WWE SmackDown: Burning Questions to Address After June 6 Show

What may unfold at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view was at the heart of the biggest questions to come out of Tuesday's WWE SmackDown.

Who is the favorite to win the men's Money in the Bank ladder match? Is Lana going to fall on her face in a SmackDown Championship match at that June 18 event? Is that PPV when we see Shinsuke Nakamura truly gain some traction?

And will the ongoing absence of American Alpha stretch on past the show?

A challenge, a solid-not-spectacular match and an attack after the bell gave SmackDown fans plenty to ponder. The build to Money in the Bank is quickly wrapping up, and it's not clear how Lana will do or if Baron Corbin is being primed to take home the briefcase.

Read on as we dive into these very questions, breaking down what went down on Tuesday night in Rochester, New York.

How Will Lana Fare in Title Match?

By the end of Lana's re-debut on Tuesday's SmackDown she had a championship match set with Naomi for Money in the Bank. 

The Ravishing Russian tried to worm her way into the Money in the Bank ladder match. SmackDown commissioner Shane McMahon wasn't having it. She did, however, manage to nab a title bout after angering Naomi.

To say Lana is inexperienced is being kind.

She's been working on her in-ring craft at NXT, but only since last May. She hasn't had a TV match to date. Even so, WWE is shooting her straight to contender status.

Braun Strowman did well for himself without a lengthy stay at NXT, but he had the advantage of hiding his faults as part of The Wyatt Family before warming up against a series of jobbers.

The pace Lana is on suggests she's going to be in trouble come June 18. She's not a great natural athlete. Her strength is her character work, and that won't be enough to make up for her thin in-ring resume.

Where Is American Alpha?

Breezango is killing it with its Fashion Files comedy segments. The Usos have found their voice as angry, thuggish bullies. The New Day has been loud, ridiculous and colorful as usual.

The SmackDown tag team division, though, is missing a key piece.

American Alpha hasn't wrestled for the brand since April. Jordan and Gable haven't appeared in a taped interview. They haven't been a factor on the show at all.

Chair Shot Reality host Josh Isenberg asked about the missing duo at the end of May:

His question remains unanswered. 

As difficult as it has to be to find enough airtime for everyone on the roster, WWE simply can't push an emerging team like American Alpha that far into the background. Even a shot of them watching the action on the backstage monitor would be an improvement at this point.

American Alpha, unfortunately, is the victim of a writer's room that struggles to showcase much of its tag team division at one time. Ask The Ascension.

Will the Real Nakamura Please Stand Up?

SmackDown keeps trying to sell fans on The Artist Known as Shinsuke Nakamura. Where is The King of Strong Style, the warrior who made a name for himself with hammer-like knee strikes?

Nakamura battled Kevin Owens on Tuesday night in what should have been a dream match.

It was merely fine, though. That's been the case with Nakamura's bouts since joining the blue brand. He hasn't had a standout performance. He doesn't feel like the same magical, badass Nakamura.

One has to wonder if this is due to WWE asking Nakamura to hold back on his trademark physical style. Or is Nakamura struggling to adjust to the bigger stage?

It's only been a few months since the former NXT champ moved to SmackDown. It's not yet time to panic, but the idea that he may not translate to SmackDown is hard to shake.

Fans will certainly keep an eye on Nakamura in the weeks and months ahead looking for his true self to emerge.

Is Corbin the Favorite at MITB?

AJ Styles and Dolph Ziggler traded wins on the last two episodes of SmackDown. Owens has been on the wrong end of a pin three times thanks to Nakamura. 

Momentum certainly isn't evenly distributed ahead of Money in the Bank.

Despite a poor win-loss record, Corbin may be the hottest of all the Superstars entering that match. He clubbed Sami Zayn backstage before taking out Nakamura after SmackDown's main event. The show ended with The Lone Wolf staring down at a fallen Nakamura.

Is that a preview of what's to come at the PPV? Is this WWE just trying to mess with the audience? 

The folks at Fightful certainly think Corbin is winning:

His heel status makes it more likely he gets the nod. Owens already has the U.S. title in his possession and midcard champs haven't fared well at Money in the Bank in the past. And it's not as if Styles needs that briefcase to climb back into the title spot.

The King of Strong Style has more wins to his name than Corbin, though. WWE may hesitate to crown him Mr. Money in the Bank, however, until it has introduced him more.

Corbin is the front-runner right now, but Nakamura isn't far behind him.