up!
—Sonya Deville, WWE Superstar
Evans quickly retaliated, shoving Deville and issuing a challenge for the ring. Their subsequent match opened with heavy aggression, both athletes capitalizing on their animosity. Deville, who had been in the spotlight for her feud with Mandy Rose, started with an early takedown, while Evans matched her intensity.
The contest ended in a double count-out as their fight spilled outside the ring and continued at ringside, highlighting the depth of their rivalry. Even after the official decision, Deville hurled Evans into the announce table, prompting Evans to taunt Deville from the ring.
Deville responded with a promise to continue the fight on her terms:
I’m fighting on my terms, blondie.
—Sonya Deville, WWE Superstar
The unresolved animosity promised further clashes between these two, leaving the division fraught with uncertainty.
The Forgotten Sons Deliver Their Ominous Warning
Away from the ring, Jackson Ryker, Steve Cutler, and Wesley Blake appeared in a vignette as the Forgotten Sons, introducing themselves with a stern message. Blake explained his transformation under the influence of his brothers, foreshadowing a more violent and unforgiving attitude, as bloodshed was said to be inevitable in their pursuit of retribution within WWE’s tag team ranks.
Lighthearted Moments Balance the Upheaval: The New Day Guests on A Moment of Bliss
In the midst of turmoil, The New Day provided comic relief as they surprised hosts Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross during their staged talk show, A Moment of Bliss. The playfulness between Kofi Kingston, Big E, Bliss, and Cross helped briefly alleviate the tension that had dominated the episode.
Kofi received a box of Scottish pancakes from Cross, while Big E contributed freshly extracted coffee beans from his trunks, adding water and stirring with a spoon before inviting Bliss to taste—though she deferred. Bliss inquired about potential tag team contenders, leading Kofi to point to the Forgotten Sons. The New Day’s energy created a reprieve from the drama elsewhere in the show, even as they discussed the rivalry for their tag team titles.
Bayley and Sasha Banks Crash the Party, Setting Up Tag Team and Singles Action
Bayley and Sasha Banks abruptly interrupted The New Day and the hosts, bringing renewed hostility to the Women’s Tag Team Championship picture. Bayley, ever boastful, celebrated her reign as Smackdown Women’s Champion, prompting Bliss to question Sasha’s own accomplishments.
Bayley quickly shifted focus, nominating Sasha to fight Bliss in an impromptu singles match despite Sasha’s visible reluctance. The ensuing contest saw interference from both teams, notably as Nikki Cross and Bayley collided. The match concluded with Sasha pinning Bliss for the victory after a frenetic series of moves.
Throughout the contest, banter among the four competitors suggested genuine enjoyment, offering the audience a rare glimpse of unscripted fun amidst the prevailing drama.
Braun Strowman, Miz, and Morrison’s Rivalry Builds Toward Backlash
As the show progressed, clips aired reliving the previous week’s build to Braun Strowman’s looming championship defense against Miz and Morrison. Cole announced that the next week’s Smackdown would feature Miz and Morrison issuing a warning to Strowman, further raising stakes as Backlash approached.
Meanwhile, championship dynamics among the women remained heated, with Nikki Cross and Alexa Bliss set to compete against Bayley and Sasha Banks for the Women’s Tag Team Titles on the next episode.
Tournament Action Intensifies: Shorty G’s Upset and Kurt Angle’s Smackdown Announcement
Elsewhere on the card, Cesaro and Shorty G (Chad Gable) engaged in a fast-paced battle, with Shorty G eventually pulling off a surprise win. This underdog victory was seen as a significant upset by the commentary team and set the stage for future opportunities.
Adding to the night’s surprises, Kurt Angle, a WWE Hall of Famer and former Smackdown general manager, announced the arrival of Matt Riddle to the blue brand. Angle endorsed Riddle’s unique and unpredictable persona, showcasing highlights of his NXT run and underscoring expectations for his impact on Smackdown going forward.
Backstage, anticipation grew for Riddle’s debut as Sheamus approached Kayla Braxton to dismiss the newcomer’s hype and reinforce his own credentials. Sheamus, never one to mince words, declared his intent to claim the one title that had eluded him—the Intercontinental Championship—while promising that Daniel Bryan would not stand in his way. A brief confrontation with Bryan escalated tensions as the main event neared.
Daniel Bryan Triumphs Over Sheamus in Semi-Final Encounter After Hardy’s Return
The night’s central storyline and tournament drama collided in the semi-final match between Daniel Bryan and Sheamus. The contest was marked by equal parts determination and animosity, with both men trading control and big moves as the match wore on.
Sheamus repeatedly taunted Bryan, invoking their history at WrestleMania. However, Bryan’s resilience shone through as he fought back from Sheamus’s brutal offense and set up a pivotal moment late in the match. As Sheamus readied his signature Brogue Kick, Jeff Hardy emerged at ringside, his unexpected appearance distracting Sheamus long enough for Bryan to capitalize with a running knee and secure victory. With this win, Bryan advanced to the Intercontinental Title Tournament finals.
Following the pinfall, Hardy went on the attack, prompting Sheamus to flee the ring as confusion reigned among the commentators and the audience alike. The evening closed with Daniel Bryan celebrating while doubts and questions lingered regarding Hardy’s involvement and future ramifications.
What This Means for Smackdown: Uncertainty, Suspicion, and High Stakes
The events of this episode left the Smackdown roster and fans in suspense. Braun Strowman’s eyewitness account, together with Jeff Hardy’s dramatic detention and potential framing, cast a long shadow over the night’s matches and set fuel to ongoing rivalries. With Strowman’s championship story building alongside the fallout from Hardy’s accident, stakes grew not only for those implicated in the accident but across every division.
The tournament moved forward with Daniel Bryan heading to the Intercontinental Title finals to meet AJ Styles, while Sheamus and Hardy’s conflicts promised further disruption. Sonya Deville and Lacey Evans showed no sign of ending their feud, and the tag team competitions in both male and female divisions hinted at even fiercer contests ahead.
As the dust settled, questions remained: Was Hardy set up by Sheamus? Would Braun Strowman remain focused amid the chaos? With critical championship matches on the horizon and tempers at a boiling point, Smackdown was primed for even more turmoil and dramatic developments in the weeks ahead.
