Spoilers On Surprise Returns & Appearances For Tonight's Episode Of WWE SmackDown [Reports]
Matthew Perez This week's episode of WWE SmackDown will reportedly feature several returning talents, and possibly appearances from multiple Raw superstars.
WWE will be taping two episodes of SmackDown tonight. The two shows will take place inside Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Tonight marks the second-last SmackDown show before next week's Clash at the Castle pay-per-view, which will run on Sept. 3 inside Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.
According to a report from Fightful Select (h/t WrestlingNews.co), Hall of Famer John Bradshaw Layfield (JBL) is slated to appear at tonight's SmackDown tapings. The 2020 WWE Hall of Fame stepped away from his commentator role on SmackDown, but he continues to make occasional appearances for the company.
Fightful's report also stated that Xavier Woods is scheduled to return as well. The 35-year-old superstar was injured in storyline by The Viking Raiders on the July 29 episode of WWE SmackDown, when they smashed his leg into a chair. Kofi Kingston got revenge for Woods by defeating Erik via pinfall on SmackDown one week later.
Furthermore, Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com reports that Ronda Rousey, Bayley, Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai and The Street Profits are all in
Detroit for the tapings of SmackDown. Johnson added that Rousey will "be appearing in some form tonight."
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Rousey was suspended for attacking an official following her SummerSlam loss to Liv Morgan. The Baddest Woman on the Planet appeared on last week's episode of SmackDown, but official Adam Pearce had her arrested and taken away from the arena in a police car.
What Else Is Confirmed For SmackDown?
WWE is running a "second chance" match for the four teams (Nikki A.S.H. and Doudrop, Natalya and Sonya Deville, Shotzi and Xia Lia and Tamina and Dana Brooke) that were previously eliminated from the Women's Tag Team Championships tournament. The winner will go on to face Aliyah and Raquel Rodriguez in the semis. WWE has also announced two singles matches for the show: Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn and Ricochet vs. Happy Corbin.
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