WWE SmackDown Preview: Solo has no idea Roman Reigns is here to screw him again

Smash will air tonight (September 13) with a live show from the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. This is the second episode of Smash during the five-week build-up phase Bad bloodwhich takes place on October 5th.

Solo Sikoa has no idea that Roman Reigns is here to screw him over again

SmackDown returns to the USA Network tonight and the show kicks off in the biggest way possible. It's Cody Rhodes vs. Solo Sikoa in a steel cage for the Undisputed WWE Title.

General Manager Nick Aldis has made it a steel cage match to prevent any outside interference. The idea sounds good in theory, but the cage often doesn't provide that kind of security. It's only a matter of time before Jacob Fatu and the rest of The Bloodline find their way into that cage.

However, I have a strong suspicion that Solo's henchmen aren't the only ones who want to stop this title match. The fact that this steel cage match opens the show already gives an indication of the outcome: Solo Sikoa will get screwed over by Roman Reigns again.

Solo blames Roman for his loss to Cody at SummerSlam, and there's a good chance that will happen again tonight. The Bloodline left Roman for dead several weeks ago, so now it's OTC's turn to get back at them when it hurts the most.

Is the return of Roman Reigns inevitable when SmackDown returns to the USA Network? If it does happen during the opening match, what kind of storyline will develop for Roman, Solo and Cody afterward? You'll have to tune into SmackDown on USA to find out.

The rest of today’s map

Kevin Owens defeated Grayson Waller and Austin Theory in a Triple Threat Match last week, partly because the heels couldn't put their egos aside long enough to give each other the win. Waller and Theory at least agreed after the match and beat Owens down. So this week, Kevin is back with a MYSTERY partner to face them in a tag team match. Will KO's mystery partner be a top babyface star like Randy Orton, who has been absent from SmackDown for several weeks, or will it be a surprise partner who is just dropping by for the US premiere?

Andrade vs. Carmelo Hayes is also booked for tonight. These guys have split their last four matches evenly since July, but their fifth match may be about more than just bragging rights. Andrade and Hayes both want a chance US Champion LA Knight, so that the winner of this match can better demonstrate why he deserves this title shot.

Other things to keep in mind

– The Bloodline once again proved their dominance in the tag team division by obliterating DIY and the Street Profits in an 8-man tag team match last week. Is there another team on the roster that can keep up with The Bloodline or will they be benched? WWE Tag Team Titles unlimited?

– Giovanni Vinci's repackaging was a disaster last week when he returned to SmackDown by losing in a matter of seconds to low-card wrestler Apollo Crews, who didn't even appear on television. Can Vinci learn from his mistake or is he doomed to be humiliated again the next time he steps into the ring for a SmackDown match?

– Is it time for Charlotte Flair to return to SmackDown soon? She had surgery in January and is expected to be out until around October, which isn't too far away.

– Which babyface(s) does Legado del Fantasma want to target next?

– Bayley defeated Tiffany Stratton last week after Queen Nia Jax's attempt to help backfired. Does Tiffany's growing frustration mean she will have to resign her Money in the Bank contract on WWE Women's Championor will Nia find a way to clear things up with her?

– Who will Chelsea Green beat tonight?

– Does Triple H have any big surprises in store for SmackDown's return to the US? Some sources suggest that Raw star GUNTHER will be in the building, but it looks like it will probably only be for a dark match.

– Where the hell is AJ Styles?

What are you looking for on Smash?