7 things WWE subtly told us on SmackDown: Unexpected heel turn from underrated star, 'Canceled' storyline resumes after four months? (July 31st, 2020)

#3 The end of a feud

A path to redemption?

We're happy to see a SmackDown feud get the right payoff it deserves. In the case of the Jeff Hardy-Sheamus feud, there was a lot wrong with it. Many people, including CM Punk and Matt Hardy, felt that bringing up Jeff Hardy's issues as a part of storylines makes it riskier for him to potentially relapse.

In his feud with Sheamus on SmackDown, Jeff Hardy's past issues with alcohol addiction and drugs were the central theme and there were times where it got uncomfortable as well. Last week, they faced off in a Bar Fight and it saw the return of The Willow version of Jeff Hardy as he defeated Sheamus.

Hardy came out on SmackDown and cut a great promo about how he's on the right path. As for Sheamus, he cut a promo backstage on SmackDown, indicating that he's done with Jeff Hardy - but not without taking shots at him and making excuses for his loss.

"@JEFFHARDYBRAND is not my problem any more... and that's bad news for the #SmackDown locker room." @WWESheamus pic.twitter.com/wzwbFioRcE

— WWE (@WWE) August 1, 2020

Just like that, the rivalry is over. We expected a SummerSlam trilogy clash, but it seems like WWE decided to move on - and we agree with that decision.