Manchester in New Hampshire hosts the final pit stop for the Blue brand before we head into Backlash this weekend. Expect the show to be as engaging as ever, as the various story arcs approach their culmination points.
Jinder Mahal’s ill-tempered rise in the WWE has been a bolt out of the blue and thus far, no one seems to have figured out just how to deal with the Maharaja and his minions, the Bollywood Boyz. Will that continue or will the Phenomenal One find an answer to the puzzle that many have floundered against?
But Randy Orton has his own problems to worry about as he stands opposite Baron Corbin in single’s competition this week. Whatever else the Lone Wolf may or may not be, he certainly isn’t a pushover and the WWE Champion’s focus has to be unfettered when he goes up against him.
And how will the marriage of convenience between Naomi, Charlotte and Becky hold up against the unity of the Welcoming Committee, as all six women enter the ring at the same time to put pen on paper before their 3-on-3 tag team match this weekend?
And last but not least, will Shinsuke Nakamura make one more awe-inspiring appearance before his maiden WWE match at Backlash against Dolph Ziggler?
For the answers to all this and more, read on as we preview this week’s episode of SmackDown Live!
#1 Rusev Machka
Rusev has only been introduced to the SmackDown Live audience by way of video thus far, and his condition to appear at Backlash has been simple. Give him a Title shot.
But with all the Titles already scheduled to be defended over the weekend, how on earth is that possible?
That’s probably what’s on the Bulgarian Brute’s mind as he graces New Hampshire with his presence to confront Shane McMahon for those answers. How will Shane McMahon handle an entitled yet talented super athlete like Rusev?
Will we get to see him play some part at Backlash?
Or as he’s always been threatening to do, will Rusev actually follow up on his threats and pack his bags and walk out of SmackDown Live should he be overlooked at the pay-per-view?
The plot thickens.
#2 Salt on wounds
If it isn’t bad enough that Kevin Owens decommissioned Chris Jericho with a vicious attack a couple of weeks ago, he’s now assumed the role of host for Y2J’s patented talk show, the Highlight Reel – a low blow the likes of which only a conniving mind like Owens’ could conjure.
In his WWE career thus far, Owens has displayed an uncanny ability to press all the right buttons to engender heat from the crowd or the person standing opposite him in the ring, and this latest move on his part isn’t any different.
The question on everybody’s mind heading into this week's episode of SmackDown Live is who that (un)lucky guest may be. And what devious plans the United States Champion has in store for him.
I shudder to even think of it.
#3 A ‘six’y contract signing
Natalya, Carmella and Tamina came together organically because all of them were on the same forgotten boat. Charlotte Flair popped up on SmackDown one day, and lo and behold, was gifted the number one contendership for the SmackDown Women’s Championship ahead of them all.
Charlotte, Naomi and Becky, on the other hand, were cornered into an unlikely union just to even up the numbers against the vengeful Welcoming Committee. On paper at least, there is no doubt which team is stronger.
When all of the aforementioned women converge in the ring for a unique contract signing before their 3 on 3 tag team match this Sunday at Backlash, will order prevail? Or will the mutual dislike between the teams boil over and chaos ensue?
Or, worse still, will cracks start appearing between Champion Naomi and the challenger Charlotte?
#4 The best of the rest
Nothing is as glamorous as a Champion versus Champion match-up. But this is almost as good.
AJ Styles – the number one contender for the US Title – and the upstart Jinder Mahal – the man at the head of the WWE Title shot queue – are scheduled to square off on this episode of SmackDown Live.
Almost at every turn since he won the right to challenge WWE Champion Randy Orton, Jinder Mahal and his sidekicks have gotten the better of the Viper. Will that trend continue against another seasoned veteran in AJ Styles?
Or unlike the five other men who failed in an attempt to stop Jinder winning the Six-Pac challenge that earned him number one contendership, will Styles manage to stave off Jinder’s backhanded tactics and come up victorious?
Either way, Randy Orton will be glued to the television set for this one.
#5 The wolf on the prowl
Randy Orton’s hope of galloping into Backlash on a wave of momentum was dealt a severe blow when it was announced that he would go up against Baron Corbin on the go-home episode of SmackDown Live!
Corbin is a punishing individual who doesn’t back down from any challenge, even if it comes with 13 World Titles to its name. And he’s proven himself completely capable of hanging with anyone in the ring too.
Will Randy Orton prove that there is still some way to go for the young and ambitious Corbin? Or will the Lone Wolf make a statement of intent at the expense of Randy Orton this Tuesday?
For if he does, you can be sure that Jinder Mahal and his posse will be waiting in the wings, eager to swoop in for afters.
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