SmackDown Preview: Former Universal champion to return and challenge The Fiend, huge 8-man match announced (February 21, 2020)

We are all set for SmackDown’s go-home show before WWE Super ShowDown which is set to take place on February 27, 2020. There’s a compelling show lined up for this week’s Friday night as the Blue brand gears up to welcome Goldberg who will challenge The Fiend for the Universal Championship. Additionally, the Bella twins will also be returning to the show as guests on ‘A Moment of Bliss’.

There’s also a Singles match on the card to determine the next challenger for Bayley’s SmackDown Women's Championship. King Corbin and Roman Reigns are set to compete in a steel cage match next week so we might see the two engage in a brawl tonight. In addition, there’s a huge 8-man Tag Team action planned for the show.

So, without further ado, let’s take a look at things that can unfold tonight on SmackDown.

Also Read: 5 reasons why Finn Balor’s win over Johnny Gargano is good for business

---

#5 Goldberg challenges The Fiend for the Universal Championship

WWE Hall of Famer Goldberg is set to appear on tonight’s episode of SmackDown. His last appearance for the Blue brand came two weeks ago when he featured in a satellite interview. It was during the same segment when The Fiend decided to irk Goldberg but the latter had no intentions of keeping up with those tantrums. Before disconnecting the call, Goldberg fired a warning at The Fiend and said that he will be next.

This week, The Fiend will look to take advantage of Goldberg's appearance and is expected to attack the latter in order to set up their title match at WWE Super ShowDown. In the go-home show before the PPV, we might see the Universal Champion getting an upper hand in his encounter with the returning legend.

At Super ShowDown, the two Superstars are expected to engage in a brief match that won’t see the title changing hands. However, for Goldberg, it is a special appearance and he would look to deliver a strong performance inside the squared circle, even if his encounter with The Fiend is short. Both Superstars will look to make the best of this opportunity which should ideally see the reining Champion coming on top.

Before moving on to the next slide, check out our exclusive interview featuring the reknowned commentator, AEW's own Tony Schiavone!

#4 The New Day and The Usos vs Dolph Ziggler, Robert Roode, The Miz, and John Morrison

The Miz and John Morrison were interrupted by Big E and Kofi Kingston during a segment that saw the two teams engage in a brawl. Soon after that, they found allies in Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode and The Usos respectively as the eight men started to throw hands. Tonight, at the go-home show, we will see all the eight men squaring off in a tag team match.

The Usos first helped Roman Reigns during the latter’s feud with King Corbin and that story had them engage in battles with Ziggler and Roode. The two teams will look to use today’s match to extend their rivalry and make the most of this opportunity. Although the New Day and The Usos share a long unpleasant history, this time they are on the same side of the story.

Next week, The Miz and Morrison will be challenging Kingston and Big E for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles at Super ShowDown. A victory in today’s match will boost the confidence of the challengers and will keep them in great momentum ahead of their impending encounter against the Champions.

#3 Naomi vs Carmella for a shot at SmackDown Women’s Championship

After a long hiatus from WWE TV, Naomi finally returned to the show at last months Royal Rumble. She was an instant favorite to get a shot at the SmackDown Women’s Championship. She also participated in a fatal four-way match that featured Carmella, Alexa Bliss, and Dana Brooke to determine the next challenger for Bayley.

Unfortunately for Naomi, Carmella won that match and went on to challenge Bayley for the Championship last week. However, she fell prey to the Champion’s tricks as the latter used the ropes to help her pin the Queen of Staten Island.

Tonight, Carmella will once again fight for an opportunity to challenge Bayley as she is set to lock horns with Naomi in a Singles match. The winner of this match will go on to face Bayley for the SmackDown Women’s Championship at Super ShowDown, which will see women competing in the match once again at the PPV after Natalya and Lacey Evans did the same and scripted history last year.

#2 The Bella Twins in the WWE Hall of Fame?

WWE Superstar Alexa Bliss will host her beloved talk show ‘A Moment of Bliss’ and her guests for tonight are none other than The Bella Twins. It’s been announced that Nikki and Brie Bella will be appearing on tonight’s episode of SmackDown and we might get the official announcement about their induction into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Both Nikki and Brie are an important part of the history of the Women’s Division in the WWE. Together, these two Superstars worked for the growth of the female wrestlers in the promotion and deserve every bit of credit after having announced their retirement from in-ring action.

As confirmed via their social media handles, both Nikki and Brie are pregnant which eliminates most speculations about them being attacked on tonight’s show. However, we may still see them taking shots at the other members of the SmackDown roster, particularly at Bayley and Sasha Banks.

It will be interesting to see how the WWE Universe will react to the return of the Bella Twins and to the news about their induction into the HoF.

#1 What’s next for Lacey Evans?

Lacey Evans was engaged in a rivalry with SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley and her best friend Sasha Banks for a few weeks. If backstage rumors are to be believed, she was going to have an extended feud with ‘The Boss’ but the latter got injured. As a result, the creative was forced to book Evans and Bayley in a Championship feud that saw the former suffering from a crushing defeat at Royal Rumble.

Although their feud seems to have come at a halt, for now, the Sassy Southern Belle has been suspiciously inactive since the last PPV. However, on tonight’s episode of SmackDown, Evans is set to appear in an exclusive interview with Renee Young. One can expect her to open up about her loss to Bayley and what she plans on doing next.

It is quite possible that we will see Evans calling out Banks or Bayley as the rumors of the latter’s return have started doing rounds. This would rightfully serve the purpose as Bayley needs another brief feud before she crosses paths with her WrestleMania opponent.

---

Also Read: 5 reasons why Charlotte Flair challenged Rhea Ripley for a title match at WrestleMania