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This week’s episode of WWE SmackDown has a lot of exciting surprises in store for fans. Between the end of WWE’s ThuderDome era and the upcoming Money in the Bank pay-per-view, the creative team is determined to deliver one solid show after another. The Blue brand has been great recently, and this week won’t be any different.
In this article, we will discuss some of the things that can transpire on WWE SmackDown tonight.
#1 Roman Reigns hits back at Edge on WWE SmackDown
Last week’s episode of WWE SmackDown was full of surprises. Roman Reigns was scheduled to celebrate his successful title defense from the previous week, and Paul Heyman had even issued an open challenge on behalf of the Universal Champion. However, neither of them was expecting what was in store for them.
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Reigns' celebration on WWE SmackDown was abruptly interrupted when Edge made a surprise return and attacked The Tribal Chief. He subjected Reigns to a brutal beatdown, sending a strong message to the champion. Soon after that, it was confirmed that Edge would challenge Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship at the upcoming Money in the Bank pay-per-view.
Both superstars were previously involved in an intense feud on WWE SmackDown earlier this year. Edge won the Royal Rumble in January and challenged Reigns for the title at WrestleMania. However, this match turned into a triple-threat bout after Daniel Bryan was also inserted in their match at The Grandest Stage of Them All.
Edge was unhappy with the decision and turned heel in the weeks leading up to their match. Roman Reigns eventually retained his Universal Championship after pinning Edge and Bryan by stacking them on top of each other. The Rated-R Superstar was clearly not satisfied and came fishing for another opportunity on WWE SmackDown.
Last time, he got the better of Roman Reigns, but the latter won’t let that happen again. He will make a strong statement by attacking Edge on WWE SmackDown tonight and reminding him about how their last title bout.
Both superstars are expected to engage in brutal altercations in the weeks leading up to the Money in the Bank pay-per-view. It will be interesting to see how the biggest villain on WWE SmackDown will respond to an unexpected attack.
#2 Jey Uso returns and reunites with family on WWE SmackDown
A few weeks ago, Jey Uso walked out of WWE SmackDown after expressing his frustration with the tension between Roman Reigns and Jimmy Uso. The latter eventually agreed with his cousin and allied himself with The Tribal Chief. However, Reigns has made it clear that he is looking for Jey and wants his “Right Hand Man” back by his side at all costs.
Reigns even instructed Jimmy Uso to find his brother and bring him back on WWE SmackDown, but Jey Uso is nowhere to be seen. The Universal Champion is desperately looking for his cousin. Meanwhile, Jimmy stated that he can do the same things that Jey did and even won a match to prove his worth. But that wasn't enough to earn an invitation to Reigns’ celebration on WWE SmackDown.
Jimmy Uso even tried to help Reigns when Edge was attacking him. However, The Rated-R Superstar manhandled the multi-time tag team champion. The events from last week might prompt Jey Uso to come back and help his family on WWE SmackDown. Reigns trusts him to handle the business and has started to value him more during his absence.
Moreover, Jey Uso needs to come back so that The Usos can start pursuing the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championships in the coming weeks. Could he return with a plan of his own?
#3 Seth Rollins qualifies for Money in the Bank on WWE SmackDown
WWE SmackDown Superstar Seth Rollins was extremely unhappy with the creative team’s decision to book another title match between Roman Reigns and Edge. He argued that The Rated-R Superstar already had his chance at WrestleMania, and now it is time for other challengers to get a chance.
Rollins’ promo on Talking Smack went viral as fans appreciated his logic, authenticity, and delivery during his passionate argument.
The Architect has made it clear that he wants to be back in the world title picture. Rollins now needs one opportunity to challenge Roman Reigns, but he also has his sights set on a backup plan. Seth Rollins could steal one of the spots reserved for the WWE SmackDown Superstars in the Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder match.
He shares an incredible history with the MITB briefcase as he is responsible for crafting one of the best cash-ins in WWE history. Seeing how he isn’t getting a fair shot at the world title, Rollins will look to win the MITB contract again and use it to kickstart a dream feud with Roman Reigns on WWE SmackDown. He will definitely account for an exciting addition to the Money in the Bank ladder match.
It must be mentioned that Seth Rollins tied the knot with Becky Lynch earlier this week. Thus, he might miss WWE SmackDown tonight.
#4 Kevin Owens set to face Sami Zayn in a Last Man Standing match on WWE SmackDown
Last week, WWE SmackDown confirmed a huge Money in the Bank qualifying match between best friends turned bitter enemies - Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. Both superstars previously faced each other at the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view that ended in Zayn’s victory. Following that, Owens announced that he would be taking a break from wrestling.
Thus, it was quite shocking to see him booked for a match on WWE SmackDown tonight. In another twist, this is also the only Money in the Bank qualifier match so far that has the Last Man Standing stipulation involved. Therefore, WWE can also use this match to write off one superstar and remove him from the television for a while.
Backstage reports suggested that Kevin Owens had only asked for two weeks off and was scheduled for a return on WWE SmackDown tonight. However, there is a higher chance for him to lose the match and disappear temporarily after tonight. Meanwhile, Zayn’s addition to the MITB ladder match will help balance the equation a bit as four babyface superstars have already qualified for the bout.
#5 What’s next for WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Bianca Belair?
WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Bianca Belair teamed up with Cesaro to take on Seth Rollins and Bayley last week. The Role Model pinned Belair for the win, and it is difficult to say if their rivalry is over on the Blue brand. They faced each other in a title match at Hell in a Cell, where they delivered an epic match that did justice to their extended feud.
Following that, fans expected this rivalry to be over, but the creative team might not have the same plan. Moreover, there are not enough superstars who can pose a credible threat to Belair’s title reign on WWE SmackDown.
Thus, she might at least continue feuding with Bayley until Sasha Banks returns later this month. While Belair is actively seeking new challenges, other superstars are looking to book a spot for themselves in the Women’s MITB ladder match.
Last week, WWE SmackDown confirmed Carmella as one of the MITB participants. The Blue brand needs three more superstars to step up and pave their way into a brutal match for a guaranteed title opportunity. It will be interesting to see which WWE SmackDown Superstars will join Carmella at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view.
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