WWE SmackDown 5 Predictions: Samoa Joe STEPS UP

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Credit: WWE.com

5. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Jeff Hardy U.S. Title Match Ends Inconclusively

Jeff Hardy invoked his rematch clause, and he is thereby scheduled to battle Shinsuke Nakamura for the United States Championship tonight on SmackDown Live. There’s no doubt that Nakamura is keeping the U.S. title, but this match may not be a conclusive retention. I foresee Randy Orton interfering in this match since he was involved in an altercation with these two superstars when he returned at Extreme Rules. Check out his return in the link below from WWE’s Youtube page:

Heel turn outta nowhere! Orton could have low blowed Hardy that night for two valid reasons:

(1) He is still holding grudges after losing his U.S. title match against Hardy at Backlash.

(2) He wanted to make a statement to newly crowned U.S. Champion Shinsuke Nakamura by playing the low-blow game that Nakamura is well known for.

Either way, it looks like Orton is striving to get back the United States Championship at SummerSlam. If he were to interfere in this title match tonight, it could force a triple threat title match for SummerSlam. This would be very fitting when considering his intentions toward both Nakamura and Hardy.

Nonetheless, it’s been a long time coming for Orton’s heel character to make its presence on SmackDown Live. It should be enjoyable to watch, and it shall bring more intrigue to the U.S. title picture.