WWE Champion AJ Styles is slated to make his next title defense against Rusev at the upcoming Extreme Rules pay-per-view event on Sunday, July 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at the PPG Paints Arena that will air on the WWE Network.
Styles went out the following warning to Rusev ahead of their match at this event by writing this:
If you recall, Rusev earned this title shot after beating Big E, Daniel Bryan, The Miz, and Samoa Joe in a Gauntlet Match to become the #1 contender on a recent episode of SmackDown Live.
WWE Postpones Event
The sports entertainment company was scheduled to hold a RAW live event on Friday, November 2nd in Brussels, Belgium. However, WWE recently announced that they have decided to postpone it and hold the event on May 9, 2019.
What are your thoughts on Styles vs. Rusev? Sound off in the comment section.
SmackDown Draws Second Lowest Viewership Since Moving To Tuesday
While SmackDown Live is generally considered the better show between the two, it still retains only 80% of the audience from Raw and this week’s episode of the show didn’t even do that.
The episode featuring Team Hell No vs. The Usos in the main event drew 2.013 million viewers, which is the second lowest audience for it since moving to Tuesday Night.
It was down 5.7% from last week’s 2.135 million viewers and was barely able to beat the 1.921 million viewers from Election Night on November 8th, 2016.
The show airing a day before the 4rth of July doesn’t appear to be the cause of the low ratings as it aired on the actual Holiday in 2017 and still drew 2.329 million viewers.
AJ Styles Warns Rusev
This week’s episode of SmackDown saw the WWE Champion AJ Styles facing Aiden English but after Styles’ victory, the #1 contender Rusev attacked the Phenomenal One.
WWE posted a video of this post-match beatdown on their Twitter account and replying to it, AJ said that it will take more than that to tear down what he has built:
In September of 2017, AJ Styles returned to Japan and wore a mask for his ring entrance. The mask was “Club” themed, an homage to Styles’ time in NJPW as leader of Bullet Club.
Styles broke out the mask again this weekend as WWE traveled back to the country. Styles was supposed to renew his rivalry with Shinsuke Nakamura on the shows but a bomb-sniffing dog bite kept Nakamura out of action.
Now reunited with Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows on Smackdown, the Club made a memorable entrance in Tokyo recently. Check out the below video on the faction’s entrance:
AJ Styles’ WWE Championship Reign
Styles’ 240 days with the WWE Championship is now the longest reign since CM Punk’s 434-day run with the belt in 2011-13. Before Punk, you have to go back to John Cena’s 380-day reign from 2006-07 for the next champion who held the title longer than Styles has.
Styles defeated Jinder Mahal for the title on November 7th, 2018. The match was held in Manchester. It was largely believed at the time that Styles was winning the title so it would be him and not Jinder Mahal who would face Brock Lesnar in the Raw vs Smackdown world champion match at Survivor Series last year.
Styles has defended the title 7x on WWE programming during his reign. He defeated Jinder Mahal in a rematch at Clash of Champions 2017. Then he defeated Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in a handicap match at the 2018 Royal Rumble. Styles then won a 6-pack challenge at Fastlane 2018. He also held onto the WWE Championships for four straight title defenses against Shinsuke Nakamura as well.
Jeff Hardy will defend his United States championship against a competitor TBD tonight on Smackdown. Tonight’s event will take place inside the Century Link Center in Omaha, NE. It will be the second last show before the Extreme Rules pay-per-view on July 15th from Pittsburgh.
Smackdown Live 7/3/18 Preview
Team Hell No Kicks Off Smackdown
Smackdown will kick off with Team Hell No in a talking segment tonight. They’ve been announced as the first segment tonight.
Last week on Smackdown, Paige announced the newly reunited team will take on the Bludgeon Brothers for the Smackdown tag-team championships at Extreme Rules.
We should get a preview of that match tonight as there is only one more episode left until the PPV.
AJ Styles vs Aiden English
Rusev and Aiden English believe Styles took a cheap shot at English a couple weeks ago on Smackdown. English will get his shot at revenge tonight.
With Styles taking on Rusev at Extreme Rules, expect the Bulgarian Brute to play a role in this match tonight.
Jeff Hardy US Open Challenge
With title contender, Shinsuke Nakamura, out with a standard bomb-sniffing dog bite injury, Hardy will defend the title tonight against anyone daring enough to answer the challenge.
Last week it was Eric Young who answered the challenge in Nakamura’s absence. Will it be someone else from Sanity tonight or a new contender altogether?
Becky Lynch vs Peyton Royce
Lynch made Billie Kay tap out recently and now she’ll get a chance to do the same to another member of the Iiconics.
Lynch seems to be on a bit of a win streak as of late.
Asuka vs James Ellsworth
Inter-gender wrestling takes place tonight on Smackdown! Asuka will look to get her revenge on Ellsworth for causing the distraction in her title match with Carmella at Money in the Bank.
Asuka and Carmella will meet again for the title at Extreme Rules.
New Day 3rd of July Pancake Eating Contest
New Day will celebrate July 4th eve by eating a bunch of pancakes tonight on Smackdown.
The trio says this is the start of a new annual tradition.
AJ Styles isn’t afraid of shutting someone down on Twitter. He did so just recently to a fan who bashed WWE’s potential signing of Bullet Club members.
AJ Styles, Luke Gallows, and Karl Anderson were in Tokyo recently as part of the Smackdown brand’s live events this weekend. WWE posted the following Tweet in reference to the Club’s Japanese roots.
“I know you’re not implying you’d like to see them all in the WWE,” the fan Tweeted. “Seriously? So they could be ruined and tarnished and have WWE’s corporate stench on them? They’re perfectly fine changing the wrestling world in NJPW, ROH and ALL_IN.”
The fan who AJ ultimately shut down is of the belief if the Bucks and Omega went to WWE, it would not be as entertaining as what they are doing now is. In the fan’s defense, this is a popularly held belief.
Styles saw the Tweet and addressed it directly.
This is what you and some seem to forget….THIS IS A BUSINESS. We have bills and a family to take care of just like everyone else. Everything we put our body’s through on a weekly basis well not last forever. Work hard and earn it all. https://t.co/qdV76UjPgu
“This is what you and some seem to forget….THIS IS A BUSINESS. We have bills and a family to take care of just like everyone else. Everything we put our body’s through on a weekly basis well not last forever. Work hard and earn it all.”
Would WWE misuse Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
WWE Champion AJ Styles is slated to make his next title defense against Rusev at the upcoming Extreme Rules pay-per-view event on Sunday, July 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at the PPG Paints Arena that will air on the WWE Network.
As noted, Rusev earned this title shot after beating Big E, Daniel Bryan, The Miz, and Samoa Joe in a Gauntlet Match to become the #1 contender on this week’s episode of SmackDown Live in Toledo, OH at the Huntington Center on the USA Network. Styles sent out the following tweet to mock Rusev:
“Excited to face @RusevBUL for the #WWEChampionship and I know many are as well. And just for you and the little songbird next to you, I’m gonna make #RusevDay #Phenomenal. #AndStill.”
Excited to face @RusevBUL for the #WWEChampionship and I know many are as well. And just for you and the little songbird next to you, I’m gonna make #RusevDay#Phenomenal. #AndStill
WWE has sent out this promo on their official YouTube channel hype Mae Young Classic tickets being on sale now. As noted, the sports entertainment company will be taping the tournament on August 8th and August 9th from Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida and will air later this summer on the WWE Network.
What are your thoughts on this match between Styles and Rusev?
WWE Champion AJ Styles, who is slated to make his next title defense against Rusev at the upcoming Extreme Rules pay-per-view event next month, will be missing in action this weekend for SmackDown Live events.
The sports entertainment company is slated to hold blue branded events on Saturday in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Sunday in Fresno, CA at the Save Mart Center, and Monday in Bakersfield, CA at the Rabobank Arena.
However, Styles will not be wrestling at those shows due to him heading to Australia for promotion work for the October Super Show-Don stadium show’s ticket on sale. It should be noted that Styles will be working Tuesday’s SmackDown Live TV event.
WWE United States Champion Jeff Hardy vs. Samoa Joe vs. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. The Miz and WWE Smackdown Tag Team Champions The Bludgeon Brothers vs. The Bar vs. The New Day vs. Rusev & Aiden English are the top matches being advertised.
Kane Unmasked
Although Kane might not be a regular character on WWE television these days, it didn’t stop WWE’s YouTube channel from releasing this video looking at the six times that Kane has been unmasked. Check it out here:
What are your thoughts on Styles missing events this weekend?
As Rusev let go of the Accolade (camel clutch) last night following his victory in the Gauntlet match, the emotion on his face was visible. The 33-year-old has been with the company since September 2010. He will wrestle in his first ever WWE Championship match at Extreme Rules next month.
WWE.com caught up with Rusev and Aiden English following last night’s Smackdown.
“I’ve never had an opportunity before for a World Heavyweight Championship,” Rusev explained. “I couldn’t miss the chance. Aiden was there the whole way and Lana, of course, helping me morally in everything.”
Rusev vs AJ Styles at Extreme Rules 2018
Rusev and Aiden appear upset that Styles took a shot at Aiden last night. Following Rusev’s victory in the Gauntlet match, Styles came to the ring. While Styles and Rusev would shake hands, Aiden pulled his hand away from Styles just before they could shake. Styles then decked Aiden and knocked him to the ground for his trouble.
“We’re trying to have this feel-good moment, all fun and games, and all of a sudden (Styles) just punches him,” Rusev said. “I thought it was the wrong move.”
Rusev and AJ Styles have met twice in single’s competition. Both matches took place this year and both matches ended in DQs. Styles defeated Rusev via DQ on the March 13th, 2018 edition of Smackdown via DQ and again on the April 17th, 2018 version of Smackdown.
Rusev has won his last 2 single’s matches. He defeated Samoa Joe on the June 12th, 2018 edition of Smackdown. His match before then he defeated Daniel Bryan to successfully qualify for the Money in the Bank match. His only other single’s match since WrestleMania, however, was a loss to the Undertaker. Rusev was defeated by the Deadman in a Casket Match from the Greatest Royal Rumble in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
As we’ve previously reported, current WWE Champion AJ Styles has been announced as the cover athlete for WWE 2K19.
Styles gets the news just hours after successfully defending his WWE Championship against Shinsuke Nakamura in a Last Man Standing match at the Money In The Bank (MITB) pay-per-view (PPV) from Chicago’s Allstate Arena.
The game is set to get released on October 9, 2018 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. A trailer for the game has yet to be released. Styles, a huge fan of video games, joins past cover athletes such as The Rock, John Cena, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Brock Lesnar and Seth Rollins last year.
Styles took to Twitter to react to the big news, calling it an absolute honor to be on the cover:
Although 2K games has yet to officially announce who the pre-order bonus character will be, a recent report suggests who it’s expected to be. If you want to know, click this link here.
We officially know now who will grace the cover of the upcoming WWE 2K19 video game.
On Monday morning (June 18, 2018), it was officially announced by 2K Games that WWE Champion AJ Styles, who is fresh off a title defense over Shinsuke Nakamura in a Last Man Standing Match at Sunday’s WWE Money in the Bank pay-per-view event in Chicago, Illinois at the Allstate Arena, will be the cover star.
WWE 2K19 will be released on October 9, 2018 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. As of this writing, 2K Games did not reveal a trailer for the game.
Styles joins some big names that have graced the cover of the video game. Since the first WWE 2K game back in 2014, WWE has featured just one Superstar on the box cover. In 2014 it was The Rock, followed by John Cena, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Brock Lesnar, and Seth Rollins last year.
2K Games has yet to officially announce the pre-order bonus character but a report came out last week that revealed who it would be. We won’t spoil it here but for those who want to find out, please click here.
Last night at Money in the Bank, AJ Styles successfully defended his WWE Championship against Shinsuke Nakamura. In the closing moments of the match, Styles kicked Nakamura low before hitting a Phenomenal Forearm which took the challenger through an announce table. Nakamura was unable to make it to his feet in time to meet the referee’s 10-count and Styles was declared the victor.
WWE.com caught up with Styles after the match and spoke to him about the tactics he used last night:
“When the championship’s on the line, it’s my livelihood. I’m not about to let that go no matter what,” Styles said. “Winners find a way and I found one. It may have not been the most respectable but it’s an eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth out there and I won.”
AJ Styles WWE Championship Statistics
Styles is currently on his second run with the title. His previous run with the belt began at Backlash 2016 when he defeated Dean Ambrose to become champion. Styles then dropped it 140 days later to John Cena. He won the title for a second time by defeating Jinder Mahal on the November 7th, 2017 Smackdown from Manchester, England. His current reign is at 222 days, the longest since Brock Lesnar held the title for 224 days back in 2014 and the 20th longest of all-time.
Styles recently passed Big Daddy Cool Diesel as having held the title for the 15th most combined days.
WWE Championship
Most Combined Days Spent as Champion
Bruno Sammartino (4,040)
Hulk Hogan (2,185)
Bob Backlund (2,138)
John Cena (1,257)
Pedro Morales (1,027)
Randy Orton (660)
Bret Hart (655)
Triple H (610)
Brock Lesnar (578)
Steve Austin (530)
Randy Savage (520)
CM Punk (463)
Shawn Michaels (396)
The Rock (378)
AJ Styles (362)
WWE Championship
Longest Single Reigns of All-Time
The sports entertainment company has released the lineups for both events that will be taking place on June 29th and 30th.
Originally, WWE advertised former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey for these events. However, she does not have any matches lined up. It should also be noted that these are SmackDown branded events. Thus, it appears that she won’t be working the shows.
The first night of the tour will be headlined by WWE Champion AJ Styles defending the title against Shinsuke Nakamura in a No DQ Match while the second night will feature Styles defending the strap against Nakamura, Daniel Bryan and Samoa in a Fatal 4-Way Match.
The Cards
June 29th
– No DQ Match: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. WWE Champion AJ Styles
– The Usos vs. Rusev & Aiden English vs. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson vs. SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Bludgeon Brothers
– Asuka and Naomi vs. Billie Kay and Peyton Royce with Lana
– The New Day vs. The Bar
– Daniel Bryan vs. Big Cass
– Sin Cara vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas with Zelina Vega
– Samoa Joe vs. Tye Dillinger
– Hideo Itami vs. The Miz
June 30th
– Daniel Bryan vs. Samoa Joe vs. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. WWE Champion AJ Styles
– The New Day vs. The Bar vs. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson vs. SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Bludgeon Brothers
– Asuka vs. SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella
– Hideo Itami vs. Big Cass
– The Miz vs. Sin Cara
– Tye Dillinger vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas with Zelina Vega
– Becky Lynch and Naomi vs. Billie Kay and Peyton Royce with Lana
– The Usos vs. Rusev and Aiden English
What are your thoughts on these cards? Sound off in the comment section.
Former WWE and TNA official Bruce Prichard recently took to his WWE Network special, Something Else To Wrestle, and discussed current WWE Champion AJ Styles’ run in TNA several years ago. Co-host Conrad Thompson asked Prichard what TNA officials thought of Styles as a top guy in the company.
Here’s what Prichard had to say on the matter:
“I had never worked with AJ beyond his tryout matches for WWE so immediately I’m hearing the negative,” Prichard said when co-host Conrad Thompson asked what TNA officials thought about AJ as a top guy. “I hear that, ‘AJ, he just wants to wrestle his matches and do all these high spots, he doesn’t listen, doesn’t want to change, doesn’t want to grow. He’s a pain in the ass.
“We’re trying to build him into a bigger star and he’s bucking us at every single opportunity.’ The feeling was that AJ just wasn’t willing to do what it took to become a star. For example… they wanted AJ to bleach his hair blonde like Ric Flair. AJ didn’t want to do that. They wanted AJ to wear robes like Ric Flair but it looked like something that his daughter put together. It just wasn’t a good look and AJ wasn’t comfortable being Ric Flair.
“He didn’t want to talk about being up all night with the women. AJ’s happily married and a very religious guy. He didn’t want that perception. Every time you suggest something new to AJ, he doesn’t want to do it. Unless it’s just wrestling a match with one of his buddies, he doesn’t want to do it. I learned early on in my career that you try to judge people on how they treat you.
“And I tried talking to AJ and found that he was pretty receptive to things. He had good reasons why he didn’t want to do some of the things suggested to him. So, now all of a sudden I’m trying to find a way to get into AJ, in a way to pitch him ideas and try to do some different things with him which he was open to, at least with me.”
The current WWE Champion AJ Styles is considered a workhorse and so it’s really surprising that the SmackDown Star has not been in any match for nearly three weeks.
He hasn’t been taking part in any Live Events in recent weeks and the last time AJ wrestled was in a dark match against Shinsuke Nakamura during the May 22nd episode of SmackDown Live.
What’s interesting to note here is that this match didn’t run for very long and the bout was interrupted by the Bar not too long after it began. The whole segment ended with the Club making the save.
Not only that but Styles is also scheduled to miss this weekend’s Live Events and apart from TV tapings, the next event he is currently advertised to be a part of is WWE Live Event from Tokyo on June 29th.
It’s worth mentioning here that AJ Styles was dealing with an undisclosed injury a few weeks prior to WrestleMania but he was able to recover from it and defended his title successfully at the Show of Shows.
However, now his unexpected hiatus from the ring has started many rumors and people are wondering if there is a connection between his injury back then and his current absence.
The fact that WWE has been quiet about the whole thing doesn’t help either and it’s only fuelling the fire. The only positive news is that, as of this writing, his match at the Money In The Bank is still on.
We’ll keep you posted if any more details regarding his status come to light.
WWE has announced a new segment for tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live on the USA Network.
The sports entertainment company has officially announced that WWE Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler would interview WWE Champion AJ Styles about his upcoming title defense against Shinsuke Nakamura in a Last Man Standing Match at the upcoming WWE Money in the Bank pay-per-view event on Sunday, June 17, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois at the Allstate Arena.
WWE holds this show in Memphis, TN at the FedEx Forum. Obviously, Lawler is from and currently resides in the city.
The company has already announced several matches for the show.
Those matches include Sin Cara vs. Andrade Almas, United States Champion Jeff Hardy vs. Nakamura in a non-title match, Daniel Bryan taking on Shelton Benjamin and a Women’s Money in the Bank Summit that will feature Money in the Bank participants Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Lana, and Naomi. SmackDown General Manager Paige will host the segment.
What are your thoughts on WWE announcing this match? Sound off in the comment section below.
According to a report from 411Mania, WWE Champion AJ Styles missed WWE Live events over the weekend. Styles hasn’t wrestled in almost three weeks. His last match was a dark match against Shinsuke Nakamura after the May 22nd SmackDown Live tapings.
The Phenomenal One’s last match on WWE TV occurred on a May 15th episode of SmackDown Live. He lost a non-title bout to Shinsuke Nakamura for the right to select the stipulation for their match at Money In The Bank (MITB). Styles is scheduled to return to the ring this Sunday against Nakamura at MITB for the WWE Title in a Last Mat Standing match.
Lana & Rusev Burglarized In Hotel Room
Rusev took to Twitter to Tweet at the Sheraton Hotels, claiming that the people who “cleaned” he and Lana’s hotel room stole his wife’s camera and money out of his wallet:
Thank you @sheratonhotels Memphis for “cleaning” the room and stealing my wife camera and my money from my wallet
Bruce Prichard and co-host Conrad Thompson will be covering AJ Styles’ time in TNA on an upcoming episode of their podcast on the WWE Network.
Thompson recently did an interview with Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated. During the conversation, he revealed that next week’s episode of Something Else to Wrestle With will look at the final run of Styles’ career in TNA before he went to New Japan Pro Wrestling and later joined the WWE.
Thompson mentioned the timeline of Styles’ career in the promotion that they will be talking about as well as being hopeful to use footage of Styles in TNA on WWE’s streaming service, WWE Network.
“We’re going to cover from October 2010, which is right when Bruce came into the company, and we’ll carry it right to July of 2013,” said Thompson. “AJ was a TNA original, so when he parted ways with TNA in 2013, history changed forever. That exodus, with AJ leaving, started an immediate sharp decline in TNA.”
“That’s the plan,” said Thompson. “I know that WWE is trying to make a deal to license some of that footage, so we’ve got our fingers crossed. I think that deal would be good for everyone if such a deal were put together, but we’ll see.”
What are your thoughts on this topic being covered? Sound off in the comment section below.
The Background
Styles made his name known while in TNA Wrestling, now known as Impact Wrestling, from 2002–2013 well before he signed with the sports entertainment company. While in the promotion, Styles held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship three times and the TNA World Heavyweight Championship twice. Also, he was the first holder of the X Division Championship, a title he held six times. Styles was the first professional wrestler ever to complete the TNA Triple Crown (five times) and the TNA Grand Slam (two times).
‘The King of Strong Style’ has been indeed very strong with his style of wrestling as of late, with AJ Styles receiving devastating low blows from him over the last two months. Even Styles had to retaliate back with the illegal attack to give Nakamura a taste of his own medicine.
Their most recent title bout at WWE Backlash in a no-disqualification match saw Nakamura delivering a low blow on Styles, only for Styles to return the favor. The match ended with both of them simultaneously hitting each other with a groin attack, only to be unable to answer the referee’s count of ten.
The WWE Universe is wondering what is in store in the Last Man Standing Match that’s going to take place at Money in the Bank. According to Wrestling Observer Radio, the rumored ending of the match is going to take almost the same path with both Styles and Nakamura hitting each other with a low blow, but with a twist of Styles wearing a protective cup and getting a win.
AJ Styles is set to defend his WWE Championship against Shinsuke Nakamura in a Last Man Standing Match at Money in the Bank on June 17th.
We now know the stipulation for the WWE Title Match between AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura at Money in the Bank.
As seen on this week’s episode of SmackDown Live in Worcester, MA at the DCU Center on the USA Network, Nakamura and Styles did an in-ring segment that led to Nakamura attacking the WWE Champion.
The challenger would later reveal that their match at the upcoming PPV event will be a Last Man Standing Match.
The Money in the Bank pay-per-view event takes place on Sunday, June 17, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois at the Allstate Arena and will air on the WWE Network and some traditional pay-per-view outlets. Both Raw and SmackDown brands will be featured. Here is the updated card:
– Men’s Money In The Bank Ladder Match: Braun Strowman vs. Finn Balor vs. The Miz vs. Rusev vs. Kevin Owens vs. Bobby Roode
– Women’s Money In The Bank Ladder Match: Ember Moon vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Becky Lynch vs. Natalya vs. Lana
WWE fans has voiced their opinion about how WWE has been booking the feud between AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura.
Styles and Nakamura have wrestled each other four times over the last month. Styles successfully retained the title against Nakamura at WrestleMania 34, they went to a double count-out at both the Greatest Royal Rumble and Backlash events.
Then, Nakamura beat Styles in a non-title match on this week’s episode of SmackDown Live in London, England at the O2 Arena on the USA Network. As a result of this big win, Nakamura will now choose the stipulation for their upcoming WWE Title match at the upcoming Money in the Bank PPV.
Although the matches have been good, there have been a lot of fans who have taken to Twitter to show their frustration with the sports entertainment company and the way they have booked this feud thus far.
WWE producer and Smackdown Live creative team member Road Dogg responded to this criticism on Twitter where he wrote the following:
“You’re a fan since 2011? Thanks for being a fan but I need my job dude, I’d appreciate you not trying to get me fired. But, if you need to try…. ok ? #OUDK.
It ain’t easy but I try to rise above it. It gets to me some times tho for sure, I’m only human.”
You’re a fan since 2011? Thanks for being a fan but I need my job dude, I’d appreciate you not trying to get me fired. But, if you need to try…. ok ? #OUDK
As we’ve previously reported, RAW Women’s Champion Nia Jax will defend her title against Ronda Rousey at the Money In The Bank (MITB) pay-per-view (PPV) next month in Chicago.
Charlotte Flair Tweeted out the following in reaction to the announcement, warning both women to be prepared for when she wins the Women’s MITB Ladder match:
Witnessing history. Glad to say I got to see this up close! But both of you ladies need to be prepared for when I win that #MITB contract. ? #RondavsNiahttps://t.co/945j9t7VEf
AJ Styles & Shinsuke Nakamura Hype Stipulation Match (Video)
Tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live will feature a non-WWE Title match between champion AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura. The winner will select the stipulation for their WWE Title match at the MITB PPV.
Both Styles and Nakamura posted videos on WWE’s Twitter account hyping the match-up tonight. Check them out here:
Styles and Nakamura first fought it out at WrestleMania 34 this past April. Styles won that match-up but was assaulted by Nakamura afterwards. At the Greatest Royal Rumble they rematched, but that ended in a double count-out and resulted in Styles assaulting Nakamura after the match in return.
At Backlash last week, Styles and Nakamura put on what was probably their best match against each other in WWE. That ended in another double count-out, as neither men could get to their feet and answer the referee’s 10 count after exchanging low blows. It should be interesting to see how things shake out at MITB next month.
On a recent edition of the Table For 3 show on the WWE Network, Road Dogg, WWE Hall Of Famer Jeff Jarrett, and RAW Superstar Elias sat down for a chat.
During the episode, Road Dogg made a very interesting revelation. It turns out that the current theme song for WWE Champion AJ Styles wasn’t originally written for him. Instead, it was written for IMPACT Wrestling’s James Storm.
Storm had a brief run in WWE with the NXT brand back in 2015. Instead of signing a deal with WWE, however, he instead decided to return to IMPACT Wrestling. AJ Styles made his WWE debut at the 2016 Royal Rumble shortly after, and decided to use the song.
Here’s what Road Dogg had to say:
“That was originally written and developed for James Storm,” said Road Dogg. “And James passed [on the theme song] and he went a different direction, and AJ stepped in and it just worked out perfectly.”
A new match has been officially announced for the upcoming WWE Money in the Bank PPV.
On Monday morning, WWE SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon revealed in a post on his official Twitter account that AJ Styles would defend the WWE Title against Shinsuke Nakamura at the Money in the Bank PPV.
Every fan of these athletes is looking for a definitive winner, a CLEAR victor…so I am making it official: @AJStylesOrg vs @ShinsukeN for the @WWE Championship at #MITB. #SDLive
It should be noted that although McMahon did not mention a stipulation for the match, WWE will likely add one during this week’s episode of SmackDown Live in London, England at the O2 Arena.
Styles and Nakamura have wrestled each other three times over the last month. Styles successfully retained the title against Nakamura at WrestleMania 34, they went to a double count-out at both the Greatest Royal Rumble and Backlash events.
The Money In The Bank pay-per-view event takes place on Sunday, June 17, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois at the Allstate Arena and will air on the WWE Network and some traditional pay-per-view outlets. Both Raw and SmackDown brands will be featured. Here is the updated card:
WWE Championship Match:
AJ Styles (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Men’s Money In The Bank Ladder Match:
Braun Strowman vs. Finn Balor vs. The Miz vs. Rusev vs. 4 TBD
Women’s Money In The Bank Ladder Match:
Ember Moon vs. Charlotte Flair vs. 6 TBD
What are your thoughts on this match? Sound off in the comment section below.
Both AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura were kept away from action during SmackDown Live this week and they appeared on the show via separate backstage segments.
The reason given for this was that both the stars were not cleared to wrestle after their brutal no disqualification match at Backlash, though they found their way back to the ring soon enough.
Styles faced Nakamura once again in a dark match after SmackDown Live and 205 Live went off air and the WWE Champion retained his title against the Japanese star.
Big SmackDown Debut And Segment Announced For Next Week
WWE announced a big debut and a segment for next week’s episode of SmackDown Live, during this week’s episode of the show.
First, the SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella announced that she will be hosting a “Royal Mella-bration” to celebrate her Backlash victory against Charlotte Flair next week.
Then the company revealed that the former NXT Champion Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas will finally be making his SmackDown Live debut during next week’s episode of the Blue Branded Show:
It’s worth mentioning here that the debut of Sanity is also impending on SmackDown Live but so far there is no confirmation on the exact date of their arrival.
Since returning to the scene in WWE, Samoa Joe has picked up right where he left off. Having just recently returned, Joe is already setting his sights at the very top — the WWE Champion AJ Styles.
During a recent sit-down interview with ESPN, Joe spoke about his longstanding rivalry with Styles, which spans over two decades. According to Joe, a showdown with Styles in WWE is inevitable.
“I think at this point it’s beyond potential, and it’s something that’s gonna happen,” Joe told ESPN this past Tuesday morning, just hours before confronting ‘The Phenomenal One’ on SmackDown Live.
“People talk about the Kevin Owens/Sami Zayn relationship and how they’ll be fighting forever, but in reality when it comes to me and AJ Styles, I defy anybody to find two guys who have been battling against each other longer than us,” said Joe.
Samoa Joe Talks AJ Styles Rivalry
Joe, a former two-time NXT World Champion himself, went on to praise Styles and put over the fact that he is among the best the business has ever seen. At the same time, he made sure to prepare the WWE Universe for the fact that a Joe-Styles clash is something like they’ve never seen.
“AJ, his moniker speaks for itself,” said Joe. “He’s a phenomenal athlete, he’s been a fantastic champion and a superstar for WWE. A lot of the wider WWE universe hasn’t been able to experience what Samoa Joe-AJ Styles is, and if there’s one thing that we’ve always known about each other it’s that whenever we get in the ring, things get a little bit more intense. There’s just a little bit extra ‘oomph’ with everything that happens. That rivalry was started over a decade ago, and rest assured it will continue in WWE.”
Check out the complete Samoa Joe interview at ESPN.com.
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