WWE SmackDown aired from the Performance Center in Orlando. Mandy Rose joined Miz TV during tonight’s show. AJ Styles held an Intercontinental Championship presentation, Bray Wyatt returned with an episode of Firefly Fun House, and Matt Riddle made his SmackDown debut.
SmackDown Results (6/19)
- Matt Riddle def. AJ Styles in a non-title match
- Shorty G def. Mojo Rawley
- New Day def. Lucha House Party
- Sasha Banks def. Nikki Cross
Here are 5 takeaways from this week’s show:
Matt Riddle Debuted With A Win Over AJ Styles
Renee Young introduced new Intercontinental Champion AJ Styles to begin the show. Several WWE superstars surrounded the ring to watch the presentation. Styles told everyone surrounding the ring that this is as close as they are going to get to the Intercontinental Championship.
Young stated that the IC Title was the one championship that he hadn’t captured and asked what it meant to him. Styles said winners find a way to win and the cream always rises to the top. AJ told Renee that she wasn’t the right person to present him the title and told Daniel Bryan to come in the ring and put the title around his waist.
Bryan got into the ring as Styles told him to put the belt around his waist and congratulated him. The crowd chanted “no!” as AJ continued to demand that Bryan have some respect and put the title on him. Daniel held the title in his hand and Styles stated that Bryan is a coward if he doesn’t put it around his waist.
Daniel put the title on AJ and congratulated him. AJ shouted at Bryan to tell him congratulations like a man. Bryan grabbed a microphone and congratulated AJ on being the better man last week. Daniel told Styles that he respects his ability in the ring and that AJ has the opportunity to be the greatest Intercontinental Champion in WWE history.
Bryan challenged Styles to show up every week and defend the Intercontinental Championship against the superstars in the locker room. Daniel started naming superstars to challenge for the title and AJ Styles cut him off. Styles stated that only a select few will get a title shot and Bryan is at the back of the list.
Daniel said that Styles should be willing to defend the title against Drew Gulak because he pinned AJ recently on SmackDown. Styles shouted that he is not giving handouts, and that if people want an opportunity at the title has to earn it. Matt Riddle interrupted and joined Styles in the ring.
Riddle kicked off his flip flops as the crowd chanted “bro!”. Styles cut off Riddle and said that he just sees another human being looking for a handout. Riddle stated that while Styles is the “face that runs the place”, he is “the bro that is going to run the show”. Styles got pissed off and hit Riddle with a cheap shot. Matt battled back and booted AJ Styles out of the ring as SmackDown went to a commercial break. When SmackDown returned, AJ Styles faced Matt Riddle in a non-title match.
Match Recap: Riddle planted AJ with a German Suplex and Styles landed on the back of his head. Riddle followed it up with two Gutwrench Suplexes for a two count. AJ connected with a Jawbreaker and backed Riddle to the corner. Matt hit a kick to the face out of nowhere for a near fall.
Matt hit the Broton and applied a front facelock in the middle of the ring. Styles escaped but Riddle stayed on him and unloaded jabs to his midsection in the corner. Riddle took his off AJ for a moment and Styles capitalized with a Dropkick. Styles Clotheslined Riddle to the ring apron and then booted him onto King Corbin ringside.
Riddle and Corbin traded words as SmackDown went to a commercial break. When SmackDown returned, Styles was back in control of the match. Riddle battled back and planted Styles with a Fisherman’s Suplex. Matt followed it up with another Broton for a two count. Riddle locked in the Bromission in the middle of the ring but Styles countered into a cover for a near fall. Stlyes then locked in the Calf Crusher in the middle of the ring. Riddle fought through the pain and reached the bottom rope to break the hold.
AJ got out of the ring and shoved Daniel Bryan before hopping on the apron. AJ hopped back down and started arguing with Daniel Bryan. Styles then got back on the apron and went for the Phenomenal Forearm. Riddle caught him and hit the BRO Derek for the pinfall victory.
Opinion: I enjoyed this match and it was an impressive debut for Riddle. I would have preferred not to see AJ Styles lose his first match after winning the Intercontinental Championship. Having said that, this rivalry should be great and I’m looking forward to Styles versus Gulak next week.
Jeff Hardy Addressed His Loss To Sheamus
Renee Young sat down with Jeff Hardy for a backstage interview. Hardy lost to Sheamus at WWE Backlash and had a blank stare on his face before the interview began.
Jeff said that it has been a roller coaster since returning from his injury and he has been trying to turn his life around. Hardy added that his life has been amazing but the bad times can haunt him.
Young stated that the rivalry with Sheamus has been uncomfortable to watch because he kept bringing up Jeff’s struggle with substances. Hardy said that just because Sheamus called him a pathetic junkie, that doesn’t mean that it is true. Jeff stated that the truth is that he is an alcoholic and an adrenaline junkie. Hardy claimed that Sheamus is just another bully and another obstacle in his way to redemption.
Later on the show, Sheamus responded to Jeff calling him a bully. Sheamus laughed and said he is a bully. Sheamus claimed that people like Jeff Hardy deserve to be bullied and his only regret is not crushing voice box at Backlash. He then said that next week he is going to give a toast to Jeff Hardy.
Sonya Deville Confronted Mandy Rose
The Miz and John Morrison came down to the ring to begin the 2nd hour of SmackDown. Miz apologized for pulling Morrison off of Strowman at Backlash and costing him the Universal Championship. Miz and Morrison blamed it on the rules being changed shortly before the match that made it so the person that got the pin was the Universal Champion. They wanted to be co-champions and claimed that threw them off.
Mandy Rose then joined them in the ring for an episode of Miz TV. Morrison and Miz claimed that Sonya Deville was the better fighter and Mandy was always trying to steal the spotlight. Rose said she was going to leave but Miz & Morrison stopped her. Sonya Deville marched down to the ring in a black suit.
Rose told Sonya that she is the one that tried to sabotage her career and personal life and that she is done with her. Sonya said she is not done because she is sick of Mandy Rose getting the spotlight. Deville stated that Mandy Rose hasn’t done anything with her opportunities besides make out with Otis poolside.
Mandy asked Sonya what she wants from her and that unlike Sonya, Otis is loyal. Rose pointed out that Sonya is alone and it is silly for to hold on to these petty resentments. Deville stated that she is trying to figure out why she isn’t getting the Mandy Rose treatment and claimed that it was all about looks.
Deville vowed to rip apart Mandy piece by piece. Rose and Deville started trading shots and Mandy got the better of the exchange. Sonya hid behind Miz and then retreated out of the ring. Mandy slapped Miz in the face and left the ring to end the segment.
Opinion: Mandy and Sonya tried but this storyline has grown stale. I honestly thought it was over and I don’t have much interest in it continuing.
Sasha Banks Picked Up A Win
Women’s Tag Team Champions Sasha Banks and Bayley joined commentary during tonight’s show. Nikki Cross wound up attacking them from behind and challenged Sasha to a match. Bayley accepted the match for Sasha as SmackDown went to a break.
Match Recap: Banks controlled the action early and beat Nikki down in the corner. Cross battled back and leveled Sasha with a Dropkick. Banks sent Nikki out of the ring and went for a Dropkick but Nikki trapped her in the ring skirt. Cross unloaded some punches to Banks before rolling her back in the ring.
Nikki climbed to the top rope but Banks rolled back outside. Nikki hit a Crossbody off the ring apron and rolled Banks back into the ring. Cross hit a Splash in the corner and went for a Bulldog but Banks blocked it. Sasha hit Nikki with a Backstabber and went for the cover but Cross kicked out at two.
Cross bounced Sasha’s face off the turnbuckle several times and then planted her with a DDT for a near fall. Sasha went for the Bank Statement but Cross countered into a roll-up for a two count. Banks then hit Nikki with a Meteora for the pinfall victory.
Bray Wyatt Told Strowman To Follow The Buzzards
Universal Champion was shown backstage awaiting the new episode of Firefly Fun House. Wyatt waved to the camera and said it has been way too long. Bray said that he has joined a book club, learned all the latest TikTok moves, and learned how to knit.
Ramblin’ Rabbit interrupted and claimed Wyatt was just sitting in the corner for a few weeks because he lost to Braun Strowman at Money in the Bank. Wyatt thanked Rabbit for reminding him and that in defeat he realized he went about this the wrong way.
Strowman’s music hit and the Universal Champion got in the ring. Braun said that their story is over but Wyatt disagreed. Wyatt then appeared in old school gear and told Braun that he created him and he will destroy him. Bray added that Strowman knows how to find him, all he has to do is follow the buzzards.
Opinion: It is good to have the old version Bray Wyatt back for now. It will be interesting to see which version of Bray battles Braun Strowman for the title. Riddle’s debut and the new episode of Firefly Fun House were really the only notable things that happened during tonight’s show.