WWE SmackDown Predictions: Rey Mysterio Will Pass The Torch To Santos Escobar

WWE SmackDown is continuing its road to WWE SummerSlam 2023, which already has a plethora of rumored blockbuster matches. On this week’s episode of WWE SmackDown, Rey Mysterio will battle Santos Escobar in the U.S. Title Invitational Finals #1C Match, and Karrion Kross will battle Karl Anderson. In terms of segments, there are none officially announced but it is expected that Roman Reigns and Jey Uso will continue their tribal story, whilst Asuka, Bianca, and Charlotte continue their chaotic confrontations with Ms. MITB Iyo Sky lurking in the balance.

In other news regarding WWE SmackDown, there’s a lot of talk about LA Knight getting robbed last week but it appears that WWE wants a Latino babyface champion. Since Rey Mysterio and Santos Escobar, both won their respective fatal four-way matches, it makes all the sense in the world for the winner of that match to dethrone Austin Theory and become the next U.S. Champion. Maybe not all hope is gone for LA Knight because he has been in a feud with LWO, and he could be the one to dethrone that Latino babyface champion in the fall of 2023.

Speaking of which, the following will focus on the idea of Rey Mysterio passing the torch to Santos Escobar on the road to WWE SummerSlam 2023.

WWE SmackDown is scheduled to take place on July 28, 2023, live on FOX, and Rey Mysterio will finally pass the torch to Santos Escobar.

Rey Mysterio vs. Santos Escobar [U.S. Title #1C Invitational]

Santos Escobar won’t betray Rey Mysterio. Rey Mysterio won’t bury Santos Escobar. Rey Mysterio will pass the torch to Santos Escobar. WWE already booked Escobar to pin U.S. Champion Austin Theory in a non-title match on live television. Since WWE wants a babyface Latino champion, Escobar is the right answer. He needs this push after the good work he has put in with the LWO. Theory’s title reign has run stale, and Escobar’s inevitable title run can set up a huge program with his main rival, LA Knight, during the fall after SummerSlam.

Prediction: Santos Escobar

Karrion Kross vs. Karl Anderson [Grudge Match]

Karrion Kross will defeat Karl Anderson as a stepping stone to AJ Styles. Maybe Kross will fight Luke Gallows next week for good measure. Maybe the goal was to get Kross to struggle before he finally beats AJ Styles, so WWE decided to toss The O.C. as fodder for Kross’ own gain. Maybe this rumored Karrion Kross push is finally coming to fruition. There are a lot of maybes about Kross’ career, and that is a huge concern amongst the WWE Universe. He has been losing a lot of feuds, but in this one match he has to win to regain momentum for that rematch with Styles.

Prediction: Karrion Kross

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