This Friday in his home city of Miami, The People’s Champion will step inside a SmackDown ring for the first time in 10 years. It’s been a decade, but The Rock returns to “his” show!
When WWE looked to debut the blue brand back in 1999, they wisely chose to mold their newest incarnation in the image of The Most Electrifying Man in All of Entertainment by naming the show after his explosive catchphrase, “Layeth the SmackDown!”
Now, The Rock will return to the blue brand just one week before SmackDown celebrates its 700th episode and 16 days before battling WWE Champion CM Punk for the WWE Title at the Royal Rumble. ( MATCH PREVIEW)
Will The Straight Edge Champion look to destroy his legendary No. 1 contender prior to their pay-per-view showdown? Might The Shield — who WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon still suspects to be in cahoots with Punk and who proved to be the difference in the champion’s Tables, Ladders & Chairs Title Match against Ryback on Raw ( WATCH | PHOTOS) — dare to attempt to ambush the seven-time WWE Champion?
Or will other SmackDown competitors, such as World Heavyweight Champion Big Show, Sheamus or Randy Orton, have something to say to The Great One?
On Tuesday night, a breaking news report from WWE.com revealed that Alberto Del Rio had successfully captured the World Heavyweight Championship from Big Show in a SmackDown Last Man Standing Match!
But the brutal details of how it all went down still remain a mystery. Last Man Standing showdowns are always unique and completely ruthless, as the only way to win is to devastate your opponent to such an extent that they can no longer answer the 10-count. This begs the question: What did the now-three-time World Champion Del Rio do to topple the mighty giant? Find out tonight at 8/7 CT.
Dolph Ziggler & AJ Lee has quickly become the hottest power couple in WWE. But despite their recent exploits and the fierce Big E Langston’s interference on Raw, The Showoff ultimately fell short against John Cena. This leaves Mr. Money in the Bank thirsty to redeem himself.
Meanwhile, the somewhat outrageous combination of The Great Khali, Natalya and Hornswoggle continue to make a tear of their own. And The Punjabi Playboy will be anxious to redeem himself as well, after the former World Heavyweight Champion fell to United States Champion Antonio Cesaro on Monday.
The chance for major disorder will be extremely high tonight when Dolph & AJ team up to face The Great Khali & Natalya in Mixed Tag Team Action!
On Monday Night Raw, WWE Tag Team Champion Hell No were overcome by Team Road Scholars in a non-title match. In addition to that, it was learned that Managing Supervisor Vickie Guerrero has ordered the reigning champions partake in a four-month reevaluation by the returning Dr. Shelby this Monday.
Could these occurrences somehow mellow the normally aggressive WWE Tag Team Champions? Or will it only serve to increase the carnage as the face The Prime Time Players?
Last Friday, after both Randy Orton and Sheamus announced that they would compete in the Royal Rumble Match on Jan. 27, friction ensued between the fierce competitors when they teamed up for the SmackDown main event.
Then on Monday night, Randy Orton and Sheamus continued to try and outdo each other, when they each demolished a 3MB member — Heath Slater and Jinder Mahal, respectively.
Tonight, The Celtic Warrior will take on all three members of 3MB in a 3-on-1 Handicap Match. Can the troublesome trio unleash their greatest hits on the first-ever Irish-born World Champion? And will WWE’s Apex Predator play a part?