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SmackDown is all set to deliver another exciting episode tonight for the fans with great action. We will see the fallout from last week's controversial angle featuring Jeff Hardy and Elias. Also, with AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan set to go one-on-one next week for the IC Championship, we can expect a major angle involving the two men.
In today's edition of top SmackDown rumors, we will see how the locker room has reportedly turned against a particular Superstar for his controversial opinions, the reason why a veteran was fired by Vince McMahon, and much more.
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Let us take a look at the big backstage rumors that could have a major impact on SmackDown:
#5 SmackDown Superstar Jaxson Ryker reportedly has locker room heat for his tweet supporting Trump
Member of The Forgotten Sons faction on SmackDown, Jaxson Ryker, has reportedly landed himself in a soup with the other members of the roster after showing his support for US President Donald Trump on Twitter.
Ryker tweeted -
Thankful for the @POTUS we have! God bless America. Built of freedom. Forgotten No More
Many Superstars including the now-retired Batista, Mustafa Ali, and Kevin Owens have tweeted their displeasure about Jaxson's comments. However, as per Dave Meltzer of WON, the WWE cannot fire Ryker despite the apparent heat on him due to him exercising his freedom of speech:
According to one person high up in the company, the belief is that Lail (Ryker) can’t be fired for expressing freedom of speech, but that the locker room is fuming at him.
Ryker had also made a Facebook post which has further infuriated fans and apparently many members of the locker room.
George Floyd's killing has sparked protests all around the world. The timing of Ryker's tweet and his public show of support for Donald Trump have come at probably the worst time. It remains to be seen if this entire fiasco has any adverse effects on Ryker's WWE career going forward.
#4 Vince McMahon fired lead writer after backstage incident
SmackDown lead writer Chris DeJoseph was recently released from WWE following a backstage incident. As per reports, DeJospeh made some 'inappropriate remarks' which infuriated McMahon and the veteran writer was fired as a result.
The main objective of the release was to set disciplinary measures and ensure no such thing happens again. Here is what SEScoops stated:
Some outlets have speculated the departure was a cost-cutting measure related to COVID-19, but that is not the case. DeJoseph was let go Thursday due to inappropriate conduct and remarks during a backstage meeting.
They further revealed that Vince McMahon was 'irate' at the unprofessional manner in which DeJospeh had conducted himself.
DeJoseph returned to WWE late last year after having worked for companies such as Lucha Underground and MLW over the years. Some reports have also suggested that Chris DeJospeh wasn't happy in WWE and was struggling to keep up with the hectic schedule in the company.
It will be interesting to see if another company secures his services soon.
#3 Bray Wyatt's return plans
SmackDown has been lacking big star power of late with both Roman Reigns and Bray Wyatt not being around. While The Big Dog is nowhere near a return due because of the birth of his twins and the COVID-19 situation, there's been an update on The Fiend's comeback plans.
SportsKeeda's Tom Colohue has reported that the reason for Wyatt's absence on SmackDown is that WWE has given him time off because of the birth of his second child. However, there are still plans for him to continue his feud with Braun Strowman when he returns.
In news that won't surprise anyone now, I, unfortunately, waited too long to break this one, Bray Wyatt has been given time off for the birth of his second child. That child has now been born. He posted a picture on Twitter, go say hi, and he's expected to have a few more weeks off to self-isolate again afterwards and then will probably return to continue his feud as The Fiend with Braun Strowman.
Bray Wyatt was last seen losing to Braun Strowman at MITB in a match where he competed as himself and not his alter-ego, The Fiend.
#2 Reported change in Vince McMahon's perception of Lacey Evans backstage
Lacey Evans made her main roster debut in 2019 and was touted as the next big female sensation. The Lady could talk, had personality, and wasn't bad inside the ring either. While her initial run as a heel was strong, things have not been the same ever since she turned face.
As per Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful, Vince McMahon has cooled down on Lacey Evans as compared to last year. On being asked if Vince McMahon was still high on Lacey Evans, SRS stated that McMahon is not that high on Evans now.
Q: Is Vince still high on Lacey Evans?
SRS: No, but I heard he really, really was a year and a half ago.
While The Chairman may not be very keen on the Sassy Southern Belle as of now, there is no reason to believe that he won't have a change of opinion again.
Lacey Evans has become quite popular with the fans and it would be interesting to see if WWE stop her push for good or if it's just temporary and they're saving a push for her for the future.
Do you think Lacey Evans should become a top star? Tell us in the comments!
#1 AJ Styles vs Daniel Bryan already taped
AJ Styles will be taking on Daniel Bryan in the finals of the Intercontinental Championship tournament next week. The two men have made it to the finals of the tournament after former IC Champion Sami Zayn opted to not participate in tapings owing to the COVID-19 scare.
As per Cageside Seats (via Fightful), the two men managed to pump up the audience with their performance and the match was 'unbelievable'.
Sources told Fightful that AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan’s match for the Intercontinental title (airing Fri., June 12 but filmed last Tuesday) “was ‘unbelievable’ and legitimately pumped up a very tired NXT PC crowd that was there to cheer."
Daniel Bryan is a former IC Champion himself, although it will be the first time The Phenomenal One becomes IC Champion if he manages to win the tournament.
Styles and Bryan are fan-favorites and considered two of the best in-ring athletes WWE has to offer today. The match between the two has reportedly lived up to potential and it will be great to see what 'unbelievable' things the two men did.
Ex WWE writer blasts Liv Morgan HERE
