Friday Night SmackDown is here once again and we have just the one match announced so far. This seems to be a return to the ThunderDome era of WWE tradition of announcing very little in advance of these shows. Thankfully, we are well versed in filling up these previews with what we think might happen. Last week, we successfully predicted the return of Sasha Banks. This week, we are predicting the return of Vladimir Kozlov, Mike Knox and Mordecai as an NWO type trio. You heard it here first. Let’s dive in and preview our only certain match tonight: Baron Corbin vs Finn Balor.
Baron Corbin vs Finn Balor
Poor Baron Corbin. No, literally, poor Baron Corbin – without any money and cares left to give, the former King last week attempted a new “Heist of the Century” by interrupting the contract signing between Finn Balor and Roman Reigns. The contract signing was set to culminate in Reigns versus Balor at SummerSlam but, instead, resulted in Roman Reigns versus John Cena. We have to admire Corbin’s attempt to make himself Reigns’ opponent, but it was not meant to be. By taking out Balor and costing him his match, Balor is now looking for revenge. On tonight’s episode of SmackDown, a down on his luck, former King will have to deal with a vengeful Prince. We don’t fancy Corbin’s chances.
Not Announced But Expected For SmackDown
– Sasha Banks returned and initially jumped to the defense of Bianca Belair against Carmella and Zelina Vega. By the end of the show, which these four women main evented in a six-woman tag team match, Banks had brutally turned on Belair – turning heel in the process. We mentioned in last week’s preview that Banks will likely return looking to avenge her loss to Belair at WrestleMania earlier in the year and it appears she has returned to do precisely that. Things are now heating up in the SmackDown women’s division and tonight, we will no doubt see a continuation of this feud.
– Last week’s six man tag team match between King Shinsuke Nakamura, Cesaro and Big E versus Apollo Crews and the Dirty Dawgs (Robert Roode & Dolph Ziggler) culminated in Nakamura getting a pinfall victory Crews. Surely now, a future Intercontinental Championship match awaits. “Nigerian Royalty” facing off with the Japanese “One True King” writes itself, no? Expect this feud to begin tonight.
– Toni Storm debuted on SmackDown two weeks ago but was notably absent from last week’s show. Might we see her return to action tonight?
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