SmackDown Live Preview (13.9.16)

What is in-store for SmackDown Live tonight following on from Backlash?

SmackDown Live Preview (13.9.16)
Slater will finally get a contract. Photo- WWE.com
matthew95
By Matthew Wilkinson

Overall, Backlash was seen as a great success for the blue brand, but how will SmackDown follow up from their first PPV on tonight's episode as the build towards next month's No Mercy must now begin. 

Heath Slater's contract signing 

The final payoff to what has been one of the most enjoyable storylines coming off the brand split will take place tonight. Heath Slater's story has had a happy ending after his and Rhyno's victory at Backlash where they became the Tag Team Champions and now the former Nexus member will be rewarded with an official SmackDown Live contract. 

WWE has promised that the contract signing will take place on the show, but will it run smoothly for the former free agent? The Uso's new attitudes won't have accepted their defeat in the finals gracefully and it wouldn't be a surprise to see them appear and ruin the moment for Slater as they look to stake their claim for a future title shot. 

How will Bray Wyatt recover? 

Backlash didn't quite go as planned for Bray Wyatt, after his assault backstage on Randy Orton granted him a victory he was then put into a no holds barred match with a former rival, Kane. With a little assistance from an RKO, the Eater of Worlds was defeated by Kane and that is not something that the self-proclaimed god is going to take lightly. 

With Orton's injury status unknown, it could be somebody else that feels Wyatt's wrath, potentially Kane. Whoever get's in his way is sure to feel the full force of Wyatt and his abilities as he will be hoping to finally start picking up some momentum on the blue brand. 

Women's Championship situation 

Becky Lynch was crowned the first ever SmackDown Women's Champion at Backlash after over a year of trying and failing. Whilst this was a huge moment for the former NXT star she now enters the unknown situation of having a target on her back from the entire women's roster who are all gunning for her belt. Who will be the first to step up and begin challenging her? 

Nikki Bella and Carmella have their own scores to settle, especially after Sunday when Carmella eliminated the former Divas Champion, something that the veteran isn't going to sit back and take lightly. Will one of them be able to step up and prove they are the rightful number one contender, after all, Carmella was the last women standing with Lynch in the six pack elimination match. 

Will Daniel Bryan punish The Miz?

The Miz has continued to get under Bryan's skin. Photo- WWE.com
The Miz has continued to get under Bryan's skin. Photo- WWE.com

The rivalry between SmackDown GM, Daniel Bryan and Intercontinental Champion, The Miz has been brewing slowly for the past several weeks but the actions of The Miz on Sunday took the feud to the next level. After taunting Bryan about his inability to wrestle before his match took place, Miz then copied several of Bryan's moves during his title defense which will not have put the GM in a good mood.

The fact that Maryse sprayed Dolph Ziggler in the face to allow her husband to retain his title will not have helped the situation and there is likely a punishment around the corner for the A-Lister, but what will it be? 

AJ Styles championship address

The brand new WWE World Champion won his belt under controversial circumstances due to a low blow to Dean Ambrose and the new champion is set to address the WWE Universe about his victory and his run of form since being drafted to SmackDown. There is no doubt that Shane McMahon and Ambrose himself will have plenty to say about the way Styles won his belt and it is going to be interesting to see how Styles reacts to that.