WWE SmackDown: Spoiler-Free Preview for August 6

The first WWE SmackDown of August zeroes in on leading up to showdowns that are expected, but not yet official for SummerSlam.

Superstars in line for the pay-per-view's potential midcard bouts await opportunities to notch big wins. The New Day, Charlotte and Roman Reigns are all set for tough matches as WWE travels to the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, California.

While Kevin Owens and Seth Rollins step out of the spotlight, WWE builds toward the Tag Team Championship match and Divas three-team scuffle that are likely to be part of the PPV card.

WWE taped all the action Tuesday. Before SmackDown airs Thursday at 8 p.m. ET on Syfy, spoilers will be floating around the Internet for those who can't wait to see how things unfold. For everyone else, the following preview takes a look at all the clashes on tap with no results revealed.

Mark Henry and The Prime Time Players vs. The New Day

It's increasingly clear that The New Day are headed for another opportunity at The Prime Time Players' championships. Big E and his posse teamed up with The Ascension on Monday night and scored the winning pinfall against Los Matadores and The Lucha Dragons.

The announcers sold that moment as The New Day staking claim to title contention.

They can cement that by getting a win in six-man action against the champs. The heel trio will have the chemistry advantage over Henry, Titus O'Neil and Darren Young, but will be outmatched in terms of size.

On paper, this has show-stealing potential. Henry is past his prime for sure, but small doses of him here, along with Xavier Woods' work as a grating heel, point to this being one of the more entertaining offerings of the week. 

Charlotte vs. Naomi

The "Divas Revolution" story continues with a member of Submission Sorority and Team B.A.D., respectively, facing off. 

Charlotte's squad has tasted victory often lately. She and Becky Lynch teamed up against the Bella sisters on Monday's Raw in a winning effort. Paige then represented the crew by forcing Naomi to tap out.

Will Naomi fare better against Charlotte's Figure Eight than she did against Paige's PTO? 

WWE keeps teasing a full-scale wrestling war between the three female factions. There is sure to be more animosity between them here, and judging by recent trends, this particular battle will last a good while.

WWE's women are getting more time and making good use of it these days.

Stardust vs. Zack Ryder

Obsessed with Stephen Amell from TV's Arrow and grounding the high-flying Neville, Stardust has been showing off his maniacal side even more in the past few weeks.

This has all the makings of a warm-up match for Stardust. He will look to prey on the bottom-feeding Ryder, but will have to be aware of a Neville run-in. The two enemies have interrupted each other's matches on a regular basis lately.

As for Ryder, he's clearly become WWE's go-to jobber.

King Barrett was the latest to use him as a stepping stone, mashing him to the mat in short order on Monday's Raw. A Ryder win would be a major upset and surely a means to have Stardust explode in anger.

Roman Reigns vs. Rusev

Until Dolph Ziggler returns from his (storyline) throat injury, Rusev is going to have to showcase his brutality against other opponents.

WWE has made a clear effort to get the powerhouse rolling as of late. He took down Jack Swagger on last week's SmackDown and followed that up with a dominant win over Mark Henry on Monday's Raw. Does he continue this run against a tougher, more high-profile foe?

Reigns, with Dean Ambrose at his side, appears headed for some sort of collision with the reunited Wyatt Family.

Fans will be looking for clues in this bout as to what exactly WWE has in mind for SummerSlam when it comes to that developing feud. Bray Wyatt interference or Reigns calling out The Eater of Worlds are both strong possibilities. 

As for the action that closes out Thursday's SmackDown, it should be entertaining. Reigns and Rusev have worked well together in the past. Neither man has pinned the other in their previous encounters. Disqualifications have taken the place of decisive wins.

Reigns and Rusev both look to change that in Sacramento, with precious pre-SummerSlam momentum on the line.