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SmackDown Live is set to debut on FOX on October 4, and they're already airing pre-show specials to hype the product and introduce the audience to the brand.
Both WWE and FOX are investing a lot into promoting this debut show. With FOX running several advertising campaigns and will have an introductory show the week before the actual debut.
They want to introduce as many people as possible to the product. The show on September 27 is said to acclimate the casual viewer with the WWE and the nature of professional wrestling. It is designed to generate buzz for the new show.
There has been a lot of speculation as to how WWE will kick the new era off. Will they bring back old stars? Will they lean towards featuring current and future talents on this show? The goal is to capture and retain as much of the audience as possible to keep them watching in subsequent weeks.
Here are three potential ways WWE could kick things off with a bang on FOX.
#3 John Cena wrestles a match
John Cena is set to host the preview show with The Miz, prior to the premiere of SmackDown Live on October 4. Don't be surprised if WWE decides to utilize one of its most recognizable stars in the squared-circle and put Cena in the ring.
A fun angle would be to have The Fiend make an appearance and put John Cena down with the Mandible Claw. It would be consistent with The Fiend’s attacks on legends and allow the company to showcase one of the biggest stars in WWE history and at the same time, put over their hot new act.
Whether The Fiend attacks Cena or not, having him make an appearance would make a big impression on the FOX audience. WWE will want to send fans home happy with this show, so we could see Cena verbally abuse a mid-card heel, then take him out, much to the delight of the crowd.
Either way, Cena on SmackDown Live makes too much sense, especially considering that he is already going to be there.
#2 The Rock makes an appearance
The very name of the show originated from one of the Rock’s catchphrases. The Rock had a ton of great lines but WWE picked one of them, "laying the smack down" and sprouted an entire brand off of it. SmackDown is a brand that has lasted for 20 years and is about to find itself on FOX. It's quite incredible.
We know the WWE has been pushing to get The Rock involved and they have even used him in the advertisements. It is easy to understand why the WWE would want one of the biggest movie stars in the world representing their brand on such a large stage.
This is hard to fathom, but there are people out there that know The Rock as a movie star and not a wrestler. It would make perfect sense to have him on the show to usher in the new era of SmackDown Live, make the non-wrestling fans a little more comfortable with what they are watching, then have him "layeth the smack down" on some deserving heel.
#1 Kofi Kingston successfully defends his title against Brock Lesnar
Kofi Kingston has established himself as a worthy champion. He’s had some great matches and is coming off of a professional wrestling clinic he and Randy Orton put on at Clash of Champions. We could be in store for a nice run between Kingston and Lesnar, but what does WWE have in store for the main event of their FOX debut?
Brock Lesnar is a household name. WWE is anticipating a large audience for the first episode of the new era, and many of those viewers will be interested in this strange new show on FOX.
WWE has one chance to make a great first impression. Kofi has the crowd firmly behind him and defeating Lesnar on SmackDown Live will establish his credibility with the “casual fans”.
WWE has an opportunity to suck new viewers in with Kofi’s infectious personality and his ability to have fun and take the audience along for the ride.
Then WWE can send them home with a huge win for the champion over Brock Lesnar, The Beast, the legend. The victory would set the tone for Kofi as the undisputed champion.
