WWE Smackdown Preview: 5 Things to Look for in Tonight's Live Show (April 10)

Don't worry. You don't have to go check your calendars.

Today may be Tuesday, but we are indeed getting a special live episode of Smackdown.

The theme of tonight's episode is "Blast from the Past," and it will feature appearances by a number of WWE legends, from Mick Foley, to "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, to Dusty Rhodes, to Gene Okerlund.

I'm sure we can expect to see a bunch of goofy skits featuring these guys, as well as plenty of interactions between them and today's current WWE superstars.

But what else should we plan on seeing in tonight's episode?

Here are five things we need to look for in tonight's very special live edition of Smackdown.

5. What's Next for Ryback and Damien Sandow?

On last week's Smackdown, we saw the debut/return of two new superstars.

Former Nexus member Skip Sheffield returned under his new Ryback gimmick in a squash-match victory, while former WWE star Aaron Stevens returned as Damien Sandow with a very unique promo.

So, what's next for these two guys?

After seeing Ryback squash a jobber last week, I wouldn't be surprised to see him do the same again this week. But judging by the tepid reactions that squash matches have gotten recently, perhaps we will see the WWE insert Ryback into his first feud tonight.

As for Sandow, last week he only cut a very eloquent promo in which he used big words and was obviously trying to play up that he was smarter than the rest of us.

However, Sandow did work the dark match at last night's Raw taping, so maybe we will see him get in the ring tonight for his first match of his second WWE run.

Either way, I'd expect both Sandow and Ryback to be big parts of tonight's show.

4. The Latest for Orton/Kane and Big Show/Rhodes

Two WrestleMania feuds should be coming to a close soon on Smackdown.

I'm talking, of course, about Randy Orton vs. Kane and The Big Show vs. Cody Rhodes.

There is speculation that, given his victory in a No DQ match over Kane on last week's Smackdown, Orton is ready to move on to a new feud. But now that he and Kane's series is tied at 1-1, I personally think that their feud will continue tonight and ultimately end at Extreme Rules.

As for the Show/Rhodes feud, Big Show has flipped the script on Rhodes and has begun both embarrassing Rhodes and causing him to lose his matches.

It'll be interesting to see whether that continues on tonight's Smackdown, or if Rhodes is able to snap his three-match losing streak.

No matter what, though, I think it's pretty clear that this feud is going to extend at least through Extreme Rules, although it will probably end there.

I just hope we get a clear sense of direction of both Kane/Orton and Show/Rhodes at some point during tonight's show.

3. A Possible Big Announcement

What? Did you think that the WWE was randomly holding this live "Blast From the Past" Smackdown for now reason?

I mean, there's gotta be something behind it, right? Well, it certainly looks that way.

From F4Wonline.com (via WrestleZone.com):

"

The live Smackdown tonight is advertising many WWE legends to be apart of it. According to F4Wonline.com, there is speculation that WWE may announce Legends House reality show will be airing on Syfy network.

If nothing is announced tonight on a live episode of Smackdown on Syfy, then it is expected the show will only air on WWE network.

"

With the lack of development and progression toward the launch of the WWE Network, I can definitely see why the WWE is hoping to get Legends House onto a different channel.

My only question is: Does SyFy really want this show?

I mean, this is the same SyFy that pressured the WWE to replace ECW and then dropped the show that replaced it, NXT, not all that long after it started airing. So, I just find it hard to believe that SyFy would suddenly want Legends House, which may flop in the ratings department, too.

Maybe it's just me, but I'm not sure that this announcement will happen tonight, although it would obviously be a good thing for the WWE if it did.

2. The Progression of Daniel Bryan

Last week's Smackdown was a weird one for Daniel Bryan.

Although he dumped AJ in a big heat-tugging segment, he also had no interaction whatsoever with the guy that had just beaten him at WrestleMania for the World Heavyweight Championship, Sheamus.

Thus, I'm really interested in seeing where the WWE goes with Bryan tonight.

Now that he's split from AJ, will he refocus his sights on the World Heavyweight title? I sure think so.

But Sheamus seems to have already started a new feud with Alberto Del Rio for the belt, and it remains to be seen what will happen with all three of these superstars going after one championship.

Might we see a three-way feud between Sheamus, Bryan and ADR? Or will Bryan get lost in the shuffle?

Also, Bryan didn't appear on Raw last night, but the "Yes!" signs and chants were out in full force, and it should be fun to see how Bryan reacts to the likely resounding "Yes!" chants on tonight's Smackdown.

1. Sheamus' Punishment for Brogue Kicking a Referee Last Week

At the conclusion of last week's Smackdown, a frustrated Sheamus leveled referee Chad Patton with a Brogue Kick.

Well, John Laurinaitis didn't like that too much, and on last night's Raw show, he promised to hand out Sheamus' punishment on tonight's live Smackdown.

But exactly what will that punishment be?

The WWE website has teased a number of possible penalties, including stripping Sheamus of the World Heavyweight Championship and awarding it to Del Rio. Please don't do that, WWE.

Meanwhile, Patton has said that he doesn't think a suspension is enough for Sheamus.

The WWE is clearly trying to get the Brogue Kick over, but Sheamus may have ultimately cost himself a few weeks pay or possibly even the World Heavyweight title.

I guess we'll find out for sure tonight.

Note: As part of the new WWE blog, I'll be asking all of the B/R wrestling readers for questions for a new mailbag that I will post on Fridays. It will be a slideshow featuring 10-20 questions and answers on a wide range of topics. You can submit questions either through Formspring or Twitter, and the best ones will be answered in the B/R mailbag.