SmackDown results, May 31, 2024: AJ Styles attacks Cody Rhodes after retirement ruse

Nia Jax held a Queen of the Ring coronation

The coronation of Queen Nia Jax gets interrupted by WWE Women’s Champion Bayley as well as the duo of Chelsea Green and Piper Niven. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more. #SmackDown

Tommaso Ciampa def. Austin Theory

Tommaso Ciampa takes on WWE Tag Team Champion Austin Theory. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more. #SmackDown

#DIY are determined to become the new WWE Tag Team Champions, and their mission started on the right foot as Tommaso Ciampa picked up a major victory over Austin Theory.

Things were looking shaky for Ciampa early, especially after Theory targeted the surgically repaired neck of the resilient Superstar.

Ciampa rallied only for Theory to quickly regain control, but Grayson Waller caught wind of words from the commentary team, and Theory took his attention off Ciampa.

That proved to be the difference as Ciampa shoved Theory into his partner and promptly rolled him up to score the win.

Andrade def. Apollo Crews

Andrade and Apollo Crews square off in a match between two of SmackDown’s most athletic Superstars. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more. #SmackDown

Apollo Crews is back on SmackDown, but his return to the ring was met with a rude awakening from Andrade.

The action started fast, but Angel of Legado del Fantasma made his way to ringside, as he's been hoping to recruit Andrade to his group.

Crews looked as impressive as ever, but Andrade reached another level when he hit a knockout spinning elbow and a twisting DDT suplex to win the match.

Paul Heyman begged Kevin Owens to back off The Bloodline

An emotional Paul Heyman begs Kevin Owens to not fight against Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more. #SmackDown

The Bloodline def. The Street Profits

Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins hit the ring to battle Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more. #SmackDown

After exchanging blows with Kevin Owens, Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa handled business inside the ring by beating The Street Profits. 

The brutality of the Tongas was on full display as they used their mauling ability to dismantle Angelo Dawkins, all while an emotional Paul Heyman watched at ringside.

Dawkins dug deep and finally tagged in Montez Ford, and the athletic Superstar was delivering The Bloodline a taste of their own medicine.

The Street Profits seemingly had the match won, but they weren't aware that Tama Tonga had tagged in, and he hit a surprise flatliner on Ford to win the match.

Chelsea Green & Piper Niven def. Bayley & Naomi

WWE Women’s Champion Bayley teams up with Naomi to take on Chelsea Green and Piper Niven. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more. #SmackDown

Bayley found a partner in Naomi to help battle Chelsea Green and Piper Niven, but by the end of the night, the champion found herself on the losing end. 

Naomi had Green feeling the glow, especially after a split-legged moonsault and a dive to the outside, but the fire extinguished after a brutal running senton from Niven.

That senton also hit Green, but that didn't bother Niven, as she dragged her lifeless partner over their opponent to pick up the huge win. 

AJ Styles attacked Cody Rhodes after retirement ruse

“The Phenomenal” AJ Styles goes to new lengths by feigning his own retirement in order to attack Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more. #SmackDown