Tonight’s episode of WWE SmackDown comes from the MVP Arena in Albany, New York, one day before Saturday Night’s Main Event at Madison Square Garden.
No matches have been announced. The one thing confirmed is that Raw General Manager Adam Pearce will serve as acting general manager of the blue brand, with Nick Aldis absent following the attack Gunther laid on him last week. Pearce said on social media Thursday night that he would have plenty to address live on the show, without specifying what.
That leaves an open question about Gunther, who is scheduled to team with Sami Zayn against CM Punk and Cody Rhodes in the main event at Madison Square Garden on Saturday. Michael Cole confirmed that the match will close the show. Whether Gunther faces any consequences for the attack, and what form those take, have not been addressed.
CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther are all advertised for tonight. There has been no word on whether Zayn, who has been off television, will appear tonight or wait until Saturday.
Trick Williams is expected after Baron Corbin returned last Friday and attacked him and Carmelo Hayes. Women’s United States Champion Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill are both advertised locally.
There may also be an update on WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley, who has been out for several weeks with a knee injury. With SummerSlam a little over two weeks out, her status for the show remains unclear.
WWE SmackDown airs live at 8 p.m. Eastern on the USA Network. Saturday Night’s Main Event follows on July 18 from Madison Square Garden, and SummerSlam takes place August 1 and 2 in Minneapolis.
