Many surprises occurred last week on SmackDown Live, including new title challengers. What can we expect to see this week?
The next pay-per-view for the SmackDown brand, Survivor Series is over four weeks away. There will be ample time to create some compelling story lines in the upcoming weeks. After No Mercy, SmackDown eased their way into new story lines in a multitude of ways including finding a surprising number one contender for AJ Styles’ WWE World Championship. Before we get into the preview for this Tuesday night, let’s recap some of the action that had occurred on last week’s episode of SmackDown Live.
They opened the show last week with the new Intercontinental Champion, Dolph Ziggler. The fans were elated to see Ziggler celebrate another championship. It was to be expected that former champion, the Miz would indeed make an appearance and state his claim for his rematch. Fans would have no problem seeing this match go down one more time. Both Miz and Ziggler tore the house down at No Mercy, putting on a match of the night caliber performance.
Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt continued their rivalry last week as well in tag team action. Wyatt and the returning Luke Harper took on the tandem of Orton and Kane. After the lights went out near to the conclusion of the match, Kane had disappeared into thin air, leaving Orton scratching his head. This left the opportunity open for “The Eater of Worlds” to take advantage and leave victorious after hitting his finisher, Sister Abigail. Wyatt has appeared to have Orton’s number.
Expect to see some compelling action in both the tag team and women’s divisions. What else can we expect on this week’s episode of SmackDown? Will we see some returns to action and perhaps some long-awaited debuts? Let’s get into the preview.
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WWE World Championship Match
An unlikely contender will take on the WWE World Champion, AJ Styles this week on SmackDown. Thanks to the Lunatic Fringe, Dean Ambrose, James Ellsworth now finds himself in a championship match. Daniel Bryan had set up the match last week for Ellsworth to take on The Phenomenal One in non-title action. The SmackDown general manager too, would add a stipulation, making Ambrose the special guest referee.
Styles had multiple opportunities to finish off Ellsworth, however, Ambrose would not allow for it. The match ultimately ended with Styles hitting the Styles Clash, but Ambrose only went for a two count before hitting Dirty Deeds on the champion. He subsequently dragged an unconscious Ellsworth on top of Styles for a quick three count. Ellsworth has now earned a championship opportunity this Tuesday night on SmackDown. It will be interesting to see the events leading up to the match as well as how it will conclude. This is merely a time consumer due to the lengthy gap between SmackDown pay-per-views.
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Six-Man Tag Team Action
As mentioned previously, it was Dolph Ziggler opening up the show last week after his triumphant victory over the Miz at No Mercy. Ziggler not only won the Intercontinental Championship last weekend, but saved his career in the process. This rivalry has been one for the ages between these two superstars. It has truly brought prestige back to the IC title over the past few months. In fact, that was one of the points the Miz made when he interrupted Ziggler’s celebration. It would ultimately lead to a beat down of the champion at the hands of the Spirit Squad.
Much to the dismay of the crowd as well as Ziggler, the SmackDown tag team champions came to the aid of the “Show Off” last week. Heath Slater and Rhyno had the back of the fallen champion. Expect this feud to continue into this week. Ziggler and the tag team champions will likely take on the Miz and the Spirit Squad in six-man tag action. One of the main questions here is exactly how long can we expect to see the Spirit Squad? Are they merely around for this feud or are they making a return to the ring?
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Becky Lynch Return?
Prior to the start of No Mercy last weekend, Becky Lynch announced that she would be unable to compete and defend her SmackDown Women’s Championship. Much to the disappoint of Alexa Bliss, the number one contender, she would have to wait longer for her first ever championship opportunity. Can we expect to see Lynch back this Tuesday night? Not necessarily for wrestling purposes, but to get the ball moving once again in the women’s division.
If Lynch is to make a return, expect Bliss to come out and interrupt. Bliss lost to Naomi at No Mercy, so I would expect her to come out as well. Naomi as able to defeat Carmella too, last week on SmackDown Live with the help of Nikki Bella. If this is to occur, look for a No. 1 Contender’s match for Lynch’s title to take place either this week or next. Will SmackDown elect to keep it a one-on-one match, or perhaps a triple threat for the first ever defense of the Women’s Championship on the blue brand?
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What Else is in Store?
Kurt Hawkins made an appearance at No Mercy where he made the announcement that he would make his in-ring debut/return on SmackDown last week. Needless to say, this did not take place. It leaves fans scratching their heads as to why WWE did not pull through this. It is not like they couldn’t have made room for it on the show either. SmackDown has been hyping up and promoting the return of Hawkins for a number of weeks now. Baring another delay, I would expect Hawkins to make his long-awaited debut this Tuesday night. The question will be, against who?
Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt will likely continue their on-going feud with one another this week. However, SmackDown could benefit from them skipping this rivalry on one of the upcoming episodes as it will likely be more of the same. I would now anticipate a match between Orton and the returning Luke Harper. He has aided in Wyatt’s two most recent victories. How much longer can they drag this seemingly never ending feud out for? It should not go all the way through to Survivor Series. These men should settle their difference on an upcoming match on SmackDown. I vote for a steel cage. Not only will it be compelling to watch, but it will help keep up with Raw on Monday Nights.
The Ascension had approached The Hype Bros last week and stared them down without saying a word. Perhaps, expect a match between these two teams in the tag team division. Speaking of the tag team division, American Alpha member, Chad Gable took on Jimmy Uso in singles competition. These two teams have had an on-going feud dating back since before Backlash when the Usos took out Gable after losing in the semi-finals of the tag team tournament. Jimmy’s brother, Jey had helped aid in the Uso victory last week. Jason Jordan had taken on Jey Uso the week prior. Can we expect these two teams to meet in the ring once again this week?
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