WWE SmackDown Preview: 11-time champion seeks revenge against Roman Reigns; top champion returns to make a big statement before Survivor Series (12th November 2021)

We are all set for this week's episode of WWE SmackDown. There's a big match scheduled for the show tonight. WWE creative is also expected to start the build-up to Survivor Series 2021 on the show.

With only a week left to go for the upcoming pay-per-view, the top champions from both brands will likely look to make a big statement. Here, we look at the things that could unfold on WWE SmackDown this week. So, without further ado, let's begin:

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#6 Roman Reigns and King Woods battle for supremacy on WWE SmackDown

Last week's episode of WWE SmackDown kickstarted the war between The Bloodline and the New Day. Roman Reigns returned with The Usos after a short vacation and immediately questioned their loss against New Day the previous week. Jimmy Uso and King Xavier Woods faced off in an excellent match, the loser of which had to 'bend the knee.'

King Woods ultimately won the match, and the entire arena chanted for Jimmy Uso to bend the knee. The latter was only halfway through the gesture when Roman Reigns interfered and attacked the New Day members on WWE SmackDown.

He then commanded Jey and Jimmy Uso to lay out a brutal attack on Sir Kofi Kingston while forcing King Woods to watch the entire monstrosity unfold inside the ring.

Following the episode, it was confirmed that King Woods and Roman Reigns would lock horns on the show this week. The King of the Ring even sent out a message to the Universal Champion ahead of WWE SmackDown, warning him about the repercussions of his actions.

Both superstars will look to make a statement with their battle tonight as they fight for supremacy over the blue brand.

King Woods was extremely impressive on RAW when he fought Bobby Lashley while the latter was still the WWE Champion. We expect him to be just as good when he locks horns with Reigns on WWE SmackDown.

Woods has been on an impressive run and could put on a good match against the biggest heel in the business. Moreover, he will have the added motivation of avenging the vicious attack on Sir Kingston.

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#5 Big E returns on WWE SmackDown to make a strong statement before Survivor Series

The match between King Woods and Roman Reigns is likely to end with the Universal Champion picking up a big victory. However, the Tribal Chief will not stop at that and will look to attack the King with the help of his cousins.

This would work as a perfect setup for Big E's return to WWE SmackDown. He could help Woods even the odds against The Bloodline and also kickstart the rivalry between the two world champions ahead of Survivor Series.

Before Big E cashed in on his Money in the Bank contract to win the WWE Championship and move to RAW, he teased a potential feud with Roman Reigns on multiple occasions. Fans were also eager to see the both of them lock horns. Since they are now on different brands, the upcoming Survivor Series pay-per-view might be the only time we see them involved in a feud.

The creative team have delayed the build-up to the clash between the two brands. Tonight would be the right time to kick it up a notch by having the biggest champions from WWE SmackDown and RAW engage in a brutal feud.

#4 Drew McIntyre continues to rise on WWE SmackDown

One of the best things on WWE SmackDown lately has been Drew McIntyre’s strategic push. When the Scottish Warrior was first drafted to the blue brand, many believed he would be pushed into the Universal Championship picture.

McIntyre has even repeatedly said that he would go after Roman Reigns’ title, but thankfully, the creative team is taking its time to build up the former world champion.

We have seen him issue an open challenge every week since his arrival on WWE SmackDown. The last episode saw a confident Ricochet answer McIntyre’s call, and he even smacked the latter right in the mouth. The two superstars then engaged in an entertaining match that saw McIntyre eventually pick up a dominant victory.

WWE should continue to push him in the same manner as it would help add a lot of credibility when he finally crosses paths with Roman Reigns. McIntyre was one of the best performers during the ThunderDome era, and it was shameful that he never got to celebrate his big title win against Brock Lesnar in front of a live crowd.

It would be great to see him start from scratch and turn into the biggest babyface on WWE SmackDown before entering the title picture.

#3 WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair returns; what’s next for the women’s division?

WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair did not appear on the show last week. Before that, she was involved in a complicated segment with RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch.

Reports suggested that Charlotte and Lynch were involved in a heated exchange backstage. Will we see this play a big role in the feud between the two champions in the weeks leading up to the Survivor Series?

Charlotte Flair also has a new challenge awaiting her on WWE SmackDown in the form of Shotzi. The latter recently turned heel and made a strong statement about her intentions for the women’s division by attacking Sasha Banks.

Another big feud on WWE SmackDown involves Naomi and Sonya Deville with regular guest appearances from Shayna Baszler. Deville has had an issue with Naomi ever since she moved to the blue brand and has spent the last few weeks traumatizing her.

This angle has helped push the former women’s champion on the show, and it will be exciting to see what’s next for her in the coming weeks. Could we also see Naomi as part of the Bloodline somewhere down the road?

#2 The Revival of the WWE SmackDown Tag Team division

The tag team division across both WWE SmackDown and RAW has been quite stale until recently. Both brands have now started to push more teams and are doing an excellent job at booking them well.

Last week, we saw The Viking Raiders make a special appearance as guests on Happy Corbin’s show. Later on, we saw Erik and Ivar take on Corbin and Madcap Moss in an impressive match that allowed both teams to showcase their strengths.

Another important rivalry on WWE SmackDown seems to involve Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura and his ally, Rick Boogs. Both Nakamura and Boogs lost a big match against Corbin and Moss after being attacked by Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo. Nakamura and Boogs will soon look to seek revenge on the show.

Garza and Carrillo no longer use their first names and compete under the name “Los Lotharios.” They have been impressive as heels, but they need to be a part of a big feud on WWE SmackDown.

A potential rivalry with Nakamura and Boogs could also help draw more attention towards the tag team division. That said, it would also be nice to see the creative team include Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura in title feuds. But unless that happens. His presence could help the tag team division.

#1 Beginning of an exciting new feud on WWE SmackDown

Last week’s episode of WWE SmackDown teased a much-awaited development involving two promising superstars who rarely get enough TV time. Remember the previous match between Drew McIntyre and Ricochet? Following his loss, Ricochet was part of a backstage segment featuring his old friend Mustafa Ali.

Ali approached Ricochet in the locker room and suggested that they should work again. However, the Resident Superhero of the company was against the idea. Ricochet brought up Ali’s current run on WWE SmackDown and how he has become extremely whiney. He also accused the latter of never taking accountability for his flaws before walking away. Could we see both superstars involved in a feud moving forward?

Since moving to the main roster, fans have been waiting to see both Ricochet and Mustafa Ali involved in compelling storylines. The two of them have too much talent to waste on the sidelines.

Hopefully, this rivalry can bring attention to Ricochet and Ali’s potential on WWE SmackDown. Both could also add a lot to the Intercontinental Championship picture on the blue brand, but first, they need to be a part of a promising angle.