WWE SmackDown: Spoiler-Free Preview for Aug. 9

Friday's WWE SmackDown should add clarity to the still-fuzzy SummerSlam card.

The August blockbuster pay-per-view is nearing and several big names are without a bout. WWE fans tuning in on Friday will be curious to see which confrontations will lead to matches at the event.

A number of talented Superstars are slated to compete on SmackDown, so it should be high-level entertainment even if SummerSlam-centered questions aren't answered.

The WWE title Money in the Bank winner, the world champion, a recently returned high-flyer and The Devil's Favorite Demon are among the wrestlers fans can see in action come Friday.

Without revealing the outcomes, let's take a look at the matches on the docket.

Randy Orton vs. Rob Van Dam

Both of these Superstars are not yet on the SummerSlam card. Randy Orton has become involved in the WWE title match in a peripheral sense, promising to soon cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase.

Orton and Van Dam enter this singles bout, having both lost to Christian, in a match to determine who will face Alberto Del Rio on August 18.

Will tensions soar? Will we see enough anger between them to justify a clash at SummerSlam? The fans would certainly benefit from that outcome.

 

Miz TV with AJ Lee and Big E. Langston

The host of SummerSlam invites the Divas champ and her muscular pal onto his Miz TV segment.

Miz will likely inquire about AJ Lee's relationship with Dolph Ziggler and why Layla El turned on Kaitlyn to join her on last week's SmackDown.

It's not hard to imagine this breaking down rather quickly with AJ losing it and attacking Miz. All he has to do is call her "crazy."

Fandango vs. Kofi Kingston

His first SmackDown appearance since returning from injury has Kofi Kingston battling WWE's resident ballroom dancer again.

Kingston's first night back saw him defeat Fandango, courtesy of the Trouble in Paradise.

Their rematch stirs up a number of questions, including if Kingston will be able to repeat the feat and if he will continue to wear long tights.

Kane vs. 3MB (3-on-1 Handicap Match)

Drew McIntyre, Jinder Mahal and Heath Slater will have the numbers advantage going up against Kane. Kane has to be burning with anger after repeated attacks from Bray Wyatt and his backwoods family.

Kane could be using this bout as a warm-up for his Ring of Fire match with Wyatt, as well as a way to relieve some of his stress via uppercuts and chokeslams.

Wyatt has been trying to recruit Kane into the fold, but Kane has resisted so far. The most intriguing question going forward is if Kane does as suggested and follows the buzzards or tries to tear the Wyatt Family apart.

Daniel Bryan vs. Wade Barrett

Daniel Bryan looks to maintain momentum heading into his championship battle with John Cena.

On Friday, he faces the man he half-shaved on Monday's Raw. Vince McMahon instructed Wade Barrett to complete Bryan's corporate makeover by cutting off his beard. Bryan instead took the clippers to Barrett's well-groomed facial hair.

There have been worse reasons to want to fight someone.

Barrett looks to land a major upset on the red-hot Superstar.

Christian vs. Alberto Del Rio (Non-Title Match)

In a preview of the world title match at SummerSlam, Christian faces the champion Alberto Del Rio without the title on the line.

This is not only a chance for Christian to gain momentum going into the match, but also for WWE to find ways to add drama and intensity to this storyline. So far it has centered around Christian's pursuit of the gold, but there's a deeper story under the surface.

Friday could be a catalyst for their feud to explode, or perhaps it's just a battle between two talented performers.