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1. The Power of Motivation WWE's matches are suddenly saturated with high stakes, and the product is prospering as a result. Having something clear and valuable to fight over transforms a match. That addition elevates midcard fare, makes bouts special and amplifies the power of wins and losses. In the early stages of the New Era, WWE has done well to harness this magic. On the first Raw after the draft, a pair of Fatal 4-Way matches decided who would enter a WWE Universal Championship No. 1 Contender's bout later in the night. SmackDown followed suit by booking a Battle Royal where the winner ...

Gold, opportunity and Becky Lynch are the ideal building blocks for constructing a robust WWE SmackDown women's division. SmackDown must rely on its biggest female star and storytelling basics as the New Era unfolds. The draft sent Sasha Banks, Charlotte and Paige to Raw, leaving the blue brand with more unproven names. Raw also owns the Women's Championship and all the inherent drama that comes with it. SmackDown will soon feature its own trophy, though. General manager Daniel Bryan appeared on the Bear Hug it Out podcast and said that a women's title was on the way for the show. That's Step 1 to make SmackDown a go-to place for ...

Dolph Ziggler has commenced stealing shows, and Tuesday night, he earned "biggest winner" status for his work on the mic, talent in the ring and development of character. On the August 2 episode of WWE SmackDown, The Showoff's confidence was shaken by what he perceived to be a lack of belief in him by fans and peers alike. WWE champion Dean Ambrose told Ziggler he is not as good as he thinks he is, thus dooming him to defeat at SummerSlam. With that seed planted in his head, a more focused and determined Ziggler hit the squared circle for a main event ...

One of the biggest shows in WWE's calendar gets an extra shot of impetus this year at SummerSlam. With the brands now split and the early signs of some brand warfare, there are all the makings of a phenomenal show later this month in Brooklyn, New York. Two surprising contenders for the company's main titles also hint that WWE will throw more curveballs at fans in the self-titled New Era. But what can fans expect from the hottest show of the summer? Here's a look at not only the matches fans already know about, but the others that will be added between now ...

WWE Hall of Famer "Superstar" Billy Graham was hospitalized Tuesday night to undergo a medical procedure because of internal bleeding. While Graham is expected to fully recover, it is uncertain when he will be discharged Continue for updates.  Latest on Graham's Recovery Wednesday, Aug. 3 Graham's son, Joseph Miluso, told Ryan Satin of Pro Wrestling Sheet that Graham's bleeding is under control and that his doctors expect him to make a full recovery. Great Northern Wrestling Releases Statement on Graham Wednesday, Aug. 3 Per the statement (h/t Raj Giri of WrestlingInc.com), Graham is set to undergo an unnamed medical procedure Wednesday: GNW has been informed through his wife Valerie that ...

Dolph Ziggler shocked the wrestling world when he survived a Six-Pack Challenge to become the new No. 1 contender for the WWE World Championship on the July 26 edition of SmackDown Live. But the best has yet to come from him in his title program with Dean Ambrose. Ambrose and Ziggler are far from strangers inside the squared circle, having faced off on several occasions over the past three years. At SummerSlam 2016, however, they will meet for the most prestigious prize in the business, and the stakes could not be higher. That said, their program is already off to a strong start ...

After a tumultuous first week that had SmackDown looking up at a triumphant Raw, the Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon-led brand looked to deliver a show that was more focused, and simply better, than its predecessor. Dolph Ziggler's ascension to the No. 1 contender's spot left fans wondering whether or not he deserved a shot at Dean Ambrose's WWE Championship. With The Lunatic Fringe openly doubting him, McMahon and Bryan reservedly questioning his chances and Bray Wyatt gunning for his championship opportunity, Ziggler set out to prove everyone wrong. To do so, he would have to defeat The Reaper of Souls in ...

John Cena and AJ Styles will have a rubber match at SummerSlam. Styles challenged Cena on SmackDown Live on Tuesday night, and the 15-time world champion accepted. WWE shared the interaction on Twitter: Former WWE Superstar Lance Storm was happy to see the more passionate side of Cena rather than his sometimes comical self: On one hand, having the two wrestle at SummerSlam makes sense. Styles beat Cena in a singles match at Money in the Bank, and then Cena teamed with Enzo Amore and Big Cass to beat The Club at Battleground. The two Superstars have unfinished business. Plus, with Luke Gallows and ...

On SmackDown Live on Tuesday night, Apollo Crews earned an Intercontinental Championship opportunity against The Miz at SummerSlam. Crews won a Triple Threat match that also included Baron Corbin and Kalisto. WWE shared a replay of Crews pinning Kalisto for the victory: Since he debuted in NXT, WWE has done little with Crews beyond his NXT title match with Finn Balor last November and non-title rematch with Balor in February: Crews is supremely gifted and a good technical wrestler for his size. Those two things only go so far, though, to help a Superstar connect with the fans. Like Neville, Tyler Breeze and ...

Welcome to Bleacher Report's live coverage of the August 2 episode of SmackDown. WWE has managed to produce two great episodes of Raw in a row following the brand extension, so SmackDown has some catching up to do. We already know Dolph Ziggler will be challenging Dean Ambrose for the WWE Championship at SummerSlam, but the blue brand doesn't have anything else lined up for the biggest pay-per-view of the summer. The Miz is the only other champion on the SmackDown roster, so it's safe to assume he will be defending his title at SummerSlam. Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon have a lot ...