WWE SmackDown preview (July 7, 2016): The Conversation

Tonight's episode of SmackDown was filmed on Tuesday night in Toledo, Ohio. We've got a spoiler report for you here. If you just want to get ready for the show without knowing who wins and loses, read on!

The Headliner

There’s one thing that wasn’t spoiled on Tuesday, and that’s the announcement of who Brock Lesnar will fight in Brooklyn next month.

The Beast Incarnate steps into the Octagon against Mark Hunt on Saturday night at UFC 200, and technically the New York State Athletic Commission will have to clear him to get physical with anyone at SummerSlam - predetermined outcome or no. Chances are, Vince McMahon’s money ensures that happens unless Lesnar suffers a gruesome knockout or other injury this weekend though.

Reports are the name who’ll be called tonight is Randy Orton. It hasn’t been confirmed, but considering no other names have really been floated, it’s probably a safe bet it’s gonna be The Viper.

We’ll have plenty of time to speculate on the soundness of Randy’s shoulder and Brock’s overall fitness. But we only have a few hours left to wonder if that’s really the match-up we’re getting.

The Title Scene

While we’re focusing on SummerSlam, there’s another pay-per-view (PPV) first. And it looks like Battleground’s main event will remain a WWE title Triple Threat, even if one of the participants will be suspended until almost July 24. They’re keeping the build going in Roman Reigns absence by having Seth Rollins run him down while the champ Dean Ambrose barely contains his desire to kick the Architect’s butt.

Our next Women’s championship bout is all but set after Sasha Banks lit into Charlotte verbally and fought off the champ & her sidekick Dana Brooke on Raw.

He may not like Americans, but Americans like a fighting champ - and that’s precisely the kind Rusev has been with the United States belt. On Monday, he tapped Titus O’Neil again, seemingly ending that feud. Who’s next?

Now that the Intercontinental titleholder, the Miz, is not only back, but hopefully done losing to Ambrose in matches with neither strap on the line, he’s also available for bookings. And who wouldn’t want to book an A-Lister?

For the first time in their long reign, there are cracks showing in New Day’s unity. Xavier Woods says he’ll accompany the other members of the tag champs to the Wyatt Family compound... but it still doesn’t seem like his heart is in it.

Other stuff to keep an eye on:

- With an assist by Big Show, Zack Ryder picked up a big patriotic win in the main event on the Fourth of July. Will it lead to something for the former IC champ?

- In that same match, Canadian unity wasn’t enough to keep Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn from coming to blows. Also, Chris Jericho is a terrible peacemaker.

- The Club is all about #BeatUpJohnCena, but now that Enzo Amore & Big Cass have his back, that’s gonna be harder to do.

- Their match is already official for Battleground, giving Becky Lynch and Natalya plenty of time to try to get the upperhand on one another.

(Note: I know some folks have come looking for a more definitive match listing - that will be posted behind spoiler text in the comments. If WWE.com releases more information on anything that's officially going to take place on tonight's show, that'll be updated here)

See you tonight for SmackDown!