WWE SmackDown: Spoiler-Free Preview for July 18

The July 18 WWE SmackDown offers one last chance for hyping Battleground and gives Superstars a final shot at momentum before the upcoming pay-per-view.

On Tuesday, Fayetteville, North Carolina, played host as Dean Ambrose, Chris Jericho and several Divas all stepped into the ring. Ambrose sought revenge for an assault earlier in the week, Jericho looked to topple one of his Battleground opponent's followers and AJ Lee and Paige teamed up once again despite being each other's opposition on Sunday.

SmackDown won't air on SyFy until Friday night, but curious fans with Internet access have no limit of ways to find out what happened early.

For those who wish to wait to find out how all the matches played out, the following is a non-spoiler preview of the go-home edition of SmackDown.

Kofi Kingston vs. Alberto Del Rio

Two familiar foes face off in singles action before they do so again as part of the Battleground Battle Royal for the Intercontinental Championship.

Kingston boasts two recent wins against fellow Battle Royal entrant Cesaro and will try to add another victory here against a man who has bested him time and time again. Fans will expect Kingston to do something spectacular in that upcoming match, but an upset here signals that he may do more than add a highlight to the bout.

He would be one of the favorites should he go into the fray having knocked off a former world champion.

Del Rio has looked strong of late, though. On Monday's Raw, he outlasted Rob Van Dam (also in the Battle Royal), forcing him to tap out with the Cross Armbreaker.

Kingston will have to avoid that hold and repeating the past to leave North Carolina in celebration mode.

Alicia Fox vs. Eva Marie

The surprise focus on Eva continues. She has been featured in far more in-ring action over the last few weeks than fans are used to seeing.

She failed to defeat AJ on Monday's Raw and now gets a chance to redeem herself. Fox can force her way back into title contention with a win.

Fans will be looking out for which Diva gets the most attention from the announcers and who grabs the majority of the spotlight, likely signaling who will be the launching pad and who will be the one doing the flying. 

There will also be anticipation about what kind of nuttiness Fox displays. Her unpredictability has been one of the more entertaining aspects of the Divas division as of late.

Chris Jericho vs. Luke Harper

Before Jericho clashes with Bray Wyatt at Battleground, he must face one of Wyatt's clan members. Being far stronger and larger, the bruiser is sure to test Jericho.

The match also spells a major opportunity for Harper. A singles match against a talented, respected worker like Jericho can be a great resume-booster. 

One has to wonder, though, how much time this bout will get. It could be a long, thrilling battle or else just a way to further the Wyatt and Jericho feud.

The Eater of Worlds will be lurking either way. 

The Miz and Fandango vs. Dolph Ziggler and Sheamus

A pair of rivalries merge while the Battleground Battle Royal gets more buildup.

Ziggler not only pinned Fandango on Monday's Raw, he left the ring with both of the dancer's women in tow. Fandango will have no trouble getting motivated when he sees The Showoff again.

The Miz and Sheamus have their own issues, which started on Monday's Raw. Even while looking to protect his "moneymaker," The Miz managed to score a victory over Sheamus. The Celtic Warrior evened things up the next night by using a schoolboy pin, the same move that The Miz earned his win with.

This is then a rubber match of sorts, but it's more likely a way to drum up more animosity before all four men collide in the Battle Royal.

Summer Rae and Layla vs. AJ Lee and Paige

Despite being en route to a Divas Championship bout at Battleground, Paige and AJ will be on the same team on Friday's SmackDown.

They have been awfully civil to each other, a surprise in the violent, over-the-top WWE world. Alliances and rivalries shift in a hurry, though.

Just last week, Summer and Layla were ready to tear out each other's hair.

Thanks to a mutual dislike of Fandango, they have now patched things up enough to form a duo. The audience will go into this tag match wondering which partnership will implode first.

WWE fans just aren't used to seeing such harmony.

Dean Ambrose vs. Kane

Backstage on Monday's Raw, Kane, Randy Orton and Seth Rollins surrounded Ambrose like wolves. The result of the skirmish that followed was Ambrose lying on the floor with a cut opened on his chin.

There will be no sneak attack or triple-teaming this time. Ambrose gets Kane alone, at least at first.

It's not as if Orton and Rollins have any issues breaking the rules. They could charge in at any moment. 

Even with that threat looming, Ambrose has to focus on the big, merciless man before him. A win against Kane would be a great way to head into his match with Rollins on Sunday.

Kane will be seeking momentum of his own. He is set to challenge for the WWE title in a Fatal 4-Way. Demolishing Ambrose would make him seem like less of a long shot in that match.

On a night that doesn't feature John Cena or Roman Reigns in scheduled action, it will be up to Kane, Ambrose and the rest of the wrestlers on the SmackDown card to make the final sell for Battleground.