Tonight, on the With Spandex WWE Smackdown Live open discussion thread for May 9, 2017:
SmackDown LIVE emanates from the O2 Arena in London this week and features the return of WWE Champion Randy Orton. The Viper is making his first appearance since Jinder Mahal cost him the House of Horrors Match at WWE Payback. Will The Apex Predator have vengeance on his mind as his showdown with The Maharaja at WWE Backlash approaches? Find out tonight at 8/7 C on USA Network! — via WWE.com
Our five-point preview:
1. Randy Orton makes his big return to Smackdown after suffering through the House of Horrors. Please note that losing a “creepy baby dolls” match made Orton miss nearly as much time as Roman Reigns getting an ambulance flipped onto him.
2. Last week, the BATTLE LINES WERE DRAWN between the Welcoming Committee and the good guys of the women’s division. This week, Becky Lynch takes on Natalya in the first official salvo of the coming war. Batten down the hatches, everyone. Things are about to get FACTION-y.
3. Dolph Ziggler will “confront” Shinsuke Nakamura tonight. Assumedly, this will be different from when he has confronted Nakamura every week since the guy made his debut. Only another week or so until Shinsuke gets to wrestle!
4. Breezango kicked off their being No. 1 contenders to the tag titles by debuting a new series of vignettes last week. Let’s hope this week’s “The Fashion Files” continues the wonderful goodness of “Breezango having something to do.”
5. Is Lana coming this week? Maybe! Prepare to be danced at, either way.
Also happening tonight is the hot new show dedicated entirely to cruiserweights, 205 Live. Feel free to use this as your one-stop party shop for Tuesday night wrestling shenanigans, and be back here tomorrow for the full Best and Worst of Smackdown Live.
