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We are all set for the final episode of SmackDown before WWE Survivor Series 2020. After a surprisingly good episode from RAW earlier this week, the Blue brand is once again expected to end the week with a better show tonight. From surprise attacks on top Superstars to much-anticipated returns, there’s a lot to look forward to this week.
In addition to that, we are yet to know the final members of SmackDown’s men’s and women’s teams. Thus, we can expect to witness at least three qualifiers that will determine the Superstars who will represent the Blue brand at Survivor Series.
In this article, we will discuss the events that can transpire on SmackDown’s go-home show before Survivor Series. So, without further ado, let’s begin.
#5 Roman Reigns involved in another confrontation with Drew McIntyre on SmackDown
Last week on WWE SmackDown, we saw Drew McIntyre make a surprise appearance on the show. He was involved in a confrontation with Roman Reigns during which he promised that he will take the WWE Championship off of Randy Orton and will face The Tribal Chief at Survivor Series. To his credit, that’s precisely what McIntyre did on the go-home episode of WWE RAW.
He defeated Randy Orton in a brutal match to become the WWE Champion for the second time this year. McIntyre is now set to lock horns with the Universal Champion Roman Reigns at the upcoming pay-per-view where the two Superstars will represent RAW and SmackDown respectively.
Given how a confident McIntyre arrived on the Blue brand to make a statement even before he had won the championship, there’s a huge possibility that he will do that once again. Only this time, the WWE Champion would look to make his presence felt more by attacking Roman Reigns on SmackDown.
On the final show ahead of Survivor Series, both Superstars are expected to engage in a brawl that will hype up their upcoming match. It will be interesting to see if there will be someone on SmackDown who will help McIntyre when he lays an attack on Roman Reigns, especially considering that the latter has Jey Uso on his side. However, Drew McIntyre is not the only one who is planning to attack Roman Reigns. (More on that in the third slide)
#4 Seth Rollins set to face Murphy on SmackDown
Last week’s episode of SmackDown marked the end of an extended feud between Seth Rollins and Rey Mysterio. Their brilliant in-ring encounter put a perfect end to their long-running feud. Rey Mysterio finally got his well-deserved victory after Murphy betrayed Rollins inside the squared circle. This also helped Murphy in making amends with the Mysterio family.
Both Murphy and Seth Rollins brawled previously when the latter interfered in the former’s relationship with Aalyah Mysterio. He then pretended to befriend Rollins only to attack The Messiah and cost him his match last week on SmackDown. An agitated Rollins then promised the WWE Universe that he is done with Rey Mysterio and he now plans to teach a lesson to his former disciple.
Both Rollins and Murphy have engaged in a couple of battles before this, and they have proved that they can deliver good matches. Given their history, this particular grudge match on SmackDown might looks very promising. Both Rollins and Murphy are expected to steal the show tonight, and hopefully, they will have several good feuds lined up for them after this one ends.
#3 Daniel Bryan reportedly returning with a new look on SmackDown
Daniel Bryan returned on SmackDown a few weeks ago, but that didn't end well. He locked horns with Jey Uso in an epic match in the main event that led to the latter’s victory. Following that, Roman Reigns commanded Uso to continue his attack on Bryan, and the orders from The Tribal Chief were carried out.
Jey Uso unleashed hell on Bryan following their match. From brutalizing him on the ringside to throwing him over the announce desk, he left no page unturned in order to establish his dominance. An injured Bryan then disappeared from the show for a couple of weeks. However, the latest backstage rumors suggest that Bryan is set to return on SmackDown this week with a new look.
Dave Meltzer also reported that WWE initially planned a short title reign for Reigns. However, the response to his heel turn couple with the storyline involving Jey Uso forced the creative to change their plans. They are now inclined towards booking a rivalry between Reigns and Bryan. Hence, the latter is expected to attack Reigns and avenge the brutality laid on him a few weeks ago.
#2 Final members of SmackDown’s Survivor Series teams to be revealed
So far, we know that Seth Rollins, King Corbin, Jey Uso, and Kevin Owens are set to represent SmackDown at Survivor Series 2020. Tonight, we will find out the fifth and final member of the men’s team. Several backstage speculations have suggested that it will be none other than Big E who will join forces with the other four Superstars.
As for the women’s team, SmackDown have only confirmed three names so far – Bianca Belair, Ruby Riott, and Liv Morgan. This week, we will find out the final two members of the team. It is expected that one of them would be Bayley while the other one could be Carmella. The latter has just returned to the Blue brand and is looking for opportunities to establish herself as a dominant performer.
RAW have already confirmed all members of both their teams a couple of weeks ago. SmackDown are yet to determine their final contenders which might take away the advantage from them. The traditional match between the men’s team from both brands looks quite promising on paper. We hope that the women’s teams will be booked in the same manner.
#1 Top RAW Superstars arrive on SmackDown
One of the most exciting parts of Survivor Series are the brand invasions. However, we have not seen RAW Superstars run rampage through the SmackDown locker room and vice versa. Backstage reports suggest that the creative avoided booking an invasion angle in order to protect the roster. But Drew McIntyre’s arrival on the Blue brand last week had the fans expecting more from the build-up to Survivor Series.
While we may not see a full-blown invasion, it is highly possible for the top Superstars from RAW to make a brief appearance on SmackDown tonight. This might lead to isolated altercations rather than a bunch of Superstars brawling in large groups. Between the grudge matches and qualifiers, there would be ample time for WWE to book such small segments backstage.
Overall, the expectations are high from this week’s episode of SmackDown. The Blue brand has been delivering the best shows week in and week out, and one can’t be blamed for trusting that the show won’t disappoint. It will be interesting to see what SmackDown has in store for the fans as we inch closer towards Survivor Series.
