With "The Biggest Event of the Summer" on the horizon, tensions are getting higher on the "SmackDown" brand.
This week, the Blue Brand emanates live from the Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield, Calif., with just 12 nights until SummerSlam. The WWE's second-biggest event of the year is set for Aug. 21 and will go live from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Here are five things to watch for this wek on "SmackDown Live."
1) Viper's Vengeance
Randy Orton is a key part of the "SmackDown" brand and he has two more weeks to get set for his inter-promotional clash with "RAW's" Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam. The two veterans invaded each other's respective brands last week, leading to "RAW" GM Mick Foley inviting "SmackDown" GM Daniel Bryan to the flagship show on Monday night. Orton will look for his final tune-ups to the big match in the coming weeks.
"The Viper" addressed Lesnar in a recent video released by the WWE:
"He was running things, and then he decided to leave because he doesn't like people?" - @RandyOrton #SummerSlam https://t.co/lN4i56Q1Nu
— WWE (@WWE) August 8, 2016
2) Friends & Foes
Dean Ambrose is preparing to defend his WWE Championship against Dolph Ziggler at SummerSlam, but they both have a common enemy. Bray Wyatt and Erick Rowan have been attacking both combatants ahead of their SummerSlam clash. Given the way things ended last week, it would only make sense for the WWE to book a tag team match pitting The Wyatt Family against Ziggler and Ambrose for this week.
3) Title Wave
Bryan announced that some new titles will be coming to "SmackDown" as the company needs something for its tag teams and women's division to battle over. There's no telling when the new gold will be established, but something is set to happen soon. American Alpha made their debut in impressive fashion last week to get things started, while the likes of Becky Lynch and Natalya remain forces in the women's division.
A photo posted by Jason Jordan (@jordanwwejj) on Aug 3, 2016 at 5:27am PDT
4) Free Agent Frenzy
Heath Slater remains a free agent after going undrafted, but he has his chance to make it on the "SmackDown Live" brand this week. Bryan revealed last week that if Slater can defeat Rhyno in a one-on-one match this week, he will solidify himself a spot on the roster.
— Heath Slater (@HeathSlaterOMRB) August 9, 2016
5) Summer Strifes
There are plenty of midcard feuds to keep an eye on ahead of SummerSlam. John Cena accepted AJ Styles' challenge last week, so now both men will be looking to gain some key momentum heading into their clash. Intercontinental Champion The Miz, meanwhile, is set to defend the gold against Apollo Crews at SummerSlam.
