WWE SMACKDOWN PRIMER 8/15: Jinder Mahal vs. John Cena announced, Breezango, Usos, Orton, more Summerslam hype

SMACKDOWN PRIMER
AUGUST 15, 2017
PROVIDENCE, R.I. AT THE DUNKIN DONUTS CENTER
By Joey Galizia (@RamJam89), PWTORCH SPECIALIST

“THE CHAMP VERSUS THE FRANCHISE”

Jinder Mahal was on the role of lifetime. He won a multi-man match to become #1 contender, defeated the likes of Sami Zayn and A.J. Styles before his big title bout, and won the WWE Championship and defended it twice against Randall K. Orton. That’s quite a run for the Maharaja. However, like all great runs, a free-fall is inevitable. Mahal suffered a loss to the Viper last week, and tonight he must face the biggest name in the business, JOHHHHHHHNNNNNNN CENNNNNA before he heads into Summerslam to defend his title against the red hot Shinsuke Nakamura. Shinsuke won that opportunity by defeating the Cenation leader in their first ever meeting. That means that, no matter what, either Cena or the WWE Champion will be headed into the biggest event of the summer on a losing streak. Let us not forget, though, that this is Smackdown. It would only make sense for Baron Corbin to enter the scene and turn this into a TAG TEAM MAIN EVENT PLAYA PLAYA.

“THE ENEMY OF MY ENEMY IS MY FRIEND”

This current conflict over the United States Championship has been a strange one indeed. After a pair of controversial finishes, Kevin Owens and A.J. Styles will fight ONE MORE TIME, and to ensure that no shenanigans occur, commissioner Shane McMahon will step in as special guest referee. The three men had a meeting last week that ended up with A.J. pele kicking Owen’s head off his shoulders. Styles is playing this one smart though, and stated that he plans to apologize to Shane on tonight’s episode. The former bad blood between Shane and A.J. seems to have boiled over, but the bad blood between Shane and Owens seems to just be heating up.

“THE BEST ONE ON THE BENCH”

If you showed me the SD women’s roster and asked me who I thought would be competing on the card at Summerslam, I would never in a million years have guessed that Charlotte and Becky would be taking the night off. It may be good timing for Charlotte as she tends to the side of her father (wishing you well Ric), but Becky too? She has remained one of WWE’s most loyal babyfaces even after a string of devastating losses. Hopefully she can reinsert herself into the title picture, because tonight she faces the current #1 contender Natalya. Meanwhile, Naomi will probably be watching this match for scouting purposes and keeping her eye out for Carmella and her magic briefcase.

“GO BIG OR GO HOME”

-The David Lynch obsession continues as Tyler Breeze and Fandango inch that much closer to insanity trying to discover who has been destroying their offices and beating them to a pulp.

-The Usos have a new remix to their theme song and it’s ALL OF THE THINGS I’VE EVER WANTED. They’ve also remained strong going into their title rematch, beating Sami Zayn and Tye Dillinger and looking to cheap shot the champs at any given opportunity. Will the New Day respond to regain some momentum?

-Speaking of losing streaks, that’s what Sami Zayn is on right now. Not only did the Usos teach him a lesson, but Aiden English scored a roll-up victory two weeks ago. At least he hit his fundraising goal for Syria though. #likeableone #oneDAYyouWILLbeCHAMP

-Randy Orton may have finally beaten Jinder Mahal, but the Bulgarian Brute has the Viper directly in his sights, and isn’t afraid to lay down a beating. With six days until they meet, Randy will be looking for revenge.

-205 Live will be celebrating Akira Tozawa’s triumph! Last night on Raw he defeated Neville to end the King’s 190 day title reign. With a rematch set for Summerslam, expect the former champ to try and even the playing field.

The last show before Summerslam! Raw delivered, can SD do the same?

NOW CHECK OUT LAST WEEK’S COLUMN: WWE SMACKDOWN PRIMER 8/1: Orton vs. Mahal non-title match, Nakamura victory fallout, Fashion Files, Naomi, Corbin