'%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,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
We are all set for the last episode of SmackDown before the upcoming WWE pay-per-view, Money in the Bank. We already have the finalized list of participants for both the Men's and Women's MITB Corporate Ladder match. Hence, tonight we will see the creatives adding the final touches to the build-up for other important matches scheduled for the upcoming PPV.
Although there are no title matches scheduled for this week's SmackDown, the champions of the Blue brand are scheduled to engage in crucial encounters this week. Bayley is once again going to team up with her best friend for a tag team match, whereas Braun Strowman is set to confront his challenger, 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt. The Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn, however, might miss the show this week.
Earlier this week, RAW delivered a fairly decent show, and the Blue brand is expected to follow suit. From budding rivalries to memorable altercations, a lot can transpire on tonight's episode of SmackDown. In this article, we have discussed the significant events that can unfold on WWE's last weekly show ahead of Money in the Bank. So, without further ado, let's begin.
#1 Jeff Hardy set to return to SmackDown tonight
Earlier this year, we witnessed the return of former WWE Champion and one-half of the Hardy Boyz, Jeff Hardy. He returned to SmackDown and defeated Baron Corbin in his first match of 2020. As confirmed by the WWE, the Charismatic Enigma is set to return to the Blue brand this week and initiate a new feud.
As per the reports, Jeff will start another chapter of his WWE career by starting a rivalry with SmackDown Superstar, Sheamus. So far, the build-up to a potential feud between the high-flying Superstar and Sheamus has been subtle yet highly entertaining. In the last few weeks, we saw Michael Cole hyping Jeff by discussing his WWE history, but that didn't sit well with the 'Celtic Warrior'. The latter would often walk up to the commentator and bully him into stopping with his praises for Jeff Hardy. Now, it's only fair for the Charismatic Enigma to deliver an apt response.
A feud between Sheamus and Jeff will be beneficial for both the Superstars. They are both good performers and can add life to even the slowest of the storylines. We might also see both of them lock horns at Money in the Bank. Even though their feud's build-up hasn't been that intense, a match at the upcoming PPV might just be the thing they need to kickstart a memorable rivalry.
We hope that their interaction plays out well tonight on SmackDown so that we can see them engage in an epic storyline in the coming weeks. Both these Superstars are looking for a compelling run in the Single's competition, and the creatives have a tremendous opportunity right here to use both these SmackDown Superstars to their full potential.
#2 Will Sami Zayn miss SmackDown go-home show before Money in the Bank 2020?
Over the last few days, few reports circulating in the media have suggested that the reigning Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn has refused to work ahead of the Money in the Bank pay-per-view. Therefore, we might not see him on tonight’s episode of SmackDown, which could make it difficult to predict what’s in store for him at MITB 2020.
Dave Meltzer reported that there’s a high chance that the IC title will not be defended on Sunday’s PPV. In the Wrestling Observer podcast, Dave Meltzer was quoted saying,
“Even though Zayn is IC champion and Mania seemed to start a long-term program with Bryan, Bryan was always booked to be in MITB before Zayn made the call not to attend the recent tapings.”
In the absence of Zayn, we might see SmackDown Superstars Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro in a few backstage spots. They might also look for an interesting feud, while Zayn’s ongoing rivalry with Daniel Bryan seems to be put on hold for now. It will be interesting to see how this storyline will pick up once Zayn makes his return to SmackDown.
#3 SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley scheduled for an interesting match
The SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley is set to defend her title against Tamina at the Money in the Bank PPV. But before that, she has an interesting match lined up for tonight’s episode of SmackDown. Bayley and her best friend, Sasha Banks, will team up to take on Lacey Evans and Tamina in a tag team match.
There are several points to note ahead of this encounter. While Tamina and Bayley’s feud recently picked up on SmackDown, Banks and Evans have been feuding for long. It was the ‘Sassy Southern Belle’ who eliminated Banks from the championship match at WrestleMania 36, and she also defeated Banks in their bout to win a spot in the Women’s MITB Ladder match. However, it is important to note that Bayley’s mistake helped Evans in both those situations.
By the looks of it, SmackDown will soon witness the much-awaited feud between Bayley and Sasha Banks. The creatives have started to lay the seeds of this rivalry, and soon, we could see the best-friends turn into mortal enemies on the Blue brand. But before that, they have to team up and take on their rivals in SmackDown’s go-home show before Money in the Bank 2020.
#4 Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman to come face to face on SmackDown tonight
While Roman Reigns’ decision to back out from WrestleMania 36 allowed Braun Strowman to unexpectedly become the WWE Universal Champion, there’s a lot that must be done with his title reign before it comes to an end. Interestingly, the first feud for Strowman is against his former ally, 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt. The two SmackDown Superstars are set to square off inside the ring at Money in the Bank with the Universal Championship on the line.
Although the ‘Monster Among Men’ has been humbled by ‘The Fiend’ Bray Wyatt in their past encounters, the story could turn out differently on SmackDown tonight. Hopefully, the WWE creatives will not use Strowman as a transitional Champion and will have him engage in an extended feud with Bray on SmackDown before the latter eventually wins back his title.
The build-up to their upcoming MITB encounter has been pretty good so far. The two Superstars will come face to face on this week’s episode of SmackDown. There are a lot of possible outcomes of this brief encounter scheduled for Friday night, but we know that the ‘Monster Among Men’ will not be intimidated easily.
#5 SmackDown set to welcome a promising rivalry?
After last year’s Superstar Shake-up, the SmackDown Women’s roster appeared to be slightly less appealing as compared to the RAW roster. However, this perception has changed drastically in the last few months. From engaging storylines to entertaining segments, the women of the Blue brand have gone above and beyond to deliver memorable performances.
Now, we are headed towards another promising feud on SmackDown with Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville slowly increasing the intensity of their rivalry. Rose feels betrayed after her trusted friend and former tag team partner helped Dolph Ziggler in jeopardizing Rose’s romance with Otis. The one-half of Heavy Machinery already found his ground and established himself as a credible Superstar during his feud with Ziggler. And now, Rose will look to do the same.
On tonight’s episode of SmackDown, Rose and Deville are set to lock horns inside the ring. Last week, Deville’s actions during the MITB Qualifying match caused Rose to lose against Carmella. Now, Rose has vengeance on her mind she will look to settle the score on SmackDown’s go-home show before Money in the Bank 2020. Hopefully, their feud will continue so that both Superstars can explore their potential in the coming weeks.
