WWE Daily

WrestleMania XXIV is in the books, but the land of SmackDown is experiencing lingering effects from the grand event that point to an epic war at Backlash on Sunday, April 27. This week, there could be an international incident when SmackDown travels across the pond to the United Kingdom.

Ever since Undertaker defeated Edge at WrestleMania XXIV to become the new World Heavyweight Champion, SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero has thrown all kinds of challenges his way. Last Friday on SmackDown, it was the corn-fed colossus, Festus. (Read more)

Tuesday night on ECW on Sci Fi, however, The Deadman took a detour to the Land of the Extreme, as he and brother Kane - who Guerrero has also thrown in The Phenom’s path - teamed up for the first time ever in ECW to topple WWE Tag Team Champions John Morrison and The Miz. (Read more)

This Friday, however, the GM has ordered Undertaker to face another formidable opponent The Phenom is all too familiar with – Batista.

In their last one-on-one encounter, The Animal defeated The Deadman in a Hell in a Cell Match at Survivor Series 2007. (Read more) Both men will be looking to gain momentum for their major Backlash battles, but The Animal also knows that a win over The Phenom would please VIckie Guerrero and possibly put him in line for another title opportunity.

But before Batista faces Undertaker, he will be a special guest on Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho’s Highlight Reel to kick off Friday Night SmackDown. On the last edition of Jericho’s Highlight Reel on Raw, HBK delivered some hard-hitting Sweet Chin Music to the champion. Now that Y2J has been named the special referee in the HBK vs. Batista match at Backlash, what could be in store when he brings the Highlight Reel to Friday night?

Two of the biggest Superstars in the world – Big Show and Mark Henry – are set to do battle in a match this Friday on SmackDown. Last Friday, Big Show dropped The Great Khali with a knockout punch after rejecting the Punjabi giant’s Peace Offering. With Big Show on the warpath to facing the Punjabi giant at Backlash, what kind of battle will we see when he collides with the World’s Strongest Man?

Things are shaking up in the land of Divas now that Natalya Neidhart is in the fray. In her SmackDown debut, Natalya delivered a vicious beating to Michelle McCool. (Watch)A week later on SmackDown, Natalya distracted McCool, causing her to lose to Victoria. (WATCH) Now that Natalya and Victoria appear to have formed an alliance, what will the rest of the Divas have to say about it?

As the SmackDown Superstars get ready for all out war at Backlash, witness all of the planning on Friday Night SmackDown at 8/7 CT on The CW Network.

Also, don’t forget that this coming Monday, the King of the Ring Tournament returns on Raw. Superstars from all three brands will be competing in this prestigious tournament, which has been won by such greats as Edge, Triple H and Stone Cold. Will one of SmackDown’s own bring the crown to Friday nights? To find out, tune in to a special three-hour Raw this coming Monday, 8/7 CT on USA Network.