'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABgf/2gAIAQEAAAAAk6f/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/9oACAECEAAAAF//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAB/9oACAEDEAAAAH//xAAjEAACAgADCQAAAAAAAAAAAAABAwIEBRMhABESIzFCUWGi/9oACAEBAAE/AK7VvxdlNFbOv1oyoLMm8MIrLzzOmpG/69anAYEnLhQbDtZJGsh52//EABcRAAMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAiL/2gAIAQIBAT8ArNNH/8QAGBEAAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAxH/2gAIAQMBAT8Aq2SR/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
With Money in the Bank around the corner, the elation was sky-high for SmackDown Live this week. Vince McMahon's billion dollar company produced a great edition of the blue brand with some important announcements and remarkable matches.
Roman Reigns explained the primary reason why he attacked Vince McMahon after arriving on SmackDown Live. The Big Dog subsequently fought in a handicap match against the B-Team and emerged victorious. Becky Lynch defeated Bayley in a much-awaited match but Charlotte Flair attacked Lynch after the bout.
Surprisingly, the Hardy Boyz relinquished the SmackDown Tag Team Titles as Jeff Hardy got injured, while Kairi Sane and Asuka defeated two local competitors. Following the announcement of participants from RAW for the two ladder matches at Money in the Bank, the blue brand announced male and female participants for the two ladder matches. Finn Balor, Ali, Rany Orton and Andrade will be part of the Men's Money in the Bank Ladder match while Mandy Rose, Bayley, Ember Moon and Carmella will be the four women to represent the blue brand in the Women's ladder match.
Here we discuss three things WWE secretly told us on SmackDown Live this week.
#3 Asuka and Kairi Sane will take the Women's Tag Team Titles
The IIconics won the Women's Tag Team Titles at the Showcase of Immortals, but it has not been a fruitful title reign for Peyton Royce and Billie Key. Considering they lost matches in the last two weeks, it has raised eyebrows on their credibility as champions. However, the duo did not fight on RAW or SmackDown Live this week. This was probably done to protect their momentum after suffering defeats in the last few weeks.
Though the IIcnics did not fight this week, Asuka and Kairi Sane participated in a tag team match. The Japanese duo defeated two local competitors to send a message to the title holders. With the involvement of Paige, they could be propelled in the Women's tag team division.
Judging by the Women's tag team storyline, Kairi Sane and Asuka will be the next challengers to the IIconics. Therefore, Royce and Kay could lose the twin belts at Money in the Bank.
#2 No Intercontinental Championship match at Money in the Bank
It's a damn shame that the Intercontinental Championship might not be on the line at Money in the Bank. Four men got selected to represent the blue brand in the Money in the Bank Ladder match, and the Intercontinental Champion Finn Balor will be a part of the match. As a result, we might not see a match for the Intercontinental title at XL Centre.
Finn Balor, who won his second Intercontinental title at the Showcase of Immortals last month, switched brands after the Superstar Shake-Up. The first-ever Universal Champion was traded to SmackDown Live for the first time in his career. Following the brand swap, a large number of fans expected a better treatment of Balor on the blue brand which is called the Land of Opportunities.
Balor might be in the Money in the Bank Ladder match, but he does not have a proper direction as the Intercontinental Champion. He faced Ali and Andrade after arriving on SmackDown Live, but we will be hoping to see an exciting opponent for Balor if he fails to grab the Money in the Bank briefcase.
#1 Heel Kevin Owens is best for business
Kevin Owens shocked everyone when he turned on Kofi Kingston last week. The former Universal Champion joined the New Day after Big E got injured, but it took him a mere week to betray Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods. Owens continued his assault this week when he attacked Xavier Woods. Owens and Kinston subsequently had a colossal brawl.
Owens returned to Vince McMahon's billion dollar company as a face. There is no denying that it was tedious to see Owens as a babyface and he desperately needed a change to make a mark. Considering Owens has been a heel for the better part of his career, the recent heel turn has rejuvenated his character. The prized fighter is a natural bad guy who creates nuclear heat.
Owens and Kington will tussle at Money in the Bank, and the buildup of the bout has been nothing but exciting. Considering both men are awe-inspiring in the ring, it is anticipated to be a great bout.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
