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We're all set for WWE SmackDown's final episode before the upcoming pay-per-view event, Hell in a Cell. WWE still hasn't revealed a lot of matches for the card, so fans can expect several important announcements on the go-home episode tonight.
Unsurprisingly, WWE has only confirmed two segments for tonight's episode of SmackDown. However, we certainly know that Roman Reigns will make an appearance ahead of his title match against Jey Uso.
Let's take a look at things that can happen on SmackDown this Friday night.
#1 Roman Reigns shares more detail about the I Quit Match on SmackDown
WWE Superstar Roman Reigns is finally in the position the company always wanted him. His ongoing Universal Championship feud with Jey Uso is arguably the most exciting storyline in pro-wrestling right now. On the final episode of SmackDown before Hell in a Cell, Roman Reigns could finally reveal the unsaid details of his title match that will have the "highest of stakes."
WWE confirmed that Paul Heyman will accompany Roman Reigns on Sunday. Given the history of this duo, we can all be certain that the two will play mind games to ensure that the title remains with Reigns and he continues to be The Tribal Chief. Tonight on SmackDown, Roman Reigns is bound to make the upcoming title match at the pay-per-view even more interesting.
As of this writing, there has been speculation that Rikishi could be in the audience when Jey Uso takes on Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship. While the champion is expected to retain his gold, both cousins will undoubtedly engage in a brutal encounter. Despite the predictable result, the stipulation for the title match at Hell in a Cell can add more interesting bits, the details of which will probably be unveiled on SmackDown.
There have also been speculations that WWE could plan to put Roman Reigns in a stable with The Usos. Of course, that will have to wait until Jimmy Uso fully recovers from his injury and returns to SmackDown. Therefore, Roman Reigns might suggest that if Jey Uso loses at Hell in a Cell, he can only return to WWE if he backs his cousin and truly accepts him as The Tribal Chief. This would be a great way to tease their impending union as a stable.
#2 Will Bayley sign the contract for the SmackDown Women's Championship match?
After months of toying with the concept, WWE finally decided to book the highly-anticipated feud between Sasha Banks and Bayley. The two Superstars are expected to engage in a title match at Hell in a Cell with Bayley's SmackDown Women's Championship on the line. However, Bayley notably hasn't signed the contract that would make this colossal match official yet.
Last week on SmackDown, Bayley was close to signing it, but she escaped the obligation. It's clear that she doesn't want to part with her title, but she can't run away for long. Tonight on SmackDown, Banks could get the better of Bayley and make her sign the contract. If things go right for her, Banks would finally get the title match that she has deserved for so long. More importantly, fans can be certain that Banks and Bayley will deliver a great match.
When WWE booked them for a title match on SmackDown's season premiere, it came to a disappointing end as Bayley intentionally got herself disqualified. Later, it became obvious that WWE doesn't want to save this match for a bigger stage. While the fans would have been thrilled to see Banks and Bayley square off in a high stakes match at WrestleMania, it may be too far away.
Banks deserves a chance at vengeance and redemption as she walks out of her third Hell in a Cell with the SmackDown Women's Championship. So, she will make sure that the contract is signed and the match is official for Sunday.
#3 Who will be Lars Sullivan’s next opponent on SmackDown?
The surprise return of Lars Sullivan was one of the biggest talking points from the 2020 WWE Draft. He immediately went on a rampage through both the RAW and SmackDown rosters. Billed as The Freak, WWE showcased Sullivan as one of the biggest monsters in the company today. Last week, he convincingly defeated Jeff Hardy. Later, The Charismatic Enigma moved to RAW, so Sullivan will have to find new prey on the blue brand.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that his current booking is similar to how Braun Strowman was utilized a couple of years ago. After controversy forced him to take some time away from WWE, it appears that the company has invested a lot of trust in the returning Superstar. He will have an opportunity to be a part of a few good feuds on SmackDown, but it will be interesting to see who will be Sullivan's next target.
Overall, tonight's episode of SmackDown looks extremely promising on paper. As the final WWE show ahead of the Hell in a Cell, there are a lot of exciting events that can happen on Friday Night SmackDown and in a few hours. We will find out how the upcoming pay-per-view will shape up as the final card is revealed.
#4 More on WWE’s plans for Daniel Bryan after his return on SmackDown
The SmackDown season premiere marked the return of Daniel Bryan. The former WWE Champion recently welcomed a new member of his family and had to take extra precautions to ensure the safety of his loved ones. Now, he's back on WWE television. While he might not have a spot on the Hell In A Cell card, he can still find himself kick off a brand new rivalry on SmackDown.
Last week, Bryan got into an altercation with Seth Rollins. However, Rollins seemingly went back to his long-standing feud with Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio afterward. Therefore, it's unclear if Bryan will start a program with Rollins, but he will certainly remain a babyface. Before his return, there were rumors The Planet's Champion could enter the world title picture on SmackDown, but it appears that WWE will hold off that plan for now.
In the meantime, Bryan could use his backstage influence to ensure that some of the deserving Superstars on the blue brand get a push. After all, SmackDown has become WWE's most interesting weekly show, and the company would appreciate every new storyline that could build up new Superstars on the brand. Moreover, with Survivor Series lurking on the horizon, WWE would be keen to develop other Superstars as brand warfare inches closer with each passing day.
#5 What’s in store for Otis on SmackDown?
A month after WrestleMania 36, WWE Superstar Otis defied all odds to become Mr. Money in the Bank. Unfortunately, he started to lose his momentum right after that and he hasn't proved himself as a valid threat to any of the champions in the WWE roster yet. To make things worse, the longer he waited to cash-in his contract on SmackDown, the more he disappeared into oblivion.
Over the last few weeks on SmackDown, WWE has teased a potential match between Otis and Sami Zayn. It makes sense because there's no way Otis will cash-in his contract and capture the WWE Championship or the Universal Championship at this point. He also can't target the tag titles because Heavy Machinery is split up. Finally, WWE shouldn't want to risk having Otis fail to cash in his Money in the Bank contract.
Thus, it makes more sense for Otis to go after Sami Zayn's Intercontinental Championship. The two can still feud over the title on SmackDown, even after Hell in a Cell. WWE could even have Otis and Zayn battle it out for the title at the pay-per-view. At any rate, the build-up to this match all depends on what transpires on SmackDown this week. Hopefully, WWE will at to salvage both Otis and the reputation built around the Money in the Bank briefcase.
