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After an interesting two-day WWE Draft event, we are all set for WWE's season premiere with this week’s episode of SmackDown. From significant returns to exciting title matches, WWE have an interesting show lined up for fans tonight. This week, we will see Roman Reigns back in action while the popular WWE stable New Day will appear for their last match together on SmackDown.
The match card for tonight’s episode of SmackDown looks bittersweet, but we are bound to see the beginning of a few interesting rivalries and alliances. Kevin Owens is back on SmackDown, and we could see him reunite with Sami Zayn. After his encounter with 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt, who knows if KO’s gimmick has also undergone a few changes.
In this article, we will take a look at a few things that can transpire on tonight’s episode of SmackDown. So, without further ado, let’s begin.
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#5 Roman Reigns puts his Universal Championship on the line at SmackDown
WWE Superstar Roman Reigns is set to put his Universal Championship on the line tonight at SmackDown. He will defend his gold against the former champion, Braun Strowman, as the two will lock horns in a singles match this week. Although it seems highly unlikely that Reigns will lose his title tonight, this match still looks quite interesting on paper.
Braun Strowman replaced Roman Reigns in the last minute when the latter couldn’t appear for his WrestleMania match. This led to The Monster Among Men becoming the Universal Champion. Following a rather underwhelming run with the title on SmackDown, Strowman lost his title to The Fiend at SummerSlam – the match that also marked the return of Roman Reigns.
A week later, Reigns successfully defeated 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman in a triple-threat match to win the title. His alliance with Paul Heyman saw him pull off a deceptive plan that allowed him to get his hands on the gold. He will now once again face Strowman in a title match on SmackDown, but there can still be a surprise or two planned for this match.
We could see Keith Lee make an appearance and cost Strowman his title opportunity as the two Superstars are currently involved in a feud. There's also the possibility of Jey Uso attacking Reigns after the match as the two are currently involved in a title rivalry on the Blue brand. It will be interesting to see what WWE have planned for this particular encounter.
#4 Daniel Bryan set to make his SmackDown return
Following the WWE Draft 2020 last week, it was confirmed that Daniel Bryan would return to SmackDown tonight. This will be the WWE ThunderDome debut for the former multi-time World Champion. Bryan took some time off after the birth of his daughter and will now return to WWE television for the first time in months.
Prior to his leave, Bryan was instrumental in pushing Drew Gulak into important matches and reportedly used his backstage influence to help several Superstars on SmackDown. He is expected to do the same once he comes back. However, now we could see him be involved in interesting feuds with higher stakes.
As of this writing, there’s no confirmation regarding WWE’s actual plans for Bryan on SmackDown tonight. We don’t know if he will be involved in a match or if his appearance would be limited to a promo. In either case, it is exciting to see the former WWE Champion make his return to SmackDown, and hopefully, there are a few good things in store for him on the Blue brand.
#3 New Day make their last appearance as a faction tonight on SmackDown
In a shocking turn of events during the WWE Draft 2020, the New Day members were separated for the first time since the stable was formed in WWE. RAW drafted tag team champions Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, while SmackDown decided to keep Big E. Tonight, the three members will compete in their last match together.
Big E, Kingston, and Woods will take on Cesaro, Sheamus, and Shinsuke Nakamura in a match tonight. Over the last few weeks, we have seen Big E and Sheamus involved in a brutal rivalry that ended in a Falls Count Anywhere match between the two Superstars last week. This last dance on SmackDown of one of the most decorated stables in the history of WWE could have a few surprises lined up.
It is possible for Big E to turn on the other two New Day members, but WWE could be reluctant in pulling off such a move. Last month, it was reported that Vince McMahon was happy with Big E and wants to push him into the Intercontinental Championship picture. Big E might ultimately find this solo run take him to the Universal Championship on SmackDown.
#2 Jeff Hardy takes on returning Superstar on SmackDown
This year’s WWE Draft also marked the return of controversial Superstar, Lars Sullivan. He returned to WWE and wasted no time in running rampage through both RAW and SmackDown rosters. Tonight, we will see Jeff Hardy in action against Sullivan as the legend will have plans to stop the latter from attacking more WWE Superstars.
Sullivan’s surprise return to WWE and the changes in his appearance, as well as his attack on several top Superstars, certainly implies that WWE are booking him as a monster. Tonight’s match might just give us an idea about the kind of push that he will receive on SmackDown going forward.
As far as Jeff Hardy is concerned, he recently had a god run with the Intercontinental Championship on SmackDown before losing his title to Sami Zayn. It is clear that WWE want to use him smartly in order to push younger Superstars, and it is safe to say that Jeff plays his part quite well in doing the same.
But now he has another threat in the form of Elias, who is lurking in the dark as the latter believes it was Jeff Hardy who hit him with his car a few months ago. Could we see Elias make an appearance as well?
#1 What’s next for a former SmackDown Women’s Champion?
For a few weeks, WWE played multiple video packages that teased the arrival of a mystery woman. Earlier this month it was revealed that the mystery woman was none other than former SmackDown Women’s Champion, Carmella. The WWE Superstar made her return to the Blue brand and is now booked as the ‘untouchable’.
In her promo, Carmella admitted that she ‘lost her way’ amidst the pressure to get over with the fans. However, she has now changed that attitude and wants to be herself as she looks determined to take on the entire women’s roster of the Blue brand. It will be interesting to see what’s in store for this talented Superstar on SmackDown.
Ove the last couple of weeks, Carmella was heavily criticised for her ‘looks’ by the WWE fans on Twitter and other social media platforms. The Superstar reacted to the negativity in a classy manner, and insisted that she wants to create her own path, unaffected by what others have to say about how she looks. Her arrival is bound to stir things up on SmackDown.
