Smackdown is gearing up for the 1000th episode with some big-time preparations. Just one week before the milestone episode on October 16th, they have come up with some big news. WWE Crown Jewel is coming on the WWE Network on November 2nd that has received an additional makeover. A World Cup tournament is no official to take place at the PPV event.
This is the first time ever that WWE is hosting a world cup tournament in their programming. It should have the international kind of feeling at the Crown Jewel event. Earlier at the Greatest Royal Rumble match was a spectacular success in April 2018 in Saudi Arabia. So the creative team is trying to come up with a similar innovative thing in November. This will also ensure a mainstream kind thing at the upcoming show.
With that being said, WWE Superstars have to earn their spots at the World Cup tournament. John Cena and Kurt Angle have moved on to feature in this upcoming tournament. The second and third qualifiers will take place on this week’s Smackdown. The official website of the WWE has now confirmed two big-time matches in order to fill up the first two slots. Two former world champions are returning to compete in these two matches making the show even more special.
Big Show is the first name who is returning to participate in the first qualifier for World Cup tournament. His opponent will be none other than the long-time rival known as Randy Orton. The Giant was out of wrestling scene since September 2017 due to a hip surgery. But he is ready to go after fixing things and willing to head to the Crown Jewel PPV event. Here’s the official update from the WWE regarding the match on Smackdown,
“Big Show will return to SmackDown LIVE this week to take on Randy Orton on the blue brand. Will The World’s Largest Athlete be able to shake off any ring rust and defeat the vicious Viper as he tries to advance in this world event at the Saudi Arabia pay-per-view? Or, will The Apex Predator strike first and take down Big Show and advance on in this international event? Find out this Tuesday night on SmackDown LIVE.”
The other main event match on Smackdown will witness the return of Jeff Hardy on the show. He is out of the picture since the Hell in a Cell match against Randy Orton. Now, he is having Samoa Joe standing against him as a brutal opponent. Joe is looking forward going into the World Cup tournament after losing WWE title opportunity against AJ Styles. So it looks like Hardy has a tough job if wishes to enter the Crown Jewel event. Here is the official announcement of the Smackdown match,
“The Charismatic Enigma will be looking to make a declarative statement to the WWE Universe as he competes in his first match since the scary incident that saw him land hard through a table and has to be stretchered out at WWE Hell in a Cell. The Samoan Submission Machine will also be aiming to reset and move forward after his (literally) brutal defeat to AJ Styles in the WWE Title Match at WWE Super Show-Down.”