Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for May 19, 2023

Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman and Solo Sikoa head to the ring to start tonight's show. Before Roman can say much of anything, Kevin Owens shows up, followed by Sami Zayn. Roman says he was going to bring Owens and Sami out here anyway, and that there are two things they can do right now. He then says it is time for them to acknowledge their Tribal Chief and then drop off the tag titles and see themselves out. Owens tosses his tag titles out of the ring and gets closer to Roman and Solo, then Roman says they do not want to talk to Owens anyway before Roman addresses Sami, saying his only regret in his stunning career is wasting his life on him. Sami says his only regret is not blasting Roman with the chair sooner, then says it has been a long time coming and that Roman's greed has led him face-to-face to him again. Sami then tells Roman that during his whole life, Roman has been told he is the best and has gotten everything he has ever wanted, but at Night of Champions, he will not get the tag team titles. Sami then tells Roman it is not happening because he is not as good as him, Owens or The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso). As Roman tells Sami he took it easy on him, Owens sees The Usos coming from behind, but The Usos still attack Owens and Sami. Roman tells The Usos that he told them not to come into his ring, then accidentally bumps into Solo Sikoa as he stops himself and leaves.

Backstage, Roman Reigns tells The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) that he did not need their help and that he had something he wanted to say to Sami Zayn, then says he is the one that makes the choices that keeps them in the promised land before angrily dismissing them.

Sheamus guests on commentary for the next match.

Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson and Elton Prince) beat The Brawling Brutes (Ridge Holland and Butch).

In memory of "Superstar" Billy Graham, 1943 - 2023.

Before the next match, Kayla Braxton interviews Zelina Vega. She says that when she received the love from the people of Puerto Rico at Backlash, she knew that she belonged and that nothing else mattered, and that she can go toe to toe with the best of the best. Zelina then says that Asuka will see that she is ready.

Asuka beats Zelina Vega by submission. After the match, Asuka refuses to let go of her submission hold, and Bianca Belair makes the save. Asuka tries to sneak back into the ring, but when Bianca grabs her, Asuka spits the blue mist at her. This time, however, the blue mist barely hits Bianca.

It's time for The Grayson Waller Effect. Tonight's guest is "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles. Grayson talks about how Styles told him to be phenomenal for over twenty years when they met in NXT, then asks about what winning the World Heavyweight Championship would mean to him. Styles says he has been out with an injury and that it was the longest he had ever been out of the ring, and when he was cleared, he trained harder than ever before because he knew he would get an opportunity and now he has the chance to become a champion. He says that he wants the championship more than the air that he breathes, then says that while Seth "Freakin'" Rollins is on a movie set and he is happy for him, he hopes he is doing what he needs to do so he can be ready, because he knows that he is. Waller says he looks forward to the end when Rollins wins, which gets Styles' dander up and causes a staredown.

Backstage, The Latino World Order (Rey Mysterio, Santos Escobar, Joaquin Wilde, Cruz del Toro) talk about The Usos. They agree that The Usos are good, but they will prove that they are better and that they will find out what happens when they mess with the LWO.

Before the next match, LA Knight says that he is looking for titles and that the tag team titles are not safe either, and that while The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkinsa nd Montez Ford) are talking trash, he can beat them with anybody and lead a team to victory with Rick Boogs.

The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) beat LA Knight and Rick Boogs. After the match, LA Knight helps Rick Boogs up only to lay him out with the Blunt Force Trauma.

Backstage, Megan Morant interviews Cameron Grimes, who is amazed that he has amassed the fastest victory in SmackDown history, and he is focused and determined to go to the moon.

We hear from Karrion Kross and Scarlett. Kross says that justice is blind and that he is the imminent threat to justice. Scarlett then reveals that "Allen" - "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles - is Kross' next target.

Isla Dawn and Alba Fyre beat Valentina Feroz and Yulisa Leon (who is now back from injury).

It is announced that Liv Morgan will be out of action for some time and that she and Raquel will have to relinquish the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships. In two weeks, there will be a Fatal 4-Way to decide a new championship team, and Raquel must find a new partner as part of the match.

Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviews Raquel Rodriguez, who commends Liv Morgan for pulling through in their match last week and says she is a champion. She says it was tough to relinquish the women's tag titles, then Damage CTRL (Bayley and Iyo Sky) shows up. Bayley commends Dakota Kai, then blames Raquel for Dakota's injury before saying she will see her in the ring on Monday.

Austin Theory heads to the ring. Theory says that Bobby Lashley and Sheamus both jumped him, and that they knew he would have won, beaten Seth Rollins, and become the new World Heavyweight Champion. He then says that Lashley follows him and has a weird obsession with him, then says that he and Sheamus have things in common as they are both tough, strong and have beaten John Cena despite a 12- or 13-year difference. Sheamus heads to the ring, then goes for a microphone before suddenly turning around, hitting Theory with a Brogue Kick and symbolically dropping the microphone.

Backstage, The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) are met by Paul Heyman. Heyman says he has it all under control as that Roman Reigns forgives them, even though he will not be at ringside in order to prepare for the next two weeks. He then says that The Latino World Order (Rey Mysterio and Santos Escobar) are an easy team to beat, then tells them to make their win a spoiler, not a prediction.

The Latino World Order (Rey Mysterio and Santos Escobar) beat The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) after Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn show up and distract The Usos. Backstage, Roman Reigns is disappointed. Solo Sikoa gets up, but Roman holds him back.