SmackDown 5/30/14

1. Here come the Shield to open SmackDown. Roman Reigns looks like he's moving rather gingerly. Still selling Monday's beat down? Or still hurting?
2. Good promo to build for Payback. Once again, Evolution v. Shield could steal the show.
3. Kofi's back on the big show! Of course, Cesaro is going to kick his tuchus, but it's good to see him again.
4. Too short a match, but that was a nice showcase. Those uppercuts--especially that last one--looked nasty!
5. Barrett seems to be loving life right now. He should. This is the push he's deserved.
6. Paige!!! With AJ on holiday, Paige is carrying the Divas division. And she's got the talent to do it.
7. Alicia Fox has gone whackadoo. Which is probably as good a gimmick for her as possible.
8. Not a good idea to be distracted with Tamina in the ring. She's likely to break your neck when she's trying to lock up.
9. No more Bo. Please.
10. Woods v. Bo? Wake me when it's done.
11. Dallas hits...BoDog...*sigh*... for the win. I'll never have Stratusfaction again.
12. El Torito v. Jinder Mahal. *sigh* This is...too much.
13. Champion v. Champion match: Sheamus v. Barrett. As long as Sheamus doesn't go all groggy again, this should be a very good matchup.
14. Hey, Paul Heyman--Did your client, Brock Lesnar, conquer the Undertaker's undefeated Wrestlemania Streak?
15. Lived up to expectations. Good physical matchup without being ponderous.
16. You're an advocate, Paul?
17. Yeah, the Sheamus heel turn is going real well, don't you think?
18. Big E with that flag looks like he's about to build a barricade in revolution-era France.
19. Big E v. Titus O'Neil...interesting matchup.
20. Is Lana's accent real? (Just checked Wikipedia. She was raised much of her life in Latvia.) She does it well, though it seems to slip from time to time.
21. Match was too quick, but at least it didn't plod. Big E with a quick victory.
22. Swagger v. Adam Rose. PLEASE hit him so hard that he forgets about Adam Rose and becomes Leo Kruger again.
23. Poor Jimmy, about to be sacrificed on the altar of Sister Abigail.
24. I'll be honest: I didn't expect this much offense from Jimmy. Surprisingly good match. Not surprised to see Bray win it.

Best show in May. Not a lot of build for Payback, but the matches were good.