WWE SmackDown Live Preview: June 16th 2018

It's the final SmackDown Live before Money in the Bank this weekend and after last night's Raw gave the company the perfect build towards one of the most unpredictable events of the year, it's SmackDown's turn to follow suit tonight.

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#6. Daniel Bryan vs Shelton Benjamin

Bryan will be looking over his shoulder for Big Cass

Daniel Bryan was cleared for in-ring action back in March and has since become one of the biggest babyfaces on SmackDown Live, but this week SmackDown General Manager Paige revealed that she had made an interesting match for the former World Champion for tonight's SmackDown.

This is a first-time match-up between Benjamin and Bryan since the duo has never stood opposite each other in a WWE ring and since Bryan is facing Big Cass at Money in the Bank this weekend, interference is expected.

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#5. Jeff Hardy vs Shinsuke Nakamura

Will Hardy be able to defeat Nakamura just days before Money in the Bank?

The United States Champion and the King of Strong Style recently had a tame back and forth on Twitter regarding Nakamura's Last Man Standing match with AJ Styles at Money in the Bank this weekend. General Manager Paige obviously saw this exchange and decided to step in and make an interesting matchup for the go-home episode of SmackDown Live.

Hardy told Nakamura to wait until after Sunday so he could post a picture of AJ Styles and caption it with 'Last Man Standing.' This is another highly anticipated encounter since Hardy isn't scheduled to defend his United States Championship this weekend, it will be Nakamura's chance to send another message to Styles as he hopes to dethrone the Champion in just five days time.

#4. Asuka sends a message?

Carmella stood tall last week on SmackDown

Carmella stood tall last week when she was face to face with her challenger Asuka, and then took advantage of Mandy Rose's distraction to send a message to her number one contender. Will Asuka return the favor this week?

Asuka will be looking to send a message to Carmella this week on SmackDown just days before she steps into the ring with her for the first time on the main roster. Will it be The Empress of Tomorrow or The Princess of Staten Island who pick up the momentum heading into their Women's Championship match this weekend?

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#3. Andrade 'Cien' Almas humbles his former friend

Almas and Sin Cara were once close friends

Andrade 'Cien' Almas and his longtime friend Sin Cara have had a few altercations backstage in recent weeks, where Cara has stated that Zelina Vega is the reason why Almas' attitude has changed.

Last week Almas attacked Cara backstage to send a message before the duo go one-on-one this week on SmackDown Live. Any fans who don't tune into NXT have only seen Almas defeat jobbers over the past few weeks since his debut on the main roster and this is his first real chance to show the world why he was able to compete in one of the best matches in NXT history back in January and why he is considered the future of the brand.

#2 Fatal four-way?

Who will take the momentum into Money in the Bank?

Monday Night Raw boasted two fantastic fatal four-way matches last night between their male and female Money in the Bank participants, but SmackDown is yet to announce a match between Rusev, Samoa Joe, Miz and The New Day, but it is expected. Last week The New Day got the upper hand in their match against Rusev, Joe, and Miz but the tables could easily turn this week.

Raw opened with an awkward ladder promo last night and in true SmackDown tradition, the show is expected to kick off with another promo between the four men that will later lead to a match between all four. This will allow one man to step up and take all of the momentum heading into the annual contract match this weekend.

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#1 Women's summit

How will these four women co-exist just five days before Money in the Bank?

Charlotte, Becky Lynch, Lana, and Naomi are all set to be part of a female summit this week, something that was ordered by SmackDown General Manager Paige. Becky got a surprising victory over her friend Charlotte last week on Raw, whilst Lana and Aiden English lost their mixed tag team match to Naomi and Jimmy Uso, but given the fact that Lana is the only heel from SmackDown Live heading into this match and Alexa Bliss is the only one from Raw, sparks could fly in this summit.

Don't expect these four women to have a pleasant conversation ahead of the biggest opportunity of their careers, there will only be one woman standing at the end of this segment.