*OFFICIAL* SmackDown Discussion Thread: 25th October 2016

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In the battle for brand supremacy, SmackDown LIVE may take a commanding lead thanks to the show that Commissioner Shane McMahon and General Manager Daniel Bryan have planned for tonight.

In a blockbuster main event, WWE World Champion AJ Styles will step into the ring against Dean Ambrose. The champion's title won't be on the line, but if Ambrose can triumph over The Phenomenal One, he'll become the No. 1 contender for the WWE World Title. After weeks of being humiliated at the hands of Ambrose — and James Ellsworth — look for “The Champ that Runs the Camp” to throw everything he has at The Lunatic Fringe.

As for Ellsworth, will McMahon and Bryan have plans for this unlikely warrior now that he has technically defeated the WWE World Champion on two separate occasions? Don’t miss any of the action, tonight on SmackDown LIVE.

Longtime rivals Kane and Bray Wyatt will square off once more on tonight's SmackDown LIVE — this time in a No Disqualification Match.

With the dangerous Luke Harper watching Wyatt's back and Randy Orton always ready to strike, expect pandemonium to reign at ringside. However, with the rulebook thrown out the window, will we see the casket incorporated into the action for the second consecutive week?

Tonight’s SmackDown LIVE will feature the return of SmackDown Women's Champion Becky Lynch. After a short absence due to injury, you can be sure The Irish Lass Kicker will have her sights set on the Superstar who ‘s gunning for her title, Alexa Bliss.

It will be very interesting to see what chaos will unfold between the two Superstars en route to the SmackDown Women’s Title Match in Glasgow, Scotland on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

It was refreshing to see Baron Corbin compete in a match on last week’s SmackDown LIVE, rather than just attack the object of his rage. In fact, it made his victory over Jack Swagger even more impressive.

Nevertheless, later that night on WWE Talking Smack, Corbin opted to sound off on SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan – probably not the best idea for a guy trying to find success on Team Blue. (Just ask The Miz.)

Will The Lone Wolf find himself facing repercussions as a result of sounding off to the boss? And if he does, will the seemingly self-sustaining Superstar with a major chip on his shoulder even care?

Last week seemed to finally be the moment: Curt Hawkins was scheduled to compete on SmackDown LIVE for the very first time. Would he change the very fabric of sports-entertainment? Well … we still don’t know. That’s because after his opponent Apollo Crews grew tired of the outspoken competitor running his mouth and opted to take him down before the bell, Hawkins accused him of ruining his debut and stormed off.

Will tonight SmackDown LIVE finally be the night for Hawkins? And, if it is, will Crews be his opponent? Find out tonight, with expert analysis beginning on the SmackDown LIVE Pre-Show across all digital platforms.

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Randy Orton joining The Wyatt Family was certainly unexpected, but how it will go will have to be seen - it could end up being a repeat of when Daniel Bryan joined them.

Something else that was unexpected was of course James Ellsworth costing Dean Ambrose the number one contendership to the WWE World Championship by hitting AJ Styles with "No Chin Music" (as David Otunga calls it) in full view of the referee.