Did Smackdown Just Rewrite Summerslam?
So that was a hell of a Smackdown, right? Great matches, great storytelling, a great return? It also rewrote most of Smackdown’s storylines going into Summerslam. Who saw that coming?
An odd thing has been happening with Smackdown recently. First they had no plans for Cena or Rusev’s returns. Then they rush both Cena and Rusev back and Rusev doesn’t even feature in this episode. It’s like they needed a big draw match to pull in viewers for Battleground.
Then there was Chris Jericho appearing from nowhere, and losing his rematch in a way that suggests that he also does not have a storyline going forward and was therefore rushed back to get eyes on the product. Will we see him next week?
Actually, that could work out. I’d watch Rusev vs Jericho, no questions asked. Book it WWE.
The big deal for this show though was the reset of most of the top storylines. Orton is now out of the main event picture, and not really in any picture. Who will win between Cena and Nakamura to face Jinder Mahal at Summerslam? Well, you know, I haven’t got the slightest idea.
You see, both men could win the title at Summerslam and both have stories going forwards. Cena could take the title and lose it before Wrestlemania to Kevin Owens, leading to Owens vs Zayn at mania. Nakamura could take the title and carry it all the way to losing it at Wrestlemania in a match against AJ Styles. Baron Corbin could still play a role himself in both results. It’s also possible that Cena could simply be the next person lined up to lay down for Mahal. It’s a very interesting match.
Is Nakamura’s feud with Corbin over? Corbin could easily interfere, leading to a suspension, a rematch with Nakamura or even a triple threat next week. Then there’s Rusev, who may also be out for revenge. Rusev could hand Nakamura the victory and go on to defeat Cena at Summerslam in a match that would be huge for Rusev. The rumour strongest is still Cena going over Jinder but there’s a lot at play right now.
You know where else there’s a lot at play right now? The US title picture which, though still way too high up the card, is genuinely the most prominent it might have ever been right now.
Chris Jericho’s brief return to the US title scene changes the face of everything. It might have been a brief return but I can’t imagine that Jericho, or Orton elsewhere, is going to miss Summerslam. The winner of Styles vs Owens next week really changes the face of everything happening at Summerslam. An Owens victory would suggest another Styles/Owens match, but we could also see another Owens/Styles/Jericho match or another Owens/Jericho match. We could also see Chad Gable stepping up to challenge Owens while Styles goes up against Nakamura, but that seems more down the line. An Owens loss suggests that either Jericho, Cena or Orton will be lining up against Owens next.
Styles has an interesting plethora of options, though a smaller set. Rusev has time to create a feud for what could be a good match with little build. More likely would be a battle with Nakamura. Would WWE give the US title to Nakamura knowing that he won’t be losing it for a long time?
Isn’t this enthralling in a way that Smackdown hasn’t been in a long time?
And that’s before we even begin to find out who kidnapped Fandango and what will Tyler Breeze do now without him? Smackdown’s back baby.
Follow Tom on Twitter: @Colohue
