WWE SmackDown Live Preview: August 08, 2017

While the headlining acts on WWE SummerSlam - at least on paper - seem to be stemming from the Red side of things, SmackDown Live's contribution towards the mega event cannot be understated.

Also follow: WWE SmackDown Results, August 8th, 2017 Live Commentary and Updates

As Kevin Owens and AJ Styles prepare to do battle for the US Championship on the pay-per-view, Shane McMahon takes centre stage this week to make all of their roles clear; the two men as opponents and his own, as the special referee.

Meanwhile, Randy Orton gets a chance to avenge his losses to Jinder Mahal when he takes on the WWE Champion in a non-Title singles match up. However, will their respective SummerSlam opponents, Rusev for Orton and Nakamura for Mahal, also have something to say?

And what of the SmackDown Live Women's Champion, Naomi? She has a date with Natalya at SummerSlam but will be crossing paths again with Carmella this week.

Will her encounter with Ms.Money in the Bank prove to be foreshadowing of what is to come in the near future?

Combing through all of these storylines and more, here is our preview of this week's episode of SmackDown Live.

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A giant challenge?

Will Khali come back to target Nakamura?

After beating John Cena clean, Shinsuke Nakamura's stock has sky rocketed overnight, and the Japanese Superstar finds himself on the cusp of winning the WWE Title when he faces Jinder Mahal at WWE SummerSlam.

But will he be able to get to the event unscathed?

Jinder Mahal and his cronies have a nasty habit of ganging up on his opponents and stacking the deck against them, as Randy Orton knows only too well.

Will Shinsuke Nakamura be meted out the same treatment in the lead up to SummerSlam? Or will the King of Strong Style fight out of this predicament in his trademark hard-hitting manner?

It's one thing if he has to face Jinder and the Singh brothers...but what if Great Khali shows up again?

The Viper strikes back

Will Randy Orton glean a measure of retribution against Jinder Mahal?

Randy Orton lost the WWE Title to Jinder Mahal at WWE Backlash earlier this year, but his attempts to try and win it back since were both unsuccessful.

Both times, Jinder Mahal's entourage interceded, allowing the Modern Day Maharaja to retain the belt.

A disenchanted Randy Orton finally gets his opportunity to exact a measure of revenge on Mahal when he faces him in single's competition this week.

It isn't for the WWE Championship, but as far as the Viper is concerned, he must be itching to settle the score.

Will Randy Orton finally gain retribution on Jinder Mahal for repeatedly being screwed out of Title contention? Or will his SummerSlam opponent Rusev - no doubt stinging from the RKO he ate last week - look to capitalise when his focus is elsewhere?

Trial by fire

Can Lana survive a match with Charlotte?

Forced to prove herself due to Tamina's dissatisfaction with her, has Lana bitten off more than she can chew when she challenges multiple-time Champion Charlotte Flair?

Proving oneself to their friends is an admirable trait, but at what cost?

It was clear that Lana has some ways yet to go when she lost repeatedly to WWE SmackDown Live Champion Naomi, and her work isn't going to get any easier when she comes up against Charlotte either.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, will Lana be able to deliver under pressure against the genetically superior Superstar? Or will she fall to yet another defeat, sliding further down in her tag team partner's estimation of her?

A sign of things to come?

Will Carmella prove herself to be Championship calibre?

Naomi has been a solid ambassador for the Women's revolution and a commendable Champion thus far, defending her belt at every turn and against all comers.

But she will be tested like she never has when she takes on the experienced and wily Natalya at WWE SummerSlam.

While the Champion's thoughts are undoubtedly strained on that encounter, could this be Carmella's best opportunity to knock one off against Naomi and state her case for a Title shot in the future?

Of course, Ms.Money in the Bank has a powerful insurance policy in that briefcase, but beating the Champion clean is an alluring proposition nonetheless.

Will Carmella prove to be worthy championship material? Or will Naomi continue to build on her momentum with another victory heading into WWE SummerSlam?

Shane O'Mac's announcement

What does the SD Live Commissioner have on his mind?

After Kevin Owens' backstage outburst last week, Shane McMahon didn't have any other choice but to insert himself into the US Title picture as the Special Referee when Champion AJ Styles defends his belt against KO at SummerSlam.

On one hand, Owens does have a point that he's being screwed by inept refereeing. On the other, AJ Styles' victories to capture the US Title not once but twice in quick succession are legitimate as well.

With Shane McMahon entering himself into the fray to prevent any further mishaps at WWE SummerSlam, will we finally get a clear-cut and undisputed US Champion?

Or does the SmackDown Live Commissioner have an ace up his sleeve when he takes to the ring along with Champion and Challenger to announce the rules of engagement?

The plot thickens as we hurtle towards WWE SummerSlam!

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