Category: SmackDown

WWE Smackdown Preview 7/15/22

WWE SmackDown, tonight at 8/7 C on FOX.

WWE SmackDown Preview 7/8/22

WWE SmackDown, tonight at 8/7 C on FOX.

As of Friday morning, here is the lineup announced for tonight’s show:

  • Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns returns
  • How will Ronda Rousey respond to the new “SmackDown” Women’s Champion Liv Morgan?
  • Maximum Male Models to unveil their 2022 Tennis Collection

WWE SmackDown Preview 7/1/2022

Tonight’s WWE “SmackDown” is the last stop before Saturday night’s Money in the Bank event. 

One of the spots in the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match has yet to be determined. Whoever it is will join Drew McIntyre, Omos, Riddle, Sami Zayn, Seth Rollins, and Sheamus in the match. Riddle is the latest man to earn a spot in the match. He won a “Money in the Bank Last Chance Battle Royal” on Monday’s “Raw”.

We may also see another attempt to debut Max Dupri’s Maximum Male Models stable on tonight’s “SmackDown”. The past few weeks have seen Dupri teasing the unveiling of his first client. However, multiple attempts have resulted in little more than a single spotlight shining over the ring and Dupri refusing to do the segment. Two weeks ago, he complained to Adam Pearce that the lighting was not up to his standards. Last week, Dupri complained that the bottled water and the temperature in his dressing room were not to his specifications.

WWE SmackDown Preview 6/24/22

Tonight on WWE SmackDown at 8/7 C on FOX.

Ricochet looks to take back the Intercontinental Title in rematch with Gunther

During last Friday’s “SmackDown”, WWE announced a pair of Money in the Bank qualifying matches for tonight’s episode: Sami Zayn vs. Shinsuke Nakamura and Aliyah vs. Shotzi.

As of Friday morning, WWE has not mentioned if Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns or Brock Lesnar will appear on tonight’s “SmackDown”.

Update On When Charlotte Flair Could Return To WWE TV

The “SmackDown” Women’s Championship is currently held by Ronda Rousey, but the WWE Superstar she captured the title from seems poised to make a return to the blue brand this summer.

The PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC, is advertising that Charlotte Flair will be in attendance at the “SmackDown” TV taping scheduled for Friday, August 12. The venue’s official website states that Ronda Rousey, Drew McIntyre, and Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions, The Usos, will be in the house. In addition, “Raw” Women’s Champion Bianca Belair will be defending her gold in a Triple Threat Match against Rhea Ripley and Asuka. The blurb then states “plus Charlotte Flair” to cap off the main introduction to the event.

WWE SummerSlam is set to take place on July 30 in Nashville, TN, two weeks before the taping Flair is announced for, which seems to indicate a return is on the horizon, whether it be leading into the big summer event, at the event, or post-event.

Flair last appeared at the WrestleMania Backlash premium live event last month, where she lost the “SmackDown” Women’s Championship to Rousey in an “I Quit” Match. “The Baddest Woman on the Planet” had been feuding with Flair after making a return to WWE following a nearly three-year absence in January. She won the 2022 Women’s Royal Rumble Match and ultimately chose Flair to face at WrestleMania 38 but was controversially defeated, before the “I Quit” Match was set for the following month. WWE explained “The Queen’s” absence by stating, in storyline, that she suffered a “fracture of the radius” during the bout with Rousey at WrestleMania Backlash following the Ronda Armbar, which also involved a steel chair for added leverage.

During her sabbatical from the company, Flair tied the knot with her partner, former WWE Superstar and current AEW wrestler, Andrade el Idolo, in Mexico. “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair walked his daughter down the aisle at the ceremony, which was attended by Finn Bálor, Rey Mysterio, Apollo Crews, and former “Raw” Women’s Champion Lina Farene (Nia Jax). Flair and Andrade also went on their honeymoon following the wedding to celebrate.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE SmackDown Preview 6/17/22

A tumultuous week for WWE wraps up with a live edition of “SmackDown” tonight on FOX.

WWE is promoting that Mr. McMahon will appear on tonight’s broadcast. WWE specified that it will be “Mr. McMahon” who will be on “SmackDown”, indicating that he will be speaking in character.

WWE and its Board of Directors announced early this morning that Vince McMahon has stepped back from his responsibilities as Chairman and CEO amid an investigation into alleged misconduct. His role in directing the creative direction of the company is not changing. Stephanie McMahon has been appointed the interim CEO and interim Chairwoman.

Vince McMahon To Appear On SmackDown After Stepping Back As WWE CEO

Following a report revealing the WWE board is investigating allegations made against Vince McMahon, the boss has temporarily stepped down as the chairman and CEO of the company. Vince’s daughter Stephanie has been appointed interim CEO and chairwoman pending the results of the investigation. Vince will remain in charge of WWE creative, something that will likely be addressed tonight on SmackDown.

Shortly after WWE issued a statement revealing Vince will be stepping back from his duties as the promotion’s chairman, a second reveal was made informing fans the boss will be on SmackDown tonight. What exactly Vince will be doing on the show hasn’t been clarified, but as you can see in the tweet below, the implication is he will be opening the show.

Putting Vince on TV amid all this, or rather Vince putting himself on TV in the middle of all this, is quite something. Although the results of the investigation could well prove nothing actually happened, and the currently inactive chairman may well be appearing on TV tonight to deliver a sincere message, advertising the way WWE has on social media makes it feel a lot like a way to get viewers off the back of something that is currently unresolved.

As for Stephanie, the interim chairwoman has already issued her first statement since being brought back into the fold just a month after she stepped away from her previous WWE duties. “I am honored to assume the role of interim Chairwoman & CEO. I love @WWE and all it continues to do to entertain billions around the world,” Stephanie tweeted.

More details about what exactly is going on behind the scenes in WWE will undoubtedly continue to emerge in the coming days and weeks. Perhaps most notably tonight when Vince opens SmackDown. There will likely be a lot of change coming, regardless of the results of the investigation. Plus, the allegations made against John Laurinaitis still haven’t been officially addressed.

Source: TheSportster

UPDATE:

Shortly before 10 a.m. EST, CNBC’s Alex Sherman tweeted out just how McMahon would be approaching his appearance on tonight’s broadcast.

“New from CNBC: Vince McMahon will speak tonight on SmackDown IN CHARACTER as Mr. McMahon to address his temporary absence,” Sherman tweeted. “Could be a big ratings night for WWE. McMahon has torn up the script for SmackDown, which was written last night, I’m told.”

Vince McMahon Has Voluntarily Stepped Down As Chairman And CEO Of WWE, Stephanie McMahon Appointed Interim CEO 

News broke revealing Vince McMahon is being investigated by WWE’s board of directors. The main claim made against the chairman is that McMahon had an affair with a former WWE employee, and when the consensual relationship came to an end, the boss paid her a $3 million settlement to keep quiet about it.

Just two days later, that investigation has led to Vince voluntarily stepping down as WWE’s CEO and chairman pending the results of the investigation. “Effective immediately, McMahon has voluntarily stepped back from his responsibilities as CEO and Chairman of the Board until the conclusion of the investigation,” a press release issued by WWE reads, via Wrestling Inc.

As for who will fill Vince’s role while the investigation is ongoing, and perhaps for good depending on the results, that will be his daughter, Stephanie McMahon. The boss’s daughter has been appointed interim CEO and interim chairwoman of the company in her father’s absence. Vince won’t be gone completely for the time being. The press release also makes clear that Vince will retain his responsibilities as WWE’s head of creative content.

“I have pledged my complete cooperation to the investigation by the Special Committee, and I will do everything possible to support the investigation,” Vince’s part of the official statement from WWE reads. “It is extremely important to me that we have a safe and collaborative workplace. I have committed to doing everything in my power to help the Special Committee complete its work,” Stephanie writes. Her return to fill in as chairwoman comes just a month after she stepped back from her role as WWE’s chief brand officer.

It’s currently unclear how this will affect the day-to-day of WWE for the fans, especially since Vince has retained his role as the head of the company’s creative. That could all change depending on the results of the investigation, of course, although the duration of it also remains unclear at present. The investigation also includes other claims of misconduct made against both Vince and John Laurinaitis since the initial news about the alleged affair and payoff broke.

Source: TheSportster

WWE SmackDown Preview 6/3/22

Tonight’s “WWE SmackDown” broadcasts live from the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio. The last stop before Sunday’s premium live event, Hell In A Cell.

As of the time of this posting, there are no matches are announced for tonight’s show:

Madcap Moss is set to return tonight. Moss has not been seen on WWE programming since he was attacked by Happy Corbin on the May 13 episode of “SmackDown”.

WWE is also promoting Shinsuke Nakamura and Riddle for tonight’s “SmackDown”. The makeshift tag team is in line for a tag title shot after a disqualification win over the WWE Undisputed Tag Team Champions The Usos on Monday night’s “Raw”. However, it’s unclear when that title match will happen. It reportedly will not be a late addition to Sunday’s “Hell In A Cell” card. Instead, it’s believed the tag title match will be held for next month’s “Money In The Bank” event.

WWE SmackDown Preview 5/27/22

Tonight, WWE SmackDown on FOX will broadcast live from the Simmons Bank Arena in North Little Rock, Arkansas, as part of the road to Hell In a Cell.

As of this morning, the following line-up is announced for tonight’s show:

  • Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods & TBA vs. Sheamus, Ridge Holland & Butch
  • The Bloodline returns to “SmackDown” with all the gold

This week, Drew McIntyre will be back to continue his battle with The Bloodline.

After missing last week, SmackDown Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey is expected to return this week.

Max Dupri, the former LA Knight, is expected to be on tonight’s SmackDown. He revealed the new gimmick last week and is expected to join the blue brand with his Maximum Male Models firm.

Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens, and Ezekiel are all expected to be on tonight’s show, although most likely as dark match participants, if at all. The venue is advertising Rhodes vs. Owens.