Mickie James backstage at tonight’s SmackDown
Mickie James is backstage at the SmackDown tapings tonight in Memphis, though that doesn’t necessarily mean she will debut on the show.
James had been widely speculated to be the eventual person who would be unmasked as La Luchadora. James was not under the mask on the previous shows with that character, but from the start of the angle it was always supposed to be revealed as her.
After appearing in WWE for the first time since 2010 as Asuka’s opponent at NXT TakeOver: Toronto last year, she signed a deal to return to the company as a member of the SmackDown roster.
WWE announced that tonight’s show would open with Shane McMahon making a major announcement.
The only other things announced for the show are a cage match with Alexa Bliss vs. Becky Lynch for the women’s title, and a King’s Court interview segment featuring the first appearance by Jerry Lawler since he was let go from the company. Lawler, of course, is the legend of Memphis wrestling.
Dave Meltzer is the founder and lead writer on the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the weekly constant when it comes to news and reviews in pro wrestling and mixed martial arts for more than 40 years. Dave also co-hosts Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and had had bylines for The National, Yahoo Sports, MMA Fighting and others.