WWE Smackdown 22nd September: IYO Sky vs. Asuka For WWE Women’s Championship, Bloodline Awaits John Cena

The Friday Night edition is all set to go live from the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, AZ on September 22, 2023.

Asuka will have her chance to win back the WWE Women’s Championship as she faces IYO SKY on this week’s episode of “WWE SmackDown” on September 22. This exciting news was revealed during last Friday’s episode of “SmackDown,” exactly two weeks ago.

At WWE SummerSlam, Asuka lost her WWE Women’s Championship. In a Triple Threat title match, Bianca Belair emerged as the new champion, defeating both Asuka and Charlotte Flair. But Belair’s reign didn’t last long, as SKY used her Money in the Bank contract to seize the title right then and there.

Just a little while ago, SKY successfully defended her championship against Zelina Vega on the August 25 episode of WWE SmackDown.

During the previous episode, Asuka made a surprise appearance near the timekeeper’s area. She grabbed SKY’s championship while Dakota Kai was holding it, causing a distraction that led to Shotzi and Flair defeating Damage CTRL. After the match, Asuka and SKY had a tense encounter, with Asuka throwing the championship at SKY’s feet. Following this, Asuka declared backstage that their match would take place on “SmackDown” rather than at the upcoming Fastlane premium live event.

It’s worth noting that Asuka and SKY were once a tag team in Japan about a decade ago but have never competed against each other in singles competition, except for an untelevised match at a WWE house show in 2022. SKY won the title at SummerSlam after Belair’s victory over Asuka in a triple-threat match involving Flair.

The big question is, will The Genius of the Sky be prepared to take on Asuka? Or is “SmackDown” on the verge of witnessing another reign for The Empress of Tomorrow?

Additionally, for this week’s SmackDown, John Cena has been announced.

Last week, John Cena had a face-off with his former adversary, The Rock, who has now become his friend. Cena also made a memorable appearance on “The Grayson Waller Effect” and confronted Jimmy Uso in the ring. However, Uso grabbed the microphone from Cena’s hand and ordered him to leave “his” ring. This led to Solo Sikoa, accompanied by Paul Heyman, entering the scene.

Sikoa faced off with Cena while Uso pumped up the crowd. Sikoa briefly attacked his brother but then opted to superkick Cena. As Sikoa and Uso started assaulting Cena, AJ Styles rushed to the ring to help. Cena delivered his signature move, the Five Knuckle Shuffle, to Uso and attempted the Attitude Adjustment, but Sikoa intervened just in time.

Cena and AJ Styles stood tall together, reminding everyone of their iconic rivalry.

The entire Bloodline is waiting for Cena this week on SmackDown. What will happen when Cena takes the microphone and steps into the ring? Could there be interference from The Bloodline?

To find out the answers to all these questions, make sure to tune in to Friday Night SmackDown at 8/7 C on FOX.