Let’s examine what we might be in for this Tuesday night on SmackDown Live. After all that occurred last week, expect some big-name match-ups this week.
SmackDown Live certainly got interesting last week, to say the least. Survivor Series is still a number of weeks away, leaving plenty of time in which to create compelling story lines or perhaps continue many of the current feuds on the show. Much had occurred on the last episode of SmackDown. Let’s recap some of last week’s action before looking at what is on the horizon.
The talk of last week was the fact that no-name, James Ellsworth was getting a title shot at AJ Styles’ WWE World Championship. Ellsworth had defeated Styles the week prior with the aid of Dean Ambrose by his side playing the role of the referee. The fans had gotten behind Ellsworth chanting his name in Goldberg-like fashion. Ellsworth eventually would be victorious as Styles got himself disqualified. However, the title cannot change hands via disqualification, therefore Styles remains the champion. Rightfully so, as this brief feud was a stunt in order to eat up some time as we all await Survivor Series next month.
The Miz and the Spirit Squad defeated the team of Dolph Ziggler, Heath Slater and Rhyno last week. After an interesting match-up, Kenny eventually rolled up Slater en route to victory. I would expect some combination of this grouping to see action against one another this week. Also, continuing last week was the rivalry between that of Nikki Bella and the Princess of Staten Island, Carmella. After the most trash talking we have seen to date between the two, Bella defended herself after Carmella continuously bashed her for being fake and needy.
This feud should not continue all the way to the next pay-per-view. It has been on-going since SummerSlam and should come to a head sooner rather than later. These ladies need to settle this once and for all on one of the upcoming recordings of SmackDown. Let’s not waste any more time, though. Here is this week’s SmackDown Preview.
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No. 1 Contenders Match
After Dean Ambrose had effectively embarrassed AJ Styles the past two weeks, which resulted in consecutive victories for James Ellsworth, these two will do battle once more. AJ Styles has three victories over the Lunatic Fringe, Ambrose over the past few months. After a low blow was the deciding factor in his first World Title victory, Styles again used the element of distraction in which to defeat Ambrose on a recent recording of SmackDown. That match too, was for the title. The two would then face off with John Cena at No Mercy in triple threat fashion. Styles again, was the victor.
These two have been a thorn in each other’s sides since the first SmackDown after SummerSlam. After the recent antics that Ambrose has exhibited over the previous two weeks, he will again face off with Styles. This time, if Ambrose is to win, he will be the new number one contender for Styles’ WWE World Championship at Survivor Series. Perhaps, Ambrose will even the playing field this week and opt to take the cheap route to gain a title shot once more. This should set up a pure contested match-up at one of WWE’s flagship pay-per-view’s, Survivor Series next month. This should make up for two straight main events involving Ellsworth.
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Curt Hawkins Debut
Part of Curt Hawkins current gimmick seems to resemble that of Eva Marie when she first came to SmackDown Live. He makes appearances and subsequently finds an excuse to not compete. Hawkins was initially expected to debut at No Mercy, however, he just cut a brief promo. He was then expected to compete on the past two episodes of SmackDown, but was a no show the first week and walked out on Apollo Crew last. Is this the week we will finally face the facts and see Hawkins in action?
Apollo Crews’ facial expressions said it all last week as Hawkins walked out on their match-up. Crews had struck the new SmackDown talent after he claimed he would need to be called “Apollo Lose” after the match. Hawkins then left ringside. I would expect him to finally compete in a match this Tuesday night. SmackDown should not continuously delay his in-ring debut. Would he face off with Crews this week or with another opponent? To make this rivalry with Crews more enticing for the audience, SmackDown should have Hawkins face off with a different opponent and have Crews interfere at some point. It would be redemption from the week prior and could set up a match for the following week.
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Tag Team Action
We did not see two of SmackDown Live’s top tag teams in action last week. With both of their absences on the last episode, expect them both American Alpha and the Usos to be involved in action this week. These two tag teams have been feuding for the past few months now. In recent weeks, both teams have faced off in singles competition against one another. The current SmackDown Tag Team Champions, Heath Slater and Rhyno do not yet have a number one contender for their titles heading into Survivor Series just a few weeks away. How will SmackDown decide the new number one contenders for the coveted gold?
Right now, SmackDown appears to have four other tag teams they could push towards title contention. Of course, American Alpha and the Usos, but also the Hype Bros and the Spirit Squad. The Spirit Squad appears to be hanging around for longer than initially anticipated. Kenny of the Spirit Squad was the one to roll up Slater last week in six-man tag team action. It remains to be seen, however American Alpha or the Spirit Squad could be likely contenders. The Spirit Squad would seem more likely at the moment, so Beauty and the Man Beast can hold the titles for a little while longer.
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SmackDown Live Cont.
The rivalry between that of Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt has taken an interesting turn over the past few weeks. SmackDown is now involving Kane in this feud to allow for him to receive some long-awaited air time. Kane had disappeared into the darkness just two weeks ago during a tag team match involving he and Orton against the new look Wyatt Family. Wyatt had brought out a casket last week for Orton while he was facing Luke Harper.
The new face of fear had taken a page from the Undertaker’s book here, which fans got behind. I like this direction. Kane then returned last week as Wyatt opened the casket for Orton to enter. The team of Kane and Orton then took over and were about to hit their respective finishers when the Wyatt Family disappeared into the darkness once more. Can we expect another tag team match or perhaps a singles match between Harper and Kane to get Orton and Wyatt next to each other at ringside? That is one thing they have not yet attempted in this never-ending rivalry.
Questions still remain as to what will happen between Dolph Ziggler and The Miz this week. Has the fire between Jack Swagger and Baron Corbin been extinguished after the one-sided affair we saw last week? Corbin finished off Swagger in quick fashion after hitting The End of Days. What will happen in the Women’s division as Becky Lynch is still a week away from returning? Will Natalya embrace her potential new gimmick? Will Alexa Bliss be in action once more as she prepares to face Lynch in one weeks time? Expect another hard hitting episode this week of SmackDown Live.
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