A top WWE superstar has been replaced in a major match on tonight’s episode of SmackDown.
The blue brand is putting on an action packed show from Lyon, France over a year after delivering one of wrestling’s most exciting live crowds at Backlash 2024.
Tonight, Piper Niven was set to team up with her Secret Hervice partner Alba Fyre against Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair for the Women’s Tag Team Championships.
Unfortunately, in a post at 6pm UK time general manager Nick Aldis confirmed she is ‘unavailable’ for the event and won’t be wrestling on tonight’s show.
Instead, her and Alba’s leader Chelsea Green will step in to challenge for the gold in front of the capacity crowd 48 hours before this weekend’s Clash In Paris premium live event.
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Piper is yet to comment on her absence from the show, and it’s not known if she’s been pulled due to injury or another reason.
In another late change to the show, underdog Michin is hoping to earn herself a Women’s United States Title match against Giulia, but it won’t be that easy.
First, she’ll have to go through the champion’s representative Kiana James in the star’s main roster debut to land herself a future opportunity at the gold.
Elsewhere, John Cena is set to appear in Lyon for the first time, while the men’s United States Championship is on the line with Solo Sikoa defending against former Bloodline ally Sami Zayn.
In the men’s tag team ranks, the Street Profits’ Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford will face Melo Don’t Miz for a future shot at the Wyatt Sicks.
After tonight, WWE moves to the French capital with Clash In Paris on Sunday, followed by Monday Night Raw also in the City of Love, with John Cena facing Logan Paul in the main event this weekend.
Roman Reigns will face Bronson Reed, while Sheamus and Rusev will fight in a Good Old Fashioned Donnybrook Match.
The Women’s Intercontinental Championship will be on the line with Becky Lynch defending against Nikki Bella, and Seth Rollins puts the World Heavyweight Title up for grabs against Sami Zayn, Jey Uso and LA Knight.
WWE SmackDown airs live tonight at 7pm on Netflix.
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