WWE SmackDown 5 Takeaways: Jinder Mahal Executing Role Perfectly

2. Sami Zayn vs. Baron Corbin Coming Up

AJ Styles won the No. 1 contender spot to Kevin Owens’s United States Championship on the first episode of SmackDown Live following the shakeup, and he has defeated the other top heel in the division, Baron Corbin, in back-to-back weeks on television. But following his win last night, Owens beat him down and Corbin joined in before Sami Zayn came from backstage to join the scrum.

Zayn needs a program, and we don’t want to see the wrestling masterclass of Zayn vs. Owens again for a long time. That leaves Corbin as his only option, and that feud was pretty much established right when Styles won the No. 1 contendership.

We received some movement on that front on Talking Smack when Corbin beat Zayn down. It’s yet another instance of Corbin imposing his will on another superstar, and he certainly lives up to the “Lone Wolf” nickname. I’m guessing Corbin will go over Zayn in this rivalry. That’s a shame for all the fans of the “Underdog From The Underground”, but we should be treated to some great matches. In fact, a rivalry with Zayn should allow Corbin to produce the best work of his career. He’s been putting on strong matches with Styles lately, but the combination of Zayn’s selling and a likely victory will be even more beneficial for Corbin.