WWE SMACKDOWN PRIMER 9/5: What is announced and what to expect including Orton-Nakmura, Breezango, U.S. Title Open Challenge

WWE SMACKDOWN PRIMER
SEPTEMBER 5, 2017
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. AT SANFORD PREMIER CENTER
By Joey Galizia (@RamJam89), PWTORCH SPECIALIST

“SNAKE IN THE GRASS”

For the second night in a row we will be treated to a fresh in-ring matchup. Randall K. Orton will step into the squared circle for the first time ever with Shinsuke Nakamura in a battle to determine who gets another shot at Jinder Mahal and the WWE Championship. Last Tuesday Nak and Orton teamed up to defeat the Maharaja and his former brother in arms Rusev in tag-team action. The alliance didn’t last long though, as Randy hit his signature RKO out of nowhere nearly DECAPITATING Shinsuke’s head from his body. With five weeks until Hell in a Cell it will be interesting to see when this title match will occur, or if Jinder decides to play a factor in the outcome. Either way, we’re in for a good fight, as Orton’s wear down offense will mesh well with Shinsuke’s stiff strike heavy attacks.

“THE GOLDEN RULE… FORGET THE GOLD.”

Carmella may still be parading around with her briefcase that guarantees her a title match whenever, but Natalya is still sitting comfortably atop the division as champion. In fact Nattie probably feels less threatened by the Duchess of Staten Island due to her imbecile valet James Ellsworth revealing her game plan on cashing in. (God that guy sucks.) Naomi meanwhile has been sitting on her rematch clause so she can rethink her strategy after Natalya defeated her cleanly at Summerslam. That bout will take place next week, but tonight the champ gets to sink her cat claws into Ms. Money in the Bank, and teach her the golden rule: F#$% the gold.

“THE U.S. IS BACK OPEN FOR BUSINESS”

Probably the greatest legacy of any belt within the past few years is the United States Championship’s open challenge, made famous by a little unknown indie guy named JOHHHHHHNNNNNNN CENNNNAAAA. A.J. Styles is now the man who gets to initiate that honor, and last week he defeated Tye Dillinger in his first defense of the belt since his overlong conflict with Kevin Owens. However, it now seems like the Lone Wolf Baron Corbin has some serious beef with the phenomenal one, and a program between the two is all but confirmed. Who will answer the challenge tonight? Will Corbin take another opportunity to get a shot in on the champ? Guess you’ll have to tune in to find out.

***(Also…if you are still uncertain of how to feel about Corbin, Google his name and read about why his push was derailed. It is fascinating stuff and paints a much better picture of the man.)

“RETURN TO FORM”

-The tag division on the blue brand has just been given an impressive upgrade. Shelton Benjamin is back and has joined forces with Chad Gable to form a new American Alpha. (Although that is not their title.) They made short work of the Ascension last week, and I expect that momentum to continue for the duo tonight.

SPEAKING OF TAG-TEAMS.

-Breezango may have been greenlit for another season of Fashion Files, but as of now they are still no closer to finding the culprits who destroyed their office and beat them senseless, which means that we are not that much closer to seeing them return to the ring.

-New song, new attitude, same results, The Usos can do no wrong. They scored another victory of the New Day last week, and now get to pick the stipulation for their next title defense against the Unicorn Train. Will they reveal tonight? Perhaps, but I do hope that they can at least keep the teams away from each other for a few weeks to rebuild anticipation for what will be their fourth PPV match in a row.

-The Glorious One Bobby Roode continues to impress as he racks up a slew of victories on his path towards dominating the blue brand.

-Kevin Owens is still angry at Shane McMahon for his mishandling of the referee position, and Sami Zayn was the one who paid for it. Sami and Kevin may never be done fighting each other, but will Aiden English also be seeking some retribution on K.O. considering he cost him a matchup?

-Becky and Charlotte are basically just floating around preparing to engage in a feud with the Four Horsewoman of the MMA. I still can’t tell if that really excites me or if it makes me sick to my stomach.

-205 Live will have a #1 contenders Fatal-Five Way pitting the new face of the purple brand Enzo Amore against Gran Metalik, Tony Nese, Brian Kendrick, and Cedric Alexander. I never thought I’d say this, but I’m actually to see where the division is going.

NOW CHECK OUT LAST WEEK’S COLUMN: WWE SMACKDOWN PRIMER 8/29: What is announced and what to expect including Roode, Shelton & Gable, Breezango