{"id":98520,"date":"2020-06-05T14:48:01","date_gmt":"2020-06-05T19:48:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/?p=98520"},"modified":"2020-06-05T14:48:01","modified_gmt":"2020-06-05T19:48:01","slug":"wwe-smackdown-primer-6-5-alexa-nikki-defend-titles-gainst-inaugural-champs-hardy-speaks-bryan-and-a-j-to-come-face-to-face-miz-morrison-to-issue-monstrous-warning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2020\/06\/05\/wwe-smackdown-primer-6-5-alexa-nikki-defend-titles-gainst-inaugural-champs-hardy-speaks-bryan-and-a-j-to-come-face-to-face-miz-morrison-to-issue-monstrous-warning\/","title":{"rendered":"WWE SMACKDOWN PRIMER 6\/5: Alexa &#038; Nikki defend titles gainst Inaugural Champs, Hardy Speaks, Bryan and A.J. to come Face-to-Face, Miz &#038; Morrison to Issue Monstrous Warning"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pwtor-2763895895\" 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 \/>\nJUNE 5, 2020<br \/>\nORLANDO, FL. AT THE WWE PERFORMANCE CENTER<br \/>\nAIRS ON FOX NETWORK, 8:00 p.m. EDT<br \/>\nBY FRANK PETEANI (@FrankPeteani), PWTORCH SPECIALIST<\/h3>\n<p><em>Announcers: Michael Cole, Corey Graves<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Top 10 Moments from Last Week<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Top 10 Friday Night SmackDown moments: WWE Top 10, May 29, 2020\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/zGaw6M99Lzk?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>Items Advertised by WWE<\/h3>\n<p>We come off a rather bizarre night of Smackdown where the Intercontinental Championship tournament got shaken up. After tonight we have one more week of Raw and Smackdown programming before Backlash. This coming Sunday, NXT Takeover: In Your House comes our way. Here\u2019s what\u2019s on tap for tonight:<\/p>\n<p>Alexa Bliss &amp; Nikki Cross to battle Bayley &amp; Sasha Banks with Women\u2019s Tag Team Titles at stake<br \/>\nJeff Hardy set to share his side of the story after last week\u2019s accident<br \/>\nDaniel Bryan and A.J. Styles to come face-to-face ahead of Intercontinental Championship clash<br \/>\nWhat do The Miz &amp; John Morrsion have planned for Braun Strowman ahead of WWE Backlash<\/p>\n<p>Women\u2019s Tag Team Championship: Alexa Bliss &amp; Nikki Cross (champs) vs. Smackdown Women\u2019s Champion Bayley &amp; Sasha Banks<\/p>\n<p>Last week, it was a tag team championship summit as Smackdown Tag Team Champions New Day (Big E &amp; Kofi Kingston) were the guests of Women\u2019s Tag Team Champions Alexa Bliss &amp; Nikki Cross on A Moment of Bliss. As the segment went on, Smackdown Women\u2019s Champion Bayley and her BFF (for now) Sasha Banks interrupted the proceedings. That led to Sasha taking on Alexa one-on-one after Bayley suggested that she and Sasha could take back the tag team titles any time they wanted. Bayley &amp; Sasha were the initial champs, winning the titles at Elimination Chamber 2019. Sasha and Alexa previously feuded over the Raw Women\u2019s Championship back in 2016, which included a match at SummerSlam. Bayley for all intents and purposes volunteered Sasha for the match last week, like what she did when Tamina wanted a title match not too long ago (remember that?).<\/p>\n<p>Tonight, Alexa &amp; Nikki put their gold up against Bayley and Sasha.<\/p>\n<p><em>Frank\u2019s Analysis: I\u2019m not at all expecting a title change. They could however shock us and have them win the titles, which would throw us off the scent of them heading towards a Sasha &amp; Bayley breakup. Losing the titles would eventually fuel that possibility. Bayley continues to speak for Sasha and volunteer her for matches, and you can tell Sasha doesn\u2019t appreciate it.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Jeff Hardy Tells All After Opening Segment Happenings<\/h3>\n<p>Jeff Hardy was scheduled to face Daniel Bryan in the semi-finals of the Intercontinental Championship tournament. At the onset of the show, a crime scene of sorts unfolded as Elias was down and a vehicle appeared to have been in an accident. That said it was revealed that it was a rental car in Jeff\u2019s name. Jeff looked inebriated and was taken by police while smelling of alcohol. Elias was taken out on a stretcher. It was assumed he was driving while intoxicated and struck Elias.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-160935707\" 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>Adam Pearce said that a battle royal would take place to determine who would face Bryan later in the evening. A.J. Styles, set to face Elias, received a bye into the finals. Pearce wanted to give both Bryan and A.J. byes into the finals, but Bryan didn\u2019t accept and wanted to face someone. Sheamus would win the battle royal but come up short against Bryan who now heads to the finals against A.J. one week from now. Jeff returned to attack Sheamus after the match, prompting Michael Cole to question what was going on. Two days later, WWE put out on article that Jeff was cleared of any charges. Tonight, Jeff \u201ctells all\u201d regarding this incident.<\/p>\n<p>Frank\u2019s Analysis: It\u2019s likely going to come out that Sheamus drove the car and set up Jeff by pouring alcohol on him or something. It\u2019s fine that people were hooked into the show after seeing, and I understand that. Me personally, I\u2019m tired of WWE using real-life issues in storylines. We don\u2019t know what Jeff and his family have been through regarding his bouts with alcohol and drug abuse. While you\u2019re enjoying these segments, think of the pain he went through trying to rehab or the strife he may have caused his family.<\/p>\n<p>Face to Face for Daniel Bryan and A.J. Styles Ahead of Intercontinental Championship Final<\/p>\n<p>Earlier in the report I talked about how we got to the Daniel Bryan vs. A.J. Styles match for the Intercontinental Championship, which takes place next week. I\u2019ll add that A.J. told Bryan he was an idiot, referring to the fact that Bryan didn\u2019t take the bye into the finals like he did. A.J. was set to face Elias, however Elias was taken out in the opening segment discussed earlier. Bryan defeated Sheamus who had won a battle royal earlier to advance to the finals. The battle royal featured the returns of Shorty G, Drew Gulak (whose contract expired and left WWE, however returned after coming to terms on a new deal), and Jey Uso flying solo while his brother Jimmy is out of action. Sheamus and Cesaro briefly worked together in the match, harkening back to their days as The Bar.<\/p>\n<p>A.J. and Bryan are no strangers to each other in WWE, as it was Bryan who ended A.J.\u2019s 300+ day reign as WWE Champion in November of 2018 ahead of Survivor Series. They feuded over the title through the Royal Rumble months later. They previously locked up during their time in Ring of Honor. They had a comical confrontation with Vince McMahon at the Money in the Bank ladder match in WWE Headquarters a month ago. Tonight, will be involved in the cousin of a contract signing, and that\u2019s a face-to-face meeting.<\/p>\n<p><em>Frank\u2019s Analysis: It\u2019s stupid that A.J. got a bye but Bryan didn\u2019t. They had two weeks and could have determined an opponent for Bryan and one for A.J. tonight before the finals next week. Anyway, I\u2019m numb to these face-to-face confrontations, as they\u2019ve been done so many times, but we\u2019ll see what happens. I\u2019m more positive about this one because of the parties involved.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Miz &amp; Morrison\u2019s Monstrous Warning for Universal Champion Braun Strowman<\/h3>\n<p>Braun Strowman will defend the Universal Championship against the Miz &amp; John Morrison in a handicap match at Backlash. The last time a world title was defended in a handicap match, if I\u2019m not mistaken anyway, was at Royal Rumble 2018 when A.J. Styles defended the WWE Championship against Sami Zayn &amp; Kevin Owens.<\/p>\n<p>Two weeks ago, Braun defeated the Miz in a non-title match after appearing on Miz &amp; Morrison\u2019s Dirt Sheet. Following the match, Morrison challenged Braun to the handicap match with the Universal Championship on the line. Braun oh so graciously accepted. Last week, it was advertised on Smackdown that Miz &amp; Morrison would have a warning for Braun tonight. WWE shows they plan to make his life a \u201cliving hell\u201d tonight. They build more towards that match tonight.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-4108749553\" 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>Frank\u2019s Analysis: Who else has got money on Braun finding a partner for tonight and having a tag match with these two? Also, who else has got money on Braun and said partner losing that match to show that Miz &amp; Morrison have the edge?<\/p>\n<h3>Other Match Results and News Items from Last Week:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Lacey Evans and Sonya Deville worked to a double count out. Earlier in the week they traded barbs on Twitter. It continued after the match:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>https:\/\/twitter.com\/LaceyEvansWWE\/status\/1266538772973391873?s=20<\/p>\n<p>https:\/\/twitter.com\/LaceyEvansWWE\/status\/1266543362041171969?s=20<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The Forgotten Sons cut another promo as they continue to introduce themselves.<\/li>\n<li>Otis and Mandy recreated the scene from the 1982 film Fast Times at Ridgemont High when Judge Reinhold\u2019s character (Brad Hamilton) was in the bathroom gratifying himself while fantasizing about Phoebe Cates\u2019 character (Linda Barrett) getting out of a pool, taking off her top and making out with him. Full disclosure, I didn\u2019t watch that movie until 1998 and I regret it. If you haven\u2019t seen it, make sure you do so! It\u2019s a cheesy movie at best, but it must be on your movie bucket list. WWE acknowledged that Otis and Mandy\u2019s scene was like that of the movie. Otis was in the role of Phoebe Cates\u2019 character though while Mandy was in Reinhold\u2019s spot. She didn\u2019t gratify herself, but rather symbolically squirted a mustard jar. I love it!<\/li>\n<li>Shorty G returned and defeated Cesaro. He eliminated him from the battle royal earlier as well. Cesaro proceeded to illegally eliminate Shorty towards the end. Here\u2019s Shorty in a WWE exclusive:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Shorty G feels good after shutting Cesaro up: SmackDown Exclusive, May 29, 2020\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jqInrIf-tSM?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>Final Thoughts<\/h3>\n<p>While I\u2019m critical of how they started the show, I do understand creating a hook to get people to watch. If I had a problem with things of this nature, I\u2019d have had to stop watching WWE years ago. This is not the first time they\u2019ve exploited real life issues into storylines. They did it two years ago with Jeff and Samoa Joe. If I recall, CM Punk may have done something to mock Jeff back when they were feuding in 2009. Scott Hall was inebriated on episodes of WCW Nitro. I get doing things to make people watch, but it doesn\u2019t mean I can\u2019t be critical of what we see. That said, I do admit this all makes the Sheamus-Jeff feud interesting to watch whereas before it seemed somewhat dull. I was happy with the Lacey-Sonya match and curious to see what they\u2019ll do going forward. I\u2019ve been waiting on Sonya to break out for a long time and now it seems like it\u2019s happening. I\u2019m excited for Matt Riddle to come to Smackdown, but my instinct is to remain skeptical. That happens any time someone moves over from NXT. They still have a way to go to make Smackdown better to watch, but I\u2019ll say they\u2019re heading in the right direction overall.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><em>Follow Frank on Twitter @FrankPeteani. Questions and discussion are welcome. Thank you for reading!<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>CATCH UP&#8230;<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2020\/05\/29\/leclairs-wwe-smackdown-report-5-28-alt-perspective-detailed-coverage-of-intercontinental-title-tournament-deville-vs-evans-more\/\">LECLAIR\u2019S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 5\/29: Alt perspective, detailed coverage of Intercontinental title tournament, major Jeff Hardy angle, more<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"pwtor-end-article-groups pwtor-entity-placement\" id=\"pwtor-611152307\"><div id=\"pwtor-2663730032\"><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 JUNE 5, 2020 ORLANDO, FL. AT THE WWE PERFORMANCE CENTER AIRS ON FOX NETWORK, 8:00 p.m. EDT BY FRANK PETEANI (@FrankPeteani), PWTORCH SPECIALIST Announcers: Michael Cole, Corey Graves Top 10 Moments from <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2020\/06\/05\/wwe-smackdown-primer-6-5-alexa-nikki-defend-titles-gainst-inaugural-champs-hardy-speaks-bryan-and-a-j-to-come-face-to-face-miz-morrison-to-issue-monstrous-warning\/\" title=\"WWE SMACKDOWN PRIMER 6\/5: Alexa &#038; Nikki defend titles gainst Inaugural Champs, Hardy Speaks, Bryan and A.J. to come Face-to-Face, Miz &#038; Morrison to Issue Monstrous Warning\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":98527,"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":[2,52,4403,27,5893,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-98520","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\/06\/Screen-Shot-2020-06-05-at-2.43.43-PM.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98520","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=98520"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98520\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":98528,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98520\/revisions\/98528"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/98527"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=98520"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=98520"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=98520"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}