With WrestlePalooza less than 24 hours away, WWE has loaded the final episode of SmackDown with two title matches and the first live appearance from Brock Lesnar since his contract signing.
Charlotte Flair, returning from injury, will team with Alexa Bliss to defend the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships against Chelsea Green and her enforcer, Alba Fyre. The bout comes weeks after Green’s attack sidelined Flair, setting the stage for a revenge-driven defense.
Also on the card, Sami Zayn continues his run of open challenges for the United States Championship. This time, Carmelo Hayes has officially stepped forward to answer the call, putting himself in line for his biggest main roster opportunity to date.
The show, airing live on USA Network, will also feature an appearance from Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, while Lesnar is scheduled for a live interview ahead of his highly anticipated showdown with John Cena at WrestlePalooza.
One major star, however, will be absent from the broadcast. In an interview on ESPN’s Pardon My Take, CM Punk confirmed he will be in the building but will remain strictly backstage, opting not to appear on camera.
Punk spoke about his off-screen role and reflected on teaming with his wife, AJ Lee, who returned to the ring last week in advance of her first match in nearly ten years. “I’m having the time of my life,” Punk said. “I always like to say I try to spend as much time with my wife as I can, and I spend a lot of time with her. And it never feels like it’s enough. So having her be back in this environment with me at work is like a dream come true.”
He also addressed his current status as a babyface, questioning whether he could ever fully return to being a heel given the fan response. True to form, Punk also didn’t hold back when asked about Saturday’s event name: “That might actually be the first time I’ve said it. It’s a ridiculous name.”
With Lesnar set to speak, two championships up for grabs, and one of WrestlePalooza’s headliners choosing to stay in the shadows, tonight’s SmackDown is positioned as a pivotal final step before the weekend’s marquee event.