• 3 Title Matches & 3 New Segments Announced For SmackDown
WWE has announced the updated card for this week’s SmackDown:
– United States Championship Match: Baron Corbin (c) vs. Carmelo Hayes
– Women’s United States Championship Match: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Jacy Jayne
– WWE Tag Team Championship Match: R-Truth and Damian Priest (c) vs. The MFTs (Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga) (with Haku) vs. AAA Tag Team Champions The War Raiders (Erik and Ivar)
– CM Punk and Kevin Owens will meet one week before their Undisputed WWE Championship match
– Cody Rhodes will look to get his hands on Randy Orton
– Paige will address Nikki Bella’s heel turn
• Good News For Chelsea Green’s Fans
WWE has no plans to take Chelsea Green off TV or strip her of the Interim WWE Women’s Championship, even after she suffered a broken orbital bone on the August 7 episode of SmackDown.
While the injury will keep her from wrestling in matches for a few weeks, company officials are noticeably impressed by the huge social media numbers her SummerSlam title win created.
Because of that massive online interest, WWE wants to protect her current momentum and has already scheduled her to appear on tomorrow’s SmackDown, according to WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select.
• Backstage News On Zilla Fatu’s Name In WWE
WWE made the decision to let Zilla Fatu keep his established ring name long before he made his official promotional debut, according to a report from False Finish. Company management reportedly had no serious discussions about rebranding or changing his name prior to his arrival.
Fatu made a surprise debut during the August 11 episode of NXT, interfering in the NXT Championship No. 1 Contender’s Match between Cruz Montana and Grayson Waller. Commentators identified him immediately as he attacked both competitors before engaging in a standoff with NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo.
WWE plans to use NXT as Fatu’s initial launchpad, taking an approach similar to how the company previously built up Solo Sikoa before moving him to the main roster. Rather than downplaying his heritage, WWE leaned into his lineage during his debut, where Fatu utilized signature moves including the Samoan Drop, Superman Spike, and Uso Splash.
