WWE SmackDown Predictions: John Cena Will Replace Edge
By Mark Justice
WWE SmackDown has finally put an end to the ThunderDome and will be back with live fans this week. On this week’s show, there are three scheduled matches: Edge and The Mysterios vs. Roman Reigns and The Usos in a six man tag match, Bianca Belair (c) vs. Carmella for the SmackDown Women’s Title, and Big E vs. Kevin Owens vs. Seth Rollins vs. King Nakamura in Men’s MITB Promotional Fatal 4 Way Match. Also, John Cena’s return is near since he is reportedly rumored to challenge Roman Reigns for the Universal Title at WWE SummerSlam 2021.
Furthermore, WWE Money in the Bank 2021 is this Sunday. Since Bianca Belair (c) vs. Bayley for the SmackDown Women’s Title in an “I Quit” Match was cancelled due to Bayley’s unexpected knee injury, there are now only three SmackDown-affiliated matches scheduled for this PPV event: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Edge for the Universal Title, Men’s MITB Ladder Match, and Women’s MITB Ladder Match. Another match that could be added to the MITB card on this go-home show is: Mysterios (c) vs. Usos for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles.
With that being addressed, it’s now time to preview and predict what will actually occur on this week’s go-home episode of WWE SmackDown.
WWE SmackDown is scheduled to take place on July 16, 2021, at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT live on FOX. Here are some predictions for this week’s show.
5.) Big E vs. Kevin Owens vs. Seth Rollins vs. Kingsuke Nakamura [Men’s MITB Promotional Fatal 4 Way Match]
On WWE SmackDown, the four contestants in the Men’s MITB Ladder Match are scheduled to battle in a fatal four-way match. This will merely be a momentum booster for any of these superstars heading into the MITB PPV. All four superstars seem to have been highlighted equivalently in the past few weeks, so no one really stands out. However, Big E and Seth Rollins are betting favorites in the MITB Ladder Match, so it is more likely that they pick up the victory here than Kevin Owens or Kingsuke Nakamura.
Since Seth Rollins is the only heel in this match, he is the most likely to win this fatal 4 way match. Winning on the go home show is usually a sign that the superstar is losing on the PPV the following Sunday. That shouldn’t be bad news for Seth Rollins because he does not need to win MITB again. Rollins is already an established star with a planned match against Edge at SummerSlam. The seeds had been planted in 2014 and have continued to germinate for their feud in recent weeks. All Rollins has to do at the PPV is screw Edge in his title match with Reigns.
Prediction: Seth Rollins
4.) Natalya & Tamina (c) vs. Shotzi & Nox [Women’s Tag Team Championships]
On last week’s WWE SmackDown, Tegan Nox and Shotzi Blackheart defeated Natalya and Tamina in non title action. They will likely get their title match this week in front of the fans, or the WWE can simply save it for SummerSlam. Natalya is in the MITB Ladder Match as one half of the tag team champions. In order to enhance the believability of Natalya winning MITB, it would be ideal for her to not hold tag gold. Henceforth, a title change here would be suitable for the next rising stars of the Women’s Tag Team Division.
Prediction: Shotzi & Nox