As noted, tonight’s WWE SmackDown episode will feature a special tribute to The Undertaker, which will include a replay of Boneyard Match from Wrestlemania 36, who saw Taker defeat AJ Styles.
About half of tonight’s episode of SmackDown on FOX is now said to be related to Taker, according to PWInsider. WWE just announced the Taker tribute on Thursday night.
We also previously noted how the official WWE SmackDown preview for tonight no longer includes Drew Gulak against WWE Intercontinental Champion AJ Styles, Sheamus’ toast to Jeff Hardy or WWE Universal Champion Braun Strowman addressing Bray Wyatt . Previews for those segments were still live on the WWE website early Thursday afternoon. It seems that they may have been rejected entirely.
PWInsider noted that current plans for tonight’s show also require appearances by Hardy and blue newcomer Matt Riddle. The Hardy segment with Sheamus was not mentioned. Riddle debuted last week on SmackDown with an untitled victory over Styles.
It is not yet known whether the apparent creative changes for tonight’s SmackDown are related to the positive results of the COVID-19 test coming out of WWE this week, but multiple sources reported earlier this week that SmackDown is likely to have to be rewritten. based on the test.
WWE is recording TV today and tomorrow at the Performance Center in Orlando. Stay tuned for updates.
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