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It's the second episode post-SummerSlam, and we're going to see this week's SmackDown build-up to Extreme Rules 2021.
Roman Reigns is expected to headline Extreme Rules 2021, and if not, he will open the show. But for The Tribal Chief, championship duty beckons tonight as he puts his title on the line against an old foe.
Apart from that, a lot is going to happen on SmackDown. Let's take a look at some of the big highlights to look forward to on SmackDown tonight:
#5. Finn Balor faces Roman Reigns for the Universal title on SmackDown
The central focus of SmackDown this week will be the main event between Roman Reigns and Finn Balor. The first-ever Universal Champion challenged The Head of the Table not long after Money in the Bank 2021.
Reigns rejected John Cena in favor of Balor's challenge, and the two were set to face off at SummerSlam 2021. However, Baron Corbin sabotaged The Prince and tried to sign the contract himself to secure a big-money match to get out of his dire financial situation.
John Cena interjected, and it was all about timing and placement as he ended up taking Corbin out as well as signing the SummerSlam contract himself. A month later, Finn Balor finally has his opportunity.
Last week on SmackDown, The Prince made the challenge and attacked Roman Reigns. While it seemed like a bad decision at the time with The Usos right there, The Street Profits came out to balance the numbers game.
This week on SmackDown, Balor will finally get a Universal title shot.
Given that Roman Reigns has gone through the likes of Edge, Daniel Bryan, Cesaro, Rey Mysterio, and John Cena (among others) in his 2021 run, it doesn't look like he will be the one to dethrone the current Universal Champion.
Either way, we're guaranteed a blockbuster main event on SmackDown.
As for the finish, it could go a few ways. Reigns may not beat Finn Balor clean. For all we know, there could be a non-finish that sets up a rematch for Extreme Rules 2021.
Another possible finish is for The Tribal Chief to win, only to be confronted by Edge or Seth Rollins - or both. This would make sense as Edge has vowed to challenge for the Universal Championship again.
#4. What awaits Bianca Belair on SmackDown ahead of her match against Becky Lynch?
An unapologetic Becky Lynch made her return to SmackDown last week. Former SmackDown Women's Champion Bianca Belair was less than pleased with the way she lost her title at SummerSlam and demanded a rematch from Becky Lynch.
Zelina Vega, Carmella, and Liv Morgan ensured that it wouldn't be so easy for The EST Of WWE. After an entertaining Fatal-4-Way Elimination match, Bianca Belair won to ensure that The Man couldn't deny her a shot at the SmackDown Women's title.
Becky Lynch is still popular, but the crowd didn't like how Belair lost her Championship. With that said, once the feud continues, The EST might slowly but surely lose a lot of her popularity.
#3. Is Apollo Crews gunning to reclaim the Intercontinental Title from King Nakamura?
King Nakamura and Rick Boogz have been on a roll on SmackDown ever since they started pairing. It's been a big success for Shinsuke Nakamura, who has become the King of WWE and even won the Intercontinental title.
Last week on SmackDown, King Nakamura and Rick Boogz defeated former tag team champions Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode. Boogz got the pin, proving that he was more than just a hypeman to King Nakamura.
Apollo Crews was seen backstage cutting a promo, indicating that he is coming back for the Intercontinental title. Expect the feud to restart on SmackDown tonight.
#2. Is Baron Corbin going to continue and try to buy the MITB briefcase on SmackDown?
Last week on SmackDown, Baron Corbin entered in a Bentley, revealing that all his financial troubles were over. He now refers to himself as "Happy Corbin" and is wearing expensive suits and getting a taste of the high life again after finding success in Las Vegas.
However, he wanted to correct one big failure he had at Las Vegas - where he lost to Big E, the rightful holder of the Money in the Bank briefcase. Last week on SmackDown, Corbin called out The New Day sta and offered $100,000 for the Money in the Bank briefcase.
While Big E realized that it was a lot of money, he said it wasn't for sale. Will Baron Corbin continue to lure Big E with money to capture the MITB briefcase?
#1. The Street Profits return to SmackDown Tag Team title contention
The Street Profits are back in the SmackDown tag team title picture and will challenge The Usos following the conclusion of their feud with The Mysterios.
Last week on SmackDown, They came out to save Finn Balor from a 3-on-1 assault by The Usos and Roman Reigns.
Expect The Street Profits to be involved in the main event at ringside. This is most likely going to set up a match at Extreme Rules between the two tag teams.
