5 Last-Minute predictions for WWE SmackDown 1000

The latest episode of WWE SmackDown Live takes place in Washington, DC on Tuesday.

This will be the long-awaited 1000th episode of the show, with star names including The Undertaker, Edge, Rey Mysterio and all four members of Evolution advertised to appear.

Two World Cup qualifying matches have been confirmed for the episode – Rey Mysterio vs. Shinsuke Nakamura and Rusev vs. The Miz – while we can expect to see further developments in the Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair storyline ahead of WWE Evolution.

It is also being advertised that Lynch will face Flair and AJ Styles, Daniel Bryan & Mysterio will join forces against Samoa Joe, The Miz & Nakamura, but those matches are likely to be untelevised.

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Elsewhere, the build to Styles vs. Bryan at Crown Jewel is expected to feature prominently, while Aiden English will inevitably continue his recent mind games with Rusev.

In this article, let’s take a look at five last-minute predictions for the show.

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#5 Rey Mysterio vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (World Cup qualifier)

This will be Rey Mysterio's first match back in WWE

After months of speculation surrounding his future, Rey Mysterio recently signed a full-time deal with WWE.

He is already being advertised for multiple live events and matches over the next few weeks, starting with a World Cup qualifier against Shinsuke Nakamura in the featured match of SmackDown 1000.

The following names have qualified for the World Cup tournament at Crown Jewel so far: John Cena, Kurt Angle, Jeff Hardy, Randy Orton, Seth Rollins and Dolph Ziggler.

Notice anything about them? They are all American!

For that reason, it'd be foolish to bet against another American joining the list, so let's go with the returning Mysterio.

Prediction: Rey Mysterio def. Shinsuke Nakamura

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#4 Rusev vs. The Miz (World Cup qualifier)

The Miz lost in 145 seconds against Daniel Bryan at Super Show-Down

The second World Cup qualifier on the show will see Rusev take on The Miz.

Neither man has a huge amount of momentum right now, with Rusev embroiled in the Milwaukee scandal with Aiden English and The Miz making excuses for his 145-second loss to Daniel Bryan at Super Show-Down.

It'd be awfully strange to have a World Cup tournament with seven Americans and one Bulgarian, so let's go with The Miz to pick up the win following interference from English.

Prediction: The Miz def. Rusev

#3 What will Evolution do on their return?

Evolution dominated WWE from 2003-2005

When WWE anniversary shows come around, you can always bet on one thing: an up-and-coming talent or tag team is going to get destroyed by some returning stars.

Damien Sandow, The Ascension and The Revival have all been victims of this in the past, with the most recent example coming at Raw 25 when D-Generation X, along with Finn Balor and The Club, took turns hitting their finishers on Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder.

With Evolution reforming for the first time in four years at SmackDown 1000, there's a good chance that Triple H, Randy Orton, Batista and Ric Flair cross paths with a current faction on the blue brand.

Let's predict that, after some joking around about who the best member of Evolution is/was, forgotten faction SAnitY will interrupt and begin to attack them, only to instantly regret it.

Prediction: Evolution hit their finishers on SAnitY

#2 What part will The Undertaker play on the show?

The Undertaker was synonymous with SmackDown in the 00s

The Undertaker will team with Kane to face Triple H and the returning Shawn Michaels at Crown Jewel on November 2.

The build-up to the high-profile tag match continued on Monday's episode of Raw when The Brothers of Destruction appeared in a backstage segment to send an ominous "Rest In Peace" warning to the D-Generation X members.

Triple H and The Undertaker are bound to have some kind of confrontation at SmackDown 1000, but there are plenty of other advertised Superstars, notably Edge, who are without an obvious role on the show.

With that in mind, let's predict that there will be an in-ring discussion between multiple legends from SmackDown's past and present, including the likes of AJ Styles, Edge and Vickie Guerrero (representing Eddie Guerrero), about who truly is the greatest Superstar in the show's history.

That's when The Undertaker can appear, claiming that SmackDown has been and always will be "my yard", before turning his attention to Triple H.

Prediction: The Undertaker appears with multiple legends

#1 Will The Rock make an appearance?

The Rock rarely features on WWE television

WWE SmackDown is named after The Rock's "Layeth the SmackDown" catchphrase, so it'd be a surprise if he doesn't feature on the milestone 1000th episode in some capacity.

There has been lots of speculation that he could return for a match at next year's WrestleMania, or possibly even enter the Royal Rumble in January, so he will surely address those rumors if he makes an appearance.

Due to his busy schedule, it's more likely that the eight-time WWE World Champion appears via video link rather than in front of the live crowd in Washington, DC, but that's not necessarily a bad thing – he has cut some incredible promos via video in the past.

If indeed he does appear via video, let's predict that he'll namecheck some of the current members of the WWE roster before hinting that he could make a return in the near future.

Prediction: The Rock appears via video link, hints at WWE return