WWE SmackDown Grades: Joe’s Mind Games Get Even More Personal

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1. AJ Styles And Samoa Joe Hype SummerSlam

How many fans in years past would have believed that AJ Styles would defend the WWE Championship against Samoa Joe at SummerSlam 2018?  Never say never in pro wrestling because that match will take place this coming Sunday between two of the best in the business over the past decade-plus.

These two former TNA stars will be in a headline match at the biggest party of the summer and while they have been friends for a long time, their on-screen relationship has taken a personal turn for the worst in recent weeks.  Joe claims that Styles puts being WWE Champion over being a father and a husband and that has incensed The Phenomenal One.

Styles vowed to make a SummerSlam promise to Joe last night and at the close of the show, the WWE Champion had a few words left to be said to Joe.  Styles said he talked to his wife and she said he can’t let Joe get to him.  She said Styles has to focus on the task at hand and that’s when The Samoan Submission Machine made his presence felt.

Joe went on to read a “fan letter” sent to him regarding Styles that said they hope Joe wins at SummerSlam so Styles can know the feeling of losing the thing he loves the most.  Joe said the letter was sent by Styles’ wife as one last verbal shot towards The Phenomenal One before SummerSlam.  Overall, this segment honestly could have been better, but it added more personal elements to the feud.

The Phenomenal One vs. The Samoan Submission Machine should be a match to remember and the buildup leading into the match has been impressive enough already.

Final Grade: B+