Smackdown Live Review 06/26/2018

Hello Misfits. It is time for this weeks Smackdown Live review. There was hype around a Jeff Hardy vs. Shinsuke Nakamura this week but thats not happening because Nakamura got bit by a cop dog and can’t compete tonight. Therefore it was announced that Jeff Hardy would be hosting an open challenge for United States Championship. Who will answer the challenge? What sort of impact will the new number one contender Rusev make tonight? Will Beckly Lynch continue on her road of glory with another victory? What will happen now between Daniel Bryan and Bludgeon Brothers after last weeks attack? What sort of impact will SaniTy make this week? Lets find out.

Smackdown comes to us live from the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, CA.

–  Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton and Corey Graves are on commentary.

Miz TV – Bludgeon Brothers
Miz welcomes the crowd to Miz TV. Miz introduces the crowd to his guest, the Bludgeon Brothers. Harper and Rowen get into the ring with their hammers. Miz begs off and says they have something in common. They all have destroyed Daniel Bryan. Miz notes everyone has speculated why Harper and Rowen attacked Bryan. Miz asked them why? Harper and Rowen don’t answer. Miz says he thinks he knows why. Miz shows video of Bryan saying he is willing to take on the biggest and strongest in WWE. Miz thinks Bryan stole Harper and Rowen’s thunder. Miz paints it all as a film and Daniel Bryan is the villain. Miz says after Harper and Rowen’s attack the must have been auditioning for a role in Miz’s new film “Ruff, Ruff, Ruff”. Harper slaps the microphone out of Miz’s hand. Bryan comes out and tells Miz to shut up. Bryan says Harper and Rowen cost him a shot at the title. Bryan says he isn’t afraid of the Bludgeon Brothers or Miz. Bryan isn’t out here to ask if they will fight him. Bryan is out here to ask which one is going to fight him first. Harper grabs Miz’s mic and says Bryan never learns but he is going to learn tonight.
Opinion
The Miz did what he did best to stir the pot and add fuel to this new rivalry between the Bludgeon Brothers and Daniel Bryan. It was great how there is still this underlying tension between The Miz and Daniel Bryan. This was great way to set up the main event. I was curious how this show was going to play out since AJ Styles and Carmella are still doing media in Australia and Shinsuke being hurt.

– They show the New Day backstage doing stuff and its announced that Woods will face Rusev next.

Rusev w/ Aiden English def. Xavier Woods w/ The New Day
In a solid match Rusev defeated Xavier Woods after a machka kick and forcing him to tap out to the accolade.
After the match, Rusev says tonight wasn’t’ about New Day. Tonight was about AJ Styles. Rusev says he knows Styles is watching and that he is scared. Rusev knows Styles is scared because he attacked Aiden English last week. This is just a preview of what is going to happen at Extreme Rules. Rusev is going to take Styles title and it’s going to be a great Rusev Day.
Opinion
The

– Backstage, Jeff Hardy says he is ready to take flight and fight.

Backstage, Naomi and Lana are backstage arguing about who won the dance-off last week. The cast of Glow walks in. Lana and Alison Brie argue about who is a better Russian. Sidell Noel tells Lana and Naomi they should work together. Naomi agrees and hypes up everyone with the word GLOW. Alison Brie is the total package. I love her.

United States Championship Open Challenge
Eric Young def. Jeff Hardy
In decent match, Eric Young defeated Jeff Hardy by DQ after the Usos interfered in the match to attack sAnity as retribution for last weeks beat down.
Opinion
This was a smart way to get Jeff Hardy still on the show even though Shinsuke got hurt. sAnity was also a good choice for the open challenge because it made you wonder if Hardy could overcome the odds. I understand the finish since it makes sense that The Usos would want revenge on sAnity after last week.

Jeff Hardy & The Usos def. sAnity
In a fun six man tag match, Jeff Hardy and The Usos defeated sAnity after Jeff Hardy connected with a swanton bomb on Wolfe.
Opinion
This was the feel good moment for The Usos and Jeff Hardy but it did not do any favours for sAnity. I’m sure we’ll see them get their heat back but I dont think the team should have lost so soon. This was basically their first big six-man tag match on the main roster.

Becky Lynch def. Sonya Deville w/ Mandy Rose
In a back and fourth match, Becky Lynch defeats Sonya Deville after making her tap out to the disarmHER.
Opinion
Becky Lynch continues to gain momentum with victories. I hope this eventually leads to championship match. I know it could also lead to Charlotte returning to put a stop to her friends rise to the top. I have a lot of ideas when it comes to Becky Lynch and you can hear all about it on my podcast with co-host Danny B all about Becky Lynch by clicking right here. (cheap plug)

– Backstage, Tye Dillinger tells James Elsworth that he is a one.

– Backstage, Zelina Vega is standing with Almas. Vega says they sent a message three weeks ago by putting Sin Cara on the shelf and there has been no competition since because everyone is afraid of Almas. Vega says the others in the locker room will stay out of his way if they know what’s best. Put him in a feud asap.

James Ellsworth challenges Asuka
Ellsworth says he is a real man because he stands up for what he believes in. Last week Asuka ruined Carmella’s championship celebration. Ellsworth says a bunch of super sexist statements about women. Ellsworth calls Asuka out. Last week he wasn’t ready for Asuka but tonight he is. Paige’s music hits and she asks Ellsworth what he is doing. Paige says Asuka isn’t here. Paige points out that Ellsworth knows Asuka i in Japan this week. Paige books Carmella vs Asuka for the Smackdown Women’s title. Ellsworth says Asuka doesn’t deserve a title shot. Ellsworth says the real reason Paige is out here is because she wants to ask him on a date. Paige says that is exactly why she is here. Paige asks how next Tuesday sounds. Ellsworth agrees. Paige tells Ellsworth that Ellsworth will actually be facing Asuka next week.
Opinion
This was cringe but it got the job done for the purpose it served. Next week we’ll get Ellsworth vs. Asuka and hopefully its the last time we see Ellsworth. I’d rather have the IIconics protecting Mella as champion and Ellsworth is already yesterdays news.

Daniel Bryan def. Luke Harper
In a competitive main event, Daniel Bryan defeated Luke Harper by DQ when Erick Rowen interfered in the match once Bryan successfully got the Yes Lock on Harper.
After the match, Harper and Rowen beat down Bryan. Harper and Rowen set up a top rope powerbomb. Kane’s music hits. Kane gets in the ring and goes face to face with the Bludgeon Brothers. Kane knocks Harper on his butt, then Rowen. Kane tries to chokeslam both Harper and Rowen. Rowen kicks Kane in the gut. Bryan dives off the top rope and dropkicks Harper and Rowen at the same time. Bryan hits the busaiku knee on Rowen. Kane chokeslams Harper. Bryan backs away from Kane. Kane extends his arms for a hug. Bryan backs away again. The crowd chants Yes! Bryan runs to Kane and the hug each other. Paige comes out on the stage and books Team Hell No! vs The Bludgeon Brothers for the Smackdown tag team championships at Extreme Rules.
Opinion
This was a great main event between two very talented guys. I think people forget just how good Harper is when he’s involved in tag teams because he’s really damn good as a solo star. He was definitely the team member you wanted to be facing Bryan to cap off the show. I think the finish protects both guys and allows the storyline to continue. The Kane return and Team Hell No reunion caught be off guard. I totally was not expecting that but I enjoyed it. I had to think back of when the last time Kane and Bryan crossed paths while Bryan was an active wrestler and the last time I could remember was when Bryan was briefly feuding with Kane while he was World Champion before having to surrender the belts in 2014. However, we’ll just pretend that Kane was never trying to kidnap his wife and remember the good times when these two would hug it out. I’m totally down with this angle but it sucks for all the other tag teams on Smackdown Live, that a rivalry that doesn’t need the belts is getting the belts included in their angle. It leaves The Bar, The Usos, sAnity, The Club and The New Day all on the sidelines.

Final Thoughts
This episode of Smackdown was good but step down from the past few weeks. I was thoroughly entertained but besides the finish, not a lot happened. This was a one angle show. It only really benefited one storyline while everything else just sort of happened. The absence of Styles, Carmella and Joe were really felt tonight. If you were a huge Team Hell No fan, Daniel Bryan fan or a fan of Kane, then you’ll definitely want to check out this episode.
Rating – 6/10