WWE SmackDown Live Preview: August 21st, 2018

The SummerSlam fallout show of SmackDown Live is set to pick up from an excellent pay-per-view, and a decent episode of Monday Night Raw. With the Shield reunion on Raw, SmackDown Live has a lot to live up to, if it is to do better than the Red Brand's show.

The WWE Championship Match left the AJ Styles and Samoa Joe storyline incomplete, as the Champion was disqualified when he attacked Joe with a steel chair. He decimated his opponent, after Joe crossed the proverbial line, and addressed AJ's daughter.

On the other side of things, Shinsuke Nakamura came away from SummerSlam still the United States Champion, with Jeff Hardy falling short, literally, of delivering the fatal Swanton Bomb on the Champion.

Things were also left incomplete in the tag team championship picture, as The Bludgeon Brothers were disqualified, and lost the match, but retained the titles, much to the chagrin of New Day.

Daniel Bryan and the Miz's epic confrontation ended in controversial fashion after Miz used an unseen foreign object to knock Bryan out before pinning him.

Finally, the Women's Championship picture changed, as Charlotte picked up the SmackDown Women's Championship, with Becky Lynch falling short yet again. Lynch had enough and turned her back on her friend, leading to one of the best moments at SummerSlam.

With all of this and more, having taken place at SummerSlam, let's take a look at what the fallout show of SmackDown Live has lined up for the athletes from the Blue Brand.

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#5 Exclusive Interview for AJ Styles:

AJ Styles has a lot to address on SmackDown Live

AJ Styles had promised his family heading into SummerSlam that he would not lose control of himself when he faced Samoa Joe. Unfortunately for him, Styles could not keep his word, as he lost control of his senses and viciously attacked Joe during their match at SummerSlam.

Joe had addressed Styles' daughter, saying that AJ would not be going home after Joe was done with him and that Samoa Joe would be her 'new daddy'. Styles attacked him with a steel chair, disqualifying himself and handing Joe the win.

He apologised to his wife later backstage but still did not seem like the same friendly AJ Styles that the WWE Universe knows and loves. The fans may get an answer into his well-being on SmackDown Live, where he is set to take part in an exclusive interview.

#4 The New Day vs The Bludgeon Brothers in a No Disqualification Match for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles:

What will happen when the New Day face the Bludgeon Brothers?

At SummerSlam, New Day looked all set to defeat the Bludgeon Brothers, as the Tag Team Champions looked vulnerable for the first time since being repackaged. However, it was not to be. Erick Rowan decided enough was enough and used his mallet to take out Woods and Big E. Harper appeared to be about to stop him but joined into the action.

As a result, New Day won the match but ended up not winning the titles due to the Disqualification Ending. Rumours have since spread about a possible injury to Erick Rowan, and it will be interesting to see what happens on SmackDown Live, as the two teams are scheduled for a No Disqualification Match for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles.

Will Rowan be present on SmackDown? Or will the match end up being cancelled?

#3 The Miz and Daniel Bryan Saga Will Continue:

Daniel Bryan and The Miz are far from done with each other!

At SummerSlam, Daniel Bryan and the Miz faced each other in a match to settle their rivalry which had been a decade in the making. Unfortunately for Bryan, although he dominated a large part of the proceedings, he ended up getting pinned.

The Miz hit him with a foreign object which had been handed to him by Maryse, who was in the front row of the audience. Miz used the object to punch Daniel Bryan, knocking him out in the process, and picked up the win.

While the Miz appeared to be happy with the results of the encounter, Bryan is sure to be far from content and will be looking for retribution on SmackDown Live.

#2 Becky Lynch to explain her actions?

Becky Lynch turned her back on her friendship with Charlotte Flair

Becky Lynch was less than elated when Charlotte Flair was added to the mix at SummerSlam, making her SmackDown Women's Championship match against Carmella into a Triple Threat. She was even less happy when Charlotte ended up winning the match and becoming the Champion.

At SummerSlam, while apparently celebrating with her best friend, Becky turned her back on Charlotte and attacked her. She assaulted Charlotte to the biggest ovation of the night and threw her former best friend into the announce tables, before walking away seething with anger.

On SmackDown Live, Lynch will explain her actions at SummerSlam, that left so many stunned, and Charlotte's celebration in ruins.

#5 Jeff Hardy to finally face Randy Orton:

Randy Orton tormented Jeff Hardy over the past few weeks

The past few weeks have been hell for Jeff Hardy, as he was tormented by Randy Orton. Orton chose Hardy to set an example for the WWE Universe and followed through with tormenting the Charismatic Enigma with vicious assaults.

After Jeff lost his United States Title match against Shinsuke Nakamura at SummerSlam, following a horrible landing onto the apron, Randy came down to the ring after the match. It looked like he was going to attack Jeff Hardy, but in the end, he backed away again.

When asked later, why he did not attack Hardy, he said that he owned Hardy and would attack him when he wanted to.

Finally, Jeff will have the opportunity to meet his tormentor on equal footing, as the two are set to square off in a match. Will Jeff be able to get back his own, or will Randy Orton take advantage of a weary Jeff Hardy after SummerSlam.