{"id":98952,"date":"2020-06-12T14:01:17","date_gmt":"2020-06-12T19:01:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/?p=98952"},"modified":"2020-06-12T14:40:26","modified_gmt":"2020-06-12T19:40:26","slug":"wwe-smackdown-primer-6-12-final-hype-for-backlash-bryan-and-styles-for-the-ic-title-come-sign-the-contract-fella-heavy-machinery-braun-vs-ziggler-and-miz-morrison","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2020\/06\/12\/wwe-smackdown-primer-6-12-final-hype-for-backlash-bryan-and-styles-for-the-ic-title-come-sign-the-contract-fella-heavy-machinery-braun-vs-ziggler-and-miz-morrison\/","title":{"rendered":"WWE SMACKDOWN PRIMER 6\/12: Final Hype for Backlash, Bryan and Styles for the IC Title, Come Sign the Contract Fella, Heavy Machinery &#038; Braun vs. Ziggler &#038; Miz &#038; Morrison"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pwtor-1881961285\" 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 12, 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 CONTRIBUTOR<\/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, June 5, 2020\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/SDa8r8b_trI?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>Tonight\u2019s episode of Smackdown will feature the final hype for Backlash, which comes our way this Sunday. On Raw this past Monday we learned that newly crowned Women\u2019s Tag Team Champions Sasha Banks &amp; Bayley (also Smackdown Women\u2019s Champion) will defend their titles against Alexa Bliss &amp; Nikki Cross as well as the IIconics (Peyton Royce &amp; Billie Kay). Both Bliss &amp; Cross and the IIconics are former champions. In addition to that match it was determined that Andrade will challenge Apollo Crews for the U.S. Championship. Andrade is also a former champion, recently losing the title to Crews. There\u2019s a total of seven matches, and we\u2019ll find out either tonight or over the weekend if there will be any additions. WWE will sometimes announce these things on their website, social media, or through a third party. Here\u2019s what\u2019s on tap for tonight:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Daniel Bryan and A.J. Styles battle for the Intercontinental Championship<\/li>\n<li>Jeff Hardy and Sheamus to converge for contract signing ahead of Backlash (why?)<\/li>\n<li>Heavy Machinery reunite alongside Braun Strowman to face Dolph Ziggler, the Miz &amp; John Morrison<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Intercontinental Championship Final: Daniel Bryan vs. A.J. Styles<\/h3>\n<p>Last week on Smackdown, Daniel Bryan and A.J. Styles participated in the contract signing\u2019s cousin known as the face to face. They traded barbs highlighted by A.J. saying Bryan was stupid not to take a bye into the finals, and acknowledging he was all heart. Bryan said A.J. wouldn\u2019t defend the title as much because he doesn\u2019t think people are as worthy. He wants to defend the title every week, and test himself and learn. A.J. retorted saying he wanted to reach \u201cacross the aisle\u201d and give people like Drew Gulak, Bryan\u2019s recent advisor, an opportunity. They had a one-on-one match won by Gulak. Here\u2019s Gulak in a WWE exclusive:<\/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>Tonight, Bryan and A.J. battle in the final match for the Intercontinental Championship. As I wrote recently, Bryan last held the title back in 2015 before he retired for two years. A.J. never held it, but is a two-time WWE Champion and three-time U.S. Champion. Bryan once took the WWE Championship from A.J. back in 2018 which led to his year-long heel run.<\/p>\n<p><em>Frank\u2019s Analysis: Bryan has certainly been spirited in his desire to win the title, which admittedly is my personal favorite title in WWE history. It\u2019s too bad it\u2019s been minimized through the years, but you\u2019d have to think Bryan would be an attempt, at least, to bring prestige back to the championship. A.J. would be as well, so I\u2019m fine which ever way they go. I could see them having an extended feud. Gulak is a part of this as well, but it\u2019s hard to know how he\u2019d figure in to the picture.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Contract Signing: Jeff Hardy and Sheamus Sign Contract for their Backlash Encounter<\/h3>\n<p>C\u2019mon, did you really think you\u2019d avoid a contract signing?<\/p>\n<p>Last week, Jeff Hardy told all regarding what happened two weeks ago at the onset of Smackdown. He said when he got out of his car, it felt like something hit him \u201cwith an anvil.\u201d Next thing he knew he was in police custody and smelled of alcohol. This brought him back to his days of struggling with alcohol abuse which made him question how many times he could ask his family for forgiveness. That said, he passed every sobriety test and said a witness showed up saying a person with a red beard and red hair got out of his car and flew the scene. He was obviously referring to Sheamus, who would come out and blame Jeff for blaming everyone else for his problems. Ultimately, he landed a Brogue Kick on Jeff and slammed him into the plexiglass several times.<\/p>\n<p>It was announced later on that Jeff would go one-on-one with Sheamus at Backlash. Tonight, they sign the contract for their match.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-179432155\" 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><em>Frank\u2019s Analysis: I roll my eyes at contract signings these days because we\u2019ve seen them a million times. I\u2019ll admit, as a fan of Jeff and wanting to see him have a lengthy run of success, I\u2019m into this feud whereas I wouldn\u2019t have been before. That doesn\u2019t mean I like exploiting his past alcohol issues, but a feud that might\u2019ve resulted in the \u201chey I\u2019m gonna take the garbage out\u201d match has now become something I want to see. I also like Sheamus, to a degree, when used right. (Please bring back his old music.)<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Six-Man Tag: Heavy Machinery (\u201cMr. Money in the Bank\u201d Otis &amp; Tucker) &amp; Universal Champion Braun Strowman vs. Dolph Ziggler &amp; Miz &amp; John Morrison<\/h3>\n<p>Last week, Miz &amp; John Morrison had a \u201cwarning\u201d for Universal Champion Braun Strowman. This turned into a series of pranks. They put something in his plastic bottle that fizzed up and exploded. Later, they dumped green slime on Kayla Braxton while interviewing Braun. The slime was meant for Braun. Next, they smashed Braun\u2019s car with a golf club. Finally, Braun went to the van in which Miz and Morrison were hanging out. He tipped it over while they were in the van. It was like 2017 all over again.<\/p>\n<p>At Backlash, Braun defends his title against Miz &amp; Morrison in a handicap match. Last week, Otis of Heavy Machinery and current holder of the Money in the Bank contract, defeated King Corbin via DQ. He recently feuded with Dolph Ziggler over winning the heart of Mandy Rose. Tonight, his partner Tucker returns and joins Braun to take on Ziggler and Miz &amp; Morrison. Miz and Ziggler have many matches in their history but are close friends in real life. Morrison and Ziggler had matches 10 years ago over the Intercontinental Championship. Braun is most certainly looking over his shoulder with Otis holding MITB.<\/p>\n<p><em>Frank\u2019s Analysis: I think it\u2019s stupid Miz &amp; Morrison get to have a Universal Championship match, but I\u2019m curious to see if it\u2019s a bridge to bring the \u201cFiend\u201d Bray Wyatt back. It was Braun who defeated \u201cFirefly Funhouse\u201d Bray back at Money in the Bank, but we saw clips of the Fiend while Bray was down. As far as the match tonight it\u2019s just a way to renew Ziggler and Otis\u2019 feud and bring Tucker back in the fold. I don\u2019t think Tucker is turning on Otis, although the thought crossed my mind some time ago.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Other Match Results and News Items from Last Week:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Lacey Evans defeated Sonya Deville. Mandy Rose distracted Sonya via video.<\/li>\n<li>Smackdown Tag Team Champions New Day (Big E &amp; Kofi Kingston) and Shorty G defeated Cesaro &amp; Shinsuke Nakamura &amp; Mojo Rawley<\/li>\n<li>Smackdown Women\u2019s Champion Bayley &amp; Sasha Banks defeated Alexa Bliss &amp; Nikki Cross to win the Women\u2019s Tag Team Championship for the second time. Here\u2019s Bayley and Sasha in a WWE exclusive:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Bayley &amp; Banks cry tears of joy with Women\u2019s Tag Team Titles: SmackDown Exclusive, June 5, 2020\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gECW2lCohTI?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>WWE announced yesterday that their Raw and Smackdown creative teams would be combined into one, led by Bruce Pritchard. Paul Heyman, who had been executive director of Raw, will be \u201cfocusing on his on-screen character.\u201d I have the same feelings most have, but will wait to pass judgement until I hear PWTorch podcasts. My listening is a bit compromised this week as I\u2019m tied up with recurrent training with my full-time job, but I\u2019ll get to it over the weekend. I\u2019m not saying anything people don\u2019t know already, but we\u2019ve all heard Bruce talk. You may as well superimpose Vince McMahon\u2019s face over him in interviews and we wouldn\u2019t know the difference. I don\u2019t need to explain that, do I?<\/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\/06\/10\/impact-hits-misses-6-2-ace-austin-vs-zachary-wentz-joseph-ryan-vs-crazy-steve-rohit-raju-vs-chase-stevens-rae-suzie-vs-kiera-hogan-tasha-steelz\/\">6\/5 WWE SMACKDOWN HITS &amp; MISSES: Redbeard, Universe Lost, and The Queen of Karens<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"pwtor-end-article-groups pwtor-entity-placement\" id=\"pwtor-3096592700\"><div id=\"pwtor-2191745966\"><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 12, 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, Corey Graves Top 10 Moments from <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2020\/06\/12\/wwe-smackdown-primer-6-12-final-hype-for-backlash-bryan-and-styles-for-the-ic-title-come-sign-the-contract-fella-heavy-machinery-braun-vs-ziggler-and-miz-morrison\/\" title=\"WWE SMACKDOWN PRIMER 6\/12: Final Hype for Backlash, Bryan and Styles for the IC Title, Come Sign the Contract Fella, Heavy Machinery &#038; Braun vs. Ziggler &#038; Miz &#038; Morrison\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":98956,"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-98952","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-2020-06-12-at-2.00.22-PM.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98952","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=98952"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98952\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":98959,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98952\/revisions\/98959"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/98956"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=98952"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=98952"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=98952"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}