WWE SmackDown Preview: April 19, 2013

WWE SmackDown this week has some interesting matches in store for us, featuring the likes of Randy Orton, Sheamus, Fandango, Kofi Kingston and Alberto Del Rio.

Dolph Ziggler’s Extreme Rules opponents Jack Swagger and Alberto Del Rio will face off in a singles match on SmackDown

Jack Swagger vs Alberto Del Rio

It was announced on RAW that Dolph Ziggler will defend his World Heavyweight Championship against Alberto Del Rio and Jack Swagger in a Triple threat match at Extreme Rules. With Extreme Rules more than 4 weeks away, Ziggler’s opponents will take on each other in a singles match on this week’s SmackDown. The animosity between these two former World Champions escalated during RAW with both men attacking each other at different points of time. This match is most likely to be a slug fest as both men will go all out to vent their anger and frustration on each other, after what happened on RAW. Dolph Ziggler would have a keen eye on this match to see which of his Extreme Rules opponent emerges on top.

Sheamus and Randy Orton vs Big Show and Mark Henry

Even after two consecutive victories against the Big Show in handicap matches, Randy Orton and Sheamus can’t get enough of him. They will team up once again against the man whom they consider the reason behind their defeat to the Shield in the six-man tag-team match at WrestleMania. However, Mark Henry will even up the scales, if not tip the scale in favor of the Big Show as his tag-team partner on this week’s SmackDown. Having attacked Sheamus over the last couple of weeks for reasons unknown, Mark Henry must be prepared to handle the wrath of the Celtic Warrior. On the other hand, The Big Show will be keen to knock out his foes who have been his achilles heel since WrestleMmania.

The Shield’s agenda for SmackDown

Having taken out the WWE Champion John Cena on RAW, The Shield may have something planned for SmackDown too as they get ready for their match against Undertaker and Team Hell No! on next week’s RAW. Who will the ‘hounds of justice’ prey on this week’s SmackDown?

Booker T and Teddy Long not on the same page?

Over the last few weeks, SmackDown General Manager Booker T and his advisor Teddy Long have been at loggerheads many a time. Their ego clashes seem to be headed somewhere. Will this SmackDown be the show where their working relationship reaches a breaking point?

Other matches on the show:

United States champion Kofi Kingston vs WWE Intercontinental champion Wade Barrett

Fandango vs Santino Marella

Great Khali, Hornswoggle and Natalya vs Epico, Primo and Rosa Mendes