WWE SmackDown Predictions: King Nakamura Will Dethrone King Corbin

WWE SmackDown brought back King of the Ring for its WWE Hell in a Cell 2021 go-home show. On this week’s WWE SmackDown, there are two scheduled matches: King Corbin (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the King’s Crown, and Big E & Kevin Owens vs. Apollo Crews & Commander Azeez. Will Shinsuke Nakamura become the new King that the WWE Universe did not know they wanted? Will Commander Azeez be victorious in his SmackDown debut? Those questions will be answered on what is a high-stakes go-home episode of SmackDown before WWE Hell in a Cell 2021.

Speaking of which, WWE is two days away from WWE Hell in a Cell 2021. There are two matches scheduled for this PPV event from SmackDown’s side of things: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Rey Mysterio for the Universal Title and Bianca Belair (c) vs. Bayley for the SmackDown Women’s Title. Based on WWE’s recent bookings on Friday Nights, it is expected that the following matches will potentially be added to the WWE HIAC 2021 PPV card: Cesaro vs. Seth Rollins and Apollo Crews (c) vs. Big E vs. Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn for the Intercontinental Title.

With that being addressed, it’s now time to preview and predict the matches and segments that will occur on this week’s episode of WWE SmackDown.

WWE SmackDown is scheduled to take place on June 18, 2021, at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT live on FOX. Here are some predictions for this week’s show.

Big E & Kevin Owens vs. Apollo Crews & Commander Azeez [Tag Match]

On last week’s WWE SmackDown, Big E and Kevin Owens defeated Apollo Crews and Sami Zayn in a tag team match after Owens delivered a Stunner to Zayn for the pinfall victory. After the match, Crews blamed the loss on Zayn and proposed a tag team rematch to Big E and Owens. However, Zayn will be replaced by Commander Azeez in said tag team rematch. Since this will be Azeez’s SmackDown debut, he will win with Crews to assert their indomitable alliance and be considered for a future tag title opportunity as a consolation prize once Crews drops the IC Title to Owens.

If this match does not end conclusively, it is very likely that Sami Zayn will get involved in this match to force a disqualification. While Sami Zayn holds a grudge against Big E for taking away his Intercontinental Title last year, he still has an everlasting beef with Kevin Owens, especially after losing to him at WrestleMania 37. Also, Azeez did deliver the Nigerian Spike to Sami Zayn last week, so Zayn won’t be too far away from this match. Nonetheless, it is more likely that Crews and Azeez get the win back here in what would be characteristic 50:50 booking.

Prediction: Apollo Crews & Commander Azeez

King Corbin (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura [King’s Crown]

On last week’s WWE SmackDown, Shinsuke Nakamura defeated King Corbin in their five-match series, typing up the series at 2-2. After battling back and forth for the past month, they will finally settle the score and end the feud on this episode by battling for the King’s Crown. King Corbin has been the King of the Ring since 2019 and has done nothing special with it. In fact, his character development actually regressed because of the King gimmick, which is a clear sign that it’s time for a change. The King of Strong Style must become King Nakamura on this episode.

It is questionable that the WWE did not just book a new KOTR Tournament for 2021 to determine who is truly worthy to battle King Corbin for the crown. Tournaments are beneficial because they bring a fresh element to the show and elicit exciting matches that usually bring about breakout stars. Nonetheless, Nakamura’s contract will end soon, and this high-stake opportunity could just be WWE’s indirect way of persuading him to sign back with the company. Stay tuned for more of these WWE SmackDown Predictions on Daily DDT. You don’t want to miss them.

Prediction: King Nakamura