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This week's episode of SmackDown emanated live from Hershey, Pennsylvania, in front of a sold-out crowd. Fans were amped all night long and made themselves heard during every part of the broadcast.
We're just over a month away from the most spectacular two-night WrestleMania in history. WWE has ramped up the product, and this episode was no different, with several high-profile names making an appearance.
A significant return saw Sasha Banks compete in her first match since the Women's Royal Rumble bout in January. Banks squared off against Shotzi and made her tap out in quickly to the Banks Statement. However, it was revealed after the victory that she and Naomi will be looking to challenge for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship.
Also, after his nasty bump at the Elimination Chamber, Madcap Moss competed against Drew McIntyre once again. The latter scored the victory using the Claymore finisher, and we will likely see him tangle with Happy Corbin at WrestleMania.
Two other announcements on the show included a preview for what's to come next week. Sami Zayn will be defending the Intercontinental Championship against Ricochet. However, the champ had an early altercation with his rival Johnny Knoxville, who initially accepted his challenge, but The Master Strategist took him out with two Helluva Kicks.
The Viking Raiders will finally get their shot at the SmackDown Tag Team Championship next week against The Usos in Miami, Florida. The Raiders attacked Jimmy and Jey backstage and will now look to overcome them in tag team action.
As Jim Ross would famously say, business is about to pick up. The WrestleMania season is certainly in full swing. On that note, let's take a look at the five biggest news stories coming out of SmackDown this week.
#5 Independent star appears on SmackDown and AEW on the same night
Not many stars can say they appeared in WWE and AEW on the same night. Well, independent performer, Kayla Sparks can.
Sparks appeared on SmackDown as the female on the front row who Angel and Humberto kissed for their newly-introduced kiss cam entrance. Sparks got a fair bit of television time following the kiss and was a plant positioned by the company.
Surprisingly, Kayla Sparks is also set to appear on AEW Rampage, which airs right after SmackDown. In the pre-taped show, Kayla was defeated by Serena Deeb in The Professor's Five Minute Rookie Challenge.
It was a history-making night for the young star, and it will no doubt put her name out there for many fans and promotions to see.
#4 Xia Li competes in her debut match on SmackDown
Xia Li became the first Chinese WWE Superstar to compete on SmackDown this week.
"The Protector" went one-on-one against Natalya and showed the WWE Universe exactly what she's all about in the ring. In the end, Li scored a victory using a spinning heel kick.
This is still just the beginning for Xia Li on SmackDown, and if booked correctly, she could end up being a huge asset for the brand in the future.
#3 Vince McMahon to appear on The Pat McAfee Show
It's not often that we see WWE Chairman Vince McMahon on television anymore. However, he will be returning next week by appearing on The Pat McAfee Show.
McMahon will sit down with McAfee in a rare appearance where the latter will be firing questions. There will be plenty of eyeballs on the show, which will be broadcasted on YouTube next Thursday. Who knows just how far McAfee can go with his questioning, but it will undoubtedly deliver one way or another.
The appearance follows Brock Lesnar's visit to the show, in which the champ detailed more about his personal life and his motivations in wrestling.
#2 Ronda Rousey will face Sonya Deville next week on SmackDown
Ronda Rousey appeared on SmackDown once again this week. She joined Michael Cole in the ring for an exclusive interview to kick off the broadcast.
Rousey discussed her motivation for returning, inspired by her mother and newborn daughter. The interview was cut short when SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair appeared. It all seemed like a diversion as Sonya Deville ambushed "The Baddest Woman on the Planet" from behind.
It allowed Charlotte to take advantage and smash Ronda's knee against the ring post. Despite this, she managed to escape a further attack from Deville. Ronda and Sonya are now set to compete in Miami next week.
#1 Huge stipulation added to Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 38
WWE is now dubbing it the biggest WrestleMania match ever. Universal Champion Roman Reigns will face WWE Champion Brock Lesnar at the Show of Shows in a Winner Take All match.
Before SmackDown went on air, WWE.com announced that the match would now also be a Championship Unification match. The Universal Championship and the WWE Championship will be merged at WrestleMania.
What this means moving forward remains to be seen, but it adds more intrigue to the colossal showdown set to take place at AT&T Stadium. It has also been confirmed that the match will take place on Night Two of the big event.
Let us know your thoughts on the Championship Unification announcement for WrestleMania in the comments section below!
