WWE SmackDown Live Results, July 17th 2017, Live Updates
The WWE Universe is going dizzy with the announcement on Raw that Jason Jordan is Kurt Angle’s long lost son, and it’s understandable that some of the attention may be drawn away from the Blue brand’s big day this Sunday.
But WWE Battleground is almost upon us, with only a solitary episode of SmackDown Live standing between us and the pay-per-view.
Jinder Mahal faces Randy Orton at the event in a Punjabi Prison match for the WWE Championship but will bring the demonic structure to the Legacy Arena in Birmingham in the hope of giving the Viper a taste of what he will face over the weekend.
Kevin Owens, meanwhile, is on a quest to regain the US Championship that AJ Styles wrested from him at Madison Square Garden a couple of weeks back. But before he gets that opportunity at Battleground, he has to team with Baron Corbin to take on the duo of Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura.
Will Owens and Corbin maim their respective opponents before Battleground? Or will Styles and Nakamura make a statement heading into the pay-per-view?
And what of John Cena’s heated rivalry against Rusev? After Rusev locked on the Accolade last week, is it Cena’s turn to retaliate? Or will Rusev, energised by his new Avatar and a refuelled chip on his shoulder, maintain his momentum heading into their Flag match this weekend?
Running through all these storyline developments and more, here is our weekly preview of SmackDown Live.
The true power of ‘love’
Maria and Mike Kanellis (note the order) definitely piqued the interest of the WWE Universe when they arrived on the scene professing the power of love. But the vicious attack on Sami Zayn last week has truly alerted their competition to their potential.
After Maria slapped Zayn, Mike broke a flower vase over his back, sending a loud message to the Underdog from the Underground that both of them possess a belligerent mean streak beneath their lovey-dovey exterior.
Mike Kanellis and Sami Zayn are set to face off in what will be Mike’s WWE debut. Will the 15-year veteran make an impact on his debut?
Will the couple continue piling on Sami Zayn this week too? Or is it Sami’s turn to exact a measure of retribution?
A red flag
With just days remaining before John Cena defends his nation against Rusev in a Flag match at Battleground, the Face that Runs the place will look for a spot of retribution after he was locked in the Accolade by the Bulgarian Brute last week.
But will it be that easy?
We all know how rampant Rusev is when he has momentum on his side, and he will be rejuvenated after coming back from an extended period on the sidelines. Will John Cena be able to overcome that and put Rusev in his place?
Or will Rusev check John Cena back into semi-retirement in the Flag match at WWE Battleground?
American Half-pha
The announcement that Jason Jordan is Kurt Angle’s long lost son is all well and good for him, but Chad Gable – the other half of American Alpha – has been left stranded by the developments on Raw.
With Jordan presumably making the switch over onto the Red brand, where does that leave the estranged Gable?
As it is, their tag team run didn’t go as planned on SmackDown Live, creating precious little by way of any momentum or buzz. Is a single’s run the way forward for the collegiate wrestling extraordinaire then?
Will he be able to express himself better and impress his personality on the WWE Universe without being reined in by a tag partner? Or will the loss of a trusted friend and ally affect him adversely?
Double whammy
Kevin Owens is not a happy man at the best of times. But losing his US Championship to AJ Styles may yet bring out the worst in him.
For a man who identified himself as the ‘Face of America’, the lack of a Title to back up his identity would be a dire blow – and something that he would be itching to rectify come Battleground.
Baron Corbin, on the other hand, is flying high ever since his victory at Money in the Bank. Emboldened by his showing in the ladder match, he went straight after – possibly – the most dangerous man in the WWE today, Shinsuke Nakamura.
Both these men, Corbin and Owens, will have their hands full when they team up to take on AJ Styles and Nakamura in tag team action.
Will they be able to get their hands on their respective nemeses? Or will the combined strength of two of WWE’s fan favourites be too much for the nefarious duo to contend with?
More Punjabi punishment?
Randy Orton is preparing himself mentally to enter the Punjabi Prison at Battleground but will get an early first-hand introduction to the structure when Jinder Mahal brings it to SmackDown Live this week.
Will the Modern Day Maharaja be able to implement his scare tactics and get under the Viper's skin before his second WWE Title defence this weekend? Or will Randy Orton be unfazed and render Jinder Mahal's best-laid plans to waste?
And what part will the Singh Brothers play in tipping the numbers game in the Champion’s favour?
It may be wise for them to try and destabilise Orton, both mentally and physically, as much as they can before this weekend as once Champion and challenger step into the Prison at WWE Battleground, each man has to fend for himself.
The stakes are high once again, and SmackDown Live promises to deliver your weekly dose of drama, action and un-missable television!
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