WWE SmackDown Spoilers: Complete Results and Analysis for May 14

Just days before a gigantic WWE World Heavyweight Championship match at Payback, three of the four Superstars involved in the contest saw action as the company presented its SmackDown tapings in Evansville, Indiana.

During Monday's Raw, it was announced that Roman Reigns would meet Kane in the main event. With the stipulation that there must be a winner, both competitors would surely stop at nothing to net the win. For Reigns, a victory would give him momentum heading into his latest title opportunity.

For Kane, a win would prove his doubters wrong, announce to the whole world that he was still very much the same Big Red Monster that has been such a force in WWE for the last 20 years.

Announcements made by the Director of Operations led to Reigns' former Shield teammates taking part in two huge singles bouts as well.

What were they and who came out on top?

Find out now, courtesy of our friends over at WrestlingInc.com.

Venue

Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana

Broadcast Team

Michael Cole, Byron Saxton and Jerry Lawler

Results

• Dean Ambrose kicked off the show. Roman Reigns interrupted, as did Kane. The Director of Operations announced Ambrose vs. Sheamus for the night's opener in response to trash talking at the hands of the babyfaces.
• Ambrose pinned Sheamus.
• A backstage segment involving Kane and Seth Rollins led to the announcement of Rollins vs. Ryback.
• Rusev and Lana came to the ring for a promo. Lana was forced to apologize for soaking in the fans adulation and partaking in the Fandango dance.
• Bray Wyatt attacked Ryback prior to his match with Rollins. The WWE World Heavyweight champion assumed that he would be awarded the win via forfeit but Ryback made it to the ring.
• Rollins defeated Ryback.
• Naomi and Tamina cut a promo.
• Tyson Kidd defeated Kofi Kingston with the Sharpshooter.
• Bo Dallas interrupted an update on Daniel Bryan's health and cut a promo on him. He was interrupted by Neville, leading to a match between the former NXT rivals.
• Neville defeated Dallas. Bad News Barrett was on commentary.
• A backstage promo involving Adam Rose and the Rosebuds aired.
• Roman Reigns defeated Kane via pinfall in a match that featured the use of weapons.

Credit: WWE.com

Analysis

Spotlighting Reigns, Rollins and Ambrose before Payback is a smart move on the part of WWE Creative. The former Shield members are three-quarters of the biggest selling point of the show so putting them front and center on the go-home episode of SmackDown is good for the product.

That all three score decisive victories over respected talent the likes of Sheamus, Ryback and Kane only helps elevate their stock further ahead of the pay-per-view broadcast.

It is Ambrose's victory over the Celtic Warrior, though, that really stands out.

A clean win over a heel character as hot as Sheamus has been since returning is a surprise and a solid indicator that the company sees big things for Ambrose, not just now but going forward as the summer approaches.

Otherwise, why risk killing Sheamus' momentum to put the Lunatic Fringe over? Especially if he is going to disappear into the midcard after Payback.

Neville's match with Bo Dallas also stands out, especially to fans of NXT who watched their rivalry progress, culminating in a ladder match at the first live special event last February. To see them on the main roster, competing on SmackDown, is a rewarding experience to those faithful followers.

SmackDown has been one of the more enjoyable shows WWE produces on a regular basis since returning to Thursday nights. There is an energy and pace with the show that Raw does not have, thus making it much easier to sit through.

With the focus on the former Shield members, the continued growth of the Lana character, spotlight on the feud between Ryback and Bray Wyatt and the tag team title feud getting some air time, this week's show looks like one worth checking out when it hits the SyFy network airwaves.