WWE SmackDown Live Preview: October 17, 2017

With Sami Zayn's unexpected embrace of the dark side at Hell in a Cell still looming over SmackDown Live and questions still plaguing the minds of the WWE Universe, the Underdog from the Underground takes to the ring to further explain himself.

But as far as Dolph Ziggler and Bobby Roode are concerned, the time for talk is over. The Glorious One stole a victory at Hell in a Cell, but will he be able to repeat his exploits when he rematches the Showoff on Tuesday?

And after dispatching Shinsuke Nakamura's challenge, presumably for good, the Modern Day Maharaja addresses his loyal subjects as he looks forward to his role at Survivor Series.

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

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#5 What's next for the Maharaja?

After brushing aside Nakamura, who will be Jinder Mahal's next opponent?

Jinder Mahal has been flying high as WWE Champion, retaining his Title multiple times against legitimate contenders like Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura.

But the line of Superstars looking to challenge for the top prize on the Blue brand is endless.

Who then, will emerge as the next number one contender for the WWE Championship when Jinder Mahal announces his plans for Survivor Series?

Is this, finally, time for Kevin Owens to make a tilt at the only singles Title he's never held in the WWE?

Or does Mahal have someone else of Beast-ly proportions in mind?

#4 Baron's yard

What will Baron Corbin, the new and undisputed US Champion, have to say?

Whether the WWE Universe approves or not, Baron Corbin is the United States Champion. And he only solidified his legitimacy with an important victory over AJ Styles last week.

Unfortunately, that also means that we've to put up with his abrasive personality when he takes pot shots at the audience and other fan-favourite Superstars.

When he comes out this week on SmackDown Live to gloat again, who will Baron Corbin put down next?

Will it be the WWE Universe as a whole? Or does he have someone else specific in mind?

More importantly, which Superstar will see the opportunity in shutting him up and possibly earn a US Title shot while he's at it?

#3 Run it back

Roode and Ziggler will do battle again on SmackDown Live

Bobby Roode didn't just defeat Dolph Ziggler at Hell in a Cell, he one-upped him by displaying canny ring smarts and awareness - traditionally considered to be the fortes of the Showoff.

Obviously, that didn't sit well with Ziggler, who retaliated with a Zig Zag after the match was over, setting the tone for the kind heated of rivalry that promises to follow.

So when Dolph Ziggler and Bobby Roode run back their HIAC encounter this week on SmackDown Live, who will emerge victorious?

Will the Showoff get one back and even the score, or does the Glorious One have his number after all?

#2 A new challenge

Will Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin be the team to dethrone the Usos?

The Usos were in the process of giving props to the New Day last week on SmackDown Live when they were rudely interrupted by a host of other tag teams on the roster that just didn't care for all the niceties.

Why would they?

After all, the phasing out of New Day from the SmackDown Live Tag Team Title picture only indicates that a spot has opened up for another team to fill their shoes.

And in the eliminator match that followed, the team of Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable emerged as the new number one contenders to the Usos' straps.

Will the newly anointed challengers make a statement of intent on SmackDown Live this week? Or will the Champions take the opportunity to further emboss their dominance over the division?

#1 Sami's Motive

Over to you, Sami...

Why did Sami Zayn help Kevin Owens at Hell in a Cell?

Last week, he offered an explanation that seemed to suggest that he had had enough of Shane McMahon's lies and deceit and that he had finally come around to Owens' way of if-you-want-something-you-take-it thinking.

But is that all that fuelled Sami's decision to embrace the dark side?

After all, he must be knowing what happens to anyone who becomes 'friends' with Kevin Owens - both from the first-hand experience and from the whole Chris Jericho saga.

Is Sami Zayn gullible enough to fall into the trap of Owen's friendship again? Or does he have an ulterior motive to further his own ends?

Find out as right here on Sportskeeda as we bring you all the live play-by-play action, results and highlights from SmackDown Live!