WWE SmackDown is set to take place on April 17, 2020 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT live on FOX with no audience in attendance. The following will preview and predict the major matches and segments that will occur on this episode.
On this week’s episode of WWE SmackDown, there are four officially scheduled matches. Indeed, WWE Money In The Bank 2020 is coming up and there is bound to be some SmackDown matches announced for the event since it is a big 5 PPV where all brands congregate.
Universal Champion Bray Wyatt and SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley should be present for this episode of SmackDown. Their championship matches for WWE MITB 2020 could also be potentially set up, featuring Braun Strowman’s potential Universal Championship match with Bray Wyatt and Bayley’s potential SmackDown Women’s Championship match with Tamina.
With that being said, it’s now time to preview and predict this week’s WWE SmackDown. To start things off, let’s predict what will happen when Sonya Deville clears the air with Mandy Rose after their fallout from WrestleMania 36.
5.) Otis and Mandy Rose Challenge Dolph Ziggler and Sonya Deville to a Mixed Tag Team Match at WWE MITB 2020
It is quite evident where this is going: a mixed tag team match amongst these four superstars at WWE MITB 2020. Sonya Deville will attempt to clear the air with Mandy Rose, but her argument won’t be sufficient to sway Rose’s emotions.
Since the writer of this storyline had been released, they will settle everything in the ring and go their separate ways after WWE MITB 2020 to put an end to the storyline. As indicated on WWE: The Bump, Mandy Rose will then focus on the SmackDown Women’s Championship since she will no longer be booked in a tag team with Sonya Deville.
4.) Naomi Defeats Dana Brooke to Qualify for the Women’s MITB Ladder Match
Naomi will defeat Dana Brooke on this week’s SmackDown to qualify for this year’s Women’s MITB Ladder Match. Since Dana Brooke is already booked for a women’s tag team championship match with Carmella against Bliss Cross Applesauce, it isn’t necessary for her to be in the Women’s MITB Ladder Match.
Although it’s unfortunate Brooke missed out on her singles championship opportunity at WrestleMania 36, Naomi has been chasing the SmackDown Women’s Championship since she returned to in-ring action. Henceforth, it makes more sense for her to pick up the victory and qualify for the Women’s MITB Ladder Match.
3.) Cesaro Defeats Daniel Bryan to Qualify for the Men’s MITB Ladder Match
Cesaro will defeat Daniel Bryan on this week’s SmackDown to qualify for this year’s Men’s MITB Ladder Match. He needs the win more and should continue his momentum from defeating Drew Gulak at WrestleMania 36.
Although Bryan has been losing a lot of big matches lately, he has already been Mr. MITB and still has an alternative to chase after the SmackDown Tag Team Championships with Drew Gulak. Henceforth, there is no harm in having Cesaro qualify here, even if the victory is nefarious with Nakamura and Zayn at ringside.
Did @itsBayleyWWE throw @SashaBanksWWE under the bus by having her take on @TaminaSnuka this coming week on #SmackDown?
— WWE (@WWE) April 12, 2020
2.) Tamina Defeats Sasha Banks to Become #1 Contender for Bayley’s SmackDown Women’s Championship
Bayley has defeated every superstar on SmackDown, except Tamina and Sasha Banks. In what was a fight-or-flight response, she threw Sasha Banks under the bus by having her take on Tamina for this week’s SmackDown.
Tamina should defeat Sasha Banks to become to set up a championship match against Bayley at WWE MITB 2020. This victory will permit Sasha Banks to focus on qualifying for the Women’s MITB Ladder Match, becoming Mrs. MITB, and cashing in on her best friend after Bayley retains the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Tamina at WWE MITB 2020.
1.) The Miz Retains The SmackDown Tag Team Championships
At WrestleMania 36, John Morrison retained the SmackDown Tag Team Championships against Jimmy Uso and Kofi Kingston in a Ladder Match. Now is The Miz’s turn to retain the SmackDown Tag Team Championships against Jey Uso and Big E in a triple threat match.
Due to dire circumstances, the tag team championships are being defended in singles matches. However, everything should go back to normal come WWE MITB 2020 because one of two things could happen:
(1) Dirt Sheet (c) vs. The Usos vs. The New Day [SmackDown Tag Team Championships]
(2) Dirt Sheet (c) vs. Daniel Bryan and Drew Gulak [SmackDown Tag Team Championships]
Since the WWE fans did not receive the former triple threat tag team championship match at WrestleMania 36 as planned, WWE could very likely give that match to them at WWE MITB 2020.
However, if WWE decides to take a new path with the SmackDown Tag Team Championships, Daniel Bryan and Drew Gulak would be prime candidates for The Miz and Morrison at WWE MITB 2020 if they are indeed out of the Intercontinental Championship picture with Sami Zayn.
Will Daniel Bryan and The Miz cross paths again? Yes!