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We are all set for this week’s SmackDown that is expected to bring a lot of surprises for the WWE fans. So far, no title matches have been announced for the show tonight’s show, but there are important returns and a debut that could be the biggest highlights of the final WWE show of the week.
The champions on SmackDown had a great night at Backlash 2020. Braun Strowman successfully defended his WWE Universal Championship against Miz and John Morrison. The SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley and her best friend Sasha Banks successfully defended their WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships at the PPV. Before that, AJ Styles won the Intercontinental Championship on SmackDown’s go-home show before Backlash, and he will now look to celebrate his first IC title reign in the house that he built.
In this article, we will discuss everything that can unfold on SmackDown this week. So, without further ado, let’s begin with our preview.
#1 ‘The Fiend’ Bray Wyatt set to return on SmackDown
As confirmed in the last episode of RAW, we will see Bray Wyatt return on SmackDown this week. He is expected to address the WWE Universe via his Firefly Fun House segment, and it will be interesting to see what he has to say after spending weeks away from the Blue brand. Bray Wyatt challenged Braun Strowman for the WWE Universal Championship at Money in the Bank PPV, and he couldn’t take the gold away from the ‘Monster Among Men.’
He may once again start a feud with Braun Strowman, but the Creative would look to involve their history in a different way, if this feud restarts. If Bray Wyatt decides to go for the Universal Championship once again, then it would most likely mean that Strowman’s title reign is coming to an end. This rivalry has a huge potential on SmackDown, and it must be booked in a fashion that won’t undermine Strowman’s current run with the title.
It is important to note that it was Bray Wyatt who lost in the previous encounter between the two Superstars and not ‘The Fiend.’ The Creative have the option of starting a memorable storyline with The Fiend’s return on SmackDown tonight that will hopefully see its final match at SummerSlam. This is too good a chance to miss, and the Blue brand is expected to deliver.
#2 Matt Riddle's SmackDown debut
Earlier this month, WWE confirmed Matt Riddle's move to SmackDown after he dropped his NXT Tag Team Championships and lost against Timothy Thatcher in his final match on NXT. He is now set to make his debut on SmackDown this week. Given the fact that he has already developed a huge fan base amongst the WWE fans, and fans will be interested in seeing what WWE has in store for him.
Backstage rumors suggest that Matt Riddle will feud with SmackDown Superstar Baron Corbin after his debut. If reports are to be believed, the Blue brand has planned a 'big' debut for the former NXT Superstar following which he will engage in a rivalry with King Corbin. Anyone who squares off against Corbin almost immediately gets over with the fans, and this would be the perfect way to introduce Matt Riddle on SmackDown.
Matt Riddle is far from a conventional WWE babyface, and his in-ring skills aren't aesthetically pleasing. As we have seen before, he can do well in the singles division as well as the Tag Team division. WWE must use him in a manner that will do justice to his talent, and hopefully, SmackDown will have a proper booking in place for the debuting Superstar.
#3 AJ Styles’ celebration after winning the Intercontinental Championship on SmackDown
WWE Superstar AJ Styles defeated Daniel Bryan to win the Intercontinental Championship for the first time in his WWE career. This week, he is set to roll the red carpet and celebrate his title on SmackDown, something that never really goes uninterrupted in WWE. While AJ Styles may be excited to run the ‘house that he built’ once again, his challengers could be different this time.
It is fair to expect that AJ Styles will be a fighting champion on SmackDown. Superstars like Daniel Bryan and Drew Gulak could feud with Styles with the title on the line. Seeing him defend his title against Shinsuke Nakamura would also be exciting. The fans expect that Sami Zayn will also challenge Styles for the title soon but that won’t happen until the latter decides to return for SmackDown tapings.
Last week, there were several reports about AJ Styles being unhappy with Paul Heyman and not feeling welcomed on RAW. Over on SmackDown, he is expected to be used more often, especially now that he holds the IC title. It will be interesting to see what’s next for the ‘Phenomenal One’ on the Blue brand.
#4 SmackDown Superstar Mandy Rose to appear on Miz TV
As confirmed by WWE, this week, we will see Mandy Rose appear as a special guest on tonight's edition of the MIZ TV. She is expected to comment on her ongoing feud with former tag team partner and best friend, Sonya Deville, while sharing the segment with The Miz and John Morrison on SmackDown.
The rivalry between Rose and Deville has been one of the exciting feuds on SmackDown in the last few weeks, but it is safe to say that the storyline is at the cusp of losing its charm. If the Creative have no plans in store for both the Superstars involved, they must put an end to this feud and find other opponents in the SmackDown women's division.
It might be too soon to push Rose or Deville into the SmackDown Women's Championship picture, but WWE can certainly use them in other storylines. After all, they will have to prove their dominance on SmackDown before making a claim for the gold – something that already has a huge rivalry lined up and is expected to unfold in the near future.
#5 Bayley celebrates her birthday week on SmackDown
Speaking of the SmackDown Women's Championship, it is Bayley's birthday week, and she would like to cap off her celebrations with a good time on the final WWE show of the week. Her best friend and fellow Women's Tag Team Champion Sasha Banks will also be there. However, WWE have not yet confirmed if they will be competing in a match tonight.
This week, Sasha Banks and Bayley have defended their Women's Tag Tea Championships twice. On Sunday, they retained their title at the Backlash PPV in a triple-threat match against The IIconics and the team of Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross. Following that, they defended their title against Tegan Nox and Shotzi Blackheart on NXT. Even though they don't have a match scheduled for this week's SmackDown, we can surely hope for interruptions and altercations.
In the last episode of RAW, a title match between The IIconics and Sasha Banks and Bayley was booked, which will take place next week. It's almost certain that the SmackDown Women's Champion and her best friend are carrying the titles well and will look for a deserving celebration before their Tag Team Championships are on the line once again.
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