This weeks’ episode of Smackdown Live takes place in Indianapolis. WWE has announced that there will be two qualifying matches on the show. This will be for the WWE World Cup Tournament that will be taking place at the Crown Jewel event in Saudi Arabia.
The first match announced was the Big Show vs Randy Orton. Here is what WWE posted:
“With the WWE World Cup beginning to come into focus for WWE Crown Jewel, several big Qualifying Matches will begin to take place … some real big.
Yes, Big Show will return to SmackDown LIVE this week to take on Randy Orton on the blue brand.
Will The World’s Largest Athlete be able to shake off any ring rust and defeat the vicious Viper as he tries to advance in this world event at the Saudi Arabia pay-per-view? Or, will The Apex Predator strike first and take down Big Show and advance on in this international event?”
The second match announced was Samoa Joe vs Jeff Hardy. Here is what WWE posted:
“Jeff Hardy is back and has his eyes set on the WWE World Cup at WWE Crown Jewel … but his Qualifying Match will be anything but a tune-up as he squares off against a none-too-pleased Samoa Joe.
The Charismatic Enigma will be looking to make a declarative statement to the WWE Universe as he competes in his first match since the scary incident that saw him land hard through a table and have to be stretchered out at WWE Hell in a Cell. The Samoan Submission Machine will also be aiming to reset and move forward after his (literally) brutal defeat to AJ Styles in the WWE Title Match at WWE Super Show-Down.
Which Superstar will begin to carve out a new path towards potential WWE World Cup glory? Find out this Tuesday night”
On a related note, here are 24 countries that could be represented in the WWE World Cup (if WWE wanted).