SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
THE RETURN OF TEAM HELL NO…
Recap: The show opened with a MizTV segment. The Miz’s guests were the Bludgeon Brothers.
Miz tried to make common ground with the Bludgeons, stating that they were alike in that they both proved that it’s easy to dismantle Daniel Bryan. Miz asked the Bludgeons why they felt compelled to attack Bryan, but they answered with silence. Miz accused Bryan of being a glory hound.
Miz then likened last week’s gauntlet to a Hollywood movie, stating that the Bludgeons deserved a Mizzy for best supporting act. The Bludgeons looked displeased.
Daniel Bryan then came down the ramp and told Miz to shut up. He challenged either of the Bludgeons to a match tonight. Luke Harper accepted.
In the main event, it appeared that Bryan had Harper beaten by applying the Yes Lock. Before Harper tapped, however, Rowan interfered and the match ended in DQ. Harper and Rowan proceeded to beat down Byran.
Kane then appeared to make the save. After Harper and Rowan were cleared from the ring, Kane extended his arms to Bryan for an embrace. Bryan was reluctant at first, but then enthusiastically hugged Kane.
Paige then announced at at Extreme Rules, the Bludgeons would defend their titles against Team Hell No.
Evaluation: As is often the case, Miz successfully carried the opening segment essentially on his own.
The fans seemed excited for the Team Hell No reunion.
Forecast: It still appears that the ultimate goal is to have Daniel Bryan face the Miz, but it appears that will now wait until SummerSlam. I wouldn’t be surprised if Team Hell No loses at Extreme Rules due to Miz’s shenanigans, acting as a catalyst to Miz-Bryan singles match at SummerSlam.
RUSEV ISSUES A CHALLENGE TO AJ…
Recap: Early in the evening, Rusev faced off against Xavier Woods. After tapping out Xavier with the Accolade, Rusev cut an in-ring promo, saying he would break down the door to AJ Styles’ house and take the title. There were duelling “AJ Styles/Rusev Day” chants.
Evalutation: I’m not sure what’s going on with Rusev’s face/heel status, as it seems to go back and forth week to week. Tonight’s promo seemed heelish again. The crowd was clearly split between AJ and Rusev, so having him face AJ as a heel seems counterproductive for both him and AJ.
Further, in another backstage segment, Lana’s bickering with Naomi about whose dance skills were superior seemed mostly good-hearted, making her come across as likeable to me. The whole Rusev Day group seems to have no face/heel consistency week-to-week.
Forecast: Regardless of how Rusev is written going into the pay per view, I would expect support to be mixed between him and AJ at Extreme Rules.
ANOTHER NON-FINISH FOR THE SECONDARY TITLE…
Recap: In a backstage promo, Jeff Hardy wore similar face paint and contacts to last week, and spoke some gibberish before the segment ended. It was reminiscent of his old Willow character.
As part of his US Title Open Challenge, he faced Eric Young. A so-so match ended in a DQ after interference stemming from a brawl between the Usos and Sanity at ringside.
The match was restarted as a six-man tag with Jeff and the Usos facing Sanity. During the six-man, Jeff landed the Swanton on Alexander Wolfe for the win.
Evaluation: The non-finish in the Intercontinental Title match last night made tonight’s non-finish even more disappointing. The most exciting part of either match was right after Jeff Hardy’s win, when the camera went into the first few rows and picked up Topanga (Danielle Fishel) in the crowd (which was not acknowledged by the announcers).
Forecast: With Shinsuke Nakamura moving into the US Title picture, I wouldn’t expect much more between EY and Jeff Hardy. I would expect Sanity and the Usos to have a match on the Extreme Rules Kickoff Show.
NOW CHECK OUT LAST WEEK’S COLUMN: TOP 3 DEVELOPMENTS – SMACKDOWN 6/19: Setup for Carmella vs Asuka II, Setup for Miz vs Bryan, Rusev is Number One Contender
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