WWE SmackDown 5 Predictions: Xavier Woods Is Going To MITB

3. Daniel Bryan Defeats Jeff Hardy To Face Samoa Joe

WWE is starting an injury storyline with Big Cass, who had to be assisted during a live event in Munich, Germany this past week. Cass suffered a brutal beatdown at the hands of Daniel Bryan last week on SmackDown Live. He unwisely insulted Bryan too many times, and Bryan was fed up. Bryan relentlessly attacked Cass’s previously injured knee, bringing the seven-foot tall superstar down.

A week before that, Bryan lost his opportunity to qualify for the Money in the Bank ladder match, as Rusev defeated him, with a little bit of help from his guardian angel Aiden English, in the main event of SmackDown Live. Of course, Cass took responsibility for Bryan’s loss, stating that because he beat up Bryan after their match at Backlash, he made sure Bryan wouldn’t be 100% in that qualifying match against Rusev.

Tonight, Cass will not be competing against Samoa Joe due to this injury angle, as SmackDown Live General Manager Paige announced that he has not been cleared. Cass was originally scheduled to take on Samoa Joe in a qualifying match, but now Jeff Hardy and Daniel Bryan will square off in a second-chance matchup that will determine Joe’s opponent next week.

I expect Bryan to win this match, and I expect him to lose to Joe next week. Bryan’s past injury history makes me iffy about wanting him in a ladder match, whereas Joe would be an intense welcome to the evening. Plus, the briefcase fits Joe’s cold, calculating, and intimidating character more, as it would be a treat to listen to him speak about his plans with the briefcase. Bryan is at his best when he’s beating people face-to-face and one-on-one.