WWE SmackDown Preview: The Viper Returns, Rhodes vs. Gabriel, McIntyre and More

It’s Friday and that means another new episode of WWE SmackDown.

SmackDown tends to put on a good show each week and tonight should be no different.

The WWE has only confirmed one match and a return for the show but after last week’s Sin City SmackDown, though, there are a few other things to consider.

Let’s see what WWE could have in store for the fans!

Cody Rhodes vs. Justin Gabriel

Last week during Sin City SmackDown, Cody Rhodes spun the roulette wheel and got to choose his opponent. He chose Hornswoggle but got Justin Gabriel instead.

These two superstars put on a good show in their match but the Intercontinental champion bested the South African superstar.

The only reason Rhodes had to contend with Gabriel is because the high flying wrestler came out to rescue the much smaller Hornswoggle.

For the past couple of weeks, Gabriel has been coming to the aid of the little guy and has been taking down the opposition.

While he wasn’t able to defeat Rhodes, he gave the champion a run for his money.

It was that match that got Gabriel noticed by Teddy Long and Long has granted him a non-title rematch against the champion.

Can Justin Gabriel take down the champion and enter into the hunt for the Intercontinental Championship or will Cody Rhodes mow down another challenge?

Who Will Be the Next Victim to the Funkasaurus?

Brodus Clay debuted as the Funkasaurus on the January 9th edition of Monday Night Raw.

He promptly squashed Curt Hawkins and danced the night away.

For the next two weeks on both Raw and SmackDown the man from Funky Town has squashed the likes of Tyson Kidd, JTG and Heath Slater; or as I like to call them the soon to be Future Endeavored Class of 2012.

On last week’s Sin City SmackDown, Brodus Clay had some different competition in the form of a dance off.

He easily defeated Vickie Guerrero but was shown up by William Regal. He then squashed Regal for his troubles.

Brodus Clay will no doubt be on tonight’s SmackDown but who will be his next victim? Will William Regal get a shot at redemption?

Is Drew McIntyre Fired or Not?

About a month ago Drew McIntyre returned to SmackDown, but general manager Teddy Long questioned his use on the Friday night show.

He booked him in a match against Ezekiel Jackson to prove himself with the stipulation of if McIntyre won, then he could stay on SmackDown but if he lost, then he could be fired.

McIntyre lost the match against Jackson but wasn’t fired just yet.

Three weeks ago Teddy Long gave him another chance as he faced Santino Marella in a match where McIntyre’s stipulation stuck but if Santino won then he could be the assistant to the general manager.

The Italian superstar defeated the Scottish superstar and things weren’t looking good for McIntyre.

Teddy Long said he would give him one more chance and he blew it when he lost to Ted DiBiase two weeks ago.

Did Teddy Long fire him?

He did not as he gave him yet another chance on last week’s Sin City SmackDown. Santino would defeat him again, this time in a blindfold match.

Teddy Long then promptly fired Drew McIntyre.

Then in the main event, McIntyre appeared as one of the lumberjacks.

Is he fired or not? Will Teddy Long finally make up his mind?

A Triple Threat Steel Cage Match is Booked for the Royal Rumble; How Will Daniel Bryan React?

At the Tables, Ladders and Chairs pay-per-view in December, Mark Henry lost the World Heavyweight Championship to the Big Show, who then quickly lost it to Daniel Bryan after he cashed in his Money in the Bank contract.

For two weeks in a row, Bryan has had to face the Big Show and retained his title both times in questionable fashions.

He got Big Show disqualified with help from Henry one week, then steered the World’s Largest Athlete towards A.J. Lee squashing her. With A.J. down and out, the match was stopped and Bryan retained his title.

The champion wasn’t done yet as Teddy Long booked him in a lumberjack match last week against the World’s Strongest Man.

Much like his past two title defenses, the match ended in a no-contest.

This time, Bryan provoked the lumberjacks enough to start a huge brawl while he snuck away with his title.

Before the show went off the air, Teddy Long punished Bryan’s actions by booking him in a triple threat match inside of a steel cage against both Big Show and Mark Henry.

How will he respond to the match? Will WWE’s biggest wrestlers look for redemption two days before the Royal Rumble?

The Viper Returns

Wade Barrett had been feuding with Randy Orton for a couple of months with both superstars trading victories.

On the final SmackDown of 2011, though, everything changed.

The Barrett Barrage ran over the Viper in a Falls Count Anywhere match. Barrett threw Orton down a flight of stairs, injuring the nine-time world champion.

Barrett went on to mow down some superstars before moving into a small feud with Sheamus. It was only a matter of time before Orton returned and set his sights back on the Barrett Barrage, though.

Tonight is that time as Randy Orton will be making his return after a four-week absence.

What will Randy Orton have to say? Will he just let his actions do all of the talking?

WWE SmackDown is looking like a good show.

Will it be? Tune in to find out!