The blue brand heads to Seattle, a town where its General Manager is kind of a big deal...
The Headliners
For the first time EVER on #SDLive, @WWE Champion @JohnCena goes one-on-one with @RandyOrton TOMORROW NIGHT at 8/7c on @USA_Network! pic.twitter.com/dNtnlnPlT6
— WWE (@WWE) February 7, 2017
FIRST TIME EVER*!
Are we getting a potential WrestleMania 33 preview? It could be, but maybe not between the men in the ring.
World champion John Cena and Royal Rumble winner Randy Orton revisit one of WWE’s greatest rivalries tonight, and if Cena can retain the title this Sunday at Elimination Chamber, he and the Viper will battle for the belt in Orlando.
But for that to happen, the champ will have to outlast AJ Styles, Miz, Dean Ambrose, Baron Corbin and... perhaps most interestingly, Orton’s partner Bray Wyatt. Randy & Bray defeated Cena last week when the Eater of Worlds once again demonstrated his power over the Face that Runs the Place’s teammate Luke Harper. Both members of the Wyatts may be looking to make a statement in tonight’s historic* main event.
* Only a first for SmackDown shows with the word “LIVE!” at the end of their title. These two have fought on pretty much ever series WWE’s produced over the last twenty years**.
** I can’t back that up, but it feels like it.
The Title Scene
Following a chaotic scene with a nonsensical ending last week, American Alpha will defend their tag titles this Sunday in Phoenix against almost every other team on the SmackDown roster in a turmoil match. Before that though, we’re getting a 12 person tag tonight. And in a novel twist, the squads will be decided based on whether there’s a definite article in their name! Chad Gable & Jason Jordan partner with Heath Slater & Rhyno and Breezango against “Team The”... Usos, Ascension and Vaudevillains!
With the man holding the Intercontinental belt set to fight for Cena’s strap on pay-per-view (PPV) this weekend, Ambrose will join his fellow challengers on a special Elimination Chamber preview edition of Miz TV!
Women’s champ Alexa Bliss defends against Naomi this Sunday, and she’ll be looking to make a statement tonight, because the bringer of the GLOW seems to have little Miss Bliss’ number.
Other stuff to keep an eye on:
- Dolph Ziggler’s mean streak has led to a lot of guys getting their butts - or in Jerry Lawler’s case, his heart - kicked. One man has run the Show-Off off multiple times. This week, Apollo Crews takes a stand in an offical match against Dolph.
- He’s looking good, and helping his “friend” Carmella re-establish her winning ways. What’s next for Jimmy Ellsworth?
- SmackDown has more than one women’s match already booked for Sunday, with Daniel Bryan giving Nikki Bella and Natalya an outlet for their very personal feud. Could we get a third? Becky Lynch and Mickie James have certainly been doing the work across the internet to build their rivalry.
It’s the Elimination Chamber ‘go home’ show!
What will you be looking for on SmackDown Live tonight?