The first episode of WWE SmackDown aired all the way back in 1999, and here we are today in 2018 and the blue brand is still going strong. Tuesday night, fans and performers -- past and present -- can celebrate a milestone for the SmackDown brand with the SmackDown 1,000 show set to air live from the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. 1,000 episodes is a difficult feat to accomplish, so the recognition is certainly well deserved. Current storylines may somewhat take a backseat on this week's SmackDown Live, much as they did at the beginning of this year during the 25th anniversary of Raw, but the nostalgia will be out in full force. There is a slew former SmackDown staples set to make appearances on the SmackDown 1000 episode, headlined by The Undertaker, a legendary name that's been synonymous with the blue brand throughout its amazing run. One of the other returning former SmackDown stars will not just be making a one-off appearance on the show, rather he'll be beginning what will likely be one final full-time run with the company. Rey Mysterio heads back to WWE on a new two-year deal, and he'll face off with Shinsuke Nakamura in a World Cup qualifying match. Big fan of WWE? Subscribe to our podcast -- In This Corner with Brian Campbell -- where we go in depth on everything you need to know in WWE each week. Let's have a look at some of those names we'll set to see make their presences felt Tuesday night during SmackDown 1000, with all either rumored or confirmed. WWE SmackDown 1000 returns The Undertaker Evolution -- Ric Flair, Triple H & Dave Bautista Kane Edge Rey Mysterio Mark Henry Teddy Long Michelle McCool Torrie Wilson Vickie Guerrero James Ellsworth Now here's a look at how you can watch the historic SmackDown 1000 episode that airs live Tuesday evening. WWE SmackDown 1000 viewing information Date: Tuesday, Oct. 16 Location: Capital One Arena -- Washington, D.C. WWE SmackDown 1000: 8 p.m. ET on USA Network & USA Live Be sure to check back Tuesday night at 8 p.m. ET as CBS Sports will be providing live coverage during SmackDown 1000.<doc-sep>Ron Elkman/Sports Imagery/Getty Images Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is one of the biggest movie stars in the world, but WWE is reportedly attempting to convince him to make some room in his busy schedule. According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Raj Giri of WrestlingInc.com), WWE is trying to get The Rock to appear on the 1,000th episode of SmackDown on Oct. 16. SmackDown 1000 figures to feature many WWE legends, and The Rock is a logical target given SmackDown is named after one of his most famous catchphrases. The Rock was a key part of getting the blue brand off the ground in 1999, and there is perhaps no Superstar more synonymous with the blue brand than him. WWE has already announced that Triple H, Batista, Randy Orton and Ric Flair will reunite as Evolution on the landmark show in Washington, D.C. The 46-year-old Rock is a 10-time world champion under the WWE umbrella, and although he is no longer a full-time active wrestler, he main-evented both WrestleMania 28 and WrestleMania 29 against John Cena. Most recently, The Rock appeared at WrestleMania 32 in 2016 and defeated Erick Rowan in an impromptu match. Video Play Button Videos you might like SmackDown 1000 will air on Oct. 16 at 8 p.m. ET on USA Network. Listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot wrestling topics. Catch the latest episode in the player below (warning: some language NSFW).<doc-sep>The latest episode of WWE SmackDown Live takes place in Washington, DC on Tuesday. This will be the long-awaited 1000th episode of the show, with star names including The Undertaker, Edge, Rey Mysterio and all four members of Evolution advertised to appear. Two World Cup qualifying matches have been confirmed for the episode – Rey Mysterio vs. Shinsuke Nakamura and Rusev vs. The Miz – while we can expect to see further developments in the Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair storyline ahead of WWE Evolution. It is also being advertised that Lynch will face Flair and AJ Styles, Daniel Bryan & Mysterio will join forces against Samoa Joe, The Miz & Nakamura, but those matches are likely to be untelevised. Follow Sportskeeda for the latest WWE news, rumors and all other wrestling news. Elsewhere, the build to Styles vs. Bryan at Crown Jewel is expected to feature prominently, while Aiden English will inevitably continue his recent mind games with Rusev. In this article, let’s take a look at five last-minute predictions for the show. #5 Rey Mysterio vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (World Cup qualifier) This will be Rey Mysterio's first match back in WWE After months of speculation surrounding his future, Rey Mysterio recently signed a full-time deal with WWE. He is already being advertised for multiple live events and matches over the next few weeks, starting with a World Cup qualifier against Shinsuke Nakamura in the featured match of SmackDown 1000. The following names have qualified for the World Cup tournament at Crown Jewel so far: John Cena, Kurt Angle, Jeff Hardy, Randy Orton, Seth Rollins and Dolph Ziggler. Notice anything about them? They are all American! For that reason, it'd be foolish to bet against another American joining the list, so let's go with the returning Mysterio. Prediction: Rey Mysterio def. Shinsuke Nakamura #4 Rusev vs. The Miz (World Cup qualifier) The Miz lost in 145 seconds against Daniel Bryan at Super Show-Down The second World Cup qualifier on the show will see Rusev take on The Miz. Neither man has a huge amount of momentum right now, with Rusev embroiled in the Milwaukee scandal with Aiden English and The Miz making excuses for his 145-second loss to Daniel Bryan at Super Show-Down. It'd be awfully strange to have a World Cup tournament with seven Americans and one Bulgarian, so let's go with The Miz to pick up the win following interference from English. Prediction: The Miz def. Rusev 1 / 4 NEXT<doc-sep>Watch Gallery (Photo by Barry King/Getty Images) UPDATE: The Cutting Edge segment will feature both Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair. It has been confirmed that ‘The Rated R Superstar’ Edge is in attendance at tonight’s Smackdown 1000 TV taping. Edge had previously been advertised for hosting ‘The Cutting Edge’ on tonight’s episode of WWE Smackdown Live, but rumors that he was no longer appearing surfaced once WWE removed ads hyping the segment for the show. Wrestlezone has confirmed that is not the case, as he was spotted sitting with Shane McMahon at catering earlier today. McMahon is still technically in charge as the on-air Commissioner of WWE Smackdown Live, but he has not been advertised as appearing on the show tonight. Both of their roles on the show, if any, are currently unknown at this time. Edge’s Most Iconic Spears Other names advertised for tonight’s show include The Undertaker, Triple H, Randy Orton, Ric Flair and Batista (appearing together as Evolution), Vickie Guerrero, Rey Mysterio, Torrie Wilson and Jerry Lawler. Tonight’s Smackdown 1000 TV taping will take place at the Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. https://www.instagram.com/p/BpAaG9jHXRX/?taken-by=wrestlezonecom WWE Smackdown Preview For 10/16: Mysterio & Undertaker Return, Rusev vs Miz For World Cup Spot<doc-sep>
What's the story? As per PW Insider via cagesideseats.com, Booker T and Big Show have been booked for SmackDown 1000. They also state that if The Rock does feature on the show, it will likely be via video. In case you didn't know... The Rock is not only a Hollywood Superstar but a WWE Legend and multiple time WWE Champion. The Rock has been instrumental in the success of SmackDown and was part of the main event on the first ever episode of Smackdown in 1999. Apart from The Rock, both Big Show and Booker T have been key Superstars in the rise of Smackdown to what it has become today. Booker T reached heights of his popularity when he embodies the King Booker gimmick and even managed to win the World Heavyweight Championship. The heart of the matter WWE is pulling all the stops to make Smackdown 1000 a night to remember. Legendary luchador Rey Mysterio is all set to make his full-time comeback on the show as he squares off against US Champion Shinsuke Nakamura in a dream match. Former multi-time WWE Champions, Edge and Batista are also advertised to be part of the show. It is very much possible that The Rock would himself like to be part of such a historic event, especially for the show he helped bring to the forefront, however, it might be difficult for him to be there live due to prior commitments. What's next? WWE SmackDown 1000 will take place at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, October 16. Would you like to see The Rock make a video appearance or do you think he should have made a live appearance on the show? let us know in the comments Follow Sportskeeda for the latest WWE news, rumors and all other wrestling news.