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What's the story?
Kevin Owens is set to face Shinsuke Nakamura on SmackDown Live next week. In another huge announcement, next SmackDown Live will also feature 2 out of 3 falls match between Dolph Ziggler and Bobby Roode.
The winners of both the matches will be added to SmackDown Live's men's team for Survivor Series.
In case you didn't know....
SmackDown and Raw will compete against each other at Survivor Series. Shane McMahon led the SmackDown Live roster and invaded Raw on the post-TLC episode of Raw, firing the first shots on the road to Survivor Series.
Shane McMahon announced a match between Sami Zayn and Randy Orton on SmackDown Live for the first spot on the team, where Randy Orton secured his place after a victory against Zayn.
The heart of the matter
After his 'friend', Sami Zayn, got the chance to join the men's team at Survivor Series, Kevin Owens was the next star to get the opportunity. He was scheduled to face Shinsuke Nakamura in a match to become part of the team.
Unfortunately, Zayn came unstuck against Orton, and it is unlikely that Owens will overcome Nakamura. However, both men may still interfere in the men's elimination match at Survivor Series.
Dolph Ziggler and Bobby Roode have had quite a feud over the past few weeks. In their feud, both of them have managed to secure one victory each. This 2 out of 3 falls match will serve as the rubber match in their feud. The winner will go on to join Randy Orton and the winner of the Owens and Nakamura match to secure a spot on the SmackDown Live Men's team.
What's next?
Next week will see a match between Shinsuke Nakamura and Kevin Owens when they face each other for a spot on the SmackDown Live Men's team.
It will also have Bobby Roode and Dolph Ziggler in a 2 out of 3 falls match.
Author's take
Kevin Owens representing SmackDown Live does not really make much sense because of his issues with the Commissioner of SmackDown Live, Shane McMahon. However, it will be extremely interesting to see how things are built on the road to Survivor Series.
Ziggler and Roode haven't set the world on fire. But they have the opportunity to put on a show next week before they, presumably, move onto newer programs.
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