WWE has shared the following Quick Hits preview points on WWE.com ahead of tonight’s episode of Smackdown Live:
- Could James Ellsworth become the next WWE World Champion?
- What will be the fallout if Naomi beats Alexa Bliss again?
- The Lone Wolf sets his sights on The Real American
- Can Orton repel the power of The Wyatt Family?
- Who will set themselves apart in SmackDown’s Tag Team division?
On James Ellsworth’s WWE World Championship opportunity against AJ Styles:
Tonight, SmackDown LIVE features an extremely unusual WWE World Championship Match. As first announced last Tuesday on Talking Smack by General Manager Daniel Bryan, AJ Styles must defend his coveted title against … James Ellsworth? Yes, you read that right. Last week, with a little help from special guest referee Dean Ambrose and two Dirty Deeds, the virtually unknown competitor (who isn’t even signed to Team Blue) was able to pin the reigning titleholder. Now he finds himself the No. 1 contender to “The Champ that Runs the Camp.”
As an irate Styles has promised to take matters in his own hands, Ellsworth might consider running for Parts Unknown as fast as humanly possible. Then again, could The Lunatic Fringe be unhinged enough to involve himself again and help make Ellsworth the next WWE World Champion? Find out tonight at 8/7 C on USA Network.
On which tag team will set themselves away from the pack on Smackdown:
SmackDown Tag Team Champions Heath Slater & Rhyno clearly aren’t the type to sit and wait for the action to come to them (unless there’s a healthy supply of Cheez Whiz and crackers lying around; then it’s anybody’s ball game). Case in point: Last week, “Beauty & The Man Beast” came to the rescue of Dolph Ziggler, and sent The Spirit Squad and The Miz heading for the hills. Will The A-Lister and his cheery chums have retribution on their minds this Tuesday?
It’s not like the titleholders don’t have enough on their minds to keep themselves busy. Not only does Slater have his kids to build pools for, but each and every tandem in SmackDown’s Tag Team division is currently clamoring to make themselves stand out from the pack. The Usos and American Alpha continued to battle it out last week, as Jey helped Jimmy steal the win over Chad Gable. The Ascension has clearly set their sights on the Hype Bros. We would even say Breezeango is also a threat – except, last we checked, Fandango seems to have completely disappeared.
Who will step up to eventually become the No. 1 contenders to the SmackDown Tag Team Championship? Find out tonight at 8/7 C on USA Network, with SmackDown Pre-Show beginning at 7:30 ET on all of WWE’s digital platforms.
