WWE SmackDown Live Preview: September 05, 2017

The Blue brand is still reeling from the SummerSlam fallout; prospective contenders for the Titles are in limbo, Champions seem to have a modicum of breathing room, for now, but no one really seems too happy with where they're at.

Also Follow: WWE SmackDown Results, September 5th 2017, Live Updates and Commentary

It is at this time that SmackDown Live comes to us with a host of intriguing developments in store for this week.

The biggest question on everyone's mind, however, concerns the new number one contender for the WWE Championship. One can argue a strong case for Shinsuke Nakamura, having been screwed out of his Championship match at SummerSlam, but Randy Orton is having none of it, as his emphatic RKO to close out last week's show signalled.

The US Champion, AJ Styles, attempted to get the US Title Open Challenge up and running again, only for Baron Corbin to play party pooper. Will the Champion get his way this week at least? Or was Corbin's interference a sign of things to come?

And what of the budding rivalry between the disgraced Kevin Owens and SmackDown Live Commissioner, Shane McMahon?

Ploughing through all of these points and more, here is our preview of this week's episode of everyone' favourite weekly episodic, SmackDown Live!

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#1 What's next for Kevin Owens and Shane McMahon?

The lengths Kevin Owens will go to, to spite Shane McMahon

After Kevin Owens commandeered last week's match between Sami Zayn and Aiden English, he was forced to reckon with the wrath of SmackDown Live head honcho, Shane McMahon.

If they hadn't already clashed in the weeks leading up, one might almost think Owens was putting himself about deliberately to get a rise out of Shane.

Although his efforts as far as the match was concerned were fruitless (as Shane reversed the decision), Kevin Owens may be dangerously close to having the commissioner agree to a potential showdown.

If he continues pushing his buttons this week as well, who knows?

#2 Who will fall prey to Bobby Roode?

Bobby Roode is here to stay

After a Glorious debut, Bobby Roode built on the momentum of his SmackDown Live bow by dispatching of Mike Kanellis and destroying the power of love in one fell swoop.

Who will fall prey to the former NXT Champion next as he continues climbing up the ranks in SmackDown Live?

No matter how long he takes to get there, we all know that Bobby Roode is an elite wrestler with a championship mentality...as such, it's inevitable that he will be in the WWE Championship picture sooner rather than later.

With fellow NXT alumnus Shinsuke Nakamura and 13-time Champion Randy Orton still ahead of him in the pecking order, will the Glorious one target either of them?

#3 Will the US Open Challenge take of?

Will AJ Styles' winning momentum continue?

If there was anyone befitting enough to continue John Cena's legacy by resuming the US Title Open Challenge, it was always going to be AJ Styles.

The Phenomenal One is an in-ring wizard and the prospect of seeing various Superstars step to the plate in an effort to prise the US Championship from his grasp will no doubt thrill the audience.

But if Baron Corbin's interruption last week is a foreshadowing of what is to come, Styles has a major problem in his hands.

Corbin has quite a temper at the best of times and coming off a wasted Money In The Bank cash-in, the Lone Wolf is as disgruntled as can be.

Will this lead to the inevitable clash between him and AJ Styles?

#4 What obstacles will be placed before The New Day?

What stipulation will the Usos think of for their championship match against New Day?

As the amped up rivalry between the Usos and the New Day keeps throwing up new wrinkles at each turn, we head into this week's episode of SmackDown Live with an important decision resting in the hands of the Tag Champs.

After emerging victorious in their latest salvo, the Usos earned the right to choose the stipulation for the Tag Team Championship rematch against the New Day.

With the announcement due this week, how will the twins stack the deck against the Power of Positivity?

#5 Can the King of Strong Style overcome the Viper?

Will Shinsuke Nakamura tap into his wide arsenal to earn another WWE Title opportunity?

Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura may have temporarily functioned on the same page when required to join forces to take out the nefarious duo of Rusev and Jinder Mahal, but a resounding RKO to close out last week's show brought a measure of perspective back to proceedings.

It's each man for himself as the King of Strong Style and the Viper will do battle to determine who the number one contender for the WWE Championship is.

Both men would feel wrongfully screwed out of their respective Title opportunities and will be itching to get back on the proverbial horse.

Who will emerge victorious in this clash of Titans? Or will the result be influenced by extraneous factors like, perhaps, Jinder Mahal and co?

Find out by tuning in to this week's episode of SmackDown Live!