SmackDown Live - 19/06/2020
- LDR
- Jun 20, 2020
- 4 min read
Heading into this week’s SmackDown, we were looking forward to the return of the Firefly Fun House, AJ Styles championship celebration and an episode of Miz TV featuring Mandy Rose. The blue brand debut of Matt Riddle had also been teased in recent weeks, so there was the potential for an appearance from the Original Bro. Let’s see what hit the mark and what was a waste of time...
Source: wwe.com
AJ Styles Championship Celebration
Renee Young introduced the brand new Intercontinental Champion, AJ Styles, after his win last week. With the ring surrounded by superstars, Styles belittled them all, claiming that none of them would ever be on his level. He demanded Daniel Bryan be the one to give him the belt and The Planet’s Champion placed the strap around Styles’ waist. Bryan had his own words for the champion though, requesting that he defend the belt against any and all challengers.
As AJ was trying to talk his way out of any kind of defence, Matt Riddle arrived - making his SmackDown debut - to challenge the Phenomenal One. Styles would not put his belt on the line but did accept a non-title bout. This quickly became a technical fight, with some great counters as well as a strong striking game from the former MMA man. King Corbin involved himself in a shouting match with Riddle, allowing Styles to take over. Riddle managed to catch AJ in the Bro-Mission but Styles countered into the Calf Crusher. Daniel Bryan shouted some advice to Riddle which distracted Styles enough to allow the Original Bro to hit the BroDerick and pin the champ.
Jeff Hardy Interviews with Renee Young
With everything that has gone on between Jeff Hardy and Sheamus recently, Renee wanted to get the former’s thoughts. Jeff said he was disappointed that he hadn’t been able to put the Celtic Warrior away and that Sheamus had got into his head and that he needed to stop listening. Sheamus was also interviewed later in the night, claiming that he would toast Hardy’s career next week - clearly something that will clearly play off of Hardy’s alcohol problems.
Source: wwe.com
Shorty G defeats Mojo Rawley
After the recent insults from Rawley to Shorty G, the smaller man was looking for some retribution here. Rawley tried a sneak attack but was stopped short by his opponent. Rawley managed to take control for the bulk of this match but Shorty G locked in a roll up for the win.
Rawley is a complete non-entity in WWE - especially since Rob Gronkowski’s departure - and Shorty is a semi-pushed performer, so this was essentially a squash where no one got squashed. Chad Gable is a fantastic in-ring performer but this Shorty G stuff is absolutely appalling and completely ridiculous. He deserves better.
Source: wwe.com
Miz TV with Mandy Rose
The Miz and John Morrison blamed Mandy’s boyfriend Otis for their loss against Universal Champion Braun Strowman, claiming the threat of a cash in cost them the match. They also mocked Mandy before inviting a second guest to the ring - Sonya Deville. Deville claimed that she was going to maim Mandy and take away her biggest strength, her beauty. The two brawled but Miz got in between, allowing Deville to escape. This rivalry is clearly going to continue but Sonya’s threat has added a new level of heat, which is what this needs.
Source: wwe.com
New Day defeat Lucha House Party
With WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Bayley & Sasha Banks on commentary, Kofi Kingston and Big E took on Lince Dorado and Gran Metalik. The action came thick and fast, with Lucha House Party keeping the champs on their toes and almost taking the win. Big E threw Metalik onto Dorado to break up the pin, allowing the New Day to hit the Midnight Hour for the win.
After the bell, Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura attacked the SmackDown Tag Team Champions, continuing the rivalry they started with a win over the champs last week. As the bulk of the SmackDown women’s division discussed who should get the next shot at Bayley for the SmackDown Women’s Championship, Nikki Cross jumped the champion at ringside.
Source: wwe.com
Sasha Banks defeats Nikki Cross
Alexa Bliss came down to save her buddy from a two on one beat down and Cross challenged Bayley to a match. Bayley put her best friend forward and it was on. Banks tried every trick in the book to gain the upper hand but Cross’ chaotic energy proved too much until The Boss managed to hit a backstabber. Cross kept coming though, going after Banks ferociously but Banks managed to lock in the Bank Statement to stop the Scot. Cross escaped but was hit with a meteora which led to the win for Banks.
Cross and Bliss have issues with both of these women, having lost the women’s tag belts to them recently, and Cross was clearly staking a claim at the SmackDown Women’s Championship as well. The loss will have hurt her chances for now, but leaves the gap open for someone else to step up.
Source: wwe.com
The Firefly Fun House Returns
Bray Wyatt made his SmackDown return in the Firefly Fun House. He was explaining his absence from the blue brand when he was interrupted by Rambling Rabbit who claimed he had been crying in a corner since his championship loss to Braun Strowman. Strowman had heard enough, telling Wyatt he was done playing games. Bray appeared in the ring, seemingly using his old Eater of Worlds persona, and told The Monster Among Men to “follow the buzzards” and “find me”.
Bringing another facet into Wyatt’s broken psyche is a good move, allowing the non-threatening character and the almost unbeatable Fiend to be joined by a middle ground. It is reminiscent of Matt Hardy’s current gimmick - or mash up of gimmicks - and adds an edge to Bray’s already fantastic levels of performance. This is also the perfect way to bring this character back, using Bray and Braun’s history in the Wyatt Family.
What did you think of this week’s SmackDown Live? Do you think Bray Wyatt will be able to take the Universal Championship back from Braun Strowman? Who will step up to face Bayley for the SmackDown Women’s Championship? Let us know what you think on these points and more down below..
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