Smackdown Live, 19-6-16 *Spoilers*

Lithium93_

5 days away from Battleground, but first the little matter of a Draft/Brand Split, and Smackdown going head to head with RAW from now on...

Daniel Bryan & Mick Foley being named General Managers for both shows respectively.

And the rules of the draft

Raw has the first overall pick
Since SmackDown Live is a two-hour show and Raw is three hours, for every two picks SmackDown Live receives, Raw will receive three picks
Tag teams count as one pick unless a Commissioner/General Manager specifically only wants one member of the team​
Six draft picks will be made off the NXT roster​

Here's what on tap for tonight/early Wednesday morning.

1. Brace yourself as The New Era goes blue with the WWE Draft
Out with the old and in with the new. The New Era can truly begin because SmackDown Live is finally upon us. Is it the underdog brand coming out if the gate? Perhaps. In spite of that, does the SmackDown Live Commissioner Shane McMahon and his ultra-determined General Manager Daniel Bryan have what it takes to lift big blue up to take its rightful place at the top of WWE? “Yes!”

But who exactly will be coming along for the ride? WWE Champion Dean Ambrose? WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte? John Cena? Seth Rollins? Young and hungry Superstars like Baron Corbin or Becky Lynch? Maybe a wildcard plucked from NXT’s most prominent up-and-coming competitors? Or will Raw Commissioner Stephanie McMahon and new Raw GM Mick Foley use their show’s extra draft picks to steal the best talent away from SmackDown?

For months, the WWE Universe has been clamoring with questions like this, and tonight on the premiere of SmackDown Live, the WWE Draft promises to provide the answers in dramatic fashion.

2. How will the WWE Title controversy lead?
Last night on Monday Night Raw. WWE Champion Dean Ambrose put his Word Title on the line against Seth Rollins. Considering the deep-seeded animosity the two competitors have for each other and their mutual love for ruthlessness, it is probably no surprise to anyone that their positively awesome showdown did not end in a clear winner. But perhaps no one could have predicted the double pin that would leave the contest in mayhem.

But what now? Will the outraged Architect come to SmackDown Live and use the Raw result to initiate a war-of-words in a last-ditch attempt to get inside Ambrose’s head before their imminent Triple Threat World Title Match Sunday at WWE Battleground? Will the unpredictable Lunatic Fringe refuse to wait for the pay-per-view and reengage Rollins with another furious assault?

3. Can Cena work effectively with and get on the same page with Enzo & Big Cass?
On Raw, a noticeable miscommunication between John Cena, Enzo Amore, Big Cass & The New Day ultimately spelled their doom against incredibly daunting combination of The Club & The Wyatt Family.

No one likes to lose, so the real question now is: Can Cena get on the same page with Enzo & Cass in time for their WWE Battleground free-for-all against AJ Styles, Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows? Consider that it’s this Sunday, look for the unlikely trio to attempt to solidify their bond tonight on SmackDown Live.

Also, though WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day had the courage to return to Raw after their horrifying brawl at The Wyatt Family compound, they failed to redeem themselves with a win over Bray Wyatt and his followers. Are there still psychological effects that will keep them at a disadvantage when they face The Wyatt Family at WWE Battleground? And will we see any sign of that tonight?

4. Who will possibly want to team with Sasha Banks?
As the loner Sasha Banks continued to search for a partner to face WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte & Dana Brooke at WWE Battleground, she teamed with Becky Lynch against her imminent pay-per-view opponents. Before a winner could be declared, however, a sudden attack by Natalya took The Irish Lass Kicker out of the equation, and in the end, The Boss was left lying on the canvas.

With Charlotte and Dana standing dominant over their fallen adversary for the second time in a week, the question of who will join forces with Sasha seems more puzzling than ever? If she can’t find a partner, will she be forced to face both Superstars alone? If she does and fails, will she ever get an opportunity at Charlotte’s title? In any event, the clock is ticking? And tonight’s SmackDown Live may be her last hope.

5. Will Ryder use United States Champion Rusev's anger against him?
Hey, not for nothing, but Rusev seems in a pretty foul mood on Raw as of late. First, he accepted Zack Ryder’sBattleground challenge and locked Long Island Iced-Z in the excruciating Accolade. Then, after Ryder helped Dolph Ziggler beat him on SmackDown Thursday, The Bulgarian Brute dominated The Showoff before and after the bell in Tag team action.

Though Rusev is dangerous, his actions could prove more of an advantage than people think. The “Woo Woo Woo kid” has unrelenting spirit and a few tricks up his sleeve to boot, but with Rusev so infuriated, he also might be able to get his fierce opponent to slip up. Watch tonight to see if the No. 1 contender can pick up momentum and move one step closer to another huge pay-per-view triumph.

SKY SPORT 5 - 1 AM

Cheese Wagstaff

WWE Title rematch announced for tonight also via YouTube.

Lithium93_

Cheese Wagstaff wrote: »

WWE Title rematch announced for tonight also via YouTube.

Was just about to post the exact same thing..

SureYWouldntYa

Well that means this time we'll get a conclusive winner for sure

/s

connemara man

Cheese Wagstaff wrote: »

WWE Title rematch announced for tonight also via YouTube.

Is Reigns suspension over?

Lithium93_

connemara man wrote: »

Is Reigns suspension over?

It's almost over, he'll be back for Battleground.

connemara man

Lithium93_ wrote: »

It's almost over, he'll be back for Battleground.

Ah okay. He can't come back tonight an interfere so

Lithium93_

connemara man wrote: »

Ah okay. He can't come back tonight an interfere so

Don't think so, the only way Roman will be on television tonight is if they'll do a Live via Satellite link with him.

J. Marston

Lithium93_ wrote: »

Don't think so, the only way Roman will be on television tonight is if they'll do a Live via Satellite link with him.

That would be fun with a live crowd.

martyos121

Lithium93_ wrote: »

Don't think so, the only way Roman will be on television tonight is if they'll do a Live via Satellite link with him.

Big missed opportunity if they don't broadcast it live from WWE Rehab for Samoan Delinquents.

Ageyev

Bounty Hunter

6 nxt picks - might be nothing (not that Finn & co would troll people) but there have been picks / videos of 5 NXters suggesting they are leaving and I am guessing that the 6th will be Corey Graves.


That said unless something changes considering nothing has been announced about about the women all being one brand they could really use a few more women if they are going to have 2 full womens divisons so Alexa Bliss (or the rumored Nia Jax) could also make a lot of sense (not that I think Nia is ready yet.

Tag teams go as 1 pick if the picker wishes... does that count 3man New Day? Would def draft them early if so. Maybe Shane would try such a move early so it doesn't seem like he's falling too far behind with the 3-2 picks but then again I see New Day as more a Raw type fit i.e more entertainment (but the CWs will keep in ring wrestling fans happy).

I assume it won't but that Rollins win really shouldn't count as an official win if they are having another match on SD (i.e he shouldn't be another time champ)

connemara man

Lithium93_ wrote: »

Don't think so, the only way Roman will be on television tonight is if they'll do a Live via Satellite link with him.

Ah cool. If this doesn't happen I dunno what they're at in WWE.

Seth and Dean start fighting on the outsideof the ring. Refs at a say 5 or 6 count que Romans titantron they both turn around to no one there a bit of confusion etc. The ref in the background counts 10. Bell rings match over.

#howtomakereignslookgreat

J. Marston

Looking forward to Nakamura's entrance. He's gonna get a huge pop.

CastorTroy

Another draw for the title match tonight resulting in Reigns getting the title as the only one not to lose.

PTH2009

Looking forward to this tonight, going to watch raw now

SureYWouldntYa

J. Marston wrote: »

Looking forward to Nakamura's entrance. He's gonna get a huge pop.

Where is Smackdown tonight? Needs to be in the right location for a huge pop

Itssoeasy

https://twitter.com/wwepeytonroyce/status/755445932603367425

Interesting. I know she's not exactly been used on nxt tv but she has huge potential.

PTH2009

What's the betting the show will end with a huge brawl between both rosters ??

Are they only drafting the bigger names on sd tonight and the mid card stars will be announced after the show ??

A lot of filler and pointless matches tonight I suspect

Itssoeasy

PTH2009 wrote: »

What's the betting the show will end with a huge brawl between both rosters ??

Are they only drafting the bigger names on sd tonight and the mid card stars will be announced after the show ??

A lot of filler and pointless matches tonight I suspect

There is a draft show after smackdown for an hour on the wwe network.

Itssoeasy

Looking at bayley's tweets she isn't even trying to be subtle.

CastorTroy

Or she's learned from Finn.

I think I remember one or 2 years where someone was drafted randomly to one brand then to the other by the end of the show. Wonder if they can steal picks. Maybe have a match at the end where the winning brand gets to steal someone from the losing brand

Pentecost

There's a list of 6 names that seems to be doing the rounds from the usual suspects on Twitter that generally know what's going on in NXT. A few relatively underwhelming names and one surprise omission in particular if it's true.

Itssoeasy

Pentecost wrote: »

There's a list of 6 names that seems to be doing the rounds from the usual suspects on Twitter that generally know what's going on in NXT. A few relatively underwhelming names and one surprise omission in particular if it's true.

Underwhelming ? That sounds bad Pentecost and suprise omissions aren't good either.

Kankan14

Bryan Alvarez reckons creative are to this minute still debating who to draft from NXT.

https://twitter.com/bryanalvarez/status/755509409606873088

PTH2009

Hopefully All of us Irish won't be disappointed later

Even though ATM it's the healthiest Irish rep there ever was in WWE , it will be frustrating If a certain demon is not drafted

Lithium93_

PTH2009 wrote: »

Hopefully All of us Irish won't be disappointed later

Even though ATM it's the healthiest Irish rep there ever was in WWE , it will be frustrating If a certain demon is not drafted

Don't get your hopes up.

Pentecost

Itssoeasy wrote: »

Underwhelming ? That sounds bad Pentecost and suprise omissions aren't good either.

That's if it's true. Wouldn't surprise me if it changed. I would post it but it's a pretty big spoiler with tonight being so hotly anticipated and I don't want to tempt those who don't really want to know.

bigron2109

Where apart don the Network can gig watch it and what time does it kick off at . I've a App which allows me to watch the USA network.

DM_7

Kankan14 wrote: »

Bryan Alvarez reckons creative are to this minute still debating who to draft from NXT.

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When was the last time he was right?

Kankan14

DM_7 wrote: »

When was the last time he was right?

Meh. Even a broken clock is right twice a day. I think on this one he may be right though. Its all been very skew with. And I can see creative sitting there now scratching their collective heads.