WWE Smackdown Live Results play by play

WWE Smackdown Preview: John Cena vs Shinsuke Nakamura Dream Match, Kevin Owens Challenges AJ Styles For US Championship, More

WWE has shared the following Quick Hits preview points on WWE.com ahead of tonight’s episode of Smackdown Live:

Be sure to join WZ tonight at 8pm EST for live coverage of the show!

Related: Betting Odds Revealed for John Cena vs Shinsuke Nakamura on WWE Smackdown Live This Week

On John Cena and Shinsuke Nakamura’s dream match:

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!

On Kevin Owens challenging AJ Styles for the US Championship:

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!

WrestleZone will have the latest episode of Smackdown Rebellion available later tonight following Smackdown Live and Talking Smack. It will be released via former WCW President Eric Bischoff’s IRWNetwork.com

You can listen to the latest RAW Rebellion in the embedded audio player below:

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