WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, News And Notes From June 19, 2020

Friday Night SmackDown was overshadowed by the unsettling #SpeakingOut movement, which has taken the wrestling world by storm as several wrestlers have been implicated in sexual assault, harassment and abuse allegations.

WWE announced the release of Jack Gallagher shortly before Friday Night SmackDown aired, leading to plenty of activity on Twitter as the now former cruiserweight was trending throughout the broadcast.

SmackDown also featured the debut of Matt Riddle, who picked up an impressive win over AJ Styles. Riddle has also faced assault allegations, which he has vehemently denied.

SmackDown’s main event segment saw the return of the vintage Bray Wyatt as the broadcast went off the air.

Friday’s broadcast of SmackDown garnered 2.016 million viewers, up with an advertised Intercontinental Championship match between Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles that lived up to its billing.

• June 12, 2020—2.016 million viewers
• June 5, 2020—1.984 million viewers
• May 29, 2020—2.170 million viewers
• May 22, 2020—2.044 million viewers
• May 15, 2020—2.042 million viewers

Pro Wrestling Bits

WWE SmackDown Total YouTube Viewership this Past Friday

3,372,410 views (Down from 8,677,245)

• Most-Viewed: Jeff Hardy Splashes Sheamus in an Unsavory Surprise (803,135 views) 
• Least-Viewed: Matt Riddle Heading to SmackDown Next Week (202,739 views)
• Median Viewership: 548,502

WWE Friday Night SmackDown Results: Friday, June 19 2020

Opening Segment Featuring AJ Styles’ Championship Presentation

Despite how great he is—and easy to cheer—when he’s in the ring, AJ Styles is so good at being a disdainful heel.

This entire segment really felt like a reboot of the Intercontinental Championship.

Matt Riddle def. AJ Styles

“No shirt, no shoes, no championship” is a hilarious rule instilled by AJ Styles

This was a very good match marred by the current climate.

Jeff Hardy’s Sit-down Interview with Renee Young

Parts of Jeff Hardy’s new gimmick seem designed to beg the question: “Will he or won’t he relapse?”

Jeff Hardy is very committed to his new persona and, controversial as this angle is, it’s been a while since I’ve been this interested in him.

Shorty G def. Mojo Rawley

Shorty G proved he had eyes behind his head in a pre-match segment where he thwarted a Mojo Rawley attack from behind. It did nobody any favors, not even Shorty G.

If Shorty G is indeed getting a push, it’s a promising sign after Bruce Prichard’s first Raw was filled with old timers.

Boy it’s impressive how effortlessly Shorty G can lift a man who is so much larger than him.

MizTV Featuring Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville

WWE has not done nearly enough to convey how and why Mandy Rose is the babyface of this feud, and Sonya Deville has been so convincing in her promos, she’ll be the babyface if WWE doesn’t step in and properly navigate this story.

Both Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville insisted they were through with each other before ending this segment in a brawl.

The New Day def. The Lucha House Party

Between calling themselves role models and harassing commentators, Bayley and Britt Baker are slowly becoming the same person.

Bayley made sure to call out gimmick infringement upon seeing a Bayley-to-Belly suplex in this match.

As Bayley and Sasha Banks begun speaking Spanish, I was hoping they would do the remainder of their commentary speaking the language.

Michael Cole was exceptionally messy with his questions and comments about Bayley and Sasha Banks.

Sasha Banks def. Nikki Cross

Nikki Cross is a criminally underrated brawler.

Sasha Banks and Bayley were featured on this show for nearly an hour straight and you won’t hear one complaint from me about it.

Bray Wyatt’s Firefly Fun House Returns

The sound effects while replaying Bray Wyatt’s Money in the Bank match against Braun Strowman actually made the match better.

Interruptions seem to be built into Braun Strowman’s entrance. I can’t remember the last time he walked out while nobody was talking.

Bray Wyatt has had weeks to sit at home and just come up with ideas, and I’m very encouraged at what I’ve seen so far. Assuming the old Bray Wyatt is just a temporary plot twist, boy is it a good one.