WWE Announces Title Match & More For Next Week's SmackDown
Alcohol and world class pro wrasslin'.
WWE's official Twitter feeds announced that Sheamus will present 'A Toast To Jeff Hardy' on next week's episode of SmackDown, and also revealed a big title match for the same show.
After Sheamus pokes fun at Hardy's very-real substance abuse issues (which could rub some the wrong way - it remains to be seen if WWE can sensitively handle Jeff's alcohol dependency without reverting to rehashed comedy angles), Drew Gulak will challenge AJ Styles for the Intercontinental Title.
AJ lost to SmackDown newcomer Matt Riddle on the latest episode, but it's also interesting that Gulak has finally been given this shot. He beat Styles in a short, five-minute bout on the 5 June broadcast. Now, WWE want to pull the trigger on his opportunity.
Nobody will complain. This could be one seriously good technical battle, and anything that lengthens AJ's program with Bryan sounds fun.
There's a clear contrast between both segments announced thus far. One is typically overblown 'sports entertainment' style drama, whilst the other is a nuts n' bolts pro wrasslin' kind of deal. They do say variety is the spice of life, after all.