SmackDown LIVE preview, July 18, 2017:

Jinder Mahal promises Punjabi Prison preview ahead of WWE Battleground
Just days before WWE Battleground, WWE Champion Jinder Mahal will make good on his promise to bring
the dangerous Punjabi Prison to SmackDown LIVE. What will the return of this punishing structure mean
for Mahal and Randy Orton before they step into its menacing confines on Sunday? Find out tonight at
8/7 C on USA Network!

Jinder Mahal brings the Punjabi Prison to SmackDown LIVE

WWE Champion Jinder Mahal has taken great exception with Randy Orton’s vow to make his life a living hell.
After his victory over Tye Dillinger last Tuesday, The Modern-Day Maharaja promised to show Orton what
hell awaits them both at WWE Battleground, as he promised to bring the Punjabi Prison to SmackDown LIVE.
While the frightening structure is on its way to Team Blue, the WWE Universe is wondering exactly why Mahal
is bringing it and what it means for The Viper days before he steps inside at WWE Battleground. What does
the WWE Champion have in store? Find out on SmackDown LIVE, tonight at 8/7 C on USA Network!

WWE Battleground opponents square off in tag team showdown

As WWE Battleground approaches, participants in two of this Sunday’s most anticipated matches will
join forces for a huge tag team battle on SmackDown LIVE, as United States Champion AJ Styles &
Shinsuke Nakamura face Kevin Owens & Baron Corbin.
For Owens, the image of Styles taking his title at Madison Square Garden two weeks ago is probably still
clear in his mind, and The Prizefighter isn’t likely to forget the defeat he suffered in tag team action
last week against The Phenomenal One and John Cena. Corbin, on the other hand, will be looking to take
control of his rivalry with Nakamura after last week’s ringside brawl between the two.

John Cena to address Flag Match in exclusive interview

Five days before he defends the honor of America in a Flag Match against Rusev at WWE Battleground,
John Cena will address the impending battle in an exclusive interview on SmackDown LIVE.
Though Cena and AJ Styles were victorious over The Bulgarian Brute in tag team action last Tuesday,
Rusev sent a message to the 16-time World Champion earlier in the night, locking Cena in the Accolade.
What will Cena have to say before he stands up for his country in Philadelphia this Sunday?

Mike Kanellis to make in-ring debut against Sami Zayn

After weeks of preaching about the “power of love” to the WWE Universe, Mike Kanellis will
finally get to show exactly how far that power can propel him in singles competition, as he makes
his in-ring debut against Sami Zayn on SmackDown LIVE.
Over the past few weeks, Zayn has run into Maria & Mike Kanellis on multiple occasions, interrupting
their declarations of love. Last Tuesday, Maria demanded an apology from Zayn, who responded by
saying he’s tired of apologizing. That led Maria to slap Zayn across the face and Mike to smash
a glass vase of flowers across Zayn’s back, warning him that sometimes, love hurts.
Will Mike’s in-ring debut be a success, or will Zayn get a measure of payback? Find out tonight
on SmackDown LIVE at 8/7 C on USA Network!

Will Breezango find the truth?

Last Tuesday in Texas, Breezango tracked down The Hype Bros, the latest suspects in their ongoing
investigation of SmackDown LIVE’s tag team division. While the “sexy fashion rangers” didn’t get
any closer to cracking the case, Tyler Breeze & Fandango may have found a new lead after the
disappearance of Fandango’s horse, Tully.
Their first suspects in this case? Ghost aliens. The truth is out there. Will The Fashion Police
be able to find it?