SmackDown

SmackDown opens up with an recap of the Intercontinental Championship match last week between AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan.

To kickoff the show It's the Intercontinental Championship Ceremony! Renee Young introduces the Phenomenal AJ Styles to the ring, which is surrounded by SmackDown Superstars. 

Styles tells everyone around the ring that this is the closes they'll ever get to the Intercontinental Championship. AJ refuses to give out handouts, and won't be a fighting champion.

Before this can continue, Styles says that Renee Young isn't the right person to present him with the championship. It should be the man he beat last week, Daniel Bryan. 

Bryan is having second thoughts, but Styles claims he's not a real man if he doesn't award the new champion his title. Bryan eventually does it and congratulates Styles, but it's not good enough for the newly crowned Intercontinental Champion. 

Bryan claims that Styles can possibly be the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time. That is...if he can actually face the Superstars around this ring. Like..maybe Drew Gulak, who pinned Styles two weeks ago on SmackDown!

Styles shuts it down and says whoever wants to step up and challenge him will deal with the consequences. Almost as if he was waiting for his queue, Matt Riddle's music hit. 

Styles calls Riddle just another performer looking for a handout. Riddle denied that, stating that he's actually here to give Styles some advice. 

If Styles is the Face that Runs the Place, Riddle is the Bro that Runs the Show. 

Styles takes a cheap shot at Riddle but is sent to the floor before demanding a ref. 

AJ Styles vs. Matt Riddle

Matt Riddle won

Renee Young interviews Hardy backstage about his journey over the past few months. Hardy says he's been trying to turn his life around for a long time. 

Hardy has doubts about himself. As a performer, a father, a husband, etc. However, the important thing is to catch himself before those doubts send him spiraling back into the darkness. 

Chad Gable vs. Mojo Rawley 

Chad Gable won

MizTv with Miz and Morrison with the guest of Mandy Rose 

Miz apologizes for what happened at Backlash. Morrison isn't upset, as he says that the rules were changed beforehand. Originally, they were supposed to walk out Co-Universal Champions. However, at Backlash, just before the match, they were told whoever got the pin would be champion. 

They nearly chase Mandy Rose off with stupid questions. However, Miz stops her, saying that they've got a surprise for her. It's Sonya Deville! 

Rose says she's tired of this and wants to move on. Deville refuses, reminding her of all the opportunities she's been given and how she's squandered it all. 

Deville insults Otis, which is the straw that breaks the camel's back. Rose says that Deville has nothing to show. No titles, not much success in WWE, and no friends.

Deville again claims that Mandy Rose is only in front of her because of her looks, when she's better than her in every other way. 

Mandy manages to get the best of Deville in a brawl, but Miz and Morrison get between them. Mandy slaps Miz before walking off. 

The New Day vs. Lucha House Party

The New Day won

Sasha Banks and Bayley are attacked at ringside by Nikki Cross, who then demands a match with the Boss. Bayley accepts the match for her best friend.

Nikki Cross vs. Sasha Banks 

Nikki Cross won

 The Firefly Fun House is back!

Bray Wyatt says since he left, he's joined a book club, learned all the TikTok moves, learned to resurrect the dead, learned to knit, and even infiltrated a reptilian stronghold! 

Ramblin Rabbit reminded Bray that he was sitting in the corner muttering to himself after losing to Braun Strowman. Braun Strowman interrupts Wyatt before he can address his loss at Money in the Bank. 

Strowman enters the ring and says that their story is over. Wyatt says the chapter is over, but the story isn't. He turned into that old Bray Wyatt character, which seemed to get under the skin of the Universal Champion. 

He said that all Braun has to do to find him is, of course, follow the buzzards. 

Rating: 70/70

Great show and matches.