WWE SmackDown Notes: Results, Carmelo Hayes, LA Knight, & Santos Escobar Declares for King of the Ring 2024 Tournament, Paul Heyman Reveals He Pulled Roman Reigns from WWE Draft

WWE

Steve C.

May 3, 2024

WWE SmackDown Results – May 3, 2024

May 3, 2024
Lyon-Decines, France – LDLC Center
Commentary – Corey Graves and Wade Barrett

Quick Match Results

Eight-Women Tag Team match – Bayley, Naomi, Bianca Belair, & Jade Cargill defeated Tiffany Stratton & Damage CTRL (Asuka, Kairi Sane, & Dakota Kai) via KOD (pinfall)
- Belair pinned Kai after hitting a KOD to give her team the victory.
Authors of Pain (Akam & Rezar) defeated New Catch Republic (Tyler Bate & Pete Dunn) via Double Team Neckbreaker & Sit-out Powerbomb (pinfall)
- Near the end of the match, Final Testament’s Scarlett and Karrion Kross interferred leading to Kross hitting a spinning F5 toss to Bate on teh outside while the referee was not looking. This led to Dunn getting distracted and Rezar hitting a standing Uranage to Dunn in return. Rezar then tagged in Akam and hit a double team neckbreaker and sit-out powerbomb combo for the pinfall victory.
LA Knight defeated Angel via BFT (pinfall)
- Following the match, Knight grabbed a microphone and gave a promo declaring himself for the King of the Ring tournament. Santos Escobar interrupted and after some insults directed towards Knight, he also officially declared himself for the King of the Ring tournament.
WWE Tag Team Championship – A-Town Down Under (Austin Theory & Grayson Waller) (c) defeated The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) via Pinfall
- Theory pinned Dawkins after Theory raked Dawkins eyes causing Dawkins to crash into Ford who was on the top rope, which led to the referee checking on Ford and Waller hiting Dawkins with a Flatliner for Theory’s victory to retain the WWE Tag titles.

Carmelo Hayes Declares for King of the Ring 2024 Tournament

Friday’s taped SmackDown show featured Carmelo Hayes officially declaring himself for this year’s King of the Ring tournament.

During the show, Hayes was seen with SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis in Aldis’ backstage office. Hayes talked about how he almost beat Cody Rhodes last week and officially declared himself for the field for this year’s King of the Ring tournament. Bobby Lashley walked in and shook hands with Hayes. Lashley congratulated Hayes on being drafted to SmackDown and stated that if he needs any advice to just call him. Hayes responded stating that he will be good since he was a first round draft pick last week, almost beat Rhodes, and he has things figured out. Lashley responded stating that it is not about the shots you take but how much you land. Hayes responded back sarcastically asking Lashley when was the last time he shot his shot. This lead to Lashley responding in a threatening tone stating that he has free advice for him and that is to watch out who you disrespect.

"When's the last time you shot your shot, @fightbobby?" @Carmelo_WWE is already ruffling feathers on the blue brand 😳 #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/Y3D2TbSDP4
— WWE (@WWE) May 4, 2024

LA Knight & Santos Escobar Also Declares for King of the Ring 2024 Tournament

Friday’s taped SmackDown show also featured LA Knight and Santos Escobar also officially declaring themselves for this year’s King of the Ring tournament.

Following LA Knight’s victory over Angel, Knight grabbed a microphone and stated that all around the world it is the same song. Knight stated that another SmackDown, another “dummy” dumped on his head. Knight then stated that if he wanted to be cliche, he would say that this is his ring but he won’t say it, he will make this his ring. Knight then officially declared himself for this year’s King of the Ring tournament.

“I’m gonna make this MY ring!”@RealLaKnight has officially declared for the King of the Ring! #WWEKingAndQueen #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/JmX2qqwqbn
— WWE (@WWE) May 4, 2024

Escobar got onto the apron and interrupted stating that it is impressive what Knight said. Escobar stated that Knight keeps talking and talking but at King of the Ring, while Knight will be busy running his mouth, he will be the one winning it all. Knight responded asking the fans if he should keep talking, which the fans responded back shouting out “YEAH!” Knight told Escobar that he will hear everybody saying “LA Knight, Yeah” and chucked his microphone at Escobar.

Knight and Escobar joins Carmelo Hayes, Gunther, Xavier Woods, Drew McIntyre, and Sheamus who have been confirmed to be competing in this year’s tournament.

Paul Heyman Reveals Roman Reigns Pulling Out of WWE Draft was Not Reigns Decision But His Decision

Friday’s taped SmackDown show also featured Paul Heyman revealing that he and not Roman Reigns was the person who made the decision to pull Reigns out of this year’s WWE Draft.

During the show, Heyman and SmackDown GM Nick Aldis were seen backstage in Aldis’ office. Heyman asked Aldis if he got his memo which Aldis responded he did and denied his request. Aldis asked Heyman why he would remove Kevin Owens and Randy Orton from their match against The Bloodline tomorrow. Heyman responded stating that it is for their sake and what happens to them is no longer on his conscience. Heyman stated that it is now on Aldis’ conscience. Aldis responded stating that if this is by order of the Tribal Chief. Heyman responded back stating that was not funny. Aldis then asked Heyman if he is in charge now, which Heyman responded that there is a difference between being in charge and being in control but he has not spoken to Reigns since WrestleMania.

Aldis responded stating that when Roman pulled himself out of the WWE Draft, how did he do that if he did not talk to Heyman. This led to Heyman revealing that he was the one who had pulled Reigns out of the WWE Draft. Heyman told Aldis that he has to understand what is happening and how he had no choice. Heyman stated that he could not subject Roman to the chaos of what is going on in the Bloodline and Aldis can not subject Owens and Orton to the Bloodline tomorrow. Aldis responded stating if Heyman can pull Roman out of the Draft, then he should try pulling Owens and Orton out of their match at Backlash and he can try so next on the RKO Show.

“I haven’t spoken to Roman since WrestleMania…”

Did we hear that right, @HeymanHustle? 😬 #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/AWyOPIEJXl
— WWE (@WWE) May 4, 2024

In a follow-up segment, Owens held a new episode of his RKO Show with Orton as the guest. After some banter between the two, Owens called for Heyman to come out since he wanted to be a guest on his show. Heyman came out and made his way to the ring. After some RKO-related banter between Heyman and Orton, Heyman stated that he has a great respect for Orton and Owens and when they stepped in the ring with Roman, it was competition and there was a title on the line. Heyman then stated that the rules with Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga are different. Heyman asked them to do him a favor and back out of their match with the Bloodline. This led to Orton and Owens insulting Heyman including Orton calling him the “biggest piece of trash in the industry.” Orton asked Heyman who is the true Tribal Chief and Heyman responded back stating that he is put in a bad position. Heyman stated that the whole world knows there is only one Tribal Chief. This led to Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga running out from the crowd and attacking Owens and Orton from behind resulting in a big brawl breaking out. WWE officials and security rushed out trying to break up the brawl to no avail and ended after Owens and Orton laid out both security and Tonga and stood tall in the ring looking over on the Bloodline on the outside.

“There is only ONE Tribal Chief”

The RKO Show ended abruptly, thanks to #TheBloodline 😳 #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/TjO154TAQ5
— WWE (@WWE) May 4, 2024