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WWE News: ‘Thursday Night SmackDown’ Spoiler-Free Preview [Reigns & Ambrose Vs. Dudley Boyz]

By Dustin Murrell
Published on: 03:22 PST, Feb 18, 2016

While Brock Lesnar was absent from WWE Raw, Dean Ambrose was still the victim of an “F5” — in the form of the first-ever Fatal 5-Way Match. Not only did Stephanie McMahon force Ambrose into a match with Dolph Ziggler, Stardust, Kevin Owens, and Tyler Breeze, but she also forced him to put the WWE Intercontinental Championship on the line. And just to make sure it was a lose-lose situation for the Lunatic Fringe, if his buddy Roman Reigns got involved in the match in any way, Ambrose would be removed from the WWE Fastlane main event on Sunday, leaving The Big Dog to face Brock Lesnar one-on-one.

After Ambrose dropped his title to Kevin Owens without even being pinned, the recently heel-turned Dudley Boyz — apparently still close with Lesnar’s advocate Paul Heyman — decided to show off their new attitude by taking down both of the former Shield brothers, setting up the main event for tonight’s episode of WWE SmackDown. While SmackDown spoilers are currently available, a spoiler-free preview follows. In addition to Brock Lesnar confronting his Fastlane opponents, the League of Nations face off against Kalisto and friends in a Six-Man Tag Team Match, and Sasha Banks, Chris Jericho, and Charlotte all see action as well.

Following the spoiler-free match list, a deeper look into WWE’s official SmackDown preview is presented. This episode of WWE Thursday Night SmackDown airing on the USA Network on February 18 was taped in Ontario, California, on February 16.

  • Michael Cole, Byron Saxton, and Jerry Lawler will be providing commentary for this episode of WWE Thursday Night SmackDown.
  • WWE United States Champion Kalisto, Sin Cara, and Dolph Zigggler vs. The League of Nations (Alberto Del Rio, Sheamus and Rusev) — Six-Man Tag Team Match
  • Sasha Banks vs. Tamina
  • Chris Jericho vs. The Miz
  • WWE Divas Champion Charlotte vs. Natalya
  • The Dudley Boyz vs. Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose
  • Also appearing on SmackDown throughout the episode include the following WWE Superstars: Brock Lesnar, Triple H, Kevin Owens, A.J. Styles, Becky Lynch, The Wyatt Family, Brie Bella, Naomi, and Paul Heyman.

WWE.com’s newly-revamped SmackDown preview highlights five stories, matches, and feuds that the WWE Universe can expect to be furthered on this week’s episode.

The Beast Incarnate returns!

While we’ve seen Brock Lesnar appear on Raw, WrestleMania, and even a WWE Network special from Tokyo within the last year, he hasn’t been on SmackDown in over 12 years. That all changes on the USA Network tonight.

His opponents for WWE Fastlane are competing in the main event against the Dudley Boyz, who have a decades-long relationship with Lesnar’s right-hand man, Paul Heyman. In their final appearance before Fastlane, will the WWE Universe see a physical confrontation?

Will we see Styles vs. Y2J III at WWE Fastlane?

A.J. Styles stepped right into a program with Chris Jericho the night after debuting at Royal Rumble 2016. While The Miz has somehow found himself in the middle of it all, this is the last chance for Y2J and The Phenomenal One to make their rubber match official for Sunday’s PPV.

While Jericho battles The Miz tonight, the WWE Universe waits for Jericho’s acceptance of A.J.’s challenge and the response from Styles.

Will the Wyatt Family remember the titans?

Kane used his signature come-up-from-beneath-the-ring return on Raw, setting up a Six-Man Tag Team Match at WWE Fastlane: The Wyatts against Kane, Ryback, and Big Show.

Bray Wyatt is almost certain to give another cryptic promo tonight regarding the Wyatt Family’s opponents on Sunday. After they deal with the big men on Sunday, what does WWE have in store for Bray and his minions at WrestleMania 32?

Which Divas conflict will bring chaos to SmackDown?

There are two WWE Divas matches set for Sunday’s event on the WWE Network. Charlotte defends the WWE Divas Championship against Brie Bella, while Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch team up to face Naomi and Tamina in a tag match.

Charlotte is in action tonight (with Brie Bella in the building) and Sasha Banks faces Tamina (with Lynch and Naomi in the building). Which female feud will get most out of hand tonight?

Six Superstars usher in life in the Fastlane

On Sunday, WWE Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens defends his title against Dolph Ziggler, while WWE United States Champion Kalisto grants Alberto Del Rio his contractually-guaranteed rematch.

Three of those four men are officially part of the six-man bout on tonight’s SmackDown, and Kevin Owens rarely remains quiet when a future opponent is featured on WWE programming.

Where To Watch

USA airs WWE Thursday Night SmackDown at 8/7c. While they are not made available on the WWE Network for several weeks after they air on USA, replays of WWE SmackDown are made available on-demand with a Hulu Plus subscription starting Friday.

[Image via WWE]

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