Also read: WWE SmackDown Live Results, June 20th 2017, live commentary updates
A hellacious Money In The Bank pay-per-view is still fresh on our minds, even as we hurtle towards what promises to be an eventful fallout episode of SmackDown Live on Tuesday.
The most pertinent question on everyone’s mind would be how the reaction to James Ellsworth retrieving the first ever MITB briefcase for Women pans out. Surely, the Women on SmackDown Live wouldn’t take too kindly to it and if their tweets are any indication, neither will Daniel Bryan or Shane McMahon.
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As for the men, after a show-stealing MITB Ladder match, can they digest the fact that Baron Corbin managed to emerge victorious? Or indeed, can the WWE Universe for that matter now that the chip on his shoulder would only have been heightened by his victory?
Also, what of Jinder Mahal who successfully defended his WWE Championship against Randy Orton? Did the Maharaja finally manage to shed the Viper off his back or will the 13-time World Champion be itching for revenge at the earliest opportunity?
Find out as we comb through all these points and more in our preview for this week's episode of SmackDown Live!
#1 Daniel Bryan’s return
After Brie Bella brought Birdie Joe into this world on May 9th, the pro wrestling fraternity was unanimous in showering their goodwill on the happy couple and their first child.
But as the motto of the WWE reads, the show must go on.
And so, fresh off his break to be with Brie Bella for the delivery of their child, Daniel Bryan makes his much-anticipated return to SmackDown Live this week. Will he come back to the same show he left or in his absence, has the show evolved beyond his wildest comprehension?
Also, will he be able to pick up where he left off with the commissioner, Shane McMahon?
Also read: 5 shocking twists to expect on this week’s episode of SmackDown Live
#2 The Power of Love
“He took her name?” asked JBL, with an expression bordering on confusion and disgust.
While we certainly don’t need to dissect JBL’s opinion, it doesn’t take long to register that the WWE is trying something new with the returning Maria Kanellis and her beau, Mike.
With Miz and Maryse crossing over onto Raw, is the acquisition of the couple a direct attempt at replacing the ‘It’ couple of the WWE? Even if it is, their appearance at Money In the Bank seemed to suggest there is far more than meets the eye to them.
Will the power of their love light up Tuesday nights? Or is there a darker twist to the couple who’ve just arrived at the Blue Brand’s footsteps?
#3 Payback on the Viper’s mind?
The Singh Brothers paid a steep price for targeting Randy Orton’s father, who was sitting ringside in the hope of seeing his son recover the WWE Championship but ended up providing a timely distraction that Jinder Mahal capitalised on.
And although the Modern Day Maharaja survived with his Title belt, Randy Orton won’t be pleased with being screwed out of a victory yet again.
Will Orton be thirsting for vengeance on SmackDown Live? Or has Jinder Mahal done away with the threat of the Viper, at least for now, with his monumental Title defence at Money In The Bank?
Either way, Jinder Mahal’s task as the WWE Champion is only going to get tougher as the bulls-eye painted on his back gets darker by the day.
#4 Carm-Ellsworth
Carmella earned a WWE SmackDown Women’s Title shot with her victory at the first ever Women-only Money In The Bank Ladder match at Sunday’s pay-per-view, but almost everyone involved was utterly dissatisfied with the manner in which it happened.
What was supposed to be a historic event, a red letter day in the Women’s Revolution ended on a sour note when Carmella’s sidekick, James Ellsworth, climbed the ladder and retrieved that briefcase for her.
Yes, it was technically within the rules, but it certainly didn’t rub off well on the other women looking to etch their names into history.
When Tuesday’s episode of SmackDown Live swings around, expect, at the least, a vitriolic backlash from them. And that isn’t even taking into consideration what the returning SmackDown Live General Manager Daniel Bryan and Commissioner Shane McMahon are likely to do.
There’s been a tease with many superstars and personalities demanding that Carmella be stripped of the briefcase. It should be realy interesting to see how that works out.
#5 Baron’s plans
No sooner had he captured the Money in the Bank briefcase, the Lone Wolf made sure that WWE Champion Jinder Mahal was made aware of his presence, staring him down on Talking Smack.
And although Jinder says that the Money in the Bank winner isn’t ready for a Title shot yet, expect Baron Corbin to brush aside any such reservations as he plots his way to the top of the mountain.
Will he bide his time, circling his prey as wolves do, and strike at the opportune moment or will he waste no time in going straight for the jugular and cash in his Money in the Bank contract?
Tune in to Smackdown Live and find out.
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