Team Blue follows the NFL into Glendale, Arizona.
The Headliners
It doesn’t have any of the blue brands belts involved, but it’s pretty clear what the top story is heading into their next pay-per-view (PPV).
How will @shanemcmahon respond to @FightOwensFight? Find out TOMORROW NIGHT on #SDLive at 8/7c on @USA_Network! pic.twitter.com/2m04PxNOtp
— WWE (@WWE) September 26, 2017
After Kevin Owens headbutted Vince McMahon back onto the sidelines, both he and Shane exchanged words last week en route to their Hell in a Cell match. And it looks like that’s what they’ll keep doing, as WWE is teasing another response from the younger McMahon this week.
Which, I guess will be a reply to Owens’ faux apology and vow he’s going to heaven for what he’ll do to Shane O’Mac on Oct. 8?
These two will probably be kept apart until they’re locked in the cage, so it may remain a verbal war for now. But you never know when McMahon will bust out a Coast2Coast or lay his opponent across the announce desk and drop an elbow from the top turnbuckle. If it’s gonna happen, they only have two weeks to do it.
The Title Scene
We were supposed to get a match for the United States championship last Tueday, but Tye Dillinger returned the favor and attacked Baron Corbin before his bout with AJ Styles could officially begin. The Lone Wolf still ended up tapping to a Calf Killer, and now he wants revenge - presumably against The Perfect Ten and The Phenomenal Champ. He’ll get a chance when he faces Dillinger again tonight.
After playing a role in the evolution of Hype Bros (are Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley breaking up? Turning heel?) tag champs The New Day can resume preparations for their next battle with The Usos. We’re ready now, but are wondering why this hasn’t been booked for the Cell yet. In the meantime, Jimmy and Jey get their chance against Hype Bros in Arizona.
Women’s champion Natalya tried to hold a celebration last week, but the division was much more interested in getting a shot at the belt. General Manager Daniel Bryan solved that problem with that old staple, the multi-woman match. Now, the rivalry between Natty and Charlotte Flair will continue... this time with SmackDown’s title on the line.
The script handed to WWE titleholder Jinder Mahal got the company some bad press last week. #1 contender Shinsuke Nakamura laughed off the champ’s racist jokes and promised to take the belt from The Maharajah in two weeks. Will WWE have him respond to the comments, or just plow ahead? One story on WWE.com says that Mahal will address the controversy tonight, but doesn’t mention how. The official preview for the show says he’s not backing down and hints at retaliation from Nak. Hmmmm...
Other stuff to keep an eye on:
- Humiliated by his last two PPV losses, Rusev is out to take down a legend. His plan got off to a good start last week with an Aiden English-assisted win over former Legend Killer, Randy Orton. Now, he’ll receive a “Pride of Bulgaria Celebration” where, rumor has it, he’ll receive the key to his hometown of Plovdiv. Rusev, Number 1!
- For a guy who doesn’t care that we don’t care about the right things, Dolph Ziggler sure puts a lot of time into elaborate reproductions of other people’s entrances.
- The next case for Breezango should be to find out what happened to “Fashion Files”.
Two weeks until Hell in a Cell!
What will you be looking for on SmackDown Live tonight?