WWE SmackDown: Matt Riddle debuts and defeats AJ Styles

June 19 WWE SmackDown results.

WWE SmackDown closed out another week of content for World Wrestling Entertainment. This night was meant to feature the return of the Firefly Funhouse and the debut of a new name for NXT.

An award ceremony for AJ Styles started out the evening. The multiple-time champion stood proudly in the ring as he gloated about claiming the Intercontinental title for the first time. After taking shots at nearly every wrestler around the ring, that brought out former UFC competitor and NXT tag team champion, Matt Riddle. Styles and Riddle would trade barbs before getting physical, kicking off a highly anticipated match between the two.

Riddle got off to a very quick start using a variety of throws and strikes to keep the champion on his heels. Styles found a way to get the momentum back in his favor off a distraction from Baron Corbin on the outside of the ring. Styles would get distracted outside of the ring engaging with Daniel Bryan. When he attempted a Phenomenal Forearm, Riddle would catch him and counter with the Broderick to get the victory in the non-title match.

Chad Gable and Mojo Rawley were the next match of the evening. As with nearly any storyline involving Gable, the focus around this match was on the size difference between the two men. Rawley used his power to control most of the match, but that would not deter Gable. Rawley caught Gable coming off the top rope, but before Rawley could plant him on the mat, he would roll him into position to secure the pin fall.

The New Day find victory

The eight-time tag team champions, the New Day, were out for a match against The Lucha Bros, Gran Metalik and Lince Dorado. Big E and Kofi Kingston controlled much of this match, but that did not stop the Lucha Bros from taking to the air to get their offense in. They even came close to winning the match when Dorado landing a big splash off the top. That gave the New Day enough time to recover to hit the Midnight Hour for the victory

Sasha Banks and Bayley were at ringside on commentary for the New Day match but being out in the open made them a prime target for former champion, Nikki Cross. Cross attacked the duo and demanded a match, which Bayley volunteered Banks to take.

When the show returned from commercial it would be Cross beating on Banks both inside and out of the ring. Banks had a brief advantage but Cross fought like her typical, wild-woman self. She would even counter the Banks Statement to slam Banks face-first into the mat. They would exchange multiple counters in the next sequence, but it would be Banks landing a Meteora to get the pin over Cross.

SmackDown ended the evening with Bray Wyatt’s return within the Firefly Funhouse, along with all the action mentioned above. Another week of WWE content in the can and there is a lot to take away from the direction of a variety of storylines.

WWE SmackDown Results

• Matt Riddle defeats AJ Styles via pin fall
• Chad Gable defeats Mojo Rawley via pin fall
• The New Day defeat the Lucha Bros via pin fall
• Sasha Banks defeats Nikki Cross via pin fall