When:
United States: LIVE, Tuesday Night, August 1, at 8/7c on the USA Network
United Kingdom: Wednesday Morning, August 2, at 1AM on Sky Sports 5 HD
Where:
Quicken Loans Arena
Cleveland, OH
SmackDown LIVE preview, Aug. 1, 2017: Cena and Nakamura square off in dream match with SummerSlam implications
Tuesday’s edition of SmackDown LIVE will go down as one of the biggest in history. Not only does this week’s episode feature a United States Title rematch between reigning champion AJ Styles and Kevin Owens, but it will also host a first-time-ever dream match between John Cena and Shinsuke Nakamura. Don’t miss a second of the action on SmackDown LIVE, tomorrow at 8/7 C on USA Network!
John Cena and Shinsuke Nakamura to clash in dream match for SummerSlam WWE Title opportunity tonight on SmackDown LIVE
The match the WWE Universe has been dreaming of is finally happening.
John Cena and Shinsuke Nakamura will do battle tonight on SmackDown LIVE, and the winner of this first-time-ever dream match will go on to challenge WWE Champion Jinder Mahal at SummerSlam on Sunday, Aug. 20.
This battle will be Nakamura’s biggest test since signing with WWE in February 2016. Prior to that, WWE’s Rockstar built up an incredible resume competing in his home country of Japan and the rest of the world. The King of Strong Style made an immediate impact in WWE upon his arrival in NXT, going on to become a two-time NXT Champion and one of the brand’s most popular Superstars.
For Cena, Nakamura poses one of the most unique challenges he’s ever faced. WWE’s Rockstar possesses a strike-based offense that is equally precise and devastating, as well as an arsenal of painful submissions. Will the 16-time World Champion be able to neutralize Nakamura and begin the quest for a record-breaking No. 17?
Who will earn the right to face The Modern-Day Maharaja at SummerSlam? Find out when John Cena battles Shinsuke Nakamura in a first-time-ever dream match, tonight on SmackDown LIVE at 8/7 C on USA Network!
Kevin Owens challenges United States Champion AJ Styles tonight on SmackDown LIVE
Just two days after Kevin Owens won the United States Championship back from AJ Styles, he once again lost it to The Phenomenal One, this time in a Triple Threat Match with a returning Chris Jericho.
Immediately after the bout, a fuming KO demanded his contractually obligated rematch in a one-on-one battle with Styles tonight on SmackDown LIVE. WWE.com can confirm that the match has been made official.
Styles stunned the WWE Universe several weeks ago when he defeated Owens to capture the title at a Live Event in New York City’s Madison Square Garden. The celebration was short-lived, as Owens edged Styles to reclaim the Star-Spangled Championship at WWE Battleground.
KO was furious when SmackDown LIVE Commissioner Shane McMahon forced him to defend his title not only against Styles, but his retribution-minded former best friend Jericho, just days after a grueling victory. Owens had planned on taking the night off and bringing back his New Face of America Open Challenge next week, only for his rivals to ruin his plans.
Owens nearly escaped with the title after hitting a Frog Splash on Jericho, but The Phenomenal One took advantage of the Triple Threat environment, tossing Owens out of the ring and pinning Jericho to take the title.
Will Owens be able to reclaim his championship and once again become The New Face of America, or will Styles continue to strive to be a champion America can be proud of? Find out tonight on SmackDown LIVE at 8/7 C on USA Network!
Naomi & Becky Lynch join forces for tag team action
Tonight's edition of SmackDown LIVE will see SummerSlam opponents clash in a tag team battle, as SmackDown Women’s Champion Naomi joins forces with Becky Lynch to face her top challenger, Natalya, and Ms. Money in the Bank, Carmella.
Naomi is laser-focused on The Biggest Event of The Summer and putting her third-generation opponent in her place, while Becky Lynch hasn’t forgotten how Carmella (and the suspended James Ellsworth) cost her the coveted Money in the Bank contract. What will happen when these four competitors meet inside the ring?
WWE cameras caught up with the competitors in the match during Monday's Live Event in Fort Wayne, Ind. to get comments on tonight's showdown:
Chad Gable looks to break out against Rusev
While the focus of the WWE Universe has been on the shocking reveal of Jason Jordan as Raw General Manager Kurt Angle’s son, Jordan’s former American Alpha partner, Chad Gable, has been patiently waiting for the opportunity to show off what he can do on his own.
The former Olympian will waste no time in throwing himself into the thick of things as a singles competitor tonight, when he takes on Rusev. The Bulgarian Brute is undoubtedly seething after his Flag Match loss to John Cena at WWE Battleground, and he’ll look to make an example out of Gable. Who will walk out victorious from this battle of strong-willed Superstars?
Will The Fashion Police finally crack the case?
We last saw Breezango at WWE Battleground, when their police station had been trashed once again by mysterious marauders, and Fandango was dragged off into the darkness by the intruders.
The Fashion Police have been searching for the truth, but they may have gotten a little closer to it than they expected. What will be the next twist in Breezango’s big case? Find out tonight on SmackDown LIVE at 8/7 C on USA Network!
