3 Reasons why Smackville might just end up being like another episode of SmackDown

As WWE was preparing for the Biggest Party of the Summer, they decided to announce a live WWE Network special called Smackville for Saturday, July 27th. It was strange given the fact that Extreme Rules had just happened a week ago and SummerSlam was less than a month away.

But despite the proximity to the other events, WWE went ahead with promoting the first-ever Smackville. It was announced that Kofi Kingston would defend his title against the last two opponents he's faced on PPV, Dolph Ziggler, and Samoa Joe. They also announced a rematch for the Intercontinental Championship between new Champ Shinsuke Nakamura and former titleholder Finn Balor.

A day later, a triple threat for the SmackDown Women's title was announced as Bayley would be defending against both Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss (with Nikki Cross). In addition, the New Day was set up to defend their titles against an unnamed team.

While it is good to see a show with all of the major SmackDown titles being defended, it might just end up being a WWE Network version of an episode of SmackDown. Here are three reasons for that possibly being the case.

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#3 Another Elias performance with a predictable finish

Who will interrupt "the Drifter" this time?

Chances are that whenever Elias is slated to give a performance at a PPV or on TV, he will be interrupted. It's the device WWE uses to help returning legends or other wrestlers either get over or start a feud.

Since Smackville is taking place in the "Music City" of Nashville, Tennessee, any number of Tennessee-relevant legends or current stars could interrupt "the Drifter". Jerry "the King" Lawler always pops up when WWE is in Memphis or Tennessee, so he could show up to kick Elias below the belt. And since he was recently inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, the Honky Tonk Man could also make an appearance.

Jeff Jarrett also returned to WWE at the Royal Rumble and had a few brief segment with Elias. Could he be showing up again, or will it be someone else? Rusev and Lana have a home in Nashville so maybe they use that to bring him back into the fold. If he (Rusev) still wants to remain in WWE, that could be a way to reintroduce him back into the blender of SmackDown.

#2 Four title matches are booked and there is little chance of any changing hands

Does Balor have much of a chance to regain his IC Championship?

Every match that has been announced thus far involves a title from the blue brand. The New Day just won the Tag Team titles at Extreme Rules and Nakamura upended the reign of Finn Balor at the same PPV. Since both titles recently changed hands, the possibility of the same happening at Smackville is very small.

And regarding Kingston's title defense, if neither Ziggler nor Samoa Joe could win the title in either of their previous challenges, why should the title shift hands here? They aren't new challengers to the title that would provide more of an aura of mystery like if Aleister Black or Cesaro were the opponents.

Of all of the titles listed to be defended at the show, the only one that seems like it could change hands is the SmackDown Women's Championship. Bayley has been doing a good job since winning the title at Money in the Bank two months ago, but WWE might want the belt to change hands since SummerSlam is inching ever closer.

Charlotte Flair isn't booked for the event but will find a way to get into the title match at the show. She didn't earn this shot, and neither did Alexa Bliss, but WWE will want Flair on the show regardless. I have a sinking feeling that Flair might win the title at Smackville like she did two weeks before WrestleMania. This is elaborated more on the last slide.

#1 Charlotte Flair is gifted another title shot and might win the title in order to get onto SummerSlam card

Charlotte Flair receives another title shot right before a big PPV.

As mentioned in the previous slide, Flair won the title from Asuka on SmackDown two weeks before WrestleMania 35. She didn't earn the title shot at Asuka but instead simply wanted the match so it happened. She basically won the title so that the main event of 'Mania would be "Winner Takes All". WWE loves that trope.

As we all know, Lynch won both titles at the Show of Shows. She did, however, have to defend the blue belt against guess who at MITB? Flair. And guess what? Flair won again only to have Bayley cash in on her.

WWE has done those quick title changes with Flair in order to build to her breaking Ric Flair's record of 16 title reigns. It doesn't matter how long her reigns are as long as she and the WWE can constantly mention that she's a 10-time Champion or 12-time Champ. Regardless of who is devalued because of her winning the title simply because its a number, Flair is going to break the record.

On the next episode of SmackDown, Flair is slated to battle Ember Moon, who has the title shot - her first main-roster title shot ever - at 'Slam. What's to stop WWE from having Flair win on SmackDown and then claim that she beat Moon - who has the shot at SummerSlam - just in order to get into the match?

What could also happen is that Flair wins the title at Smackville and then walks into SummerSlam defending the title against both Moon and Bayley. Whatever happens with the title at 'Slam, I expect Flair to be involved in the match somehow, just in order to get her on the show. Bayley vs. Moon is a perfectly fine match that a lot of people want to see, but when it comes to big shows, WWE wants the likes of Roman Reigns and Flair on the card.