The road towards the 2021 Royal Rumble kicked off in a big way on Raw and now it is time for SmackDown to add some follow-up to that. The Universal and Women’s championship scenarios are already heating up for the upcoming PPV. Additionally, the tag team and Intercontinental Titles will be on the line when tonight’s show airs from the Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay, Florida.
Kevin Owens has been hell-bent on taking away the Universal Championship from Roman Reigns as he always had some serious problems with the title-holder’s ruling power. He’s coming up with this never-say-die attitude, each week on SmackDown to face the Tribal Chief and bring the fight to it. But the number-games are just not on his side.
Last week, Kevin Owens defeated Jey Uso on the SmackDown main even match in a short match and tried to send a message to Roman Reigns with a beatdown to Uso. But the champion attacked him from behind before unhooking Uso from handcuffs. A two-on-one assault followed o lay down Owens. But going by the Prizefighter’s mentality, he must be ready to show up, again, perhaps with another challenge to Reigns.
Bombshell Candice Michelle Accuses WWE Of False Promotions
In the Women’s Title picture, the ongoing feud between The Boss and The Untouchable One is likely to continue through the Royal Rumble PPV. On last week’s SmackDown, Bayley and Carmella teamed up against Bianca Belair and Sasha Banks. Thanks to the interference from the sommelier named Reginald, Mella ended up pinning the SmackDown Women’s Champion.
Now, this pinfall win has likely happened due to the fact that WWE does want to continue the rivalry between Mella and Banks, possibly setting up yet another title match within a few weeks. Most likely that next match over the belt is happening at the next PPV event on January 31st.
WWE Royal Rumble 2021: Top 5 Surprise Entrants From Men’s Division
WWE Smackdown Preview (08/01/21): Tag Team Title Match
Robert Roode and Dolph Ziggler vs. SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Street Profits has been made official for this week’s episode. The match was announced on Talking Smack, last week where Roode and Ziggler attacked The Street Profits during their 2021 Predictions segment in the ring. The challengers then declared that they wanted a title shot, and won’t stop the attacks until they get what they want.
SmackDown also has another title match on the card where Apollo Crews will challenge the WWE Intercontinental Champion Big E with the belt hanging in the balance. Crews made the save for E, last week when Corbin and his knights pounced on E after a singles contest. The two eventually picked up a tag match win after which E granted Crews a title shot. Thus, his first title defense will go down when Friday’s hottest show airs from the ThunderDome.