Top WWE Raw Star Planned For SmackDown Taping

One of the top stars on Monday Night Raw may pop up on the season premiere of Friday Night SmackDown for the show's return to the USA Network.

According to Mike Johnson of PWInsider, World Heavyweight Champion Gunther is scheduled to make an appearance at tonight's taping of SmackDown. If Gunther will appear during the live broadcast or simply in a dark segment is unknown, however. Gunther previously wrestled in dark matches at the August 16 and August 30 tapings of SmackDown.

WWE have loaded up the card for SmackDown's return to the USA Network and the show will open with a Steel Cage Match for the Undisputed WWE Championship between Cody Rhodes and Solo Sikoa. Kevin Owens and a mystery partner will also take on Grayson Waller and Austin Theory, while the long-running programme between Andrade and Carmelo Hayes will continue.

Friday Night SmackDown moves back to the USA Network as part of a $1.4 billion multi-year deal. The show had aired on Fox for the past five years. USA Network will air all of WWE's main roster programming until the end of the year, including Raw which will be a two-hour series from October 7 until December 30.