WWE SmackDown: Potential Spoilers, News and Preview for Dec. 13 - Bleacher Report

The Dec. 13 episode of WWESmackDown will revel in the magic of beginnings. 

The Miz has dispatched his archenemy and now awaits a new foe. The opening chapters of a rivalry between Nikki Bella and Natalya promise to be part of the show.

The Wyatt Family's reign as SmackDown tag team champions is in its early stages, and the Bray Wyatt-led clan looks poised to reign over the blue brand.

SmackDown doesn't have a pay-per-view to build toward for the moment. The Royal Rumble is still a good seven weeks away on Jan. 29.

That will free up WWE's creative team to explore fresh stories and take its time in stirring up bad blood between new enemies. SmackDown's run of beating out Raw in terms of compelling narratives should continue. 

A WWE Championship match and a comedian are on the docket for SmackDown's trip to the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. The SmackDown preview on WWE.com, injury updates and storyline analysis offer hints at what else to expect.

Tuesday's show will kick off at 8 p.m. ET on the USA Network.

          

On Tap

James Ellsworth will get his crack at AJ Styles.

The chinless warrior earned a WWE Championship opportunity by besting Styles in a ladder match weeks ago. Styles' bad ankle delayed the bout last Tuesday. 

And now SmackDown is a three-count away from delivering the unimaginable. A guy who started out as a jobber to Braun Strowman could be WWE champ.

Normally, Ellsworth would have Dean Ambrose in his corner, but the underdog turned on his buddy at the Tables, Ladders & Chairs PPV on Dec. 4. He'll be on his own, the ultimate long shot looking to claim WWE's ultimate prize.

SmackDown is also set to welcome a special guest. California-born comedian Gabriel Iglesias, also known as Fluffy, is headed to the blue brand:

Iglesias is a passionate pro wrestling fan who produced a mock auditon for WWE Tough Enough last year. The funny man has some new projects to plug, so expect some self-promotion between any comedy bits.

           

News, Potential Spoilers

Styles may be healthy enough to wrestle, but WWE is being cautious with the world champ.

Dave Meltzer noted for Figure Four Online that Styles was "off the Smackdown weekend shows." The Phenomenal One hasn't stepped into the ring since the TLC PPV, where he injured his ankle.

We could see Styles hold back against Ellsworth on Tuesday, or it could be more of a comedy match to ease him back into action.

The Miz, who is now in need of a challenger for his Intercontinental Championship, has added an enemy. The self-proclaimed A-lister has been bickering with NXT's Tye Dillinger.

Dillinger has issued challenges to the champ, and The Miz has responded with disdain:

That could just be two guys staying true to their characters on Twitter or the hint of a feud to come. Dillinger has been due for a call-up to the main roster.

           

SmackDown Streaks

Baron Corbin has been on a tear.

WWE looks to be setting up The Lone Wolf as a future title contender. On last week's SmackDown, he bowled over Kalisto to extend a recent successful stretch.

According to CageMatch.net, Corbin has won his last three singles matches on SmackDown. He is 7-3 in his last 10 bouts overall.

This points to Corbin's continued climb up the SmackDown ladder. The blue brand's top champions are both heels, though, which makes it unlikely that Corbin will challenge for either the IC or WWE title right now.

The Ascension certainly isn't thinking about championship gold. The duo would likely settle for a victory of any kind.

Viktor and Konnor dropped their latest match to The Hype Bros. That marked The Ascension's fourth defeat in a row, as seen on CageMatch.net. Beyond that, the former NXT tag team champs are 1-13 since July's draft.

WWE clearly has no plans for The Ascension other than making them perennial doormats.

           

New Rivalries on the Horizon

The SmackDown preview asked, "Is there any tandem on SmackDown Live who will dare challenge the Wyatts?" 

Since joining forces, Wyatt and Randy Orton have looked unstoppable. They blasted Heath Slater and Rhyno at TLC to win the SmackDown tag titles. In their rematch two days later, The Wyatt Family dominated once more.

There is now no clear No. 1 contender waiting to step up. American Alpha would have to score a win or two to claim that spot. The Hype Bros are dark horses to challenge the champs.

The battle to be The Wyatt Family's next foes promises to be a major focus of Tuesday's SmackDown.

The mystery of who attacked Bella should get some attention, too. Carmella has claimed that Natalya attacked The Fearless One at Survivor Series. Natalya denied the allegation on last week's SmackDown.

The three women didn't look to settle this situation peacefully. Animosity spilled over last Tuesday as Natalya pounced on Carmella.

Are we headed for a three-way rivalry? Will the truth emerge? 

Regardless of what happens, this is a great chance to provide Natalya with some direction and character depth.

She's been saddled with one-dimensional shticks for too long. The company should dump her recent habit of quoting pop lyrics and show the former Divas champion to be a desperate veteran frustrated by the New Era passing her by.

The Miz has been a revelation as a braggart, underhanded champion. WWE is now in the process of figuring out who will be his next foil.

The IC champ knocked off Dolph Ziggler seemingly for the final time at TLC. The Miz then successfully defended his title against Dean Ambrose last Tuesday.

The SmackDown preview asked the question now on everyone's mind: "So who will be the next Superstar to try and knock The A-Lister into a B-List column?"

The IC title scene is far from clear, but WWE has options. Apollo Crews has been idle for weeks, and WWE needs to find a way to showcase him. Ambrose and The Miz had chemistry the company should tap into at some point. 

The one certainty is that a new feud awaits The Miz as the New Year approaches.

He thrived against Ziggler. It will be fun to see him trade shots with whoever steps up next.

SUMBER

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