{"id":60926,"date":"2018-06-05T12:43:03","date_gmt":"2018-06-05T17:43:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/?p=60926"},"modified":"2018-06-05T12:43:03","modified_gmt":"2018-06-05T17:43:03","slug":"wwe-smackdown-primer-6-5-styles-nakamura-contract-signing-usos-naomi-vs-rusev-english-lana-charlotte-vs-lynch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2018\/06\/05\/wwe-smackdown-primer-6-5-styles-nakamura-contract-signing-usos-naomi-vs-rusev-english-lana-charlotte-vs-lynch\/","title":{"rendered":"WWE SMACKDOWN PRIMER 6\/5: Styles-Nakamura contract signing, Usos &#038; Naomi vs. Rusev &#038; English &#038; Lana, Charlotte vs. Lynch"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pwtor-650779851\" 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><b>WWE RAW PRIMER<br \/>\nJUNE 5, 2018<br \/>\nCORPUS CHRISTI, TEX. AT AMERICAN BANK CENTER<br \/>\nAIRS LIVE ON USA NETWORK<br \/>\nPREVIEW BY FRANK PETEANI, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR<\/b><\/h3>\n<h3><b>Arena<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>Is it time to get ready for Smackdown Live this evening as it will take place at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Tex.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>WWE previously brought its signature blue brand to this arena on January 31, 2017.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>WWE.com is advertising a start time of 6:45 p.m. local time.<\/p>\n<h3><b>Main Story of Last Week<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>We continued our journey to the Money in the Bank PPV which will take place in just under two weeks.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>One more participant needed to be decided for the men\u2019s match, which came out of an unexpected triple threat match between Daniel Bryan, Samoa Joe, and the suddenly medically cleared Big Cass.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Originally, we were supposed to get what some would classify as a \u201cdream match\u201d between Bryan and Joe to determine the final entry; however, during their promo in the opening segment Big Cass made an appearance.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>He claimed he had spoken to G.M. Paige, and she decided to cancel the match and restore the original match between he and Joe leaving Bryan out of the picture.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Paige, in a backstage interview with Renee Young, booked the triple threat cited earlier for the main event. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>While we may have wanted to see Joe vs. Bryan, considering they never collided one-on-one in a WWE ring, the triple threat did not disappoint.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>You could have made the case that all three men at one point could have won the match until Samoa Joe put the leader of the &#8220;Yes! Movement&#8221; in his signature Coquina Clutch.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Bryan did not submit but did succumb when his arm dropped three times.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Following the match, Big Cass went after Daniel.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>We can all assume this led to the announcement by WWE that Daniel Bryan will go one-on-one with Big Cass at the Money in the Bank PPV. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Samoa Joe is not one of the advertised wrestlers, but it&#8217;s hard to imagine him not being there in some capacity. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>The Usos &amp; Naomi vs. Rusev &amp; Aiden English &amp; Lana<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>Dancing With The Stars?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>So You Think You Can Dance?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>Folks, just tune in to WWE programming and they have all the dancing you need.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Last week we got a dance competition to be judged by the fans between Naomi and Lana, two of the participants in the upcoming women\u2019s Money in the Bank Ladder match.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Naomi came out with the Usos (her husband Jimmy and brother-in-law Jey).<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Lana was escorted by her husband Rusev and Aiden English.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Depending on how you look and judge dance, I would say both women put on a fine performance.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>They even started dancing together until Lana showed her true colors and gave a reverse neck breaker to Naomi.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>This lead to a brawl between all parties involved, ending in Naomi giving Lana her signature Rear View.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Later in the evening WWE announced the mixed tag match for tonight. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s more of a history than we may realize here.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Lana unsuccessfully challenged Naomi three times for the Smackdown Women\u2019s Championship last year.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Ironically, one of those matches took place at 2017\u2019s version of Money in the Bank.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Both women will partake in this year\u2019s ladder match.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Rusev &amp; English unsuccessfully challenged the Usos for the Smackdown Tag Team Championship as part of a Fatal Four-way at Clash of Champions this past December.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I\u2019m not certain WWE is playing off old feelings resurfacing in this situation, but these items are of note and could come up if they want to extend these rivalries beyond Money in the Bank.<\/p>\n<h3><b>Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch<\/b><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Anyone who has followed WWE in the last five or so years knows the history between these two top-end competitors.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>They were part of the Four Horsewomen of NXT before coming up to the main roster in 2015 as part of the women\u2019s revolution.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>They were part of team PCB which included current SmackDown Live! G.M. Paige.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>While Charlotte and Becky are certainly playing nice these days, Money in the Bank brought out their competitive nature as they were discussing their upcoming opportunity in a backstage conversation.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Paige happened to be passing by.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>She liked the spirited nature of the dialogue, reminisced about their time together, and made a match between the two for this week.<\/p>\n<p>This is a match I would expect to take place on a bigger stage; however, seeds could be planted for a long-term story arc between these two especially with MITB around the corner and SummerSlam not too far behind.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>This past Thursday Becky tweeted:<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-380757866\" 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>Friend, as much as you need it, after sitting on the sidelines for a year, I need it even more. The climb back to the top has already started. It continues on Tuesday for Smackdown.<\/p>\n<h3><b>A.J. Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura Contract Signing<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>On Sunday afternoon, both WWE and Paige tweeted that she will oversee a contract signing for the Last Man Standing match between WWE Champion A.J. Styles and his Money in the Bank challenger Shinsuke Nakamura.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>You could say last week the King of Strong Style trolled his upcoming opponent by counting flashcards numbered 1-10 in the back, as well as counting his opponent Tye Dillinger any time he was down in the ring.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>In a backstage interview, A.J. acknowledged how dangerous Shinsuke could be in this match; however, he touted how he\u2019s overcome odds throughout his entire life and claimed he will be the last man standing.<\/p>\n<p>Looking at the history of Last Man Standing matches, the last time we got one for the WWE Championship was back in June of 2013 between champion John Cena and challenger Ryback at Extreme Rules.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I\u2019m not 100 percent sure WWE would bring this up on commentary at any point, but that match ended in a no contest.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Ironically that\u2019s the way the last two title matches between A.J. and Shinsuke turned out (double countouts). <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Other Items<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>As expected, Andrade \u201cCien\u201d Almas and his business manager Zelina Vega graced us with their presence backstage.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>They ended up in a verbal confrontation with Sin Cara.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>It\u2019s possible we get a match between these two. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The Good Brothers, Luke Gallows &amp; Karl Anderson, discussed their upcoming title opportunity against the champions Bludgeon Brothers.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Harper and Rowan were shown in a video saying the bodies of their opponents will be \u201cliquified.\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Break out the jars, people! <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Speaking of tag teams, we still haven\u2019t seen Sanity make their debut. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Smackdown Women\u2019s Champion Carmella was a guest commentator for a match between her upcoming MITB challenger Asuka and Mandy Rose.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>This week The Staten Island Princess promises to reveal \u201cthe truth\u201d about The Empress of Tomorrow.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>(Is she one of Bobby Lashley\u2019s sisters?!?!)<\/p>\n<p>Finally, The New Day won an outstanding and highly competitive six-man tag over The Miz &amp; The Bar.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>They still haven\u2019t decided which of the three will go to the MITB ladder match.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Let\u2019s look to see if this decision is made and what The New Day has on tap this week.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-563366792\" 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<h3><b>Wrestlers Advertised\/Dark Match<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>The American Bank Center has likely not updated their website.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>They are advertising Bobby Roode, Jinder Mahal, Ms. Money in the Bank Carmella, Women\u2019s Champion Charlotte Flair, and General Manager Daniel Bryan.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0This is out of date, of course, since\u00a0<\/span>Roode and Mahal are on Raw, Carmella is of course Smackdown Women\u2019s Champion, and Daniel Bryan is a full-time wrestler.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>There are no dark matches advertised on the website, and of course 205Live will follow.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">NOW CHECK OUT THIS RECENT REPORT:\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2018\/06\/04\/indie-news-david-arquette-accepts-human-tornados-challenge-for-bloodymania-officials-announced-for-all-in-event-in-chicago\/\">Indie News: David Arquette accepts Human Tornado\u2019s challenge for BloodyMania, Officials announced for \u201cAll In\u201d event in Chicago<\/a><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"pwtor-end-article-groups pwtor-entity-placement\" id=\"pwtor-1677079921\"><div id=\"pwtor-3613838421\"><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 RAW PRIMER JUNE 5, 2018 CORPUS CHRISTI, TEX. AT AMERICAN BANK CENTER AIRS LIVE ON USA NETWORK PREVIEW BY FRANK PETEANI, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR Arena Is it time to get ready for Smackdown Live this <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2018\/06\/05\/wwe-smackdown-primer-6-5-styles-nakamura-contract-signing-usos-naomi-vs-rusev-english-lana-charlotte-vs-lynch\/\" title=\"WWE SMACKDOWN PRIMER 6\/5: Styles-Nakamura contract signing, Usos &#038; Naomi vs. Rusev &#038; English &#038; Lana, Charlotte vs. Lynch\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":44007,"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":[52,4403,27,5893],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-60926","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opnionandanalysis","category-smackdown-primer","category-specialists","category-tvprimers"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2017\/06\/LynchBecky_WK3x2_600.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60926","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=60926"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60926\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":60927,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60926\/revisions\/60927"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/44007"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=60926"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=60926"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=60926"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}