Every week, WWE has so much programming to sift through that it can sometimes be tough to keep track of what is going on. Our weekly WWE preview series highlights every in-ring show of the week, from 205 Live to Pay-Per-Views. Now that Clash of Champions is over, both main roster shows are focusing on next month’s Royal Rumble Pay-Per-View, which begins the Road to WrestleMania.
Monday Night Raw (12.18.17)
The biggest story heading into Monday Night Raw this week surrounds the WWE Universal Championship. Last week, Braun Strowman took on Kane in a #1 Contender’s match with the winner facing Brock Lesnar at the Royal Rumble, but it was a draw due to a double count-out. While Raw General Manager Kurt Angle figures out who the new #1 Contender is, Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman return to Raw to address the situation.
The only confirmed match for tonight’s show is one that was supposed to have happened a week ago. Kurt Angle set up two Fatal Four-Way matches in the Cruiserweight Division that would lead to a #1 Contender’s match, determining Enzo Amore’s next challenger. Rich Swann would win the first one, with Drew Gulak winning the following week. They were supposed to face off last week, but Swann got arrested in a domestic violence incident so Cedric Alexander won a new Fatal Four-Way match to take his place. Tonight, Gulak and Alexander fight to see who faces the leader of the Zo Train next.
It appears that Roman Reigns will be issuing another Intercontinental Championship Open Challenge, which could be answered by anybody. However, Reigns has had a target on his back and has been hunted down by Samoa Joe, with Jason Jordan getting himself in the mix. Joe or Jordan could easily answer the challenge, or perhaps Reigns will face someone else entirely like he did last week with Cesaro.
It is still unclear what is going on with Absolution and the Raw Women’s Championship. Alexa Bliss has not had a new challenger in quite some time and the debut of Absolution has thrown the entire division for a loop. It seems like Asuka is Absolution’s first target, but after last week, it appears that the entire locker room will take a stand against them.
SmackDown Live (12.19.17)
With Clash of Champions in the books, there are a ton of questions to be asked, from title defenses to the story between Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon.
On Sunday, every champion except for Baron Corbin retained their titles. For the United States Championship, Corbin has his obligated rematch against the newly crowned Dolph Ziggler. For the SmackDown Tag Team Championships, The Usos retained their gold against The New Day, Rusev and Aiden English, and the team of Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin. Could one of these teams resurge or will the Bludgeon Brothers be the next team to challenge the Usos?
SmackDown Live’s Women’s Division is kind of in the same boat as Monday Night Raw’s. The Riott Squad, another three-woman group, debut a few weeks ago and everything has been a big mess ever since. However, Charlotte Flair actually had a recent title defense, defeating Natalya in a sloppy Lumberjack match last night. Natalya said that she was “turning her back” on everybody, which has no indication of her future plans since she was already a heel. Since Ruby Riott has pinned Flair before, she can make a case for herself being the next challenger.
205 Live (12.19.17)
While the Cruiserweight Championship scene is being figured out on Monday Night Raw, 205 Live this week is one of the most exciting and enticing episodes in a while. It is always a big deal when a new Superstar joins the roster and this time, we get the debut of Hideo Itami.
WWE NXT (12.20.17)
NXT this week has two big title matches that everyone should tune in for. SAnitY will defend the NXT Tag Team Championships against Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly, while Pete Dunne returns to defend the United Kingdom Championship against the inaugural champion, Tyler Bate.
