{"id":62408,"date":"2018-07-03T12:31:03","date_gmt":"2018-07-03T17:31:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/?p=62408"},"modified":"2018-07-03T12:31:28","modified_gmt":"2018-07-03T17:31:28","slug":"wwe-smackdown-primer-7-3-team-hell-no-styles-vs-english-u-s-championship-open-challenge-lynch-royce-asuka-ellsworth-pancake-eating-contest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2018\/07\/03\/wwe-smackdown-primer-7-3-team-hell-no-styles-vs-english-u-s-championship-open-challenge-lynch-royce-asuka-ellsworth-pancake-eating-contest\/","title":{"rendered":"WWE SMACKDOWN PRIMER 7\/3: Team Hell No, Styles vs. English, U.S. Championship Open Challenge, Lynch-Royce, Asuka-Ellsworth, Pancake Eating Contest\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pwtor-2050557856\" 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>WWE SMACKDOWN PRIMER<br \/>\nJULY 3, 2018<br \/>\nOMAHA, NE. AT CENTURYLINK CENTER<br \/>\nAIRS ON USA NETWORK 8:00 PM EDT<br \/>\nBY FRANK PETEANI, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR<\/h3>\n<h3>Arena\/Opening Thoughts<\/h3>\n<p>WWE will arrive in Omaha, NE. tonight as Smackdown will emanate from the CenturyLink Center where it last appeared over five years ago in May of 2013. \u00a0We inch closer to Extreme Rules, which is just under two weeks away.<\/p>\n<p>Last week did not produce many newsworthy topics until the end of the show where we saw the reunion of a Team Hell No, Daniel Bryan and Kane. \u00a0Kane saved Bryan from a beat down by the Bludgeon Brothers, Luke Harper and Erick Rowan, following Bryan\u2019s match with Harper. \u00a0They officially reunited with their signature hug and were granted a Smackdown Tag Team Championship match at Extreme Rules by G.M. Paige. \u00a0Tonight, WWE has announced they will kick off the show. \u00a0Isn\u2019t it ironic that Dr. Shelby returned last night on Raw for Bayley and Sasha Banks\u2019s counseling? \u00a0If you don\u2019t remember, Dr. Shelby did anger management courses for Team Hell No back in 2012. \u00a0They became one of the more memorable tag teams in history. \u00a0This was part of the platform that launched Daniel Bryan\u2019s popularity. \u00a0He would go on to be involved in the WWE Championship picture from the summer of 2013 all the way to the \u201cMiracle on Bourbon Street\u201d at WrestleMania 30, when he captured the title in the main event. \u00a0With that said, we\u2019ll look forward to what they have to say tonight as well as what else WWE has on the menu for the evening\u2019s festivities.<\/p>\n<h3>Inter-gender Match: Asuka vs. James Ellsworth<\/h3>\n<p>Last week James Ellsworth came out to call out Asuka, following him being kicked by her the previous week. \u00a0He claimed he loves women, his love life was great, and other things that I\u2019m fairly certain nobody believes. \u00a0G.M. Paige came out and told Ellsworth that he knew full well Asuka wasn\u2019t in the building, but rather home with her family in Japan. \u00a0Ellsworth then assumed Paige came out to ask him on a date, to which she said yes and it would be next Tuesday (meaning tonight). \u00a0She actually made him believe she was interested until she revealed it was really a match with Asuka.<\/p>\n<p>Thoughts: \u00a0You can\u2019t have too many expectations for this, but when Ellsworth is around you can certainly expect some moments. \u00a0I just look for this to be a building block towards the championship opportunity Asuka has against Carmella at Extreme Rules.<\/p>\n<h3>Non-Title Match: WWE Champion A.J. Styles vs. Aiden English<\/h3>\n<p>At Extreme Rules, WWE Champion A.J. Styles will defend his title against Rusev. \u00a0Tonight, Styles takes on Rusev\u2019s \u201csidekick\u201d and resident singer Aiden English in a non-title match. \u00a0On the evening Rusev won the opportunity to fight for the championship, English disrespected Styles by offering his hand in sportsmanship and pulling it away when Styles accepted. \u00a0English got a \u201cknuckle sandwich\u201d for his efforts, as Styles laid him out. \u00a0Rusev, in the ring at the time, appeared frustrated with English. \u00a0Nonetheless English said on Twitter that at Extreme Rules, the house that A.J. built comes crashing down, &#8220;and it all happens on Rusev Day.&#8221;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">At <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/ExtremeRules?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#ExtremeRules<\/a> the house that <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AJStylesOrg?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@AJStylesOrg<\/a> built&#8230;comes crashing down. And it all happens on <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/RusevDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#RusevDay<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/j25ytadfVy\">pic.twitter.com\/j25ytadfVy<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Matthew Rehwoldt (@DramaKingMatt) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DramaKingMatt\/status\/1011785119818895361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 27, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Last week following his victory over Xavier Woods, Rusev claimed he wanted to \u201cbreak down the door to Styles\u2019s house, take the title, and it will be a great Rusev Day.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>Thoughts: There\u2019s a confusing message with Rusev. \u00a0One week he wants to be a good sport, the following week he wants to break and enter into Styles\u2019s house. \u00a0It doesn\u2019t make sense week-to-week. \u00a0English has at least been consistent acting heelish. \u00a0This match tonight makes me think of when he worked with Randy Orton some time ago. \u00a0It was a well fought loss for English and so we\u2019ll see if we get a similar match tonight.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Becky Lynch vs. Peyton Royce<\/h3>\n<p>We were supposed to have this match last week until WWE switched it up and had Becky Lynch work with Sonya Deville (with Mandy Rose in her corner). \u00a0Becky was victorious after Mandy inadvertently shoved Sonya into Becky and allowed her to apply the Disarm Her for the submission victory.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-2181414924\" 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>Becky Lynch looks to go two-for-two over the Australian duo, The IIconics. \u00a0Two weeks ago, Becky scored a victory over Billie Kay and tonight, she looks to do the same against her partner Peyton Royce.<\/p>\n<p><em>Thoughts: \u00a0I\u2019ll repeat my sentiments from last week. \u00a0I\u2019m happy Becky is getting featured more as of late. \u00a0For my money she is the best babyface woman\u2019s wrestler on the roster. \u00a0I\u2019m not 100% certain, but we could be looking at her getting involved in the Smackdown Woman\u2019s Championship picture come SummerSlam depending on what happens between Asuka &amp; Carmella at Extreme Rules. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Independence Day U.S. Championship Open Challenge<\/h3>\n<p>WWE is telling us that Jeff Hardy will issue a U.S. Championship open challenge this evening on the heels of Independence Day. \u00a0Last week he was to face Shinsuke Nakamura, until we learned Shinsuke had an incident with a police dog at the airport. \u00a0(Did he complain that TSA didn\u2019t speak Japanese to him? \u00a0As someone who spends quite a bit of time at airports, these things are near and dear to me.) \u00a0Nonetheless Hardy issued an open challenge to which Eric Young of Sanity answered. \u00a0They fought to a no-contest when The Usos arrived and a brawl broke out between all parties. \u00a0The match was tossed but a six-man tag ensued, which was won by Hardy and The Usos.<\/p>\n<p><em>Thoughts: Interesting to see Sanity take the loss here. \u00a0As far the the U.S. open challenge, it\u2019s a cool concept but one that could be used only so much. \u00a0We\u2019ll see tonight if Eric Young answers the call again or they go in another direction. \u00a0Shinsuke could be in play as well.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>New Day: First Annual Third of July Pancake Eating Contest<\/h3>\n<p>This is happening. \u00a0All three members of New Day will compete in a pancake eating contest. \u00a0It\u2019s not confirmed whether the pancakes will be made from scratch, Bisquick, the Aunt Jemima complete mix, or ordered from IHOP. \u00a0Whether or not syrup and butter will be used is yet to be determined.<\/p>\n<p><em>Thoughts: \u00a0Excuse the sarcasm but seriously? \u00a0This is the first annual, so it will happen again? \u00a0Is Smackdown (or wherever New Day ends up in the future) going to move each year to accommodate this? I listened to Bruce Mitchell\u2019s take on New Day\u2019s gimmick on Wade Keller\u2019s podcast as well as reading his article at the time. \u00a0If you\u2019re a VIP PWTorch member I suggest researching both items and you\u2019ll see why I have no use for this segment tonight. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Other Items<\/h3>\n<p>\u2022 As I\u2019ve said for a few weeks, Andrade \u201cCien\u201d Almas vs. Sin Cara is still in play. \u00a0In a selfie promo, Almas\u2019s business manager Zelina Vega asked where the competition is, and then advised everyone stay out of their way.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 The Miz had the Bludgeon Brothers, Luke Harper and Erick Rowan on MizTV. \u00a0He misread the intentions of Harper &amp; Rowan following their beatdown of Daniel Bryan the previous week. \u00a0He thought they wanted to be in the Miztourage. \u00a0He also offered them a role in \u201cRuff Ruff Ref.\u201d<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-3119893828\" 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>\u2022 To the delight of Wade Keller, Tye Dillinger cut another promo involving him being a \u201c10.\u201d \u00a0I\u2019m with Wade as it\u2019s quite frustrating to constantly call attention to this when he could be out in the ring working or just not talk about being a \u201c10.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>Wrestlers Advertised, Dark Matches, and 205 Live<\/h3>\n<p>The CenturyLink Center\u2019s website doesn\u2019t show any matches or advertised wrestlers.<\/p>\n<p>205Live will follow Smackdown. \u00a0Buddy Murphy faces Mustafa Ali in a no-disqualification match. \u00a0Lio Rush is expected on the show as G.M. Drake Maverick tweeted the following:<\/p>\n<p>https:\/\/twitter.com\/wwemaverick\/status\/1013956939670261760?s=21<\/p>\n<p>Start time is shown at 6:45 CDT.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><em>Follow me on Twitter @FrankPeteani or email me at fpeteani@gmail.com. \u00a0Thank you for reading!<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"pwtor-end-article-groups pwtor-entity-placement\" id=\"pwtor-2710649427\"><div id=\"pwtor-1274639654\"><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, 2018 OMAHA, NE. AT CENTURYLINK CENTER AIRS ON USA NETWORK 8:00 PM EDT BY FRANK PETEANI, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR Arena\/Opening Thoughts WWE will arrive in Omaha, NE. tonight as Smackdown will <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2018\/07\/03\/wwe-smackdown-primer-7-3-team-hell-no-styles-vs-english-u-s-championship-open-challenge-lynch-royce-asuka-ellsworth-pancake-eating-contest\/\" title=\"WWE SMACKDOWN PRIMER 7\/3: Team Hell No, Styles vs. English, U.S. Championship Open Challenge, Lynch-Royce, Asuka-Ellsworth, Pancake Eating Contest\u00a0\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":52296,"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":[52,4354,27,5893],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-62408","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opnionandanalysis","category-raw-primer","category-specialists","category-tvprimers"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2017\/12\/StylesAJ_TeschJoel_3x2_600.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62408","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=62408"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62408\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":62411,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62408\/revisions\/62411"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/52296"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=62408"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=62408"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=62408"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}