The WWE Smackdown show in Wilkes Barre, PA on October 21st is shaping up to be an exciting night of professional wrestling action. Some of WWE’s top Superstars from the Smackdown brand are scheduled to appear and compete in matches at the Mohegan Sun Arena. Fans are eager to find out which of their favorite wrestlers will be making the trip to Wilkes Barre for this live televised event.
Confirmed Appearances
WWE has announced some of the Superstars who will definitely be part of the card that night. These include:
Roman Reigns |
Brock Lesnar |
Ronda Rousey |
Sami Zayn |
Charlotte Flair |
Roman Reigns is the current Undisputed WWE Universal Champion and will likely be defending his title in the main event. Brock Lesnar is a top contender who will also likely have a marquee match against a top opponent. Ronda Rousey is the current SmackDown Women’s Champion and will put her title on the line. Sami Zayn and Charlotte Flair have been involved in major storylines lately and will help anchor the show.
Possible Surprises
In addition to the confirmed Superstars, there are usually some surprises and unannounced wrestlers who show up at WWE events. There is often last minute card changes and additions to the match lineup. Here are some of the surprise names who could potentially make an appearance in Wilkes Barre:
John Cena |
Randy Orton |
Triple H |
Bayley |
Sheamus |
John Cena is a 16-time world champion and has been off TV for a while, making him a prime candidate for a surprise return. Randy Orton is a fan favorite who is recovering from injury but could be cleared to compete by showtime. Triple H has been rarely seen on TV since retiring from the ring, so the WWE legend would get a huge reaction if he showed up. Bayley and Sheamus have been off TV lately but could get inserted into a match to spice things up.
Matches
While the exact matches are yet to be finalized leading up to the event, we can speculate about some of the big contests likely to take place based on the storyline build up:
Roman Reigns vs. Logan Paul
This match seems like a lock based on the recent confrontations between undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns and YouTube/boxing star Logan Paul. This would be a huge main event to attract mainstream attention. Reigns figures to retain his title after a hard fought battle.
Ronda Rousey vs Charlotte Flair
The bad blood has grown between these two top women’s wrestlers, making a SmackDown Women’s Championship match very likely. Rousey still seems to be building momentum in her title run, so she will probably prevail and find a way to make Charlotte tap out yet again.
Brock Lesnar vs. Bobby Lashley or Seth Rollins
Brock Lesnar always has a big time match when he appears, often with a championship on the line. Bobby Lashley and Seth Rollins seem like potential opponents for Lesnar based on recent television shows. This would continue Lesnar’s quest back to being WWE Champion.
Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens
These former best friends turned bitter enemies are destined to square off again. Zayn, who has aligned with Reigns, will try to teach Owens another lesson after recently destroying him with a chair shot. This will be an intense brawl.
Drew McIntyre vs. Karrion Kross
This rivalry has gotten very personal lately, so a match between the two seems inevitable. McIntyre will be seeking revenge after Kross put him out of action. Expect a hard hitting affair with McIntyre aiming to take back momentum.
Title Picture Analysis
Here is a breakdown of how the matches in Wilkes Barre could impact the title pictures and championship rankings heading into upcoming premium live events:
Universal Championship
Roman Reigns has held the Universal Title for over 800 days dating back to 2020. He continues to reign supreme as undisputed champion after unifying the belts by defeating Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania earlier this year. While Logan Paul will give Reigns a run for his money, expect Reigns to retain and move on to his next challenger. Perhaps The Rock could be that challenger at WrestleMania 39?
SmackDown Women’s Championship
Ronda Rousey finally dethroned Charlotte Flair to capture the SmackDown Women’s Title at WrestleMania Backlash. She has continued to fend off Flair in rematches while also battling newcomers like Raquel Rodriguez. Rousey’s dominance figures to continue with a convincing win over Flair in their latest showdown. Who steps up next as the top contender?
United States Championship
With Seth Rollins potentially preoccupied in a match against Brock Lesnar, that could open the door for someone new to challenge United States Champion Bobby Lashley. Candidates include Austin Theory, Finn Balor, Matt Riddle or a returning Cody Rhodes. A Lashley US Title open challenge on Smackdown in Wilkes Barre would make sense.
Raw Women’s Championship
Bianca Belair has been unstoppable as the EST of WWE and current Raw Women’s Champion. She has defeated all comers lately. Alexa Bliss seems likely to resurface as the next challenger for Belair’s gold. These two have unfinished business that can culminate at WWE Extreme Rules next month.
Tag Team Championships
The Usos have dominated the tag team division, holding the SmackDown Tag Team Titles for over 400 days across multiple reigns. Jimmy and Jey are riding high with Roman Reigns, so it’s hard to see them dropping the gold just yet without a breakup tease. Expect them to retain against whichever challengers step up in Wilkes Barre, whether the Street Profits, New Day or someone else.
Show Analysis and Expectations
The SmackDown show in Wilkes Barre has the potential to be one of the most exciting episodes of the blue brand in recent memory given the marquee matches that could be on tap. Here is an analysis of why this show is must-see:
Main Event Level Matches
Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar battling major opponents like Logan Paul and Bobby Lashley in separate matches would instantly give this show a big time feel. Having both the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion and a huge star like Lesnar in action is a recipe for creating buzz and intrigue. Fans have been waiting a long time to see the dream match between global celebrity Logan Paul and dominant Head of the Table Roman Reigns. This figures to be an epic heavyweight clash with mainstream attention.
Returns and Surprises
The possibility of major surprise returns or cameos happening is high for this show. As mentioned, John Cena, Triple H, Randy Orton or Bayley showing up would excite the crowd. Sometimes big shows in smaller markets like Wilkes Barre increase the chances of WWE trying to create a special moment with a shocking return. There could also be NXT call ups or a debuting talent arriving to make an impact. Anything can happen on live WWE television.
Continuing Hot Storylines
The episode in Wilkes Barre will be crucial for advancing storylines headed into upcoming premium live events like WWE Extreme Rules. The blood feud between Drew McIntyre and Karrion Kross needs another chapter. The fractured relationship between Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens figures to escalate. And Ronda Rousey vs Charlotte Flair still has unfinished business. Progression of these and other stories will make this show meaningful.
Great Venue and Atmosphere
The Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes Barre traditionally provides excellent atmospheres for WWE events. The more intimate arena creates great acoustics where the crowds are loud and passionate about the action in the ring. This energizes the Superstars to perform at their best. The classic Northeast wrestling town vibe should be pulsating for SmackDown’s big night.
Conclusion
WWE SmackDown in Wilkes Barre has all the elements to be one of the most fun and interesting episodes of recent months. Top stars like Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar in action along with the possibility of some major surprises gives this show a special feel. Add in the advancement of key storylines headed into the fall season and Wilkes Barre becomes a marquee night for WWE as the road to WrestleMania starts taking shape. Look forRoman Reigns to stand tall with his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship in the end during what should be an epic night of entertainment and excitement for the WWE Universe!