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Tonight's episode of SmackDown was filmed on Tuesday night in Norfolk, Virginia. 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(s)
Well, the headliner might actually be the news that the blue brand is about to become its own brand again. If WWE's online presence is any indication, expect to see at least a teaser promo or two about SmackDown's move to Tuesday nights with a dedicated roster and creative team.
In the meantime, we're getting a couple of title fights.
After Cesaro defeated Intercontinental champion The Miz on Monday night for a spot in the upcoming Money in the Bank ladder match, the Swiss Superman will finally get a one-on-one rematch for that belt. The King of Swing has been screwed out of a couple IC title wins by the animosity between Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens. So that should make you think he can win tonight; he'll probably just give the Awesome One his win back from Raw, though.
A belt that changed hands will be defended by the man who won it against the man he beat for it, when United States champ Rusev goes up against Kalisto in an Extreme Rules rematch. The Bulgarian Brute nearly slayed the Lucha Dragon when he targeted the luchador's back to set-up his Accolade submission. Kalisto won back the red, white and blue strap quickly the last time he lost it, but not against a man who's promised to hold it for #SevenYears.
The Title Scene
After shocking... well, really not that many people... with his return at last Sunday's pay-per-view (PPV), Seth Rollins found out he'll be facing WWE World Heavyweight champ Roman Reigns at the next one for the title he never lost. No word if he'll sneak up and Pedigree the Big Dog again when he returns to SmackDown, or just opens the show with a 20 minute promo like the old days.
Women's titleist Charlotte took her father, the audience and herself on an emotional roller coaster Monday when she told Ric Flair to get out of her ring. The new Dirtiest Player in the Game has a new sidekick in Dana Brooke, but she still doesn't have a new challenger after getting Natalya to submit in Newark.
After celebrating Raw's 1200th episode in Baltimore, tag champions The New Day didn't get any cake, because it was all over Heath Slater's face. They may have been upset that they needed to resort to underhanded tactics to beat the Vaudevillains at Extreme Rules. Has the trio been eating their BootyOs?
Other stuff to keep an eye on:
- There are still opening in the ladder match for an anytime, anywhere title shot at Money in the Bank. Tonight, either Alberto Del Rio or Zack Ryder will join Cesaro, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Chris Jericho & Dean Ambrose in that fan-favorite match.
- Dean will sit down with Michael Cole to discuss his big win, and probably keep his head on a swivel for Y2J to try to get some retribution from a night of thumbtack removal after Extreme Rules.
- Enzo Amore's back! And the Dudley Boyz are still looking like chumps every time they step to Big Cass.
- The Phenomenal One is not having a great week. He lost his rematch against Reigns on Sunday, and lost his shot at getting into the Money in the Bank match - along with his brothers in The Club - on Monday.
- Goldust & R-Truth have a better shot at getting a five minute backstage segment than Baron Corbin or Apollo Crews have of getting on screen.
(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)