WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from May 7

Every week on Bleacher Report, I take an in-depth look at WWE SmackDown to recap the action, offer analysis and grade the matches, segments and anything else that takes place on the show, as well as offer a few predictions for future events.

Payback is right around the corner, so it was no surprise to see the majority of the matches and segments revolve around the feuds that will make up the pay-per-view card.

However, one match that had nothing to do with any current storylines ended up being one of the highlights of the night when Los Matadores took on The Lucha Dragons.

While we didn't see anything that could be considered memorable, as a whole, it was a good show. Most of the matches were fun to watch, and the crowd was enthusiastic throughout the night.

Let's take a look at everything that happened on this week's SmackDown.

Opening Segment and King Barrett vs. Dolph Ziggler

Jerry Lawler opened the show in the ring with an interview with King Bad News Barrett. Barrett came out still wearing the cape and crown with a scepter that looked like it was bought at a costume shop.

Barrett berated Lawler for calling himself "King" without earning the title, and he demanded Lawler say, "All hail King Barrett." Being the cocky veteran that he is, Lawler refused.

Barrett was going to get physical with the Hall of Famer, but Dolph Ziggler came out before anything could happen. A referee appeared out of nowhere to officiate an impromptu match to kick off the show.

Barrett controlled the early part of the contest, with Ziggler getting in some offense before the commercial break. When we returned to the match, Barrett was back in control.

Before anyone could get the win, Sheamus came out and attacked Ziggler. Neville eventually made the save, and the mayhem led to a tag team match involving all four men.

This was a solid way to open SmackDown. All four of these men bring something different to the table, and the program they have been running for the past few weeks has led to some entertaining matches.

Grade: B

Notes and Highlights:

• It honestly looks like the cape cost the most money. The crown and scepter looked like they were made of plastic.
• It would be easier to think of Lawler as a king if he didn't wear shirts that looked like Ed Hardy's rejected designs.
• It was awesome to hear Lawler acknowledge how he used to treat the fans poorly and how it led to him having to kiss his own foot after a match with Bret Hart. That was a great feud.

Neville and Dolph Ziggler vs. Sheamus and King Barrett

Usually, when a big fight is turned into a tag team match, it ends up being the main event. But this week, we got to see the bout take place immediately after the segment that set things in motion.

The match was already in progress when we returned from the second commercial break. Neville was taking a severe beating at the hands of the European heels, and that lasted for several minutes.

Ziggler eventually got the hot tag and cleaned house. Barrett almost won by using the ropes for leverage during a roll up, but Neville saved his partner, and Ziggler was able to get the win with the Zig Zag.

The opening segment, first match and the tag match that followed all helped set a good tone for the show. It's shocking that Ziggler and Barrett haven't been pushed harder in the past when they continue to be two of the most reliable performers on the roster.

Grade: B

Notes and Highlights:

• Neville's size might make him look like a cruiserweight, but he has more power than you would expect. He's all muscle.
• This might not have come off on TV as anything special, but the crowd that got to see it live probably had a blast watching these four work.
• Sheamus' pale skin makes it easy to see every little bruise and scrape. He always looks like he just got in a fight.
• If he stays healthy and continues to find new ways to showcase his skills, Neville could eventually become the greatest high-flyer in WWE history.

Luke Harper vs. Fandango

Fandango and Luke Harper might be the two most different Superatars in the entire company. One is a dancing babyface, and the other is a backwoods heel.

Harper acted like he was going to do the Fandango dance, but he suckered in his opponent and delivered a huge boot to the face.

Fandango came back and got in some decent offense against the much larger Harper, but he was quickly taken out by a superkick and a discus clothesline.

The real story started after the match was over. Erick Rowan came to the ring and proceeded to destroy Fandango, while his former partner just sat and watched with a blank look on his face.

Harper looked a little confused by the attack, which makes it hard to figure out what all this means. The attack could have been Rowan trying to one-up Harper to start a feud, or it could be the first step in an eventual reunion.

Let's hope it's the latter. The match was nothing special, but the events that followed created some mystery. At this point, any storyline for Rowan and Harper is progress since both men have been criminally underutilized since The Wyatt Family broke up.

Grade: C+

Notes and Highlights:

• It looks like Fandango's push is officially over.
• I really hope Harper and Rowan get back together. They were so much better together than either man is as a solo act.
• Who has the better superkick, Harper or Ziggler? Share your opinion in the comments section.

From Russia with Love

Lana was in the ring by herself after the commercial break, and the crowd was chanting her name. She asked them not to cheer for her because it makes Rusev angry.

Before she could say anything else, the Bulgarian Brute came out and forced her to leave the ring. It made Lana into the sympathetic damsel in distress and gave Rusev some good heat.

This is an intriguing storyline because there are two ways it could end. A lot of people probably think this is going to lead to a breakup, and that is definitely a possibility.

The other possibility is that Rusev and Lana could be playing everyone, including John Cena. Let's say Rusev pretends like he will hurt Lana if Cena doesn't quit at Payback. Cena, being the good guy that he is, would never let a woman be injured, and it would force him to quit and lose the United States Championship.

After Rusev takes his title, he and Lana could reveal that it was all a ruse. It would turn Lana back into a heel immediately, and that is probably best for everyone in the end.

What would Lana do if she and Rusev parted ways? She's an athlete, but not a wrestler, so she wouldn't start chasing the Divas title. She could end up managing someone else, but she might not be as effective as a face.

The match at Payback will be where we find out if Lana and Rusev are pulling the wool over everyone's eyes or if she really is starting to question the man she has supported for the past year.

While the storyline has some intrigue to it, this segment was too short to accomplish anything. It got Rusev some heat, but he can do that in his sleep.

Grade: C-

The New Day vs. Tyson Kidd, Cesaro and Ryback

Tyson Kidd and Cesaro took on The New Day in a six-man tag match with a mystery partner that turned out to be Ryback.

It's nice to see The New Day being used more as a three-man team lately instead of having them cycle through different combinations of two in tag team matches.

It was a pretty average six-man contest until the final moments. Both teams got in a fair amount of offense, and the addition of Ryback to the mix helped freshen things up a bit.

Ryback is better in tag team situations than he is on his own and having partners like Kidd and Cesaro makes him look even better. However, there is no denying how much he has improved over the past year.

Bray Wyatt's graphics were used to distract Ryback, which allowed The New Day to take advantage and pick up the win. The action leading up to the conclusion was a lot of fun, and the way WWE integrated a separate storyline into the tag title feud helped keep this match from feeling repetitive.

Grade: B- 

Notes and Highlights:

• I was a big fan of The Hart Dynasty, but Kidd and Cesaro are better in terms of teamwork. The combinations they come up with are very creative.
• Cesaro and Ryback holding up Big E and Xavier Woods in vertical suplexes was a fun little moment. Kidd using a snap suplex on Kofi Kingston was probably better than him trying to hold Kingston up for several seconds.
• It would be interesting to see Big E and Ryback compete in a series of challenges to see who is the strongest. Who do you think would win?
• It could have been editing, but it seemed like the crowd was really into this match. They chanted several times for Ryback and against The New Day.

Emma vs. Naomi

Naomi battled Emma in the only Divas match of the evening. Tamina Snuka was by Naomi's side again, and the promo they gave before the match indicated that this is a partnership that will continue for the time being.

Emma showed a little aggression, but Naomi controlled most of the action and picked up the win with her ridiculous finisher.

This wasn't anything special, but Naomi and Emma seemed to work well together. It's too bad Emma didn't take off on the main roster because she is actually quite talented. Hopefully, her newfound attitude in NXT leads to bigger and better things.

Grade: C

Notes and Highlights:

• It's weird to see Emma wrestle as a heel in NXT and as a babyface on the main roster. There needs to be consistency between the two brands.
• It appears WWE management thinks Snuka is only good for being a bodyguard. First, she protected AJ Lee, and now she is helping Naomi. Considering she is the most physically imposing Diva on the roster, it's shocking they haven't found a better way to use her.
• It will be interesting to see how The Usos react to Naomi's new attitude when they return.

The Lucha Dragons vs. Los Matadores

This bout brought back a lot of memories of the cruiserweight division in WCW. Everybody had a mask, and they all used exciting moves throughout the match.

Another thing that was interesting about this encounter was that both teams are good guys. Kalisto and Fernando (Or was it Diego?) shook hands before they locked up.

Neither team controlled the action for very long, which tends to happen in fast-paced matches like this. They worked well together to produce a fun show for the crowd. Sin Cara used a very unique roll up to score the win for his team.

Grade: B

Notes and Highlights:

• Los Matadores have so much talent, but their gimmick will always keep them down. They need to ditch El Torito and go back to being Primo and Epico. It looked like it was going to happen when one of them pushed El Torito after the match was over, but nothing came of it.
• Kalisto does things you normally only see in Lucha Underground matches. This kid has a bright future if he can avoid serious injuries.
• It's always refreshing to see a match without any real storyline behind it that ends up being exciting. WWE needs to realize that not every segment has to be devoted to a current feud.

Contract Signing

All four participants in the upcoming WWE World Heavyweight Championship match came out to sign the contract, with Kane acting on behalf of The Authority to oversee the whole thing.

Contract signings are so predictable. They always end in a fight, and since they are used so sporadically, it seems pointless to even have them anymore.

Seth Rollins tried to create some drama between his three opponents, which seemed unnecessary since most of these guys don't like each other to begin with.

Kane continued to play both sides by refusing to sign the contract for Rollins, which forced the champion to enter a ring filled with people who wanted to rip him apart.

As expected, all hell broke loose. Kane and Rollins worked together, despite having argued seconds before the fight broke out. Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns attacked everyone but each other, indicating that they are still on good terms.

For the first time in what feels like forever, Rollins was the last man standing. He needed this moment. He has been portrayed as a coward too much since he won the title, so it was great to see him take out everyone else for once.

Grade: C+

Notes and Highlights:

• At least Ambrose didn't try to pretend like this wasn't going to turn into a fight.
• Apparently, Joey Mercury doesn't weigh enough to break a table.
• Calling Rollins "Justin Bieber" was funny once, but it doesn't really make any sense to keep doing it. He looks nothing like Bieber and has nothing in common with him.

Final Thoughts and Predictions

For a show that didn't have any five-star matches, it was a pretty good week for the blue brand. Everyone was on top of their game and most of the bouts produced some exciting moments.

The big surprise of the night was how the two tag teams that could be considered lowest on the totem pole delivered one of the best performances.

Los Matadores and The Lucha Dragons are both very talented duos, but for one reason or another, they haven't been used to their fullest potential.

The contract signing at the end of the night predictably broke out into a brawl, but seeing Rollins come out on top was what needed to happen to make him look like a champion who could believably hold onto his title in a Fatal 4-Way match.

Last year's Payback PPV ended up being better than expected, and with the way things are shaping up, we could get another great show this year.

Predictions:

• Los Matadores will dump El Torito next week. He will then align himself with The Lucha Dragons. These two teams also will end up having a match on the Payback Kickoff.
• Naomi and Snuka will have a tag team match with the Bellas on Raw.
• Lana and Rusev will end up revealing that all their tension was part of a long con at Payback.
• Neville and Ziggler will face Sheamus and Barrett with some kind of stipulation at Payback.
• Daniel Bryan will be forced to relinquish the Intercontinental Championship next week. I am going to keep making this prediction until it happens.
• Rowan and Harper will reunite as a tag team next week.

What did you think of this week's SmackDown?

Thanks for reading, and follow me on Twitter @BR_Doctor.