WWE SmackDown Live Worcester Preview: The rise of Daniel Bryan, Jeff Hardy, Shinsuke Nakamura's linguistic skills

What does Shinsuke Nakamura have in store for AJ Styles tonight?
What does Shinsuke Nakamura have in store for AJ Styles tonight?

Tonight’s edition of SmackDown Live comes from Worcester, Massachusetts, and is set to answer several burning questions.

WWE Superstar Daniel Bryan has been on fire ever since making his return to in-ring competition earlier this year.

Besides, Shinsuke Nakamura seems to have garnered a ton of attention with his heel turn and recent forgetfulness of the English language.

Bryan and Nakamura are set for prominent segments on tonight’s show, whereas a few other pivotal angles are also set to transpire on the show.


#5 The New Day on Miz TV!

Miz TV has a few interesting guests tonight
Miz TV has a few interesting guests tonight

The New Day are now eligible to select one member from amongst their stable, with said member participating in the Men’s Money In The Bank ladder match.

Big E, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods are scheduled to serve as guests on tonight’s edition of Miz TV—with “The A-Lister” questioning them as to which member shall represent the team at Money In The Bank.

The segment is likely to end with the prop chairs being tossed away and Superstars brawling, as is customary of Miz TV segments—with The New Day possibly revealing which one of them will compete in the aforementioned ladder matchup.

#4 End of the road for “The Ravishing Russian”?

Could Lana upset Billie Kay tonight?
Could Lana upset Billie Kay tonight?

“The Ravishing Russian” Lana has been quite vocal about her intentions of pursuing a career as a singles performer in the WWE Women’s Division.

Nevertheless, the professional wrestling rumor mill has been lately abuzz regarding speculation that the WWE may be keen on booking Lana as Rusev’s manager once again—what with several segments featuring Lana, Rusev and Aiden English on the past few episodes of SmackDown Live indicating the same.

Furthermore, the belief is that Lana’s run as a singles competitor may be coming to an end, which in turn doesn’t bode well for her in tonight’s matchup against Billie Kay. Fans can expect Kay to defeat Lana and earn a spot in the Women’s Money In The Bank ladder match.

#3 “Absolution is dead”, but Sonya Deville & Mandy Rose truck on

Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville are primed to dominate the WWE Women's Division
Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville are primed to dominate the WWE Women's Division

In addition to Lana and Billie Kay facing off in a Money In The Bank qualifying matchup, Sonya Deville is set to face Naomi in yet another qualifying match.

While Absolution leader and current SmackDown Live General Manager Paige recently asserted that “Absolution is dead”, her now-former teammates Sonya Deville & Mandy Rose are still very much a part of the Women’s Division. Naomi is being regarded as the favorite to defeat Deville, and earn a spot in the Women’s Money In The Bank ladder match.

Regardless, there is a realistic possibility that Rose could interfere in the Deville vs. Naomi matchup tonight, and help her former stable-mate pick up the win.

#2 The rise of Daniel Bryan, and Jeff Hardy’s US title conundrum

Daniel Bryan looks to reach the top of the mountain once again
Daniel Bryan looks to reach the top of the mountain once again

General Manager Paige recently confirmed that Cass is suffering from an injury, and Daniel Bryan will now face United States Champion Jeff Hardy.

Additionally, Paige noted that the winner of Bryan vs. Hardy will go on to face Samoa Joe on next week’s episode of SmackDown Live, in a qualifying match for the Men’s Money In The Bank ladder match.

The belief is that Bryan is likely to defeat Hardy tonight, and go on to best Joe as well to earn a spot in the aforementioned ladder match. Meanwhile, WWE plans on having Jeff Hardy defend his US title at the Money In The Bank PPV.

#1 Shinsuke Nakamura’s linguistic skills

Shinsuke Nakamura has his sights set on AJ Styles' WWE Championship
Shinsuke Nakamura has his sights set on AJ Styles' WWE Championship

Shinsuke Nakamura’s English-speaking skills, or lack thereof, have been a topic of contention for quite some time now on SmackDown Live.

It was on last week’s SmackDown episode that Nakamura was set to reveal the stipulation that he’s chosen for his WWE Championship match against reigning titleholder AJ Styles at Money In The Bank. Regardless, Nakamura has chosen to keep the stipulation under wraps thus far.

Expect “The Artist” to announce his chosen stipulation on tonight’s SmackDown Live…with him likely making the revelation in style.

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