WWE SmackDown Preview: Roman Reigns returns, Paul Heyman gets a threatening phone call, 2 big Money in the Bank qualifiers scheduled for the show (July 9th, 2021)

WWE SmackDown has a solid show planned for viewers this week. Two big Money in the Bank qualifier matches have been confirmed for tonight, amongst other things. Tonight will also mark the Blue brand’s last show in the WWE ThunderDome. All the superstars will look to deliver a memorable show before they hit the road and welcome the live audience back for WWE events.

This article will look at things that can transpire on WWE SmackDown this week.

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#1 Roman Reigns returns on WWE SmackDown

Roman Reigns will come back with a strong retaliation on WWE SmackDown

Roman Reigns did not appear on WWE SmackDown last week. Unfortunately, his absence resulted in Edge making a strong statement by manhandling Jimmy Uso in the show's closing moments. The Rated-R Superstar is scheduled to challenge Reigns for the Universal Championship at the upcoming Money in the Bank pay-per-view. He wanted The Tribal Chief to get a taste of the brutality that awaits him.

However, this plan can quickly backfire on WWE SmackDown. Roman Reigns is expected to return to the show tonight with a vengeance on his mind. Staying true to his current gimmick, Reigns will have a solid response to Edge’s actions over the last couple of weeks. He could also pull a few strings backstage and get a favorable stipulation added to their title match.

Roman Reigns is also waiting for his right-hand man Jey Uso to return on WWE SmackDown. In his absence, Jimmy Uso tried to don that role, but the recent controversies could have an effect on his current booking. Edge poses a big threat to Roman Reigns’ Universal Championship reign, but he is not the only one who is troubling The Head of the Table.

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#2 Kevin Owens sends a big warning ahead of the Money in the Bank pay-per-view

Kevin Owens doesn't want Paul Heyman to forget about their previous conversation

Last week on WWE SmackDown, Kevin Owens defeated Sami Zayn in an epic Last Man Standing bout to qualify for the Money in the Bank ladder match. Following that, he called Paul Heyman and reminded him about their conversation from a few months ago. KO had promised that he would get his hands on the MITB briefcase and come straight for Roman Reigns’ Universal Championship.

Owens reconfirmed his intentions and asked Paul Heyman to familiarize Roman Reigns with his warning. Both superstars were involved in a brutal rivalry, and interestingly, the latter never picked up a clean victory.

Owens is determined to win the guaranteed title opportunity and take the Universal Championship away from The Tribal Chief. Can we see Owens foretelling more details of his plans on WWE SmackDown tonight?

#3 Seth Rollins set to face Cesaro in a Money in the Bank qualifier on WWE SmackDown

Cesaro and Seth Rollins will lock horns once again on WWE SmackDown

Seth Rollins and Cesaro have been feuding for a long time on WWE SmackDown. They are once again scheduled to face each other tonight in a Money in the Bank qualifier match. Rollins managed to get away with a sneaky victory during their last encounter, and he will leave no stone unturned in picking up a win in this week's match.

Both superstars have been vocal about their intentions to compete for the world title. Cesaro had his shot at the Universal Championship, but Rollins tried everything in his power to derail his momentum. The Architect recently took offense when Edge was given a title shot. Both superstars have compelling reasons to motivate themselves ahead of their match on WWE SmackDown.

It is important to note that most superstars who have qualified for the Money in the Bank match are babyfaces. Thus, the creative team might incline towards adding a heel to the match in order to keep it balanced.

We hope to see a good match between Rollins and Cesaro with a clean finish so that this feud comes to a deserving end on the Blue brand.

#4 “King” Shinsuke Nakamura will face Baron Corbin in a Money in the Bank qualifier on WWE SmackDown

Baron Corbin will face Shinsuke Nakamura on WWE SmackDown tonight

Following a brief rivalry on WWE SmackDown, Shinsuke Nakamura dethroned Baron Corbin as the “King” of the show. Both superstars have been involved in altercations ever since, but Nakamura has managed to keep things in his favor alongside his highly efficient ally Rick Boogs. He is now scheduled to face Corbin in a crucial Money in the Bank qualifier tonight.

Both superstars have delivered good matches over the past month, and things won't be any different on WWE SmackDown tonight. The creative team is also pushing for Corbin’s face turn. Its effectiveness can be measured by the fact that the viewers genuinely felt bad for him last week. Now that he has lost everything, can he find new inspiration before his big match tonight?

Nakamura just won the crown and has reverted to his brutal self. He doesn’t necessarily need to be a part of the Money in the Bank ladder match to keep his momentum. However, it can’t be denied that it would be interesting to see him qualify for the match.

Meanwhile, Corbin had previously held the Money in the Bank contract and failed to cash it in successfully. This could be a second chance for him to prove his mettle on WWE SmackDown.

#5 WWE SmackDown Superstar Liv Morgan fights for a spot in the Money in the Bank ladder match

Liv Morgan has a big challenge awaiting her on WWE SmackDown

Last week’s episode of WWE SmackDown saw Zelina Vega make a surprise return to the company. She faced Liv Morgan in her first match upon coming back and lost after a surprise roll-up pinfall. However, Vega already has a spot for herself in the Money in the Bank ladder match, while Morgan is yet to receive the same opportunity. Could that change for her tonight?

Morgan has seen both Camella and Zelina Vega getting picked over her for the Women’s MITB ladder match. She has defeated both those superstars on WWE SmackDown and is understandably frustrated about being overlooked. Morgan will hope to compete in a legitimate qualifier and earn a spot for herself ahead of the upcoming pay-per-view.

We could also see Vega and Morgan involved in an extended rivalry on WWE SmackDown. The Blue brand desperately needs more superstars to step up and increase the competition in the women’s division. A convincing feud between the two superstars will help the creative team to push more talents and craft new storylines for the show.

#6 Will The Alpha Academy challenge for the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championships?

Otis has previously targetted Rey Mysterio on WWE SmackDown

WWE SmackDown has witnessed The Alpha Academy’s rise to prominence in the last few months. Chad Gable takes immense pride in being the reason behind Otis’ newfound aggression. The duo has had a dominant run so far. Last week, they talked about targeting The Mysterios and their WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championships.

It is important to remember that both teams were involved in an intense feud earlier this year. Otis specifically targeted Rey Mysterio and brutalized him on multiple occasions.

Following that, Otis and Gable were engaged in a one-sided rivalry with The Street Profits on WWE SmackDown. Both Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins received vicious beatdowns at the hands of the former Heavy Machinery member.

It appears their rivalry will hit pause on WWE SmackDown, with The Alpha Academy setting its sights on the tag team championships. We could see Gable and Otis competing for a shot at the tag team gold over the next two weeks. It will be exciting to see how the creative team will book the duo to pursue the coveted championships on the Blue brand.