Why is Nick Aldis on administrative leave from WWE SmackDown?

Nick Aldis was placed on administrative leave after a physical confrontation with GUNTHER on Raw. Because of this, Acting General Manager Adam Pearce had to step in to run the Atlantic City SmackDown tapings and make matchmaking decisions.

Who won the AAA Cruiserweight Championship match at the SmackDown tapings?

Rey Fenix defended the AAA Cruiserweight Championship against El Hijo Del Vikingo at the SmackDown tapings. Fenix won the match to retain his title in a surprise cross-promotional lucha libre matchup that left the internet wrestling community baffled yet excited.

Who became the number one contender for Sami Zayn's championship?

Cody Rhodes became the number one contender after pinning Jey Uso with a Cross Rhodes in the main event of the tapings. The match was booked by Acting General Manager Adam Pearce to settle a dispute between Rhodes and Uso over who deserved the shot.

When will Cody Rhodes face Sami Zayn for the championship?

There is currently confusion in the dirt sheets regarding when the championship match will take place. While some reports suggest Cody Rhodes gets his title shot on next week's Raw, F4WOnline reported that the match is scheduled for SmackDown on July 7.

Why are WWE fans divided over Sami Zayn's recent promo?

Fans are split because Sami Zayn opened the show by calling the crowd hypocrites for booing him for six months before cheering his Undisputed WWE Championship victory. Some supporters love this new character depth, while skeptics believe WWE is rushing a heel turn for a natural underdog.

SmackDown spoilers show a brand leaning into total chaos

Pull Up a Barstool

Pull up a barstool, order a pint of whatever cheap lager is on tap, and let's talk about the Atlantic City tapings. WWE packed up Boardwalk Hall on Monday night to record the July 3 episode of SmackDown. What we got was a bizarre, frantic show that has the internet wrestling community tearing each other apart.

The fallout from Sami Zayn's massive Undisputed WWE Championship win is officially here. Zayn opened the show by calling the fans hypocrites for booing him for six months before cheering his victory. It was a verbal slap in the face, like your favorite bartender cutting you off after you ordered a round for the house.

This is where the fan base instantly split. The Sami enthusiasts are loving this edge, arguing it adds realistic depth to his character. On the other side, the skeptics think WWE is rushing a heel turn for a guy who is a natural underdog.

Sami's Hot Mic and the Contender Dilemma

Then came the challengers. Cody Rhodes walked out to shake Sami's hand, only for Jey Uso to crash the party and demand his own shot. Jey wants to bring the gold back to the Bloodline, setting up a clash of egos.

Acting General Manager Adam Pearce had to step in because Nick Aldis was placed on administrative leave after his physical confrontation with GUNTHER on Raw. Pearce immediately booked a number one contender's match between Cody and Jey for the main event. The winner gets Zayn next week.

Let's talk about that main event. Cody Rhodes pinned Jey Uso after hitting a Cross Rhodes, securing his championship match. Watching these two go at it is like watching two brothers fight over the last slice of pizza, except the pizza is a gold belt.

While Jey finished the match without any major issues, the injury scare has fans worried. The forums are filled with debates about whether Jey is being overworked. He has been going hard in the ring, and a major injury right now would derail SmackDown's summer plans.

As Wrestling Inc detailed, Cody's win means he gets his shot at Sami Zayn on next week's Raw. Yet, there is some confusion in the dirt sheets. For instance, F4WOnline reported that the match is scheduled for SmackDown on July 7, which is a Tuesday.

Whether it happens on Monday or Tuesday, the matchup itself is drawing mixed reactions. Fans of the American Nightmare are thrilled he is back in the title picture. Contrarians, however, are complaining that WWE is repeating the same old matches instead of building new stars.

A Bizarre Cross-Promotional Fever Dream

Now, let's get to the absolute fever dream portion of this taping. Rey Fenix defended the AAA Cruiserweight Championship against El Hijo Del Vikingo on WWE television. It is like putting hot sauce on your breakfast cereal—nobody expected it, but it burns in the best way.

Fenix won the match to retain his title, but the community is baffled by the booking. Wrestling purists are ecstatic about seeing two lucha libre legends tear it up in a WWE ring. They are calling it a match of the year candidate before it even airs.

But the skeptics are raising their eyebrows. Why is a rival promotion's championship being defended on WWE's second-biggest weekly show? It feels like a desperate attempt to appeal to the hardcore internet crowd rather than telling a coherent story.

And the weirdness did not stop there. Danhausen showed up backstage in a segment with The Miz, Matt Cardona, and Kit Wilson. Seeing Danhausen wander into a WWE segment is like watching a goth kid accidentally walk into a high school pep rally.

He announced he is facing JD McDonagh at Madison Square Garden on July 18. The crowd reaction online is a mix of pure joy and absolute confusion. Danhausen's comedy style is polarizing, and putting him in a prominent spot on a legendary show is a huge gamble.

Chaos in the Women's Roster and a Hallway Beatdown

Meanwhile, the women's division gave us a chaotic six-woman tag match. Jade Cargill, Michin, and B-Fab took down Charlotte Flair, Tiffany Stratton, and Chelsea Green. Jade picked up the win, pinning Chelsea after a devastating Jaded.

This match shows how crowded the women's roster is right now. Putting Charlotte Flair, who just did a major backstage promo, on the losing side of a random tag match feels like a waste. Tiffany Stratton also deserves better than being lumped into a throwaway team.

And then we had Laney Reid pinning Brie Bella. This happened while Paige was busy fighting with Fatal Influence on the outside. Yes, they are still using the name Paige, which is bound to confuse casual fans who know her as Saraya.

Laney Reid getting a pin over a veteran like Brie Bella is a massive rub. But the execution sounds like a total cluster. Having a match finish as a backdrop for a separate brawl is a lazy booking trope that WWE needs to retire.

Let's not forget the Bloodline drama. Backstage, Finn Balor wished Cody Rhodes luck before the main event. As soon as Cody walked away, Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga ambushed Balor, beating him down in the hallway.

This attack keeps the Bloodline's presence felt throughout the show. It also sets up a potential alliance between Balor and Cody, which is an intriguing direction. Talla Tonga and Tama Tonga looked like absolute monsters in the beatdown.

We also got a confrontation between Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams. Melo wanted a shot at Trick's United States Championship. Trick shut him down, offering a non-title match instead.

That match is locked in for the July 10 SmackDown in Oklahoma City at the Paycom Center. This is smart booking. It keeps the tension high without rushing a title change, giving both men time to build their story.

The Barstool Verdict

So, which side has the better argument regarding this taping? The enthusiasts who see a dynamic, unpredictable show, or the skeptics who see a chaotic mess? I have to lean toward the skeptics on this one.

WWE is trying to do way too much in a single two-hour broadcast. Defending AAA titles and bringing in indie darlings like Danhausen is fun for the internet, but it dilutes the main storylines. The focus should be on Sami Zayn's championship run and the Bloodline war.

Instead, we are getting a hodgepodge of different wrestling styles and eras thrown together. It feels like a show booked by a teenager playing a simulation game rather than a professional creative team. They need to simplify the product and focus on their core roster.