A Room with a Review: SmackDown 06/19/20
The WWE isn’t going to let a little case of COVID-19 or the accusations against the guy they’ve been promoting for weeks keep them from continuing with the show.
- Renee Young is in the ring with the Intercontinental Championship belt. The ring is surrounded by members of the SmackDown locker room for this title presentation. AJ Styles comes down to accept his kudos and his strap. AJ says Renee isn’t fit to present him with the belt. Instead, he wants Daniel Bryan to put it around his waist and say congratulations. Bryan reluctantly does it and says that Styles should defend the title against Drew Gulak. Styles says no and Matt Riddle comes down to introduce himself. AJ introduces him to a right hand, but Riddle knocks him out of the ring. AJ starts yelling for a referee and we go to commercial.
- After the commercial break, it’s Matt Riddle vs AJ Styles in a non-title match. The other wrestlers are still ringside, so look for them to get involved at some point. And that point is right before the next commercial, as Riddle starts jawing with King Corbin outside the ring. AJ focuses on Riddle’s leg, setting him up for the Calf Crusher. Riddle gets to the rope to break the hold and Daniel Bryan starts giving him encouragement. Styles goes outside and pushes Bryan, trying to get Daniel to hit him and cause a DQ. AJ goes up for the Phenomenal Forearm, but Riddle catches him and hits the Bro Derek for the victory.
- Oh, great. It’s a recap of the DUI angle that we should already be done with. Renee interviews Jeff Hardy and, quite frankly, I tuned out.
- Next up, it’s Mojo Rawley against Shorty G. Decent match, with Shorty winning with a small package.
- It’s MizTV, with special guest, Mandy Rose. Miz and Morrison (hey hey, ho ho) have a surprise for her: Sonya Deville. She cuts a pretty good promo on Mandy and it breaks down into a fight. Sonya uses Miz as a shield to escape and Mandy slaps him.
- Sasha Banks and Bayley Dos Straps are on commentary for the next match, though they are suspiciously in their wrestling gear. The match is New Day vs Lucha House Party. Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro watch with interest backstage. Bayley and Sasha declare themselves better than the New Day. I think that would actually be a great match. Big E gets the pin on Lince Dorado and is immediately jumped by Nak and Cesaro.
- A bunch of the female superstars are backstage, all declaring that they should be challenging for the SmackDown Women’s Championship. Alexa wonders where Nikki Cross is.
- Kayla is backstage with Sheamus. She asks him about Jeff Hardy’s interview earlier tonight. The Celtic Warrior agrees with Jeff, that he is a bully and that people like Hardy deserve to get bullied. At least someone on this show is self-aware.
- Sasha and Bayley are still at the commentary table and we quickly find out where Nikki Cross went. Alexa comes down to help her partner and Cross gets in the ring. She challenges Banks to a match and Bayley accepts on Sasha’s behalf. It is a fun match, which Sasha wins with a Meteora into a pin. I like it when people win with secondary moves every once in a while. It makes the moves mean more if you think there is a chance they might beat somebody.
- It’s the return of the Firefly Fun House, but Braun Strowman interrupts it by coming to the ring. Braun says that Bray had his opportunity, but he failed. He says their story is over. Wyatt says their story is just beginning and he transforms into Wyatt Family Bray. He says Strowman knows how to find him; just “Follow the Buzzards”.
Big debut for Riddle and I’m interested to see what they do with the return of cult leader Bray Wyatt. Let me know what you are excited for in the comment section below.
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