8 Changes To WWE SmackDown

WWE

Coming out of WWE SummerSlam this year, Friday Night SmackDown has once again become a very intriguing brand to watch.

From returning stars like Kevin Owens and Randy Orton to new champions like Chelsea Green and Fatal Influence, the blue brand has renewed interest in recent months.

With the August 14 edition of SmackDown on the horizon, there could be any number of possibilities in store for the stars on Friday night.

Here are eight potential changes to WWE SmackDown.

8. The MFTs regain the WWE Tag Team Championships

On the August 14 Friday Night SmackDown, Damian Priest and R-Truth will defend their WWE Tag Team Championships against The War Raiders and The MFTs in a triple threat match.

This follows The MFTs recently making changes by bringing in their father and WWE legend Haku.

Wanting to make their father proud, Tama and Talla Tonga could be more motivated than ever.

Considering their recent beatdown on both duos, The MFTs look ready to leave The Raiders, Priest and Truth laying on their way to winning the WWE Tag Team Championships for their father.

7. Shinsuke Nakamura’s new tag team partner is revealed

Speaking of The MFTs, Shinsuke Nakmaura is someone who has his eyes on the faction.

“The King of Strong Style” recently made his first appearance in months teasing a new tag team partner.

After being attacked and laid out time and time again by The MFTs, it would be no surprise when Nakamura reveals this partner it will be against Tama and Talla Tonga.

Whether it be a former friend on the WWE roster like Finn Balor or a new signing like Hiromu Takahashi, it should be very interesting to see who Nakamura has chosen to stand by his side.

6. Interim WWE Women’s Champion Chelsea Green becomes the hunted

At WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night Two, Chelsea Green defeated Tiffany Stratton, Lash Legend, Jade Cargill and Charlotte Flair in a Ladder Match to win the Interim WWE Women’s Championship.

This marked Green’s first world title victory of her career, but it could be more than she was expecting.

On the August 7 episode of Friday Night SmackDown, Fatal Influence defeated Green and Stratton to retain the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships with Green being pinned. Post match, Chelsea was then laid out by The Irresistible Forces.

With all eyes on her, Chelsea has become the hunted and now has to adjust to survive.

5. Jacy Jayne brings more gold to Fatal Influence

Since their arrival on WWE SmackDown, Fatal Influence have had their eyes on gold.

At the July 17 edition of WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid beat Paige and Brie Bella to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships.

After losing in her Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder qualifying match, Jacy Jayne has now placed her sights on the woman who beat her, Tiffany Stratton.

With the title match scheduled for the August 14 SmackDown, Fatal Influence may be all draped in gold after Jacy Jayne defeats Tiffany Stratton to win the WWE Women’s United States Championship.

4. Carmelo Hayes cuts Baron Corbin’s United States Championship reign short

At WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night Two, Baron Corbin defeated Trick Williams to win the United States Championship.

Returning to the company in July, Corbin wasted no time in making his presence known.

Another WWE star that Corbin has made aware he’s back is Carmelo Hayes.

With their US Title match on the August 14 SmackDown looming, Melo might walk out of his hometown of Boston a two-time champ.

3. The new alliance of Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss & Tatum Paxley establish themselves

On the August 7 edition of Friday Night SmackDown, Charlotte Flair defeated Jade Cargill.

This win came in large part thanks to the return of Alexa Bliss and the debuting Tatum Paxley who provided an assist in eliminating Cargill’s backup in Michin and B-Fab.

Now that Bliss is back and Paxley has arrived, WWE should feature this trio prominently.

Considering the differing personalities, Tatum, Alexa and Charlotte could make for a fun trio moving forward.

2. Randy Orton aligns with Sami Zayn against Cody Rhodes

At WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night One, Cody Rhodes once again came up short when Randy Orton cost him his Undisputed WWE Championship against CM Punk.

Coming off the heels of the PLE, nothing will stop Rhodes from getting his hands on Orton.

Someone else who has seen Rhodes’ true colors and can relate to Orton right now is Sami Zayn.

Orton joining forces with Zayn would be fascinating to watch what they do to take down Rhodes.

1. CM Punk turns heel on Kevin Owens

At WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night Two, Kevin Owens made his return for the first time in 17 months.

Despite missing over a year, Owens defeated Sami Zayn, GUNTHER and Finn Balor to become number one contender for the Undisputed WWE Championship.

After their exchange last week, things will only heat up more between Punk and Owens this week.

With the title match looming on August 21, fans could see CM Punk turn heel for the first time in 13 years on KO to garner heat ahead of their highly anticipated title clash.

To make sure you stay up to date with all the biggest wrestling and WrestleTalk news, follow us on Threads by clicking this link!

• Smackdown
• wwe smackdown
• wwe

Share this article with friends