{"id":100057,"date":"2020-07-03T14:53:19","date_gmt":"2020-07-03T19:53:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/?p=100057"},"modified":"2020-07-03T14:53:19","modified_gmt":"2020-07-03T19:53:19","slug":"wwe-smackdown-primer-7-3-cheers-jeff-styles-defends-intercontinental-title-against-gulak-original-bro-to-like-totally-be-interviewed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2020\/07\/03\/wwe-smackdown-primer-7-3-cheers-jeff-styles-defends-intercontinental-title-against-gulak-original-bro-to-like-totally-be-interviewed\/","title":{"rendered":"WWE SMACKDOWN PRIMER 7\/3:\u00a0 Cheers Jeff, Styles Defends Intercontinental Title Against Gulak, Original Bro to Like Totally Be Interviewed"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pwtor-341930921\" class=\"pwtor-before-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><hr \/><b>SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)... <\/b>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?show_id=3076978&theme=light&playlist=false&playlist-continuous=false&autoplay=false&live-autoplay=false&chapters-image=true&episode_image_position=right&hide-logo=false&hide-likes=false&hide-comments=false&hide-sharing=false&hide-download=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"140px\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe>\r\n<hr \/><\/div><h3 class=\"m_-5193759762293467984MsoNoSpacing\"><b>WWE SMACKDOWN PRIMER<br \/>\n<\/b><b>JULY 3, 2020<br \/>\n<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/b><b>ORLANDO, FL. AT THE WWE PERFORMANCE CENTER<br \/>\n<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/b><b>AIRS ON FOX NETWORK, 8:00 p.m. EDT<\/b><br \/>\n<b>BY FRANK PETEANI (@FrankPeteani), PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/b><\/h3>\n<p class=\"m_-5193759762293467984MsoNoSpacing\"><i>Announcers: Michael Cole and Corey Graves<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/i><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"m_-5193759762293467984MsoNoSpacing\"><b>Top 10 Moments from Last Week<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Top 10 Friday Night SmackDown moments: WWE Top 10, June 26, 2020\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/PDQHzSwA9KU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"m_-5193759762293467984MsoNoSpacing\"><b>News and Items Advertised by WWE<\/b><\/h3>\n<p class=\"m_-5193759762293467984MsoNoSpacing\">We roll on in this pandemic audience-free era with another episode of Smackdown emanating from the Performance Center in Orlando, FL.\u00a0 Last week, things changed from what was originally advertised to a tribute to the Undertaker following his retirement announce on the WWE Network series \u201cUndertaker: The Last Ride.\u201d\u00a0 Here\u2019s what\u2019s on tap for tonight thus far:<u><\/u>\u00a0<u><\/u><\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li class=\"m_-5193759762293467984MsoNoSpacing\">A.J. Styles and Drew Gulak set for Intercontinental Championship clash.<b><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/b><\/li>\n<li class=\"m_-5193759762293467984MsoNoSpacing\">Sheamus to raise a glass to Jeff Hardy.<b><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/b><\/li>\n<li class=\"m_-5193759762293467984MsoNoSpacing\">Matt Riddle to step in the ring for an interview with Michael Cole<b><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"m_-5193759762293467984MsoNoSpacing\"><b>Intercontinental Championship: A.J. Styles (champ) vs. Drew Gulak<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/b><\/h3>\n<p class=\"m_-5193759762293467984MsoNoSpacing\"><b>Michael Cole to Interview Matt Riddle<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/b><b><u><\/u>\u00a0<u><\/u><\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"m_-5193759762293467984MsoNoSpacing\">Let\u2019s talk about these items collectively as they are tied together.\u00a0 Two weeks ago, A.J. Styles had a \u201cchampionship presentation\u201d one week after defeating Daniel Bryan in an epic final match of the Intercontinental Championship tournament.\u00a0 He requested that Bryan, standing at ring side with most of the Smackdown roster, put the title on him.\u00a0 Bryan obliged and congratulated him by saying he was the better man.\u00a0 He also recommended he defend the title against Drew Gulak, who had defeated him two weeks prior.\u00a0 A.J. said he would do things his way, not offer handouts, and only defend against the number one contender.\u00a0 The next one to \u201crun their mouth\u201d would deal with the consequences.\u00a0 Out came Matt Riddle, making his Smackdown debut.<\/p>\n<p class=\"m_-5193759762293467984MsoNoSpacing\">Riddle said he heard A.J. was the \u201cface that runs the place,\u201d but he\u2019ll be the \u201cbro that runs the show.\u201d\u00a0 They went on to have about a 13-minute match, won by Riddle when he hit his signature Bro-Derek slam for the win.<\/p>\n<p class=\"m_-5193759762293467984MsoNoSpacing\">A.J. will have to re-focus on Gulak tonight, as his Intercontinental Championship is on the line.\u00a0 Here\u2019s Gulak talking in one of his tweets and a WWE exclusive from several weeks ago when he beats Styles:<\/p>\n<p>https:\/\/twitter.com\/DrewGulak\/status\/1275966185461485575?s=20<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Drew Gulak flips the script on AJ Styles: SmackDown Exclusive, June 5, 2020\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jmrLpgyiZGM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"m_-5193759762293467984MsoNoSpacing\">Matt Riddle, after briefly appearing on Smackdown last week to attack King Corbin, will step in the ring to be interviewed by Michael Cole.\u00a0 There\u2019s no doubt we can expect him to tout his non-title victory over Styles from two weeks ago.\u00a0 Here\u2019s a WWE exclusive with Riddle following his win a few weeks ago:<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-3145970371\" class=\"pwtor-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Matt Riddle looks back on sweet SmackDown debut: SmackDown Exclusive, June 19, 2020\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/aJFcYMYEiJY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"m_-5193759762293467984MsoNoSpacing\"><i>Frank\u2019s Analysis:\u00a0 I don\u2019t expect a title change given Styles just won the title, and I can\u2019t imagine him being a short-term champion.\u00a0 It is possible they build towards Riddle vs. Styles at SummerSlam for the IC title.\u00a0 If they plan for Riddle to take the title then, that would be a two-month reign for Styles which for the most part makes sense.\u00a0 Done right, Riddle and Styles could have a long-standing feud.\u00a0 Of course, I\u2019m jumping a few steps ahead, but you would expect WWE to want to build to some more premium matches come SummerSlam.\u00a0 Riddle vs. Styles is one of those matches.<\/i><b><u><\/u><u><\/u><\/b><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"m_-5193759762293467984MsoNoSpacing\"><b>Sheamus Toasts Jeff Hardy<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/b><\/h3>\n<p class=\"m_-5193759762293467984MsoNoSpacing\">This was one of the advertised items for last week.\u00a0 Instead, Jeff Hardy paid tribute to the Undertaker, and then defeated King Corbin.\u00a0 Following the match, Jeff kneeled as the Undertaker would and pointed towards a picture of him on the screen.\u00a0 Several wrestlers were ring side and beat Corbin down after the match including Big E, Braun Strowman, and Matt Riddle.\u00a0 Earlier in the evening, Corbin said the Undertaker was holding people like him back and ridiculed WWE and the Performance Center &amp; NXT wrestlers for chanting \u201cthank you \u2018Taker.\u201d\u00a0 Jeff attacked him, which led to the match.\u00a0 <u><\/u><u><\/u><\/p>\n<p class=\"m_-5193759762293467984MsoNoSpacing\">Two weeks ago, Jeff Hardy gave a passionate interview with Renee Young.\u00a0 He talked about the struggles in his life, and how it feels like he\u2019s been trying to turn things around his whole life.\u00a0 He talked about catching himself before he falls completely out of control, and how Sheamus is the latest obstacle in his life he must overcome.\u00a0 Sheamus defeated Jeff at Backlash.<u><\/u>\u00a0<u><\/u><\/p>\n<p class=\"m_-5193759762293467984MsoNoSpacing\">Later in the show, Sheamus was interviewed for a response.\u00a0 He said he wish he crushed Jeff\u2019s voice box so he wouldn\u2019t have to hear the \u201cgarbage coming out of his mouth.\u201d\u00a0 He said if Jeff can\u2019t lift himself up, he would do it for him the way a \u201cproper Irishman can.\u201d\u00a0 He said he would toast the one-and-only Jeff Hardy, and that happens tonight.\u00a0 Here\u2019s Sheamus in a WWE exclusive after he beat Jeff at Backlash a few weeks ago:<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Sheamus isn\u2019t here for fairytale endings: Backlash Exclusive, June 14, 2020\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yZWi0qg1_Qc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"m_-5193759762293467984MsoNoSpacing\"><i>Frank\u2019s Analysis:\u00a0 I gave my analysis on this in last week\u2019s primer, and don\u2019t have anything to add.<\/i><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"m_-5193759762293467984MsoNoSpacing\"><b>Universal Champion Braun Strowman Prepares for Swamp Match<\/b><b><u><\/u>\u00a0<u><\/u><\/b><\/h3>\n<p class=\"m_-5193759762293467984MsoNoSpacing\">This is not in WWE\u2019s preview for the show, but it was in a hype video we saw during Raw.<\/p>\n<p class=\"m_-5193759762293467984MsoNoSpacing\">Two weeks ago, Bray Wyatt returned to our screens in his Wyatt Family leader persona saying he had to go back to the beginning and destroy whom he created, and that\u2019s Universal Champion Braun Strowman.\u00a0 Braun was a member of the Wyatt Family from post-SummerSlam 2015 until the rosters split in July of 2016.\u00a0 Braun retained the Universal Championship over Bray at Money in the Bank with Bray portraying his Firefly Funhouse host character.<u><\/u>\u00a0<u><\/u><\/p>\n<p class=\"m_-5193759762293467984MsoNoSpacing\">Last week, Braun talked about when he first met Bray.\u00a0 He saw a snake bite him over and over and all Bray could do was laugh.\u00a0 As a result, he knew he was in the presence of evil.\u00a0 He said he started doing \u201cthe devil\u2019s work\u201d and loved every second of it.\u00a0 He tries to keep that side of him contained, but it still calls him.\u00a0 He then invited Bray to go back to the swamp, and have it become the place of his destruction.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-2303126936\" class=\"pwtor-content-1 pwtor-entity-placement\"><!-- Tag ID: pwtorchcom_test_300x600 -->\r\n<div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __300x600\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p class=\"m_-5193759762293467984MsoNoSpacing\">The swamp fight is set for Extreme Rules: The Horror Show on July 19.\u00a0 It will undoubtedly be a cinematic match and will likely be filmed ahead of the show.\u00a0 We may hear from both Braun and Bray tonight.<\/p>\n<p class=\"m_-5193759762293467984MsoNoSpacing\"><i>Frank\u2019s Analysis:\u00a0 I suppose this is the reason why they\u2019re calling the PPV the \u201chorror show?\u201d\u00a0 At least we\u2019re not getting a House of Horrors match like we had between Bray and Randy Orton back in 2017.\u00a0 Aren\u2019t you glad I brought that up?\u00a0 Anyway, this is fine for me overall, although this is where I wish Braun weren\u2019t Universal Champion.<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/i><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"m_-5193759762293467984MsoNoSpacing\"><b>Other Match Results and News Items from Last Week:<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/b><\/h3>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li class=\"m_-5193759762293467984MsoNoSpacing\">They replayed the Boneyard Match from WrestleMania between the Undertaker and A.J. Styles, which for now has turned out to be Undertaker\u2019s final match in WWE.<\/li>\n<li class=\"m_-5193759762293467984MsoNoSpacing\">They played soundbites from WWE legends and Hall of Famers weighing in on the Undertaker.\u00a0 They included \u201cStone Cold\u201d Steve Austin, Ric Flair, Kurt Angle, Edge, Kane, Shawn Michaels, and John Cena.<\/li>\n<li class=\"m_-5193759762293467984MsoNoSpacing\">Nikki Cross defeated Alexa Bliss, Lacey Evans, and Dana Brooke in a fatal four-way match to earn a championship match at Extreme Rules against Bayley for the Smackdown Women\u2019s title.\u00a0 Here\u2019s Nikki and Lacey in separate WWE exclusives:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Nikki Cross runs into championship match: SmackDown Exclusive, June 26, 2020\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/XevpPeFb-Cw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Lacey Evans promises change after missed opportunity: SmackDown Exclusive, June 26, 2020\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/y00LBms9Hac?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li class=\"m_-5193759762293467984MsoNoSpacing\">Smackdown Tag Team Champions New Day (Big E &amp; Kofi Kingston) and Lucha House Party (Gran Metalik &amp; Lince Dorado) defeated Shinsuke Nakamura &amp; Cesaro and John Morrison &amp; the Miz.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"m_-5193759762293467984MsoNoSpacing\"><b>Final Thoughts<u><\/u><u><\/u><\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"m_-5193759762293467984MsoNoSpacing\">I don\u2019t have much to add as we continue to sort of reset Smackdown with the additions of Styles and Riddle.\u00a0 I\u2019m curious to see long-term what they\u2019ll do as far as the Universal Championship is concerned as there aren\u2019t many choices of opponents for Braun.\u00a0 It\u2019s still odd for Otis to hold Money in the Bank, and I wonder if there\u2019s a plan to get it off him or for him to have a failed cash-in.\u00a0 Therefore, we watch!<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p class=\"m_-5193759762293467984MsoNoSpacing\"><i>Follow Frank on Twitter @FrankPeteani.\u00a0 Questions and discussion are welcome.\u00a0 Thank you for reading!<\/i><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p class=\"m_-5193759762293467984MsoNoSpacing\"><strong>CATCH UP&#8230;<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/vip.pwtorch.com\/2020\/06\/26\/leclairs-wwe-smackdown-report-6-26-alt-perspective-detailed-coverage-of-tribute-to-the-undertaker\/\">LECLAIR\u2019S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 6\/26: Alt perspective, detailed coverage of \u201cTribute to the Undertaker\u201d, Strowman addresses Bray Wyatt, women\u2019s #1 contender\u2019s match, more<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"pwtor-end-article-groups pwtor-entity-placement\" id=\"pwtor-4076612516\"><div id=\"pwtor-3025345224\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\nTHANK YOU FOR VISITING<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>WWE SMACKDOWN PRIMER JULY 3, 2020 ORLANDO, FL. AT THE WWE PERFORMANCE CENTER AIRS ON FOX NETWORK, 8:00 p.m. EDT BY FRANK PETEANI (@FrankPeteani), PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR Announcers: Michael Cole and Corey Graves Top 10 Moments <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2020\/07\/03\/wwe-smackdown-primer-7-3-cheers-jeff-styles-defends-intercontinental-title-against-gulak-original-bro-to-like-totally-be-interviewed\/\" title=\"WWE SMACKDOWN PRIMER 7\/3:\u00a0 Cheers Jeff, Styles Defends Intercontinental Title Against Gulak, Original Bro to Like Totally Be Interviewed\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":100065,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,52,4403,27,5893,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-100057","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-prowrestlingnews","category-opnionandanalysis","category-smackdown-primer","category-specialists","category-tvprimers","category-news_wwe"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2020\/07\/Screen-Shot-2020-07-03-at-2.51.03-PM.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100057","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=100057"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100057\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":100063,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100057\/revisions\/100063"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/100065"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=100057"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=100057"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=100057"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}