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WWE SmackDown’s final show before SummerSlam 2021 is destined to be an epic affair. The Blue brand has orchestrated flawless storylines over the last couple of weeks. We hope to see interesting developments in the top feuds ahead of The Biggest Party of the Summer. Will WWE’s A-show live up to the high expectations tonight, especially considering the recent updates surrounding AEW Rampage?
Here, we look at some of the things that could unfold on WWE SmackDown this week. So, without further ado, let’s begin.
#5 Top WWE SmackDown Superstar forces last-minute change in Roman Reigns vs. John Cena
Last week, Roman Reigns and John Cena engaged in a brilliant promo war on WWE SmackDown. The Tribal Chief did well in holding off on his own against one of the best talkers in the entire pro wrestling business. Both Reigns and Cena hurled creative (and painful) insults at each other that kept us entertained for half an hour.
Although the creative team has invested a lot in building up this feud, we are yet to see Roman Reigns and John Cena engage in a proper physical altercation. However, that could change tonight on the show. Reigns has The Usos in his corner, but who can Cena trust to back him if he is forced into a confrontation with The Bloodline?
Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman have tricked multiple challengers in the past by manipulating the contract. Will John Cena meet the same fate?
Another interesting thing about this rivalry is that it involves more superstars apart from the champion and the challenger. Firstly, Mr. Money in the Bank Big E poses a huge threat to both the world titles. He has already sent not-so-subtle warnings to Heyman during backstage segments on WWE SmackDown.
Baron Corbin stole Big E’s MITB briefcase last week and could also make his presence known during the Roman Reigns-John Cena segment tonight. Is it possible that Heyman offered him cash in exchange for this well-planned theft to keep Big E out of the equation at SummerSlam?
Not to forget, Finn Balor was going to challenge Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship at SummerSlam. An unfortunate interference from Corbin took Balor out of the equation and Cena stole the title opportunity. The Prince then took a brutal punishment at the hands of Roman Reigns and The Usos on the following week’s WWE SmackDown.
Finn Balor could also return and attack both Roman Reigns and John Cena on the show tonight. Adding him to the Universal Championship match at the pay-per-view is not a bad decision, but Reigns and Cena might want to keep the lion's share of the spotlight.
There are a lot of exciting directions awaiting this segment on the Blue brand and we hope that the creative team will make the most of the same.
#4 Edge bullies Seth Rollins on WWE SmackDown
Seth Rollins has escaped Edge’s wrath on WWE SmackDown so far by carefully orchestrating his attacks. This storyline has been nothing short of brilliant on the Blue brand and we don’t expect anything less on the show tonight.
Given that this would be the final encounter between the two superstars ahead of their dream match, it would be fair to assume that we will see them bump heads on the final show before the pay-per-view.
WWE has done well in highlighting the similarities between Rollins’ and Edge’s careers. It also allowed both superstars to fall back on their respective strengths, which are most similar in nature.
Edge is at his savage best, while Rollins is brilliant, as always, with his Architect gimmick. The Rated-R Superstar is desperately waiting to get his hands on Rollins and he might get a chance tonight on WWE SmackDown.
Rollins is determined to enter the Universal Championship picture but he needs to defeat Edge at SummerSlam before challenging Roman Reigns. The Hall of Famer blames Rollins for costing him a title victory and is adamant about making the latter pay for his actions. It would be a mistake to underestimate the relentless Edge on WWE SmackDown, especially when he has revenge on his mind.
There is another interesting, yet far-fetched, booking decision that can immortalize tonight’s episode. Based on two of the biggest rivalries on WWE SmackDown before SummerSlam, the creative team can book a huge tag team match if John Cena and Edge pair up to take on Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins.
It will be a great nod to their respective histories and will instantly take the fans back to 2000s - an era none of us hates. The nostalgia associated with this booking, especially with Cena and Edge as a tag team, would be more than enough to make this show epic.
#3 The Usos meet Rey and Dominik Mysterio before the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship match at SummerSlam
The Usos are set to defend their WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championships against Dominik and Rey Mysterio at SummerSlam 2021. The two tag teams have engaged in multiple altercations on the Blue brand over the last few weeks. Jey and Jimmy Uso even tried to distract Dominik when the father-son duo faced Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode last week.
The storyline has delivered several brutal segments but we might see it end at SummerSlam 2021. Since The Usos won the championships last month, it is highly unlikely that they will drop the tag team gold this weekend. But there are still several interesting possibilities for WWE to explore ahead of the pay-per-view.
Over the last couple of weeks, we have seen Rey Mysterio share important advice with his son who appears rather impatient. WWE SmackDown can book a huge swerve at pay-per-view by making Dominik turn on his dad if they fail to reclaim the championship. But before all of that, the Mysterios are expected to cross paths with The Usos on the show tonight in an entertaining segment.
#2 Sasha Banks attacks Bianca Belair on WWE SmackDown
Last week, WWE SmackDown’s main event saw a brutal altercation unfold between Bianca Belair and Sasha Banks. Both superstars met for contract signings ahead of their WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship match at SummerSlam 2021. Banks played it cleverly by inviting Zelina Vega and Carmella as her “witnesses.”
As soon as the contract was signed, Vega and Carmella launched an attack on Belair while Banks adored the title. The latter then held The EST of WWE in a devastating Banks Statement and sent a bold message to the SmackDown Women’s Champion ahead of their upcoming match. It is safe to say that their feud has been much more intense this time around.
Thus, Banks would leave no opportunity to gain the upper hand ahead of the crucial title match at SummerSlam 2021. She can lay out a vicious attack on the champion, but Bianca Belair might have been prepared this time. Hopefully, both superstars will be involved in an entertaining segment that will help add more credibility to their rivalry ahead of the pay-per-view.
#1 Newly crowned Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura celebrates title victory on WWE SmackDown
Last week on WWE SmackDown, Apollo Crews faced Shinsuke Nakamura in the Intercontinental Championship match. The two superstars delivered an engaging encounter that eventually ended with Nakamura picking up a huge victory. The King is expected to host a royal celebration for his newly acquired title.
We could see Crews interfering in this segment to get a title rematch against Nakamura. He enjoyed a lengthy championship reign on WWE SmackDown, and it is highly unlikely that the Japanese superstar will drop the title very soon. Thus, the creative team might use this angle to bring Commander Azeez and Rick Boogs into the mix.
Boogs has been very entertaining alongside Nakamura, while Crews has heavily relied on Azeez’s monstrosity to assert his dominance. It could lead to an interesting rivalry between both associates, giving them ample screen time to showcase their talents.
As for Nakamura, he will look for newer challenges on the Blue brand once Crews is ruled out of the Intercontinental Championship picture. Could we potentially see them face each other at SummerSlam?
