{"id":201601,"date":"2025-08-15T11:42:15","date_gmt":"2025-08-15T16:42:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/?p=201601"},"modified":"2025-08-15T11:42:15","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T16:42:15","slug":"5-yrs-ago-wwe-smackdown-tv-report-7-24-2020-jeff-hardy-opens-show-by-saying-hello-i-am-jeff-hardy-and-i-am-alcoholic-sheamus-vs-jeff-hardy-bar-fight-main-events","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2025\/08\/15\/5-yrs-ago-wwe-smackdown-tv-report-7-24-2020-jeff-hardy-opens-show-by-saying-hello-i-am-jeff-hardy-and-i-am-alcoholic-sheamus-vs-jeff-hardy-bar-fight-main-events\/","title":{"rendered":"5 YRS AGO \u2013 WWE SMACKDOWN TV Report (7-24-2020): Jeff Hardy opens show by saying, &#8220;Hello, I am Jeff Hardy, and I am alcoholic,&#8221; Sheamus vs. Jeff Hardy &#8220;Bar Fight&#8221; main events"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pwtor-1027119655\" 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><p><em>\u00a0The following report originally published 5 years ago this week here at PWTorch.com\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>KELLER\u2019S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT<br \/>\nJULY 24, 2020<br \/>\nORLANDO, FLA. AT PERFORMANCE CENTER<br \/>\nAIRED ON FOX NETWORK<\/h3>\n<p><em>Announcer: Michael Cole, Corey Graves<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>[HOUR ONE]<\/h3>\n<p>-They opened with Jeff Hardy saying: \u201cHello, I am Jeff Hardy, and I am an alcoholic.\u201d He said he will be fighting tonight \u201cin an environment that is my newfound enemy \u2013 the bar.\u201d He said Sheamus is a manifestation of his demons, and he\u2019s going to slay his demons tonight. \u201cI\u2019ll beat the holy hell out of Sheamus!\u201d Then they went to Sheamus who chuckled at what Hardy said. He said the ache in his head won\u2019t be a hangover, but from a Brogue Kick. He said the only thing that will make him feel better is crawling back to the bottle and drowning his sorrows. JBL said if anyone knows about a bar fight, it\u2019s him. He said he\u2019ll save his predictions for later, but he\u2019s excited for it. They showed Sheamus\u2019s personal bartender shining up glasses.<\/p>\n<p>-Graves and Cole introduced the show and talked about the bar fight. Cole said Hardy has a chance to silence his demons.<\/p>\n<p>-Sasha Banks and Bayley came out next to their music. They replayed the finish at Extreme Rules. Cole said Sasha isn\u2019t really the Raw Champion, but she has a match with Asuka for the title this Monday on Raw. Sasha said greatness is defined by your quality or the state of being great. Bayley said that\u2019s the old definition. She said now that they possess all the gold, they are the new definition. They showed a picture of themselves next to the word \u201cgreatness.\u201d They said they don\u2019t just talk it, they walk it. She took exception to the audience jeering them. Sasha said the Women\u2019s Evolution is over because they started it and they are declaring it over. \u201cIt\u2019s a new era \u2013 The Era of Sasha &amp; Bayley Greatness.\u201d Sasha said if you do great things, one day all your dreams can come true. Bayley said the real lesson is no matter how you try, you\u2019ll never be as great as us.<\/p>\n<p>Nikki Cross and Alexa Bliss came out. Nikki was in a rage and said the era of Sasha &amp; Bayley is over. Bayley asked if she took her rabies medicine. Alexa said this might not be the right night for this approach. Nikki remained enraged and said she wanted to take on Bayley again. Bayley said she won fair and square, but being a role model, she wants to lead by example, and Smackdown is the Land of Opportunity. She said she has to beat someone first to earn a title match. She volunteered Bliss. She said the winner can face her for her title next week. Alexa didn\u2019t like the idea. Nikki liked it. \u201cWe have to do it!\u201d she said. She shoved Bliss down. Sasha and Bayley laughed.<\/p>\n<p><em>(Keller\u2019s Analysis: Solid set-up for a \u201cfresh\u201d match between partners. I liked Nikki\u2019s intensity and determination. I get Bayley being willing to put her title on the line because it\u2019d be worth seeing her two top enemies fight each other. She also is full of herself. Bliss had more of a heelish disposition the whole segment and she was resistant to a fight Nikki in the first place despite a title shot being at stake, so it set up a reason for viewers to side with Nikki and be happy if she won.)\u00a0 [c]<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>(1) NIKKI CROSS vs. ALEXA BLISS \u2013 Winner Faces Bayley next week for Smackdown Title<\/strong><\/p><div id=\"pwtor-4147877469\" 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>Bayley and Sasha were at ringside on commentary. They were their usual over-the-top obnoxious. Cole apologized when he questioned their friendship. He said they appear to be getting along very well now. Nikki scored a two count a few minutes in after a bulldog. They fought to ringside. Bliss threw Nikki into Sasha and Bayley, who were standing and taunting them. Cole cackled with laughter as they cut to a break. [c]<\/p>\n<p>Back from the break, Bliss went after Nikki\u2019s ribs. Cole noted they were injured this past Sunday at Horror Show. Bayley and Sasha seemed genuinely delighted with themselves on color commentary. Bliss scored a two count after a sunset bomb. Nikki made a comeback and scored several near falls. Nikki ended up winning with a small package. Cole hyped next week\u2019s match. Bliss was disappointed as Nikki leaned over and yelled at Sasha and Bayley.<\/p>\n<p>WINNER: Nikki in 10:00.<\/p>\n<p><em>(Keller\u2019s Analysis: Solid action. It gave Sasha and Bayley a chance to be obnoxious and set up a TV main event next week.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p>-They hyped a Firefly Funhouse up next. [c]<\/p>\n<p><em>ARTICLE CONTINUED BELOW&#8230;<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Check out the latest episode of &#8220;Wrestling Coast to Coast&#8221; with Chris Maitland and Justin McClelland, part of the PWTorch Dailycast line-up: C<a href=\"https:\/\/www.spreaker.com\/episode\/wrestling-coast-to-coast-maitland-mcclelland-live-report-from-wrestling-revolver-s-jerry-lynn-invitational-more--67360605\">LICK HERE<\/a> to stream (or search \u201cpwtorch\u201d on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any other iOS or Android app to subscribe free)<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Wrestling Coast to Coast - Maitland &amp; McClelland live report from Wrestling Revolver's Jerry Lynn Invitational, more\" src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?episode_id=67360605&amp;theme=light&amp;playlist=false&amp;playlist-continuous=false&amp;chapters-image=true&amp;episode_image_position=right&amp;hide-logo=false&amp;hide-likes=false&amp;hide-comments=false&amp;hide-sharing=false&amp;hide-download=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"200px\" frameborder=\"0\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>-Nikki was celebrating in front of the empty training ring. Bliss walked up to her and conceded Nikki got one over on her. She gave her a bottle of water. Bliss said last week she said she didn\u2019t get the same opportunities as her, but tonight she earned it and she is happy for her. They hugged. Bliss said now it\u2019s time to focus on Bayley and becoming the next Smackdown Women\u2019s Champion. She said she can do it.<\/p>\n<p>-Firefly Funhouse: The music got distorted, then showed a cartoon swamp. Clips aired of the Swamp match at Horror Show last Sunday including the ending when The Fiend showed up. Back in the Funhouse studio, Bray said, \u201cYowie Wowie, that sure was fun!\u201d He said the family reunion warmed his soul. \u201cBraun Strowman came back home!\u201d he said. He said many are worried that Braun is stuck in the swamp, but he assured everyone the swamp is organic. He talked to the head from the lantern and said, \u201cHe has been unleashed.\u201d Ominous images played of Fiend. Then Bray laughed and smiled and waved bye.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-1195133452\" 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>-Matt Riddle began his ring entrance. The announcers narrated highlights of the A.J. Styles vs. Riddle match and Baron Corbin\u2019s post-match attack. [c]<\/p>\n<p><strong>(2) MATT RIDDLE vs. TONY NESE<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Riddle won with a Bro Derek. Nese got a little offense before the finish. Graves said Riddle \u201crebounded in major fashion tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>WINNER: Riddle in under 2:00.<\/p>\n<p>-Riddle said he\u2019s new around there and doesn\u2019t know how things work, but he wanted to call out Baron Corbin. Corbin told him he is right, he doesn\u2019t know how things work around there; he said you don\u2019t just call out a King like that. He said his new car smell will wear off soon. He said he doesn\u2019t belong in a professional settling like Smackdown. He said he should go back to NXT or maybe he could go be a top guy at 205 Live. Corbin said he\u2019s so convinced he doesn\u2019t belong there, he\u2019s putting out a King\u2019s Ransom to anyone who can prove he doesn\u2019t belong in his kingdom. Riddle said he\u2019s not a subject in his \u201cweird, little made up kingdom.\u201d He said he is the special guest star in the Bro Show. Nese tried to attack Riddle from behind, but Riddle sensed him coming and round-kicked him the neck.<\/p>\n<p><em>(Keller\u2019s Analysis: Riddle was likable and chill. Corbin was annoying and arrogant. Check, check.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p>-Backstage Miz and John Morrison were looking at a laptop. Morrison pitched overly long hashtags to Miz. Miz was dismayed at Morrison and said they have a show to do, so get on with it. [c]<\/p>\n<p>-They showed \u201cIrish Shannon\u2019s\u201d bar in Orlando, Fla. where the bar fight will take place.<\/p>\n<p>-JBL said he loves going into a bar and fighting. He said he\u2019s been in some of the toughest bar fights ever alongside Ron Simmons. He said at a bar there are obstacles everywhere like beer bottles, some local yokel who needs to be put to sleep, and pool cues. He said a bar fight is about will. He talked up Jeff Hardy. He said there is nothing like a man fighting for redemption.<\/p>\n<p>-Miz TV: Morrison continued to focus on trying to forecast trends or be trendy. They showed photos of Seth Rollins. Morrison said he looked sick and pale. They shifted to Naomi\u2019s entrance next. Miz and Morrison gave Naomi a hard time about trending last week despite losing. They said Lacey Evans should have trended. Naomi got worked up and said she trended because of her track record earning respect from fans.<\/p>\n<h3>[HOUR TWO]<\/h3>\n<p>Miz and Morrison said things are going to get worse for her because they had a special guest. Lacey came out. Lacey piled on about Naomi being around for ten years and not having much to show for it and is washed up, and can only trend for losing. \u201cBless her heart,\u201d she said. Naomi shoved her as she was applying lipstick, which got smeared all over her face. Lacey swung her handbag at Naomi, but Naomi blocked it. Lacey bailed out. Naomi\u2019s music played. Lacey freaked out at her image in a make-up mirror. Naomi danced. Morrison and Miz danced with Naomi.<\/p>\n<p>-Cole threw to highlights of Cesaro &amp; Shinsuke Nakaura beating The New Day on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>-Kofi Kingston walked out of the trainer\u2019s room. He told Big E he was told he will miss around six weeks, and they\u2019ll get the titles back when the time is right. Kofi said with both him and Xavier Woods out, \u201cright now is your time.\u201d Kofi said he and Xavier talk about this all the time \u2013 that Big E is always selfless, but here and now it\u2019s about Big E showing the world what he can do. Big E said he hears him and appreciates it. Kofi told him not to let \u201cthem\u201d deny him for a decade before he gets his due. They hugged. Kofi asked him to be gentle. Big E told him he loves him.<\/p>\n<p><em>(Keller\u2019s Analysis: I like this. Big E was also super-serious, not goofing off. Could be because he was selling being dejected over the Smackdown Tag Team Title loss and Kofi being injured, but it may have set the tone for a more serious singles push. I\u2019m intrigued.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p>-A.J. Styles made his way to ringside. Cole said they\u2019d find out who would face Styles next. [c]<\/p>\n<p><strong>(3) DREW GULAK vs. GRAN METALIK vs. LINCE DORADO vs. SHORTY G \u2013 Winner Gets IC Title shot next week<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Styles complained that one of these wrestlers gets a title shot after winning just one match. After knocking Gulak out of the ring, Dorado and Metalik battled. Graves asked whom he\u2019d most like to face. He said whomever gets beat up the most. He said not that he needs it, but it just makes sense. Cole said he\u2019s such a brave champion. Shorty G rallied and landed a flip dive onto all three opponents at ringside. They cut to a break at 2:00. [c]<\/p>\n<p>Graves asked Styles who has impressed him the most so far. He said Shorty G. After several more minutes of fast-paced action, Shorty G applied a mid-ring anklelock on Gulak. Dorado landed a top rope splash on Shorty to break up the hold and scored a near fall. Dorado landed two moonsaults, but when he went for a third, Gulak cut him off. Shortly lifted Gulak onto his shoulders and dumped him to the floor. Then he overhead tossed Dorado. Metalik, though, leaped off the top rope and caught Shorty with an elbow for the win.<\/p>\n<p>WINNER: Metalik to earn a shot against Styles next week.<\/p>\n<p>-Afterward, Styles entered the ring and offered a handshake. When Metalik hesitated trusting him, Styles slapped him. Metalik slapped him back and landed a tornado DDT. Styles rolled to the floor as Cole plugged next week\u2019s match.<\/p>\n<p><em>(Keller\u2019s Analysis: First Big E moves to the singles division, and now Metalik will get a showcase match against Styles next week. I\u2019m on board for this.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p>-A video aired on Otis and Mandy Rose. Cole said their story warms his heart and next week \u201cThe Love Story Continues.\u201d [c]<\/p>\n<p>-Kayla Braxton congratulated Metalik, then introduced Cesaro &amp; Sheamus. They gloated about being newly crowned Smackdown Tag Team Champions. Nakamura said he isn\u2019t sure what was more rewarding on Sunday \u2013 putting Kofi through the first table or putting Kofi through the second table for a big splat. Cesaro said his only regret was not putting Big E through a table as well. Nakamura said it would make a bigger splat. Cesaro said it\u2019s not Big E\u2019s time. Nakamura said it\u2019s their time now and they\u2019ll make all teams on Smackdown go splat.<\/p>\n<p>-A video package aired hyping the bar fight. [c]<\/p>\n<p><strong>(4) SHEAMUS vs. JEFF HARDY \u2013 Bar Fight<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Sheamus entered the bar. He asked if Hardy was there yet. The bartender said he hadn\u2019t seen him yet. Hardy yelled, \u201cYo, I\u2019m here.\u201d He marched toward Sheamus from the back. They sat at the bar next to each other. Sheamus asked if he wanted a shot to take the edge off. Hardy asked for a cup. The bartender gave him an empty glass. Hardy poured a beer into it. Sheamus cracked a joke. Hardy said his brother had to delete his WWE career, but tonight he has to recover his. Hardy said sobriety has changed him. Sheamus said he hasn\u2019t changed. He\u2019s still weak and pathetic and nobody cares about him. Hardy asked if he still raises the bar. Sheamus asked if he\u2019s a comedian. Sheamus said he is The Bar and he raises The Bar. Hardy said he is the bar. Sheamus said he\u2019s just a pathetic junkie. Sheamus took off his hat and got ready to fight. Hardy threw the beer in Sheamus\u2019s face. The fight began. They had music in the background. Sheamus beat up Hardy on top of the bar and pounded away at his chest over and over. He yanked him to the floor. Sheamus asked for a shot of the good stuff on the top shelf. Sheamus threw him into the brick wall. Hardy reversed Sheamus and whipped him into a stack of kegs. Hardy threw basketballs from a nearby arcade game at him, then bashed him into the wall leading to the back area.<\/p>\n<p>Sheamus dragged Hardy into the bathroom. He shoved his head into the urinal and flushed. Hardy gagged and heaved. Sheamus said he had a fate for him worse than that. He showed him his face in the mirror. He said that\u2019s who he is, a junkie. Hardy fought back and shoved Sheamus onto a toilet in a stall. Hardy left, still heaving and gagging. Sheamus got up and looked for him. He said he can\u2019t run or hide from it. Hardy came out of a storage room with a ladder. He bashed Sheamus with it, then leaped off the bar at Sheamus. Sheamus caught him and rammed him into the brick wall. Sheamus pulled a guitar off the wall and swung it at Hardy. Hardy ducked and the guitar broke. Hardy pounded away at Sheamus. Sheamus reversed him into a drum set and they cut to a break. [c]<\/p>\n<p>Sheamus pounded his chest after the break and yelled at Hardy that this is what he wanted. Hardy went after him with a drum, but Sheamus kicked it. Hardy leaped at Sheamus and tackled him. Hardy hit a Twist of Fate on Sheamus, then set up a ladder. Sheamus\u2019s bartender interfered, so Hardy powerbombed him through a table. Sheamus hit Hardy from behind with a chair. He grabbed his hat, wished him sweet dreams, and put it on top of Hardy\u2019s face. He walked behind the bar and swigged a beer. He removed the hat and Hardy\u2019s face was suddenly covered in make-up and his eyes lit up. He attacked Sheamus. The music changed and then Hardy climbed a ladder and leaped off of it with a Swanton. The ref counted to three. Hardy blinked and his eyes went back to normal.<\/p>\n<p>WINNER: Hardy in 16:00.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Pro Wrestling Then and Now - WWF SummerSlam &#039;95 (and In Your House II)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/v_VFvruuDjo?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<div class=\"pwtor-end-article-groups pwtor-entity-placement\" id=\"pwtor-3334108172\"><div id=\"pwtor-1058512848\"><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>\u00a0The following report originally published 5 years ago this week here at PWTorch.com\u2026 KELLER\u2019S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT JULY 24, 2020 ORLANDO, FLA. AT PERFORMANCE CENTER AIRED ON FOX NETWORK Announcer: Michael Cole, Corey Graves [HOUR <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2025\/08\/15\/5-yrs-ago-wwe-smackdown-tv-report-7-24-2020-jeff-hardy-opens-show-by-saying-hello-i-am-jeff-hardy-and-i-am-alcoholic-sheamus-vs-jeff-hardy-bar-fight-main-events\/\" title=\"5 YRS AGO \u2013 WWE SMACKDOWN TV Report (7-24-2020): Jeff Hardy opens show by saying, &#8220;Hello, I am Jeff Hardy, and I am alcoholic,&#8221; Sheamus vs. Jeff Hardy &#8220;Bar Fight&#8221; main events\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":705,"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_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[30,31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-201601","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-specialfeatures","category-exclusives_flashbacks"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/HardyJeff_artTB_3x2_600.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/201601","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=201601"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/201601\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":202821,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/201601\/revisions\/202821"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/705"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=201601"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=201601"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=201601"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}