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6 Takeaways From WWE SmackDown (6/19)

Rusev Styles SmackDown

Written by

Robert Lentini

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The June 19th episode of WWE SmackDown aired live from the Huntington Center in Toledo, OH. It was the first episode of SmackDown following WWE Money in the Bank 2018. Here are 6 takeaways from this week’s show:

Carmella Superkicked Asuka

SmackDown GM Paige kicked off this week’s episode of SmackDown by going over the events that took place at Money in the Bank. Paige hyped Extreme Rules next month and stated that there will be 5 Superstars competing in a Gauntlet Match tonight and the last Superstar remaining will face AJ Styles at Extreme Rules for the WWE Championship. Big E, Rusev, The Miz, Samoa Joe, and Daniel Bryan will be the Superstars competing in that match.

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SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella then skipped down to the ring. Carmella retained her title at Money in the Bank over Asuka due to outside interference from a returning James Ellsworth.

Carmella got in the ring and said that she just wanted to be real with everyone for a moment. She said that she dealt with a lot of confidence issues growing up and that it was really hard for her. She added that she worked harder than everyone and that she something beautiful in herself before anyone else did.

Carmella added that she wants every young boy and girl who feels that they aren’t good enough to look in the mirror and say “Mella is money!”. Carmella then cackled and said that she has been moonwalking and trash talking since she was in diapers. She added that the real message is to just give up because you can work twice as hard as her and you will still only be half as good.

She then boasted about winning the MITB contract, defeating Charlotte Flair and then defeating Asuka this past Sunday at Money in the Bank. She then claimed that she won the match all by herself even though Ellsworth interfered in the match. She boasted about making the Empress of Tomorrow bow down to the Princess of Staten Island.

Asuka’s music hit and Ellsworth came down to the ring dressed up as Asuka. James then took off the Asuka mask and shared a hug with Carmella. Ellsworth grabbed the microphone and shouted, “no one was ready for Ellsworth, especially Asuka”. James told everyone to shut up because he had something special to say to his princess.

Ellsworth shouted that he was back to serve the greatest woman in history and pointed to Carmella. James said that Carmella is better than Charlotte, Lita, Trish Stratus, Mother Teresa, Beyonce, Ronda Rousey, and Asuka. Carmella stuck her tongue out and raised the SmackDown Women’s Championship in the air.

Asuka (the actual one) then stormed down to the ring and Carmella backed to the corner. Ellsworth took off what remained of the Asuka costume and got in Asuka’s face. Asuka booted him in the midsection but turned around into a Superkick from Carmella. The SmackDown Women’s Champion and Ellsworth then retreated up the entrance ramp as Asuka stared at them from the ring.

Becky Lynch Picked Up A Big Win

Becky Lynch

Becky Lynch battled Billie Kay tonight on SmackDown. Peyton Royce accompanied Kay to the ring. Before the match, The IIConics poked fun at Toledo and called the crowd smelly animals. Peyton Royce imitated Becky Lynch and said that Becky is never going to amount to anything and am so much better off as Charlotte Flair’s sidekick. Kay advised Lynch to keep living in the past because her present is abysmal.

The announcers played up the fact that there is no way Becky Lynch is 100% following the MITB Ladder Match before the match started. They also spoke about Lynch coming so close to winning the Ladder Match on Sunday and tonight was a chance for her to pick up some momentum.

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Lynch took down Kay to start off the match and punched her in the face as the crowd chanted “Becky!”. Becky connected with an Exploder Suplex that sent Kay out of the ring. Lynch followed it up with a Dropkick through the ropes and rolled Kay back into the ring. Billie tried to escape once again and Becky caught her with a couple uppercuts and rolled her back into the ring. As Lynch was trying to get into the ring, Kay grabbed her and slammed her into the ring post as SmackDown went to a commercial break.

When SmackDown returned, Billie was still in control and had Lynch in a Headlock in the center of the ring. Becky battled to her feet but was quickly knocked down by a forearm to the chest. Kay distracted the referee and Peyton Royce connected with a knee to Lynch’s face. Billie went for the cover but Lynch kicked out at two.

Kay applied the Headlock again but Becky broke the hold by slamming Billie into the turnbuckle. Lynch followed it up with a boot to the ribs and then a flying forearm off the top rope. Lynch followed it up with a Clothesline and then a boot to the side of Kay’s face. Becky hit another Exploder Suplex for a two count.

Becky got frustrated and charged at Kay in the corner. Peyton Royce hopped up on the ring apron for a distraction but Becky threw her to the floor. Lynch threw Kay out of the ring and then hit Royce with a Suicide Dive. Back in the ring, Becky countered a roll-up attempt and applied the Dis-Arm-Her to Billie Kay for the submission victory.

Jeff Hardy Brought Back The Face Paint & Warned Nakamura

Jeff Hardy had a bizarre pretaped promo on Shinsuke Nakamura. Hardy wasn’t facing the camera as he described what Nakamura did to him last week. Hardy started that Shinsuke’s actions didn’t unsettle him at all and that they actually did the opposite.

Hardy then turned around and had face paint on. Hardy added “my eyes were closed before but now they are open. Shinsuke, I see you”. Jeff opened his eyes and he had clear contracts in.

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Later on SmackDown, Renee Young caught up with Shinsuke Nakamura backstage. Nakamura claimed that he didn’t lose at Money in the Bank because he is still standing. He then accused the referee of counting too fast and that it was unfair that he didn’t count in Japanese. Nakamura then warned Hardy that he will close his eyes if he needs to.

SAnitY Arrived On SmackDown & Dismantled The Usos

The Usos came down to the ring and cut a promo about SAnitY coming to SmackDown tonight. Jey and Jimmy welcomed SAnitY to the Uso Penitentiary and then SAnitY’s music hit. Eric Young, Killian Dain, and Alexander Wolfe made their way down to the ring for the match.

A brawl before the match started and SAnitY beatdown The Usos. Dain connected with a Splash in the corner and then delivered a Splash to Jimmy Uso. Wolfe then lifted Jey in the air and Young planted Jey with a Neckbreaker off the second rope. SAnitY then posed over The Usos.

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The Bludgeon Brothers Retained

Gallows & Anderson got another chance at the SmackDown Tag Team Championships tonight when they faced the Bludgeon Brothers. Gallows & Anderson lost to Harper & Rowan this past Sunday on the Kickoff Show before WWE Money in the Bank.

Harper and Rowan started off the match in control. Rowan perched Gallows up on the top rope and started punching him in the face. Rowan joined Gallows on the top rope and planted him with a massive Superplex. Rowan went for the cover but Anderson broke it up. The Bludgeon Brothers brought Anderson out of the ring and slammed him into the ring apron.

Back in the ring, Rowan connected with a Splash on Gallows for a near fall. Harper tagged in and continued to beatdown Gallows. Rowan got back in and dropped a knee into Gallow’s midsection. Gallows tried to fight back but Rowan quickly knocked him back down with an elbow to the face.

Harper tagged in and clubbed Gallows in the back. Harper sent Gallows to the corner and Gallows connected with a boot to Rowan on the apron. Gallows then kicked Harper in the face as Anderson made his way back to the ring apron. Anderson tagged in and made his way to the top rope. Anderson connected with a Crossbody and followed it up with a Spinebuster for a two count.

Rowan got back into the ring and Anderson was able to send him back to the outside. Harper then planted Anderson with a Side Slam for a two count. Gallows pulled Rowan off the apron and Rowan booted him into the timekeeper’s area. Harper then Powerbombed Anderson as Rowan was the legal man. Rowan then covered Anderson to retain the SmackDown Tag Team Championships.

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Rusev Will Face AJ Styles For The WWE Championship At Extreme Rules

Daniel Bryan was the first Superstar in the Gauntlet Match. The winner of the Gauntlet Match will face AJ Styles at WWE Extreme Rules for the WWE Championship. Bryan made his entrance quickly after the Bludgeon Brothers won their match and there was a brief staredown on the entrance ramp.

Big E was the second Superstar in the Gauntlet Match. Bryan and Big E locked up in the middle of the ring. Big E lifted Bryan in the air and launched him across the ring but Daniel landed on his feet. They locked up again and Big E overpowered Daniel brought him to the mat.

Bryan hopped back up but was once again thrown across the ring by Big E. Big E followed it up with a shoulder tackle. Bryan brought Big E to the canvas and locked in a Dragon Sleeper Hold in the middle of the ring. Big E broke the hold with a punch to the face. Bryan drove his knee into Big E’s back and kept him on the mat.

Big E battled to his feet and elbowed Bryan in the face. Big E then connected with an overhead Belly to Belly Suplex that sent Bryan to the apron. Big E then hit a Splash on the apron and Bryan fell to the floor outside the ring as SmackDown went to a commercial break.

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When SmackDown returned, Bryan missed with a diving headbutt and Big E went for the cover. Bryan kicked out but Big E locked him in the Torture Rack in the middle of the ring. Bryan escaped and leveled Big E with a Clothesline. Bryan slammed Big E into the middle turnbuckle and delivered a few Yes Kicks in the corner.

Bryan perched Big E on the top rope and connected with a Hurricanrana that sent Big E to the opposite corner. Bryan geared up as the crowd chanted “yes!”. Bryan hit two running Dropkicks in a row but Big E hit a Clothesline when he went for a third. Big E connected with a Backbreaker and went for the cover but Bryan was able to kick out at two. Daniel wrestled Big E to the canvas and went for the Yes Lock.

Big E blocked it and then Bryan went for a Triangle submission. Big E lifted Bryan in the air but Daniel escaped and slammed Big E’s knee into the mat. Bryan went for the Heel Hook but Big E was already at the ropes. Daniel hit a couple uppercuts but Big E shrugged them off and sent Bryan to the corner. Big E sent Bryan to the apron and hit him with a Spear that sent both Superstars to the floor outside the ring.

The crowd chanted “this is awesome!” as the action returned to the ring. Bryan escaped the Big Ending and launched Big E into the ring post. Bryan then hit the running knee for the pinfall victory. Big E was eliminated from the Gauntlet Match. Samoa Joe was the next Superstar in the match to face Daniel Bryan.

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Joe beatdown Bryan in the corner to start off the match. Joe hit a series of chops that turned Bryan’s chest red and knocked him to the canvas. AJ Styles was shown watching the match backstage as Joe continued to beat the hell out of Bryan in the ring. Bryan battled back with some chops and kicks. Bryan charged at Joe but Joe was ready and planted him with an awesome Powerslam for a two count.

Samoa Joe went back to the chops and then delivered a kick to Bryan’s midsection. Bryan once again battled back with chops and kicks and the crowd chanted “yes!” at every impact. Joe caught Bryan and planted him with a Powerbomb. Joe then locked in the Boston Crab in the middle of the ring.

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Joe transitioned into the Crossface as Bryan screamed in agony and reached for the ropes. Joe grabbed Bryan’s arm but Bryan extended his leg to reach the bottom rope and break the hold. Joe went for a kick to the chest but Bryan caught his leg and took him down with a Dragon Screw. Bryan slammed Joe’s leg into the ring post a couple times and followed it up with an uppercut. Samoa Joe battled back with an Atomic Drop, a boot to the face, and a Senton for a two count as SmackDown went to a commercial break.

When SmackDown returned, Joe was still in control of the match. Bryan battled back and the two Superstars started trading massive chops to the chest. Joe went for the Coquina Clutch but Bryan escaped and threw Joe out of the ring. Bryan connected with a knee to the face off the ring apron and then brought Joe back into the ring. Bryan climbed to the top rope and connected with a Dropkick.

Bryan fired himself up as the crowd chanted “yes!”. Daniel hit Joe with a series of Yes Kicks in the middle of the ring. Joe grabbed Bryan’s leg but Bryan connected with an Enziguri with the free leg. Bryan then went for the running knee but Joe rolled out of the ring. Bryan bounced off the ropes and tried to dive at Joe but Joe caught him in the Coquina Clutch. Bryan pushed off the barricade to escape the hold and leaped in the ring at the count of 9. Joe didn’t make it back to the ring and was counted out.

The Bludgeon Brothers then got into the ring and Powerbombed Daniel Bryan. The Miz then sprinted to the ring as he was the next Superstar in the match. The Miz planted Bryan with the Skull Crushing Finale and pinned him. Bryan was eliminated and The Miz disrespectfully threw Bryan out of the ring and taunted him.

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The final two Superstars in the Gauntlet Match were Rusev and The Miz. Rusev started off in control and planted Miz with a Dropkick for a two count. Aiden English was ringside for the match and cheered Rusev on as he beatdown Miz in the corner. Rusev connected with a Fallaway Slam for a near fall. WWE Champion AJ Styles was once again shown backstage watching the match as The Miz sent Rusev out of the ring. The Miz followed it up with a Dropkick through the ropes as English shouted at Rusev to get up because “this is our day”.

The Miz slammed Rusev into the barricade and then threw him back into the ring. Miz delivered a boot to the face and went for the cover but Rusev kicked out at two. The Miz then applied a Chin Lock in the center of the ring. Rusev battled to his feet and broke the hold with a couple of jabs to The Miz’s ribs. Miz connected with a Neckbreaker for another two count.

Miz hit a Clothesline in the corner and then made his way to the top rope and bashed Rusev in the head for a two count. The Miz applied a Chin Lock and raked at Rusev’s eyes while the referee wasn’t in position. The crowd got behind Rusev as he inched his way to the bottom rope to break the hold.

Rusev connected with a boot to the face and then traded shots with The Miz in the middle of the ring. Rusev connected with a flurry of kicks and then followed it up with a massive spin kick that sent Miz to the floor. The crowd chanted “Rusev Day!” as Rusev geared up in the corner. The Miz dodged the Machka Kick and went for the Skull Crushing Finale but Rusev blocked it.

Rusev hit another kick to the side of The Miz’s head for a near fall. The Miz rolled out of the ring to try to regroup but Rusev followed him and quickly brought him back inside. The Miz hung up Rusev on the top rope and then threw Rusev into the steel steps. The Miz went for a cover back in the ring but Rusev was able to kick out at the last moment.

The Miz connected with a few It Kicks in the ring and went for another one but Rusev dodged it. Rusev went for the Accolade but Miz countered into a DDT for a two count. The Miz mocked Daniel Bryan by doing the “yes chant” in the corner and then ran towards Rusev. Rusev was ready and connected with the Machka Kick that knocked The Miz to the mat. Rusev then locked in the Accolade for the submission victory. Rusev will now face AJ Styles for the WWE Championship at Extreme Rules.

After the match, WWE Champion AJ Styles walked down to the ring with the title on his shoulder. Styles slid into the ring and placed the title in between them on the canvas. AJ and Rusev stared at each other and AJ extended his hand. Rusev shook AJ’s hand and then Aiden English extended his hand. English pulled his hand away and then mocked AJ Styles. AJ then punched English in the face and exited the ring. Rusev started yelling at English as SmackDown went off the air.

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Opinion: Tonight’s episode of SmackDown was awesome. The Gauntlet Match lasted nearly an hour and there wasn’t a dull moment. Big E & Bryan had a fantastic match to kick it off and then Bryan & Joe followed it up with another great bout. It will be interesting to see where the Daniel Bryan/ Bludgeon Brothers storyline leads to leading up until Extreme Rules in four weeks. Rusev is a great choice to face AJ Styles for the title because the crowd is behind both of them. There have been rumors that Rusev and Aiden English will be going there seperate ways soon and we may have seen the beginning of that at the conclusion of tonight’s SmackDown.

What did you think of this week’s episode of SmackDown? Let us know in the comments below.

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