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This week's episode of SmackDown was a bit mixed. There was a decent amount of storyline progression, but the first half of the show didn't start too well. It certainly picked up in the second half, with an interesting conclusion.
We're only two weeks away from the biggest WWE pay-per-view of the year, SummerSlam. What did WWE subtly tell us this week on SmackDown? Find out below:
#5. Finn Balor's Universal title pursuit on SmackDown
Given that John Cena vs. Roman Reigns is the SummerSlam main event and the central feud on SmackDown, it's a bit odd that Finn Balor's Universal title pursuit feels more interesting.
For one, Balor just returned from a successful stint on NXT that lasted for nearly two years and saw him have another reign with the NXT Championship. Immediately upon his return, he challenged Reigns to the Universal title and The Head of the Table accepted.
While their match was going to be booked for SummerSlam, the contract signing last week was invaded just as Finn Balor was about to put the pen to paper. Baron Corbin, a desperate man, tried to sabotage him and sign the contract himself, only to be thwarted by John Cena.
Balor faced Corbin this week on SmackDown and unsurprisingly defeated the former United States Champion with ease. Despite the latter apologizing for his desperate actions pre-match, Balor didn't accept his apology.
The two-time NXT Champion said that the Finn Balor from two years ago would have been smiling, but he isn't that way anymore. It indicated that there was a new edge to his character. He also mentioned his willingness to go through Cena (a man he's already beaten) to get a Universal title shot - teasing a rematch from 2019.
Post-match, Reigns came out and told Balor that he understood his position and overall frustration, but told him to keep his name out of his mouth. The Usos jumped Finn Balor and although he cleared them out of the ring at first, the numbers game caught up to him when Roman Reigns re-entered the ring.
SmackDown ended with Balor getting choked out with the guillotine. A Finn Balor vs. John Cena match could happen soon, but there are only two episodes of the Blue brand left until SummerSlam 2021.
#4. Is gold on the menu for SmackDown's King Nakamura this summer?
Shinsuke Nakamura pinned Apollo Crews in a six-man tag team match on SmackDown last week. This week on the Blue brand, he faced the Intercontinental Champion in a non-title match.
It seemed as though Nakamura was going to pin Crews, whose reign has been underwhelming this past month or two. WWE hasn't done enough with him on SmackDown and even the addition of Commander Azeez hasn't helped much in the long run.
This week's match ended in a disqualification thanks to interference from Azeez, but it was King Nakamura who got the last laugh with Rick Boogs. Admittedly, we're a bit surprised with how popular the Nakamura-Boogs combination has been with the WWE Universe.
If Nakamura is set to face Crews for the Intercontinental Championship at SummerSlam, then gold could be on the menu. A four-month reign isn't a bad one for Apollo Crews, but if he defends the title at SummerSlam, then it's time for King Nakamura to get another title push on SmackDown.
If not SummerSlam, we can see the match and title change happening on an episode of the Blue brand before The Biggest Party of the Summer.
#3. Is Zelina Vega being used as a sacrificial lamb on SmackDown?
Zelina Vega hasn't won much on SmackDown since her return to justify a Women's Championship opportunity. She had the opportunity to get one as she challenged Bianca Belair to a match.
Belair had two challenges at the same time. One from Vega and one from Sasha Banks. Being the fighting champion that she is, she accepted both.
So the match for SummerSlam will be a rematch of the WrestleMania 37 Night One main event as Belair faces Banks. Bianca Belair didn't want to wait to face Zelina Vega and a non-title match was made for SmackDown.
While Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville didn't want to book the Belair-Vega match for the show because of the lack of time to promote it, Vega persuaded them to book it anyway.
Predictably enough, Bianca Belair beat Zelina Vega in a short but entertaining bout. The latter's purpose since returning to the Blue brand has been odd. Liv Morgan hasn't gotten the same TV time that she should be having either. But did WWE bring Vega back to use her as a sacrificial lamb?
#2. Dominik's inexperience keeps costing him on SmackDown
Dominik Mysterio booked himself in a match against Jey Uso on SmackDown. Rey Mysterio questioned him as to why he made that decision since their SmackDown Tag Team Title match for SummerSlam was made official.
Rey emphasized the importance of momentum and stated that while he appreciated his son's help last week on the Blue brand, he didn't need it. Dominik Mysterio simply wanted to prove that he could hang in there. The story heading into The Biggest Party of the Summer is how the 24-year old keeps making rookie mistakes.
The same thing happened this week in a slightly different way. Dominik hit the 619 and was ready to finish the match, but Jimmy Uso tried interjecting. This time, Rey Mysterio was aware of it and jumped on him beforehand. Dominik Mysterio leaped to finish the match but it was a second or two too late as Jey Uso ducked away and finished him with the superkick and splash combo.
Dominik's inexperience is costing him a lot on SmackDown, but it's the perfect story for him to get the pin and win at SummerSlam for the feel-good moment.
#1. Are The Street Profits in line for a SmackDown Tag Team title shot post-SummerSlam?
While The Usos and The Mysterios feud over the SmackDown Tag Team Championship this SummerSlam, there was an effort made to build up the next challenger - which is always a good idea.
Rather than having pointless matches on free TV, WWE had a tag team match on this week's show that served a purpose - to determine which team could secure a future SmackDown Tag Team Title shot.
The Street Profits took on the men who dethroned them earlier this year - Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode. It was a fun match to watch and Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford seemed to pick up where they left off before the crowds went away last year.
They secured the win over the former SmackDown Tag Team Champions and it was hinted afterward that The Street Profits are closer to securing a Tag Team title shot. It will be interesting to see who they face post-Summerslam. It could be a babyface vs. babyface feud against The Mysterios. That would be fun to watch.
You can check out this week's episode of Sportskeeda Wrestling's Smack Talk in the video embedded above.
