WWE Smackdown LIVE, MMC, & 205 Live Previews - 03/20
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Tonight’s episodes of Smackdown, Mixed-Match Challenge and 205 Live will emanate from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
Matches and Segments for Smackdown Live!
No matches have been announced ahead of time for Smackdown tonight. Many of the segments for tonight’s show will build towards WrestleMania, however.
- Daniel Bryan Returns: Will Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens Face Repercussions?
Last week, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn attacked Shane McMahon to close the show. McMahon’s WrestleMania announcement had been to book a match between Owens and Zayn for WrestleMania.
This week, Daniel Bryan returns to Smackdown for the first time since before Fastlane. It will be interesting to see what Bryan has to say about Shane’s leave of absence and the match booked between Owens and Zayn for WrestleMania.
- Will Jinder Mahal Get a Shot at the United States Championship?
Randy Orton is the new United States champion after defeating Bobby Roode at Fastlane. Roode attempted to announce he is cashing in his rematch clause at WrestleMania but he was interrupted by Jinder Mahal.
Mahal has defeated both Randy Orton and Bobby Roode in successive weeks and claims he is the uncrowned United States champion. Some order should be brought to this situation tonight.
- Smackdown Women’s Division Response to Asuka
The Smackdown women’s division is in a state of flux at the moment.
Asuka has just shown up to challenge Charlotte Flair and Carmella is still ominously holding onto the Money in the Bank briefcase.
Carmella defeated Namoi last week on Smackdown and on Fastlane her and Natalya defeated Becky Lynch and Naomi. Ms Money in the Bank could be on the verge of a hot streak.
Other members of the division, such as the Riott Squad, may have something to say regarding the upcoming Women’s WrestleMania Battle Royal.
- The Bludgeon Brothers Put the Tag-Team Division on Notice
Since Fastlane, the Bludgeon Brothers have put the whole tag-team division on notice but specifically the Usos and the New Day.
Last week, only Big E and Jimmy Uso were cleared to compete from their teams. We’ll see if any other members of the New Day or Usos are available to fend off the Bludgeon Brothers this week.
- AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura
Nakamura saved Styles from a beatdown by Rusev and Aiden English last week. The two babyface WrestleMania opponents might find themselves watching each other’s backs until April 8th.
There are also rumors AJ Styles is dealing with an injury suffered at a house show over the weekend. PW Insider is reporting WWE plans to evaluate Styles at today’s show.
WWE Mixed Match Challenge
Tonight on the Mixed Match Challenge, one team will have a chance to qualify for the tournament finals.
Asuka’s streak isn’t technically on the line in this tournament as she has lost a tag-team match in WWE before. Asuka and Sonya Deville lost to Nia Jax and Lana on an NXT house show in 2016. Other than that, Asuka is 70-1 in WWE tag-team matches.
- Miz & Asuka vs Alexa Bliss & Braun Strowman
205 Live
The final semi-final match in the cruiserweight championship tournament takes place tonight. Drew Gulak will face Mustafa Ali with a spot at WrestleMania on the line. Cedric Alexander defeated Roderick Strong last week to become the first competitor to qualify for the finals.
- Drew Gulak vs Mustafa Ali
