Due to an injury Edge suffered during the Mardi Gras angle on last week's SmackDown, the champion will be forced to miss ring time.

Edge has apparently not yet decided whether he is going to pursue surgery or try to heal the torn pectoral in rehab, but either course of action will result in time away from the ring.

Consequently, he is expected to drop his WWE World Heavyweight Championship at tonight's WWE SmackDown! taping.

The plan is for a new champion to be crowned via a Battle Royal on tonight's show; the winner will make his first defense at the Great American Bash.