Friday Night SmackDown has come around once again! The blue-branded, grappling extraordinaire will be live from Uncasville, Connecticut and will no doubt leave fans feeling something. Tonight’s episode of SmackDown is being largely built around the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship, which the team of Braun Strowman and Ricochet (team name suggestion: the “Flounderers”) last week secured a number one contender opportunity for. However, there is of course an ongoing situation which could greatly impact the possibility of this match even taking place. There is also a number one contender match taking place for another championship tonight, so without further ado, let’s jump right in.
WWE Intercontinental Championship Number One Contender Fatal Four-Way Match: Madcap Moss Vs. Karrion Kross Vs. Rey Mysterio Vs. Santos Escobar
With the winner of this match set to face the unstoppable Ring General, Gunther, for the WWE Intercontinental Championship, it is rather odd that none of these men make sense as an opponent. Madcap Moss has been floundering in the midcard for a while, as has Karrion Kross – to the point where they are probably next in line for a WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship opportunity (team name suggestion: the “Floundere-” oh, we made that joke already? Let’s go with “KrossMoss”) Whereas this match could be an opportunity to rebuild the momentum of either man, they should be losing to Gunther anyway, so what difference does it make? Santos Escobar has been treated like something of an afterthought and barely left a footprint in the recent Royal Rumble match. Rey Mysterio, though a certified legend and future Hall of Fame inductee who could definitely have an interesting feud with Gunther, appears to be involved in other matters and a potential Intercontinental Championship does not feel like his current destiny. No matter who wins this match, it won’t make too much difference in the long run.
WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match: Braun Strowman & Ricochet Vs. The Usos (c)
As we are all by now aware, The Bloodline imploded at the Royal Rumble PLE (Premium Live Event) and things have not gotten any rosier since. In short, Jey Uso has been AWOL ever since walking out on The Bloodline at the event and his whereabouts are unknown ahead of tonight’s title defense against Ricochet and Strowman. So what does this mean? There are a number of scenarios. Jimmy Uso could end up defending the SmackDown Tag Team Championship alone (though this is unlikely); Solo Sikoa could take Jey’s place or, most likely, Jey will return and put his grievances aside for one night, in a show of loyalty to his twin brother. No doubt, Strowman and Ricochet will be looking to take advantage of the fractured family. It is difficult to predict the latest chapter in the excellent Bloodline saga and you can find out what happens next live on FOX tonight.
Not Announced But Expected for SmackDown
– Last week, a vengeful Sami Zayn was dismantled by Roman Reigns (thanks to Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso), who promised that – at the Elimination Chamber PLE, conveniently being held in Montreal, Quebec, Canada – he would destroy Sami in front of his own family there. No doubt, Sami will address this tonight.
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Photo Credits: WWE
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