7 Last-Minute predictions for WWE SmackDown Live (31 July 2018)

The latest episode of WWE SmackDown Live will take place in Tampa, Florida on Tuesday.

One of the biggest storylines heading into the show surrounds the WWE Championship match between AJ Styles and Samoa Joe at SummerSlam, while there are certain to be more developments in the heated rivalry between The Miz and Daniel Bryan.

In the women’s division, Carmella will have to fend for herself in the build-up to her SummerSlam match against Becky Lynch after James Ellsworth was fired last week, and Zelina Vega will compete in her first main-roster match when she takes on Lana.

This week’s in-ring action will also see the latest match in the SmackDown Tag Team Championship tournament, with The Bar set to face The Usos to determine who will take on The New Day in a #1 contender match next week.

Elsewhere on the show, Jeff Hardy will confront Randy Orton about the brutal attack he received from "The Viper" two weeks ago, while Asuka’s feud with The IIconics looks set to continue.

In this article, let’s take a look at seven last-minute predictions ahead of the episode.

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#7 Will Charlotte Flair return?

Charlotte Flair is a six-time champion on the main roster

Charlotte Flair has been gone from WWE television for the last six weeks due to issues with a ruptured implant. However, she revealed recently during an interview with Maria Menounos that she could be cleared on 31 July, which means she might return as early as this week’s episode of SmackDown Live.

If “The Queen” does make an appearance, it will surely be as part of the ongoing SmackDown Women’s Championship storyline between her best friend, Becky Lynch, and champion Carmella.

With James Ellsworth fired and Becky confirmed as the #1 contender, perhaps Carmella will temporarily receive help from other roster members, such as Absolution, as she looks to get the upper hand on her rival, only to be interrupted by the returning Charlotte.

Prediction: Charlotte Flair returns and helps Becky Lynch

#6 Will The Bar or The Usos face The New Day?

The New Day was victorious against SAnitY last week

On last week’s SmackDown Live, The New Day defeated SAnitY to advance in the SmackDown Tag Team Championship tournament, setting up a #1 contender match against The Bar or The Usos next week to determine who will face The Bludgeon Brothers at SummerSlam.

The WWE Universe has already seen Harper & Rowan destroy The New Day and The Usos in tag matches earlier in 2018, so this tournament seems all set up for The Bar to advance and give fans a fresh match-up at “The Biggest Party of the Summer”.

Prediction: The Bar defeats The Usos

#5 What next in the Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz rivalry?

The Daniel Bryan-Miz story has stepped up a gear recently

Last week’s SmackDown Live ended with The Miz pretending to throw his baby, Monroe Sky, into Daniel Bryan’s arms. However, the ‘baby’ turned out to be a doll, providing enough of a distraction for Miz to hit his rival with a Skull Crushing Finale.

It’s pretty clear that WWE will book this match for SummerSlam, but why would “The A-Lister” accept or request a battle with Bryan when it’s obvious that he’s an inferior wrestler to D-Bry and he talks the talk better than he walks the walk?

Neither man is currently pencilled in to compete on Tuesday night, so let’s predict that Bryan will challenge Miz to a match at SummerSlam but the eight-time Intercontinental champion will refuse.

Prediction: The Miz refuses to face Daniel Bryan at SummerSlam

#4 Will Zelina Vega win her first SmackDown Live match?

Andrade "Cien" Almas' business manager will face Lana

Zelina Vega and Lana have been involved in a social media war since they brawled at ringside during the match between Andrade “Cien” Almas and Rusev on last week's SmackDown Live.

SmackDown GM Paige announced on Monday that they will go one-on-one on this week’s show, meaning Zelina will compete in a main-roster match for the first time.

So, will Lana pick up just her second televised singles victory ever? Or will Almas’ business manager win on her WWE debut? Let’s go for the latter.

Prediction: Zelina Vega defeats Lana

#3 What do The IIconics have planned for Asuka?

Asuka defeated Billie Kay last week

After mocking Asuka on social media recently, The IIconics came face-to-face with their rival when Billie Kay was defeated by “The Empress of Tomorrow” on last week’s SmackDown Live.

While it hasn’t been officially announced, the next natural progression in the storyline would be for Billie’s partner-in-crime, Peyton Royce, to face Asuka in a singles match. If it happens this week, there’s surely only one winner.

Prediction: Asuka defeats Peyton Royce

#2 How will AJ Styles react to last week’s attack?

AJ Styles will face Samoa Joe at SummerSlam

Samoa Joe made his intentions clear on last week’s SmackDown Live when he sneaked up behind AJ Styles and locked in the Coquina Clutch on the WWE champion to reveal himself as the #1 contender heading into SummerSlam.

Being the fighting champion and fan favourite that Styles is, let’s predict that he’ll want to bring forward the SummerSlam match by defending his title against Joe on this week’s episode instead.

Of course, there’s no chance of that match actually happening this week, but it would solidify Joe’s heel status if he refused to compete in front of the live Tampa crowd.

Prediction: AJ Styles demands immediate match, Samoa Joe declines

#1 What will Jeff Hardy do on his return?

Randy Orton plans to write the final chapter of Jeff Hardy's career

Jeff Hardy was last seen on SmackDown Live two weeks ago when, just as it looked like he was about to regain the United States Championship against Shinsuke Nakamura, he was brutally assaulted by Randy Orton.

Since then, Orton has blamed the “legend-killing” fans for his drastic change of attitude and promised to write the final chapter of Jeff’s career, while Nakamura has cryptically warned that he would pose a bigger threat to “The Viper” than “The Charismatic Enigma”.

WWE is promoting that Jeff will confront Orton on this week’s episode, so let’s predict that a brawl will ensue between the three men, with Orton the only one to emerge unscathed.

Prediction: Randy Orton stands tall against Jeff Hardy and Shinsuke Nakamura