'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
WWE SmackDown has planned a huge show this week as the Blue brand is set to revisit the iconic Madison Square Garden. Between big returns, promising matches, and unexpected swerve, there’s a lot that could unfold on the show tonight. We also expect to see crucial developments in the ongoing feuds as we inch closer to Extreme Rules.
Here, we look at things that could transpire on WWE SmackDown this week. So, without further ado, let’s begin.
#6 Brock Lesnar returns on WWE SmackDown
Brock Lesnar is set to make an appearance on WWE SmackDown this week. Last month, he made a huge return at SummerSlam and stood across from Roman Reigns after the main event at the pay-per-view, teasing a potential title feud with the Universal Champion. The Beast Incarnate is expected to clarify his real intentions on the show tonight.
Last week, we saw Paul Heyman receive a phone call from Brock Lesnar. Heyman’s history with Lesnar and his current role as Reigns’ councilor is bound to account for an exciting story-telling on the Blue brand. WWE SmackDown has teased a betrayal angle on multiple occasions since SummerSlam, but there are still a lot of other swerves that can unfold in this narrative.
According to backstage reports, Brock Lesnar has agreed to an extended stay, and thus, we might see him involved in extended rivalries. Since he no longer has Heyman on his side, we will also see The Beast Incarnate cut his own promos. Will Lesnar rely on civil dialog, or will he employ his brute strength to make a point on WWE SmackDown tonight?
Finn Balor to bring back The Demon King?
The Universal Championship picture looks solid with multiple superstars involved in that conversation. Apart from the looming threat projected by Mr. Money in the Bank Big E, Roman Reigns also needs to look out for Finn Balor. Both superstars faced each other in the title match last Friday, and The Tribal Chief successfully defended his title with the help of low blows and outside interference.
Although Balor lost the match, he will have another opportunity to face Roman Reigns for the title at Extreme Rules. It is important to note that there was a tease about the return of The Demon King in the final moments of last week’s show.
Could Balor bring back the protected supernatural gimmick at the next pay-per-view? He might also make his presence known during Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns’ segments.
#5 Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair’s title match to be made official on WWE SmackDown
Becky Lynch squashed Bianca Belair to win the WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship at SummerSlam last month. Since then, Belair has tried to challenge The Man for a title match on multiple occasions, but Lynch has managed to avoid her so far. However, things will change tonight as Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville have confirmed a huge segment for the show tonight.
As confirmed on the official site, Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair will meet for the contract signing on the Blue brand tonight. They will face each other for the championship at Extreme Rules, and fans hope to see them engage in a brutal feud as we advance. While Lynch’s much-anticipated return was met with a huge pop, how she won the title ended up drawing a lot of heat.
That has helped add more credibility to her heel turn, and it has been reported that Lynch wanted this change in her on-screen character. While she is an established superstar, Belair has worked hard to assert her dominance on WWE SmackDown over the last year. It will be interesting to see how the creative team will book this rivalry in the coming weeks.
#4 Edge and Seth Rollins engage in a final battle on WWE SmackDown
Seth Rollins and Edge have been involved in an intense feud on WWE SmackDown. The writers have done well in drawing excellent comparisons between their careers that eventually helped create a compelling narrative. The two superstars also gave us a brilliant match at SummerSlam 2021. It was indeed surprising to see them extend their feud on the Blue brand after the last pay-per-view.
Tonight, Rollins and Edge are scheduled to face each other in a big match. The Rated-R Superstar is desperate to end this feud once and for all. Interestingly, both these superstars have declared their intentions to go after the Universal Championship next, and it will be exciting to see how they will progress on WWE SmackDown after tonight’s match.
Rollins is excited to perform at Madison Square Garden. Although we have seen the two face each other before, fans have high expectations from the match. Edge won the previous bout, but The Architect also realized that he needed to borrow a trick or two from the veteran’s book to end this feud. Will Rollins come better prepared this time?
#3 The Usos’ next title challengers on WWE SmackDown
Over the last few weeks, WWE SmackDown has witnessed a brewing feud between The Usos and The Street Profits. Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins have mostly helped Finn Balor balance the odds against Roman Reigns and The Usos. Last week, they chased Jey and Jimmy Uso away from the arena when the latter were brutalizing Balor right before the main event.
The Street Profits will challenge The Usos for the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Champions this week. It was excellent to see Dawkins and Ford back into the championship picture, and they are bound to deliver an entertaining feud against The Bloodline members. Jey and Jimmy Uso have been dominant for a while, and The Street Profits will make for credible challengers against them.
It is no secret that the promotion’s tag team division has been relatively stagnant in recent times. However, this feud can help draw more attention towards the SmackDown Tag Team Championship picture. Hopefully, both teams will deliver a good rivalry before potentially competing in another title match at Extreme Rules.
#2 What’s next for WWE SmackDown Superstar Kevin Owens?
Kevin Owens is one of the best performers on WWE SmackDown. Thus, it is shocking to see him involved in segments with someone like Logan Paul. As ridiculous as it sounds, KO had to share the ring with the Internet celebrity on the show last week.
While his equation with Corbin is entertaining, one can’t help but wonder if Owens really deserves to be pushed by someone like Paul. But as things stand, we might see them together again.
Kevin Owens has done an excellent job as a babyface on the Blue brand. Even if the writers want to keep him away from the title picture, he can still thrive in significant feuds. Given that his contract is nearing its end, the company needs to do everything they can to make him extend his stay because, the truth is, they can’t afford to lose him to AEW.
#1 Potential split between Rey Mysterio and Dominik on WWE SmackDown?
Over the last few weeks, we have seen Rey Mysterio encourage his son Dominik to fight his battles all by himself. Unfortunately, the legend has also cost his son his match against Sami Zayn, and it appears that things aren’t too well between the duo on WWE SmackDown.
The writers can work wonders with this storyline if they borrow elements from real life. Both Rey Mysterio and Dominik can engage in a fantastic story-telling post-split. The latter has now competed for over a year and is prepared to explore his individual options. We hope to see them involved in a good storyline on the Blue brand.
