Preview
The Headliners
When American Alpha got the call to join the main roster at last Summer’s brand split draft, most observers figured they were on the fast track to top. But the unexpected success of Heath Slater’s free agency angle, and the potential of Randy Orton in the Wyatt Family, slowed their rise.
Chad Gable & Jason Jordan did manage to win the tag team championship a couple weeks back, but the win was almost as surprising as the fact that it had taken so long. That’s because the former NXT champs knocked off the recently formed unit of Orton, Bray Wyatt & Luke Harper - a faction a lot of folks expected to rule the division, and maybe even all of SmackDown, for a long time.
A lot longer than three weeks they ended up holding the belts, anyway.
Like everyone, the Wyatts had a rematch clause in their contract for their defense at the “Wild Card Finals”, and tonight, they’ll try to take back their belts. If Bray can keep Harper and the Viper from killing each other, that it.
The Title Scene
► John Cena returned last week and announced his intention to take the World title off AJ Styles at Royal Rumble, but Baron Corbin thinks he should be in line for that belt. To prove it, he’s gonna help Cena work off some ring rust by going one-on-one with the 15 time WWE champ.
► She’s trying to get her Women’s championship back from Alexa Bliss, but first, Becky Lynch will probably need to solve the mystery of La Luchadora. Whoever the masked wrestler is, she’s set on making sure the Lasskicker doesn’t get a clean shot at Little Miss Bliss.
► What’s next for new Intercontinental champ Dean Ambrose? The more important question might be what’s up with former titleist The Miz? The A-Lister, and his wife Maryse, were unhinged before the Lunatic Fringe’s shocking win last week. As we saw on Talking Smack, now, all bets are off.
Other stuff to keep an eye on:
► Attacking Nikki Bella at Survivor Series was just the tip of the jealousy iceburg... Natalya is out to prove the Fearless One is undeserving of all her fame. These two Total Divas stars will try to settle their issues in a match tonight.
► Something had to change for Dolph Ziggler, and after another loss to Corbin, that something was his run as a babyface. Kalisto came to the Show-Off’s aid and caught a beating.
► Since teaming up with Jimmy Ellsworth, Carmella is 1 - 0 on television. Coincidence?