SmackDown is progressing forward after their last pay-per-view of 2016. What turns will they take this week?
Much had occurred o SmackDown Live after the post-TLC fallout last week. With 2016 nearing a close, SmackDown has new story lines to create as we look towards the Royal Rumble next month. They wasted little time creating new rivalries and in some cases, continuing others. SmackDown Live has bright horizon ahead. Before I get into my predictions for this Tuesday night, let’s take a look at what had occurred last week.
The show opened up with AJ Styles entering the ring and gloating about his championship victory at TLC just two days prior. The ultimate underdog, James Ellsworth was owed a match for Styles’ an episode WWE World Championship last week after he called out the champion on Talking Smack. Unfortunately, Styles had suffered an apparent ankle injury and henceforth, was unable to compete last week. Fans will hope for a different result this week.
Dean Ambrose wasted little time to come out and deliver Dirty Deeds to Ellsworth. Ambrose would later appear on Miz TV, where he would ultimately be granted an Intercontinental Championship match later in the night after receiving the first ever “Miz Participation Award.” The Miz would later retain his title in the main event as Ellsworth yet again would cost Ambrose a championship. He had distracted the ref after Maryse had interfered with the match as Ambrose had Miz pinned. Ellsworth will now have to deal with the wrath of Ambrose. What will be in store for this week’s episode of SmackDown Live?
WWE.com
WWE World Championship MatchAJ Styles (c) vs. James Ellsworth
Last week, the WWE Universe was denied there opportunity to at last week James Ellsworth compete one-on-one for the WWE World Championship. After an ankle injury kept AJ Styles on the side lines, the fans were forced to wait. My prediction is that they will not have to wait much longer to see this much anticipated match-up, if you can call it that. This week, Styles should put his title on the line as he comes back from injury. The question will be, when will Ambrose get involved?
Ellsworth has now cost Ambrose a title twice, so it will be expected that the Lunatic Fringe will do the same. After what should be a match of Styles toying with the no chin wonder, Ambrose will make his presence known. This will further set up a match, likely next week, between Ambrose ad Ellsworth. How can these matches be made to be intriguing? The only reason the others caught the eyes of viewers, were due to the fact that Ambrose was directly responsible for Ellsworth’s victories.
WWE.com
Tag Team Contenders Revealed
With the edition of Randy Orton to the Wyatt Family, this gimmick is at it’s most intriguing point in years. Orton and Wyatt as the tag team champions has lit a new fire within the SmackDown Live tag team division, which we have not quite seen since the introduction of the titles back in September. After defeating the former champions, Beauty and the Man Beast last week, the Wyatt Family will seek new challengers. There is one clear team, which they need to face next and that is American Alpha.
American Alpha and the Wyatt Family already have beef with one another. It was the Wyatt Family that has defeated Jason Jordan and Chad Gable to initially become number one contenders for the tag team titles prior to TLC. I would expect the Wyatt Family to cut a promo in the ring at some pint during the show this week, in which case, American Alpha and possibly a few other teams will state their claim as to who should be the next to challenge for the tag team titles. Other teams what could be in the running are the Hype Bros and The Usos.
WWE.com
Bryan Continues to Target Miz
What direction will the Intercontinental Title picture head into in the coming weeks. Who will be the next to challenge. One of the most amusing parts of SmackDown Live over the past few months has been the General Manger, Daniel Bryan continuously targeting that of the Miz. It had occurred once again last week as Bryan set up a match between Ambrose and Miz for the coveted IC title last week. After all that had occurred, will Ambrose receive another shot at the championship or will a new contender be decided?
I could see Ambrose receiving at least one more shot at the title just because of his dislike for the champion. However, perhaps it is time to find a new contender. On list of possible new contenders are Baron Corbin and Kalisto. Corbin and Kalisto have both been feuding over a matter which ultimately started over the Intercontinental Championship before SummerSlam. Apollo Crews became the then number one contender. Perhaps, we may see Kalisto versus Corbin one more time to become the new number one contender. It is time for Corbin to truly showcase his skills.
Alexa Bliss has Becky Lynch’s number. Photo courtesy of WWE.com
The Women’s Division
The SmackDown Women’s division is heating up and in a big way. With the newly crowned champion, Alexa Bliss at the head of the division at the moment, the division has an entirely new look. When exactly will Becky Lynch be granted her rematch? Neither have hinted towards a match with one another just yet, but they cannot wait until the Royal Rumble for this to take place. The rematch should take place at some point either at the end of this month or the very beginning of January. Bliss and Lynch have a highly intriguing confrontation at the current moment.
Also, what can we expect to see next regarding the Nikki Bella, Carmella and Natalya situation. Who is to be believed in this particular? Was it Natalya or Carmella that had attacked Bella just before their match at Survivor Series against team Raw. Carmella walked out on a match last week where she was supposed to take on Natalya. I would expect to see this match take place this Tuesday night. If it was in fact Natalya, SmackDown will look to hold off this rivalry a little longer.
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