Smackdown Live Preview: July 24

The road to SummerSlam continues tonight, as Smackdown Live airs from Evansville, Indiana.

A Quick Recap:

• Jeff Hardy opens the show with a promo about how he’s BROKEN since losing the United States Championship. Shinsuke Nakamura mocks him backstage
• AJ Styles def. Andrade “Cien” Almas
• Aiden English appears in a backstage segment apologizing to Lana for Rusev’s loss.
• Becky Lynch def. Mandy Rose. Post-match, she cuts a promo telling Carmella that she’s coming for her.
• Backstage, Paige tells ‘Mella that she has a match against the Irish Lass kicker this week and if Lynch wins, she’ll have a title match championship opportunity at Summerslam.
• Samoa Joe def. Tye Dillinger
• The Miz holds a funeral for Team Hell No and cuts excellent promos on both Kane and Daniel Bryan. However, Bryan interrupts and attacks Miz from behind!
• Eric Young def. Kofi Kingston
• It’s announced that Paige will name AJ Styles Summerslam opponent this week.
• Jeff Hardy def. Shinsuke Nakamura via disqualification after Randy Orton interferes. The Viper attacked Hardy, attempting to rip out one of his ear gauges before hitting him with a hanging DDT off the table to end the show.

One Big Thought:

It has to be Joe, doesn’t it?

Last week, Paige announced that AJ Styles’ challenger at Summerslam will be revealed on the July 24 Smackdown. While there’s obviously still room for development, the only main-event caliber individual on Smackdown without a dance partner for the Biggest Show of the Year is none other than Samoa Joe. It’s a rivalry that’s long been anticipated amongst WWE fans; while the two have never squared off in their current promotion, their rivalry is nearly unparalleled in wrestling lore. Honestly, guys - this article would be thousands upon thousands of words long if I were to simply sing the praises of these two men. Simply put, this HAS to be the match at Summerslam; otherwise, WWE is simply doing themselves a disservice.

State of the Championships:

Your fave GM here.. Such a beautiful Sunday and you are all so inquisitive… you want the teams for this #SDLive Tag team tournament, well here they are! And I’ll cheers to that. pic.twitter.com/YmiFMzfIHP

— PAIGE (@RealPaigeWWE) July 22, 2020

Paige made a statement last week stating that on the July 24 Smackdown, she would be announcing AJ Styles opponent for Summerslam. The general consensus seems to be that Samoa Joe will earn his first opportunity at the WWE Championship after his unsuccessful quest for Brock Lesnar’s Universal Championship. However, there’s always the chance that WWE swerves us, but a Styles/Joe match would be money at the Biggest Show of the Summer.

Last week, Becky Lynch earned a shot at a title match at Summerslam after defeating Mandy Rose in short order. Since her match against Charlotte Flair on June 5th, Lynch is undefeated on television and made her case to Smackdown Live general manger Paige following last week’s match. Now, if Lynch defeats Smackdown Women’s Champion Carmella on tonight’s episode, she’ll earn a championship opportunity at the Biggest Show of the Summer.

Smackdown general manager Paige had a busy week, announcing a tag team tournament to decide on the Bludgeon Brothers challengers at Summerslam. Tonight, the first round of the tournament will take place as SAnitY takes on the New Day. Personally, I’d expect the Eric Young-led faction to win tonight and advance to next week’s (?) finals.

Shinsuke Nakamura is the United States Champion; however, that’s taken a backseat to the developing tension between Jeff Hardy and Randy Orton. Will Nakamura make a statement tonight to kick off his title reign after not looking all that strong last week?

Three Things to Watch For:

• WWE.com is teasing a showdown between Daniel Bryan and the Miz on tonight’s episode, and it looks as though they’ll be showcasing a match between the two at SummerSlam as has long been rumoured. How will they further the storyline tonight after last week’s excellent segment in the video above? I’d guess something that ends with the Miz getting the upper hand, that’s what!
• After weeks of harassing Jeff Hardy, WWE is teasing an answer for why Randy Orton has targeted the former United States Champion. Will we actually get an answer? I do have to say, Orton has entertained me two weeks in a row, and has looked solid since returning and his subsequent heel turn.
• At least we got Tye Dillinger last week.

That’s our show! You watching, wrestling fans? Let us know your thoughts by tweeting us tonight @WCSportsCA!

Last Five:

• BREAKING: WWE Announces First All-Women’s PPV on October 28
• Stephanie’s Announcement: What Can We Expect on Monday Night RAW?
• Over the Top Rope: Episode XIV | 90’s Movies and Tommaso Ciampa feat. Colton Kelly
• BREAKING: More Names Added for Mae Young Classic
• NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn 4 | Match Card and Rumours