SmackDown Preview: Kofi Kingston's SummerSlam opponent revealed, 9-Time Champion to enter Title Match (June 23rd, 2019)

Welcome to this week's edition of WWE SmackDown Preview! We're nearly a night removed from the RAW Reunion episode and we must admit, it was better than what we had expected.

Also read: 5 reasons behind the unscripted ending to the RAW Reunion

However, that was RAW and for the first time in ages, we didn't have much of a presence of SmackDown superstars. Hopefully, this means that we won't be seeing many RAW stars tonight.

Last week, Kofi Kingston was defeated in a tag team match, with Randy Orton, a nemesis of old pinning him. Daniel Bryan was supposed to make a career-altering announcement, but that didn't really come to pass and he just walked away. Bayley chose Ember Moon as her SummerSlam opponent, while Kevin Owens continued to make the headlines on SmackDown Live.

New Champs in WWE! More RIGHT HERE

Also read: 5 things WWE subtly told us at the RAW Reunion

Also, The IIconics were defeated by The Kabuki Warriors via count-out, which means that another opportunity at the tag team titles are inevitable. Here's what you need to look forward to on SmackDown tonight.

#5. Shawn Michaels to be a special guest commentator

After a long time, Shawn Michaels will be making his return to SmackDown Live. Of course, his role is one that will see him join the commentary booth. Last night, Shawn Michaels came out with Triple H just as Seth Rollins was fending off AJ Styles and The OC. He was also joined by the likes of Road Dogg, X-Pac, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, etc.

While it's not exactly known which match he's going to be around to do commentary for, it's probably assumed that it will be one where AJ Styles and the OC are involved.

Either way, it's going to be interesting to see what kind of perspective he brings to the table. Seeing Shawn Michaels is always nice!

See WWE Smackdown Results, Highlights of event, & more on WWE Smackdown Results page

#4. Daniel Bryan's "announcement"

Daniel Bryan was absolutely distraught about the fact that he and Rowan lost the SmackDown tag team titles. In his mind, he was going to elevate tag team wrestling to a whole new level, wanting to main event WrestleMania with the tag team titles as well.

The loss to The New Day came as a harsh reality to Daniel Bryan but ultimately, it's up to him to realize that the team he lost it to is the most decorated tag team in WWE history and is still one of the most dominant forces in the company.

Last week, Daniel Bryan was supposed to make a "career-altering" announcement but didn't when interrupted by The New Day, choosing to storm off instead. Will Daniel Bryan continue his silence or will he end up actually making this so-called announcement?

We can only hope to find out this week if he says it or not.

#3. Ember Moon to collide with Charlotte Flair

Last week, Ember Moon sought the help of SmackDown Women's Champion Bayley to seemingly end her brief rivalry with Mandy Rose and Sonya DeVille. Impressed, Bayley handpicked Moon to be her SummerSlam opponent and The Shenom naturally agreed.

The match is set but this week, we found out that Ember Moon will be taking on Charlotte Flair. Now, let's not pretend like we don't know exactly how this goes. Charlotte Flair beats Ember Moon clean and she gets added to the SummerSlam match, making it a triple threat match.

While we are undoubtedly sick of seeing the 9-time Women's Champion get title shot after title shot, we probably have to accept that as long as she's around, she will be getting that sort of a treatment.

Whether you agree with it or not is irrelevant, because she's going to keep getting these opportunities no matter how clean she loses.

#2. Shane McMahon to address Kevin Owens and the WWE Universe

Kevin Owens has easily been the best part of SmackDown over the last few weeks. Ever since he's showcased this new attitude, he has seemingly channeled his inner-Steve Austin, going after the McMahon in power and hitting him with stunners at every given opportunity.

Last week, Kevin Owens did the same and even competed against Dolph Ziggler in the main event, but as expected, Shane McMahon had his crew of "yes men" to do his bidding and surround the ring. Owens ended up stunning Shane McMahon anyway, making a run for it afterward.

Recently, he issued a SummerSlam challenge to Shane McMahon, stating that if Shane McMahon won, he would leave WWE. It could end up being an "I Quit" match, but Shane has to respond to that challenge tonight. Will the Prodigal Son accept the rematch 2 years in the making?

#1. Kofi Kingston issues a SummerSlam challenge

Kofi Kingston has had a near-perfect record as WWE Champion, winning all but a few matches. When it comes to singles matches as champion, he's still undefeated, but he did get pinned by Randy Orton last week in a six-man tag team match.

Kofi Kingston isn't waiting for anyone to step up to the plate. Like Bayley, he's going to handpick his challenger and that challenger will be none other than The Viper Randy Orton.

It has been a long time coming. Kofi Kingston is past his honeymoon period of his WWE title run and has proven to be a great champion. Now, Kingston will have to fight the demons of his past. He was on the verge of a breakout 10 years ago until Randy Orton completely stopped that.

They have a rivalry dating back ten years and it's going to be interesting to see them go face-to-face, this time for the biggest prize in the industry.

Edited by Sai Teja