WWE SmackDown: Potential Spoilers, Rumors, News and Preview for October 25

Dean Ambrose's quest to claim the World Championship from AJ Styles will continue on WWE SmackDown, and the tone of the tale promises to grow more serious.

For the past two weeks, The Lunatic Fringe has used everyone's favorite jobber, James Ellsworth, to needle the champ. Ambrose officiated a match between those two and was as biased as humanly possible. He then distracted Styles the following week, leading to another surprise Ellsworth win.

Now it's Ambrose's turn to take on The Phenomenal One.

The absurdist theater that has played out on SmackDown since the No Mercy pay-per-view has been mighty fun, but things are poised to shift. A darker, more vicious side of the rivalry is set to take over.

Green Bay, Wisconsin, will play host to Ambrose and Styles' latest battle, as well as a champion's return to the ring and maybe the reintroduction of Curt Hawkins.

Thanks to the SmackDown preview on WWE.com, backstage reports and what's been announced for the show, we can get an early glimpse at what to expect on the latest SmackDown. The fun all starts on Tuesday night at 8 p.m. ET on the USA Network.

On Tap

Ambrose's master plan worked. He used Ellsworth to unsettle Styles and is now one win away from getting another world title opportunity.

After The Lunatic Fringe helped Ellsworth embarrass him last week, Styles demanded a match with Ambrose. He got it, but with a stipulation that Ambrose has to love.

As announced on the last Talking Smack, if the former member of The Shield defeats Styles on Tuesday, he will become the No. 1 contender to the WWE World Championship.

Kane and Bray Wyatt will have their own issues to settle. The longtime rivals will meet in a No Disqualification match, per the WWE.com SmackDown preview.

Randy Orton remains Wyatt's main target, but Kane has been a supporting player in their rivalry. The Eater of Worlds will now have a chance to avenge the loss Kane handed him at Backlash in September.

News, Potential Spoilers

One of the blue brand's biggest names won't be around again.

Figure Four Online's Dave Meltzer wrote: "Randy Orton has the weekend off but is scheduled for Green Bay on Tuesday. John Cena is filming a television show, so he's right now off every show except possibly Survivor Series in Toronto between now and Christmas."

Cena hasn't appeared on SmackDown since the No Mercy PPV on Oct. 9. WWE has yet to acknowledge his absence.

However, Tuesday's SmackDown may welcome back another star who has been missing in action.

As Meltzer noted on Sunday, "Becky Lynch and Kalisto both returned at last night's SmackDown-brand house show in Sioux City." Kalisto had been dealing with a back injury that caused him to miss SummerSlam.

Could the ultimate underdog also show up in Green Bay? 

Ellsworth earned a disqualification over the world champ last week, seemingly ending his part in the Ambrose-Styles feud. However, his surprise run may not be over.

Mike Johnson reported for PWInsider.com, "There has been a push in the last week internally for WWE to sign James Ellsworth to a full-time deal, so don't be shocked to see him pop back up on WWE TV as soon as this week's SmackDown." 

SmackDown Streaks

As she awaits her crack at Lynch's women's title, Alexa Bliss has been busy stockpiling momentum. 

After suffering a surprise loss to Naomi at No Mercy, the No. 1 contender has recovered. Bliss knocked off Naomi on last week's SmackDown, marking her second straight win for Team Blue.

According to CageMatch.net, she has won five of her last six SmackDown bouts.

WWE has been smart to commit to her like this. In a short time, she has become a convincing contender.

Tyler Breeze and Fandango, on the other hand, have essentially been left for dead.

The tag team hasn't stepped into the ring in a long while. As seen on CageMatch.net, Breezango's last match was on Aug. 23. For eight consecutive episodes of SmackDown, Breeze and Fandango have had no ring time.

This has been one of SmackDown's biggest missed opportunities. With the tag team division in such dire need of quality heels, it's baffling that WWE didn't elevate the cocky, emerging duo.

Midcard Developments

Lynch is set to return after dealing with health issues that WWE never revealed. You know she's her old self when she's back to firing off bad puns:

The blue brand's women's champ can now focus on the feud she had to put on hold.

The SmackDown preview on WWE.com stated, "You can be sure The Irish Lass Kicker will have her sights set on the Superstar who's gunning for her title, Alexa Bliss."

While Lynch was out, WWE had to bide its time by having Bliss tangle with Naomi. That diversion is now over, and the champion and the challenger can now start cranking up the animosity that was soaring en route to No Mercy.

Will Wisconsin fans get to witness the re-debut of Hawkins, or are they going to be the latest victims of a tease?

Hawkins has promised to have his first match back since returning to WWE this year, but it has yet to happen. The latest false alarm came last week when he pulled out of a contest with Apollo Crews.

Crews tagged Hawkins with a right hand that sent the heel scurrying.

Eventually, Hawkins will have to wrestle. Fans aren't likely to care when he does, though. Hawkins' "facts" gimmick has been underwhelming, to be kind.

Baron Corbin won't be backing out of any fights. The Lone Wolf has been on a tear of late and is clearly in the midst of a push.

He battered Jack Swagger last Tuesday, dominating their rubber match. Corbin then barked at SmackDown general manager Daniel Bryan, an action that could lead to his next storyline.

The SmackDown preview asked, "Will The Lone Wolf find himself facing repercussions as a result of sounding off to the boss?"

Corbin needs a worthy rival in a hurry. He has looked like a bona fide star, even in low-profile feuds. It's time to start turning up the wattage of the spotlight pointed at him.