WWE SmackDown Live after SummerSlam 2018: 5 last-minute predictions

The first episode of WWE SmackDown Live since SummerSlam 2018 will take place in Brooklyn, New York on Tuesday.

One of the biggest storylines heading into the show surrounds the SmackDown Women’s Championship, which Charlotte Flair won from Carmella in a Triple Threat match at SummerSlam before being attacked by her best friend, Becky Lynch.

As for this week’s in-ring action, The New Day will get another opportunity at the SmackDown Tag Team Championships against The Bludgeon Brothers, this time in a No Disqualification match, and Jeff Hardy will finally go one-on-one with Randy Orton in the first encounter of the night.

Elsewhere on the show, WWE is advertising that AJ Styles will give an exclusive interview following his disqualification loss against Samoa Joe at SummerSlam, while Daniel Bryan will be out for revenge after his controversial defeat to The Miz on Sunday.

Further down the card, there is bound to be a reaction from Rusev and Lana (and possibly Aiden English) after losing to Andrade “Cien” Almas and Zelina Vega, and Shinsuke Nakamura is expected to appear following his United States Championship triumph against Jeff.

In this article, let’s take a look at five last-minute predictions for this week's episode of SmackDown Live.

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#5 Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton

Jeff Hardy lost against Shinsuke Nakamura at SummerSlam

Jeff Hardy paid the price for attempting a risky Swanton Bomb against Shinsuke Nakamura at SummerSlam, landing on the ring apron before being caught in the face with a Kinshasa from the United States champion.

“The Charismatic Enigma” will now presumably move away from the US title picture, with SmackDown GM Paige announcing on social media that the show will begin this week with a match between Jeff and Randy Orton, who teased an attack on his rival at SummerSlam but decided against it.

So, will Jeff get his revenge on Orton for his multiple attacks over the last month? Or will “The Viper”, competing in his first televised match since his return at Extreme Rules, show his ruthless side again and walk away with the win?

Let’s predict that Orton will produce a similar attack to the ones we've seen on SmackDown Live recently, resulting in a disqualification.

Prediction: Jeff Hardy wins via disqualification

#4 The Bludgeon Brothers vs. The New Day (SmackDown Tag Team Championships)

The Bludgeon Brothers escaped with the titles at SummerSlam

For the first time since they became SmackDown Tag Team champions at WrestleMania 34, The Bludgeon Brothers looked in trouble against The New Day at SummerSlam and their four-month title reign was close to being over.

Rowan decided enough was enough against the duo of Big E and Xavier Woods, so he used one of the Bludgeon Brothers’ trademark mallets on his opponents to cause a disqualification.

It’s tough to call the No Disqualification rematch on this week’s SmackDown Live, but let’s assume that Harper and Rowan will use the mallets to good effect again, legally this time, to retain their titles.

Prediction: The Bludgeon Brothers

#3 What will AJ Styles say in his interview?

AJ Styles lost control against Samoa Joe at SummerSlam

In one of the best WWE Championship matches of the last 18 months, Samoa Joe went too far in his mocking of the Styles family at SummerSlam, prompting AJ to get himself disqualified after hitting his opponent with multiple chair shots.

WWE is advertising an exclusive interview with “The Phenomenal One” for this week’s SmackDown Live, which will presumably set up a rematch between the two in the near future.

Let’s predict that Styles will request another battle with Joe at the Hell In A Cell pay-per-view next month, with the match taking place inside the steel structure.

Prediction: AJ Styles challenges Samoa Joe to a Hell In A Cell match

#2 What next in the Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz story?

Daniel Bryan lost to The Miz in controversial circumstances

With Maryse watching on from ringside at SummerSlam, The Miz received an object from his wife during his match against Daniel Bryan and used it to punch his opponent in the head before quickly covering him for the 1-2-3.

It’s quite clear that the two long-term rivals will be involved in multiple matches over the next couple of months, but why would “The A-Lister” simply agree to another match against the man he defeated, albeit unfairly, on Sunday?

Nothing is currently being advertised for this rivalry on SmackDown Live, but it wouldn’t be at all surprising if the eight-time Intercontinental champion refused to grant D-Bry a rematch.

Prediction: The Miz refuses to face Daniel Bryan again

#1 What was Becky Lynch’s motive?

Becky Lynch failed to win the SmackDown Women's Championship

Becky Lynch produced one of the biggest surprises at SummerSlam when, moments after she was pinned by Charlotte Flair in the SmackDown Women’s Championship Triple Threat match, she launched a vicious attack on her best friend.

WWE is advertising that “The Irish Lasskicker” will explain her actions on this week’s SmackDown Live, which will surely lead to her criticising Charlotte for constantly stealing the spotlight from her over the last 16 months.

Becky has been treated as an inferior sidekick to Charlotte since the two were placed on the same brand in April 2017, while the Triple Threat match at SummerSlam was originally supposed to be Carmella vs. Becky until “The Queen” was added to it.

Prediction: Becky was fed up of Charlotte stealing the spotlight