Big WrestleMania Questions to Be Settled On SmackDown Tonight

Well, Fastlane might not have given us the best hopes for the Raw brand heading into WrestleMania, but we’ve still got SmackDown. Right? The blue brand has been the one to watch ever since the brand split, and a few frustrated fans might be making Tuesday nights their home from here. So let’s break down what’s happening tonight.

Our headline contest is AJ Styles vs. Randy Orton in a #1 contender’s match to determine who faces Bray Wyatt for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania. Orton briefly gave up the spot his Royal Rumble victory guaranteed him–until he revealed that he was working against the Wyatts the whole time. AJ won the right for that match until Randy said he wasn’t giving it up after all. Now they fight.

But really, the story here isn’t that important. What matters is that AJ Styles and Randy Orton are having a fight tonight, and that bout is a dream match only a half-notch below Styles vs. Cena. This should be a great one.

Randy Orton burns down the Wyatt Family Compound: SmackDown LIVE: Feb. 28, 2017

On top of that, we also have another first–John Cena in mixed tag action alongside his longtime ladyfriend, Nikki Bella. They’ll be taking on Carmella and James Ellsworth tonight, but the ultimate reason for this match is to set up the Cena/Bella team to take on Miz and Maryse at WrestleMania.

John Cena & Nikki Bella challenge James Ellsworth & Carmella: SmackDown LIVE: Feb. 28, 2017

We’re left with three other championships that all need contenders, and here the WrestleMania picture is a bit hazier. The seeds have been planted for Ambrose vs. Corbin, Bliss vs. Natalya, and American Alpha vs. the Usos, but with a month remaining to the show of shows, those matchups could easily change or come to involve additional competitors.

There’s also the matter of the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, which WWE.com promises will begin to be addressed tonight. I guess that’s also the official confirmation of the match? SmackDown’s midcard is admittedly small, but names like Apollo Crews, Dolph Ziggler, Kane, Luke Harper, and a soon-to-return Erick Rowan all make sense there.

SmackDown broadcasts from the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, broadcast live as always on the USA Network at 8PM Eastern/7PM Central. We’ll have live updates on everything as it happens, so stick around for all the news!