SmackDown Preview- 23/8/16

What is in store for the blue brand on tonight's episode following SummerSlam?

SmackDown Preview- 23/8/16
Will AJ's momentum continue? Photo- WWE.com
matthew95
By Matthew Wilkinson

With SummerSlam behind us, what is in store for SmackDown Live as the brand split begins to kick into gear with separate PPV's and the unique rosters now set to be tested to their limits. 

AJ Styles set to address the WWE Universe

In what was a match of the year candidate AJ Styles defeated John Cena at SummerSlam, a victory that cemented him as a main event level star in the WWE. Tonight the Phenomenal One is expected to address the WWE Universe on his victory and the behaviour of Cena after the match which saw him leave his 'Never Give Up' wristband in the ring. 

Was it a sign that Cena has nothing left to give, or does it have a different meaning? Either way, Styles is set to be full of confidence after such a huge victory and we will hear from him tonight. 

What is next for Randy Orton?

The main event of SummerSlam saw Randy Orton receive a hellacious beating at the hands of Brock Lesnar as the Viper was defeated by TKO after being bust open following several sharp elbows to the head. But Orton wasn't the only one to suffer from Lesnar's wrath as Shane McMahon was also taken out by an F5 which left SmackDown shaken to its core. 

The blue brand must now rebuild and it will be interesting to hear exactly what Shane'O has to say about Lesnar's actions and what he has planned to gain revenge. Could Lesnar's actions have brought an end to the friendly aspect of the competition between the two brands? 

A fearless new superstar

One of the big surprises from SummerSlam was the return of Nikki Bella who replaced Eva Marie in the tag team match, later on in an interview for WWE.com the former Divas Champion made it clear she was joining SmackDown and had big things planned. 

What does the longest reigning Divas Champion of all time have in store for SmackDown? 

The Usos put the tag team division on notice 

The tag team division in SmackDown has been building nicely ever since the split, but the Usos put everyone on notice at SummerSlam when they stole the tag and gained the pinfall victory instead of American Alpha. There is now plenty of tension in the air and everyone has plenty to fight for, but will the Usos new mindset help them out?

New Titles are coming

Tonight Daniel Bryan revealed he will be unveiling two new championships, which means the tag team division and women's roster will now have belts to fight for adding some much-needed competition to those rosters. But who will become the first ever champions of these belts, and what feuds will that create? 

The Lunatic needs a challenge 

Following his victory over Dolph Ziggler, the Lunatic Fringe, Dean Ambrose will be waiting to see who his next challenger will be tonight. With Backlash right around the corner it could be anybody on the roster but with a huge win behind him perhaps this is AJ Styles' best ever chance to get ahold of the one belt that has escaped his career.