WWE has shared the following Quick Hits preview points on WWE.com ahead of tonight’s episode of Smackdown Live:
- Bray Wyatt to battle John Cena in a WWE Title Rematch tonight
- Naomi is the new SmackDown Women’s Champion, but for how long?
- Who will rise out of the Turmoil to challenge American Alpha?
- Is Baron Corbin destined to become Intercontinental Champion?
- Will Ziggler’s aggression cost him or give him exactly what he wants?
WrestleZone Radio will have the latest episode of Smackdown Rebellion available later tonight following Smackdown Live and Talking Smack.
As always be sure to join WZ tonight at 8pm EST for live coverage of the show!
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On Bray Wyatt’s first WWE Championship defense against John Cena:
In the wake of his “brother” Randy Orton winning the 2017 Royal Rumble Match, Bray Wyatt doubled down on The Wyatt Family’s chances at success by walking out of Sunday’s Elimination Chamber Match as the new WWE Champion. However, amid The Eater of Worlds’ championship celebration, the WWE Universe collectively began to ask one simple question as the pay-per-view came to a close: Does this mean Wyatt and Orton will clash at this year’s WrestleMania for the WWE Title?
It is, of course, tradition for the Royal Rumble Match winner to take on the champion of their brand on The Grandest Stage of Them All. However, there are seven weeks of SmackDown LIVE remaining on The Road to WrestleMania and, as General Manager Daniel Bryan put it perfectly on WWE Network’s Talking Smack, a lot can happen in those seven weeks.
And just like that, the circumstances may indeed be changing. It has been announced that John Cena has invoked his WWE Championship rematch clause and will challenge The New Face of Fear tonight on SmackDown LIVE! So despite all the excitement surrounding the Chamber, at the end of the day, will it be The Cenation Leader lining up to face The Viper at The Showcase of the Immortals? Could Cena make history by becoming a 17-time World Champion – surpassing WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair? You want some excitement on The Road to WrestleMania? Come get some!
Though no one can question the importance of the Elimination Chamber Match, perhaps the most impressive moments in Sunday’s SmackDown LIVE pay-per-view came from the Women’s division. The female Superstars battled in three separate contests, each more intense than the one before it.
It was out of that fiery atmosphere that a new champion was crowned, as Naomi overcame Alexa Bliss to win her first SmackDown Women’s Title. However, there is no rest for the wicked, and the Wicked Witch of WWE is already clamoring to reclaim what has been taken from her. And though Nikki Bella and Natalya certainly have unfinished business with each other, and Mickie James and Becky Lynch seem to just be getting warmed up, any one of those competitors could turn their attention to the Women’s Championship in the blink of an eye – especially with The Showcase of the Immortals on the horizon. Don’t forget about Carmella, either. Although The Princess of Staten Island watched Elimination Chamber from James Ellsworth’s skybox, that doesn’t mean she won’t drop in on a moment’s notice to seize a golden opportunity.
What we’re trying to say is: Be careful what you wish for Naomi, because your test has just begun and The Road to WrestleMania is as long as it is treacherous. Watch your back.
