Payback was yesterday’s news. The new episode of SmackDown LIVE comes to you from the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California, in just a few hours, and it looks to be loaded with a lot of surprises. As the brand builds to the upcoming ‘Backlash’ pay-per-view in just three weeks, it’s time for the pieces to fall into place. While the main course will be served on Tuesday Night, consider this piece an appetiser that gets you ready for all the action!
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It’s time for your weekly SmackDown LIVE preview countdown. Gear up and enjoy the ride with us.
Also read: WWE Smackdown Results May 2nd 2017, live updates
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#5 New US Champion to be crowned?
Kevin Owens dropped the United States Championship to Chris Jericho at Payback, after a very action packed contest. However, SmackDown LIVE's newest member does not have long to celebrate considering he will be defending his championship against Kevin Owens in a rematch, this week. Considering Jericho goes on tour in just a few days, with his band Fozzy, it is very likely that the title will change hands. Will Kevin Owens become the new face of America once more? Easy answer, right?
However, there may be more to this scenario than meets the eye. AJ Styles is the number 1 contender for the US Championship, and he might just find a way to weasel his way into the match. This does not change anything in the long run, and it can actually shake things up. Jericho can still go on tour, while Owens and Styles can continue their summer feud.
#4 How will Ziggler seek revenge on Shinsuke Nakamura?
Shinsuke Nakamura is a red-hot Superstar, at the moment. His popularity easily eclipses almost everyone on the main roster, with the exception of maybe AJ Styles. Last week, he was confronted by his arch rival Dolph Ziggler in a rather strange segment where Nakamura was compared to Michael Jackson, over and over again.
The segment ended with Nakamura laying out the 'Show-Off'. As we build to their inevitable clash at the next pay-per-view, we wonder what Ziggler has in store for the Japanese Superstar. How will they build heat for their upcoming match? Will Ziggler have a build-up match with another Superstar where he mocks Nakamura?
Also read: 6 of the longest storylines in WWE history
#3 Will Rusev be granted his wish?
Rusev will presumably make his big comeback from injury at the ‘Money In the Bank’ pay-per-view, provided his conditions are met by ‘the powers that be’ of SmackDown. He wants a title opportunity at the pay-per-view, or he will head back to Bulgaria soon. We are really curious to know how this angle eventually plays out. This storyline will not only freshen up the character that he used to play on Raw, but it will also give him momentum coming in and establish him as a Superstar on top of the food chain.
There hasn’t been a major program between Randy Orton and Rusev, and after the Jinder Mahal feud is done (we presume that Randy Orton will win that feud), Rusev will actually be good competition for the champion. We wonder if the seeds for the same will be planted this week on SmackDown LIVE.
Also read: 10 Questions from WWE Payback that most need answering
#2 Will enemies team up to fight other enemies?
According to WWE.com, WWE’s women’s champion Naomi and the woman who competed for her title last week- Charlotte Flair, will be teaming up this week to ward off the evil alliance of Natalya and Carmella, in tag team action.
Charlotte has had her problems with this heel stable (also consisting of James Ellsworth and Tamina Snuka) backstage, and so has Naomi, thereby cementing a temporary alliance against a common enemy. Will their rivalry cause friction during the actual match? Can Charlotte Flair and Naomi coexist to put the heels away?
This may not seem like an important match at the moment, but we have a feeling that the dynamics between these women will determine the course of the Women’s Title feud.
#1 How will Randy Orton pay back the heels?
Randy Orton first lost his title as Jinder Mahal stole it last week. Soon after, he lost his match inside and outside the House of Horrors thanks to the number 1 contender for his championship, Jinder Mahal and his fellow countrymen, the Singh Brothers. We’re confident that he’s going to snap this week as he seeks retribution. What does the champion have in store for the heels this week?
We find out very soon. Stay tuned for our ‘Best and Worst’ recap article immediately following the episode.
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