After a successful Great Balls of Fire pay-per-view and an engaging follow-up episode of Monday Night Raw, it’s now SmackDown Live’s turn to keep the momentum rolling for the WWE.
Also follow: WWE SmackDown Results July 11, 2017
With John Cena back in the mix, it shouldn’t be that hard too. The Face that runs the Place made a triumphant return to the fold last week but was interrupted by an irate Rusev. Will the back and forth between the two old enemies resume this week?
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One man who seems to be down and out, however, is Kevin Owens. After losing his US Title to AJ Styles at Madison Square Garden in a Live Event, will the former Face of America show up to address his loss?
And after three consecutive Title shots, Naomi seems to have put Lana firmly in the rear-view mirror. Who will emerge next as a challenger for the SmackDown Live Women’s Title? And what of the budding friendship between Tamina and Lana?
Running through all these points and more, here is our preview for this week’s episode of SmackDown Live.
#1 Is America faceless now?
Kevin Owens proclaimed himself as the Face of America, and we couldn’t even dispute that claim thanks to the United States Championship that was circled around his waist. But after AJ Styles won a shot at his Title and relieved him of it at Madison Square Garden, it seems that the former Champion has lost his mojo.
Apart from ‘blacking out’ from social media, Owens hasn’t been available for comment either.
Will Tuesday change that? Will we see Kevin Owens address the loss finally? Or has the loss punctured his momentum so much that the Canadian national needs to take some time to regroup before activating his rematch clause?
#2 When the Wolf pokes the bear
The unsuspecting Shinsuke Nakamura was halfway through a backstage interview when he was blindsided by the newly crowned Money in the Bank winner, Baron Corbin. Corbin has had a chip on his shoulder forever, meaning that he’s always looking to pick fights, but could this be the one time that it comes back to bite him in the bottom.
As displayed time and again, indelibly in his cameo at Money in the Bank as well, Shinsuke Nakamura doesn’t trifle around – he punishes people in the ring.
Baron Corbin may be on cloud nine that he has the MITB briefcase in his possession, but one has to doubt the rationale behind picking a fight with the King of Strong Style. The Lone Wolf certainly doesn’t have any other friends to back him up either, meaning that he’s pretty much on his own against Nakamura.
I know who I’m picking to win that fight.
#3 An unlikely alliance
After three straight weeks of getting Title opportunities, and failing to get the job done, it would seem that Lana is well and truly out of the Title picture for now. But after Tamina showed up to help her off the canvas, one can only expect her to come back stronger now that she seems to have someone in her corner.
Will Lana and Tamina make a beeline for Naomi’s SmackDown Live Women’s Title yet again? Or will a whole host of Superstars who have been overlooked these past few weeks have something to say about it?
If you remember, the Welcoming Committee was only kick started to prevent Charlotte from jumping the line when it comes to earning a Title shot. How long with they, minus Tamina, keep quiet if Lana keeps getting one opportunity after the next?
#4 A virtu’Uso’ defeat?
Despite a few hard-hitting jibes from The Usos, The New Day took the rap battle last week on SmackDown Live, giving them yet another metaphorical victory over the Blue brand’s Tag Team Champions.
And given how in sync The Usos are, The New Day could use whatever edge they manage to glean in the lead up to their Title clash at WWE Battleground.
Will the Champions look to bounce back after last week’s setback? Or will the Power of Positivity take them for another spin this week as well? Because while The New Day seem to be all about fun and games, they are record-breaking Tag Team Champions and will know how to get the job done when the time comes.
How will the interaction between Champions and challengers go down this week on SmackDown Live?
#5 Has Jinder Mahal sealed his own fate?
Randy Orton has a date with destiny at WWE Battleground when he fights Jinder Mahal in a Punjabi Prison match.
One of the most notorious structures in WWE history, the match promises to be a punishing affair. But you can almost bet your bottom dollar that Champion and number one contender will get into it well before the big day arrives.
Jinder Mahal’s WWE Title reign has been impressive, but the question if he could have still pulled off his Title victory and subsequent defence were it not for the Singh brothers, still remains.
When Mahal and Orton are locked inside the Punjabi Prison at Battleground, we will know the definitive answer to that question. But there is still plenty of time before that when the Champion can still make the numbers advantage count.
Will this week’s episode of SmackDown Live be one such instance? Tune in to find out.
