FIRE 🔥, MID 😐, or Trash 🗑️?: Match Review for Friday Night Smackdown 5/5/23

The O.C. vs The Viking Raiders

HOW IS THE ROOF STILL ATTACHED? This crowd is AMPED UP! 🔥👏

The O.C. is looking to prove their place on the blue brand against The #VikingRaiders tonight! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/2Yx76PzRmf

— WWE (@WWE) May 6, 2023

Headline: “The O.C. send the Viking Raiders packing back to RAW.”

Result: The O.C. wins via pinfall

Verdict: MID 😐

Editor’s Note: This match was MID in the best way possible. It was a nice solid tag match. Hopefully this is the first step towards a return to legitimacy for the O.C…

The Street Profits vs Imperium

Headline: “RAW’s slide against the Smackdown tag division continues.”.

Result: The Street Profits wins via pinfall

Verdict: MID😐

Editor’s Note: Another solid tag match. If this is a sign of things to come for the RAW tag team division, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn may never lose a tag match on RAW.

Shinsuke Nakamura vs Karrion Kross

This is match is BRUTAL… 😧@realKILLERkross wants to END @ShinsukeN here tonight and it doesn't look like he's going to stop until he does! ⏳#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/APkJYzqjj3

— WWE (@WWE) May 6, 2023

Headline: “Shinsuke gives Kross his final judgement.”.

Result: Shinsuke wins via pinfall

Verdict: MID😐

Editor’s Note: I feel like I’m starting to understand Karrion Kross’ character. Changes everyone he fights, like The Fiend. However, I’m not sure how he could explain this loss. It was a slow paced match that send Shinsuke to RAW on a high note.