IC title match, obstacle course set for next week’s WWE SmackDown

An Intercontinental title match — as well as an obstacle course challenge — have been announced for next week’s SmackDown.

Big E will again defend his Intercontinental title against Apollo Crews on SmackDown next Friday. The episode will also feature Bayley and Bianca Belair competing in an obstacle course challenge.

Last week’s SmackDown saw Big E retain his Intercontinental title against Crews. The match had to be restarted after it initially ended in a double pin when Crews gave Big E a superplex. On last week’s Talking Smack, a frustrated Crews said he was demanding a rematch against Big E.

Big E was on commentary while Crews defeated Sami Zayn on SmackDown tonight. Crews got the win after grabbing Zayn’s tights during the pin, which Zayn had tried to do to Crews just seconds earlier. After the match, Crews grabbed Big E’s Intercontinental title. The two had a confrontation, with Crews eventually tossing the title back to Big E and the two exchanging words.

Belair was the guest on the premiere edition of Bayley’s “Ding Dong, Hello!” talk show on SmackDown tonight. Bayley mocked her rival Belair’s “EST” catchphrase throughout the interview and said that she didn’t care about Belair’s past accomplishments. Bayley then issued the challenge for her and Belair to face off in an obstacle court competition on SmackDown next Friday, which Belair accepted.

Bayley and Belair have both declared for this year’s women’s Royal Rumble match. The Royal Rumble is taking place on Sunday, January 31.