Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown Live recap for May 22, 2018

It's time for Miz TV. The Miz says he has two exclusives, and that the first exclusive is that on July 24, Miz and Mrs. will debut on USA Network at 10 PM Eastern, 9 PM Central. His second exclusive is The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods), who show up. After The New Day show their lack of enthusiam for The Miz's new show, The Miz asks which member of The New Day will enter the men's Money In The Bank Ladder Match. All three of them joke that it is them. The Miz then says that The New Day have not reached their full potential because they all hold each other back. Xavier Woods responds by running down The Miz's accomplishments before telling him that throughout his career, he always put himself first. Miz says he has won Money In The Bank and cashed in, and says Kofi cannot claim to have done the same. He tells Kofi to picture winning before saying he's all six matches he's been in and giving another person a shot. Miz then focuses on Big E, saying he has what it takes to be champion, but will never be taken seriously because he does not take himself seriously, which brings him to Xavier Woods. Miz mentions Woods' accomplishments with UpUpDownDown and tells him to picture streaming Fortnite while wearing the WWE Championship around his waist. He then says all three men have the potential to win, and asks again who will enter the match. Woods says it would have to be Big E, Big E says it would have to be Kofi, and Kofi says it would have to be Woods. This gets Miz irritated to the point that he says he can beat any of them for the Money In The Bank Contract any day of the week. All three New Day members get up and huddle, then Kofi says Miz has made the decision for them and that it will be Big E. As Miz announces this, Woods interrupts and says Big E will be taking on The Miz in a match tonight. After Miz asks if that is what Big E wants, and says if he does not get what he wants, neither will Big E, and says he will see them at Money In The Bank. The New Day then throw pancakes at Miz, saying "Shame." Miz runs out of the ring and to the back as The New Day continue to pelt him with pancakes. Suddenly, Miz runs into General Manager Paige. Neither person says anything at first, then Paige tells Miz to put his money where his mouth is right now. Paige then forces Miz back out on the stage, starting a match between Miz and Big E.

Xavier Woods guests on commentary for the next match in the first half of the match, and Kofi Kingston replaces him in the second half.

The Miz beats Big E after Sheamus and Cesaro run in to attack Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston, distracting Big E so that The Miz can hit him with the Skull Crushing Finale.

Big Cass is seen on crutches backstage, proving that he is not medically cleared.

Dasha Fuentes interviews Daniel Bryan, who says his second chance means everything to him as nobody knows more about second chance than him. He proved to Big Cass that if you kick the hornet's nest, you're going to get stung. As for tonight's match, he knows that Jeff Hardy is a great wrestler, but he loves a good challenge and he will make him tap out so he can qualify for the men's Money In The Bank Ladder Match.

Before the next match, Billie Kay says Aiden English's singing was nice, but Peyton Royce says they're twice as nice and that this moment calls for a duet. Before the next match, Billie Kay says Aiden English's singing was nice, but Peyton Royce says they're twice as nice and that this moment calls for a duet. Peyton then says that when they win at Money In The Bank, SmackDown Live will become IIconic. When the match starts, Aiden English counters with a "Lana Day" sign. Billie Kay and Peyton Royce tak exception to this and slap Aiden, and Lana gets behind then and slaps Peyton before throwing her into the barricade, starting the match proper. One kick and one facebuster later, Lana pins Billie Kay in the center of the ring to qualify for the women's Money In The Bank Ladder Match.

We hear from Zelina Vega, who says that for years, Andrade "Cien" Almas has made his name travelling across the world and has always gotten the best wine, food and competition. When he came to SmackDown Live, however, he got less than the best. Zelina says Almas is the future of SmackDown Live, and that if he does not get what he deserves, then they will take it.

Andrade "Cien" Almas beats an unnamed competitor.

Dasha Fuentes interviews Carmella, who is wearing an Asuka mask. Carmella says Dasha is a hater waiting for her to slip and fall like everyone else, and that she is not afraid of Asuka. She then says that the Asuka myth has been shattered by Charlotte Flair, and that she is twice as good as Asuka after beating Charlotte twice. She says she can see through Asuka, and says Asuka should be afraid of her. At Money In The Bank, she will moonwalk all over Asuka and prove she is money.

Renee Young is in the ring. "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles is introduced first, followed by "The Artist" Shinsuke Nakamura. Styles asks for the stipulation for his and Nakamura's match. Nakamura tells Styles to watch the TitanTron and remember to see what the stipulation is. Styles says he will never be hit with a low blow again, but Nakamura tells him he will not only beat him, but dishonor him, and he will never recover. Styles says he will never be hit with a low blow again, but Nakamura tells him he will not only beat him, but dishonor him, and he will never recover. Styles is amused by the situation, and jokes that Nakamura was always the king of "soft style." Nakamura says he has the upper hand and that Styles jokes around because he is afraid. After saying that all he wants to do is knee him in the face, Styles says he does not care what the stipulation is as Nakamura can never beat him when it matters, anyway. He then says Nakamura is not the Nakamura everyone wanted on SmackDown Live. After Styles says that Nakamura will never be on an even playing field with no matter what stipulation Nakamura picks, Nakamura goes for a cheap shot only to get blocked. This starts a wild brawl that spills into the crowd, which ends with Nakamura stopping a springboard move off the barricade with a steel chair. Nakamura then counts to ten. Styles gets up, then Nakamura slams him into the commentary table before hitting the Kinshasa before counting again, this time to ten. Nakamura then spells it out for everyone and says the WWE Championship match will be a Last Man Standing Match.

Before the next match, Gallows & Anderson tell The Usos that they blew their shot against The Bludgeon Brothers, and that it will be them winning the SmackDown tag team titles. Suddenly, The Usos take the microphone and tell them they are on their turf. Anderson then says that instead of seeing any wardens in the Uso Penitentiary, he and Gallows see a couple of nerds. This starts the next match.

Gallows & Anderson (Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson) beat The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) to become #1 contenders to the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championships at Money In The Bank.

Naomi beats Sonya Deville to qualify for the women's Money In The Bank Ladder Match after ducking a flying knee and rolling Deville up.

Backstage, Jeff Hardy is interviewed by Renee Young. Jeff is excited to have a chance to qualify for the men's Money In The Bank Ladder Match due to what he can do with ladders. As for tonight, he is excited to face Daniel Bryan and he is ready to take flight.

Samoa Joe guests on commentary for the next match.

Next week: The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods) vs. Sheamus, Cesaro and The Miz!

Daniel Bryan beats Jeff Hardy with a leg hook. After the match, Samoa Joe screams at Daniel Bryan and tells him that next week, he faces him. Backstage, Renee Young interviews Samoa Joe, who says that next week, Daniel Bryan goes to sleep.

Here are the top 10 moments for tonight's show!