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WWE SmackDown Preview (12/9/22): Kurt Angle’s Birthday Celebration, The Usos vs. Sheamus and Butch for Undisputed WWE Tag Titles

Vendetta Sports Media / Professional Wrestling, WWE / December 9, 2022

WWE SmackDown Preview (12/9/22): Kurt Angle’s Birthday Celebration, The Usos vs. Sheamus and Butch for Undisputed WWE Tag Titles

Tonight’s edition of Friday Night SmackDown, from the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, will mark hometown hero Kurt Angle’s return to WWE programming after several months. He’ll be present to celebrate his 54th birthday.

This is Angle’s first appearance since August, when WWE last visited Pittsburgh for an episode of Raw. No further details have been advertised regarding the birthday celebration, leaving the WWE Universe wondering and excited as to how Angle’s night could play out — and who might crash the former WWE Champion’s celebrations.

In addition to Angle’s birthday celebration, The Usos will defend their Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships against The Brawling Brutes — Sheamus and Butch — tonight on SmackDown. Initially, Drew McIntyre was supposed to be Sheamus’ partner for tonight’s tag team title bout. However, the Scottish Warrior has been ruled out of action due to a ruptured eardrum.

The Usos have been defending their titles quite frequently of late. Earlier this week on Raw, Jimmy and Jey successfully retained the gold against Kevin Owens and Matt Riddle. The WWE Universe should expect a similar outcome for tonight as well. However, a title win for The Brawling Brutes is also quite possible. Sheamus has had a career resurgence since the group organically turned face. They have been excellent as a unit this year and if anybody deserves a title win, it’s them.

Elsewhere, Shayna Baszler goes one-on-one with Shotzi (Blackheart) in a singles match. SmackDown Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey and Raquel Rodriguez will be in their corners respectively. Rodriguez seems like the most probable and sensible candidate to challenge The Baddest Woman on the Planet at Royal Rumble. Tonight, will be an attempt at furthering that story.