Title Change Occurs On WWE SmackDown

WWE kicked off its brand new "Thunderdome" era at Orlando's Amway Center by booking a title change on Friday night's edition of SmackDown.

Jeff Hardy is once again WWE Intercontinental champion, defeating AJ Styles on Friday's show. Earlier in the night, Styles attacked Hardy's knee in an attempt to get the match cancelled. Instead, the title bout went on and Hardy used his knee brace to his advantage, en route to winning the title.

With the win over Styles, Hardy captures his fifth Intercontinental championship, and his first one since defeating Umaga on September 1, 2007. Previous title wins came against Triple H in 2001, and twice over John Morrison in 2006.

Styles' reign officially comes to an end after 74 days. He won the title in a tournament final over Daniel Bryan on June 8, the match airing four nights later on SmackDown.

Presently, neither man is scheduled to wrestle at SummerSlam. It remains to be seen if perhaps a rematch could be added to the show in the time before SummerSlam begins on Sunday.