WWE SmackDown Preview: Orton vs. Barrett, Sheamus, Elimination Chamber and More

Tonight WWE presents a new episode of SmackDown.

WWE started out the week strong with Monday Night Raw and very well could continue that with tonight’s show.

While the company has only confirmed one match, there are of course multiple things to consider going into the show.

Let’s see what WWE possibly has in store for the fans tonight!

Will Drew McIntyre Be Given Yet Another Chance?

When Drew McIntyre returned to SmackDown about a month ago Teddy Long questioned whether or not he was worth the price he was getting paid.

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

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

Teddy Long gave him another chance as he faced Santino Marella the following week.

The Italian superstar defeated the Scottish superstar and things weren’t looking good for the former Intercontinental champion.

Teddy Long gave him one more chance and he blew it when he lost to Ted DiBiase three weeks ago.

He was once again given another chance on 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.

Last Friday, McIntyre was once again defeated, this time by the Great White Sheamus.

Then at the Royal Rumble he was fed to the Funkasaurus and was eaten alive.

Was the Royal Rumble his final shot or will Teddy Long keep torturing Drew McIntyre?

What Title Will Sheamus Go For at WrestleMania XXVIII?

Sheamus shocked the WWE Universe when he won the 2012 Royal Rumble match.

Most fans were expecting Chris Jericho or Randy Orton to win the match so seeing the Celtic Warrior standing tall at the end was a nice surprise.

This past Monday on Raw Sheamus appeared in the ring with both world champion Daniel Bryan and WWE champion CM Punk.

He said that he hadn’t made up his mind yet but no matter what title he chooses, he will be the new champion at WrestleMania.

Will the Great White Sheamus challenge for the World Heavyweight or WWE Championship?

Will he make his decision tonight or wait until after the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view?

Who Will be in the SmackDown Elimination Chamber Match?

Speaking of the Elimination Chamber PPV, the WWE Championship match is set for the show.

CM Punk must defend his title inside of the chamber against Dolph Ziggler, the Miz, R-Truth, Kofi Kingston and Chris Jericho.

At the Royal Rumble, Daniel Bryan managed to retain his title inside of a steel cage match against two behemoths in the Big Show and Mark Henry.

Now Bryan must defend his title again inside of a steel structure.

Which five superstars will Teddy Long choose to challenge Daniel Bryan for the World Heavyweight Championship?

Will the Undertaker Make an Appearance?

The last time the WWE Universe saw The Undertaker he was being carted out of WrestleMania XXVII after a hellacious no holds barred match with Triple H.

The fans have never seen the Deadman quite like that and wondered if they’d ever see him again.

Now that the Road to WrestleMania is open, the Demon of Death Valley has risen from the ashes once again.

As chief operating officer Triple H was about to fire interim general manager John Laurinaitis this past Monday on Raw, the bell tolled and the lights went out.

The Undertaker was back and he wanted Triple H at WrestleMania.

The Game just patted him on the shoulder and walked out.

Will The Undertaker make his return to SmackDown? If so, will he explain why he wants the Cerebral Assassin one more time?

Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett

Wade Barrett has been feuding with Randy Orton since November when the two were named captains of opposing Survivor Series teams.

They have traded victories over the past few months and the feud was pretty much even.

On the final SmackDown of 2011, though, things shifted in the favor of the Barrett Barrage.

The two were engaged in a brutal Falls Count Anywhere match when Barrett threw Orton down a flight of stairs, injuring the nine-time world heavyweight champion.

That put the Viper out of action for four weeks and Barrett proceeded to mow down the competition in his absence.

Last week on SmackDown Orton made his return and the two quickly went at it.

Orton not going got the upper hand in the brawl, but he delivered the RKO to various superstars who were holding him back.

At the Royal Rumble, Barrett entered at No. 26 while Orton came in at No. 28. The Barrett Barrage would last just under four minutes before being eliminated by the Viper.

This past Monday on Raw, Orton defeated Dolph Ziggler while Barrett was up in a sky box scouting for tonight’s match.

Can Randy Orton keep the momentum he gained last week or will Barrett take out the Viper once again?

Tonight’s SmackDown has big shoes to fill with this Monday’s Raw being the best in quite some time.

Can SmackDown be just as good? Tune in to find out!