It’s time for a reboot! While SmackDown has qualitatively overshadowed Raw over the past year, the Raw after WrestleMania introduced a new set of performers, storylines, and angles (pun intended), making the product feel much fresher. This will be the first SmackDown after Wrestlemania since the previous brand split. Since it is one week prior to what sounds like yet another exchange of wrestlers between the brands, it's almost impossible to predict what will transpire during the episode. However, we can always explore certain possibilities and probable scenarios. Hopefully, this article will satiate your curiosity, leading up to the episode.
#5 What next for AJ Styles?
AJ Styles lost the WWE Championship to John Cena at the Royal Rumble. Since then, he’s never received his one-on-one rematch against the champion. He's been booked in Elimination Chamber Matches, Battle Royals, Number 1 Contender matches and a match against the Commissioner of SmackDown LIVE at WrestleMania. As he reminded Daniel Bryan on Talking Smack, he still has a title shot left against the prevailing champion. Will Styles be booked in a new program against Randy Orton, in that case?
Rumours are rife that AJ Styles may move to Raw as early as next week. Will SmackDown LIVE open with a big time match between Styles and Orton, for the prized WWE Championship? Not only does it ensure that WrestleMania weekend ends with a bang, but it also ascertains that the new year for SmackDown begins with a bang! Plus, it will be a great showcase for the ‘Phenomenal One’ if he is indeed shifting to Raw very soon. Here’s yet another possibility for the top prize scenario, though...
#4 Revenge, retaliation, and interference(?)
Former WWE Champion Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton have been feuding for months now. It is time for both men in question to move on to something else, quite honestly. However, Bray Wyatt does have a title shot left, lest we forget. Will the Eater of Worlds and the Viper settle their differences in the middle of the ring once again, this time with the gold on the line? Considering that it is unlikely that the two men will headline another pay-per-view, will they have their blow-off match on SmackDown LIVE? Will the former brothers conclude this feud, and move on to newer opponents in the future?
We suppose it is possible, and it will make a lot of sense to do the match, especially if Erick Rowan is returning, or Luke Harper interferes in the eventual outcome. Somehow, the war between The Viper and The Eater of Worlds feels far from over.
#3 Will Mojo Rawley stay hype?
Nobody expected Mojo Rawley to win the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal; in fact, a lot of people were disappointed that he eventually prevailed. However, what does this mean for the performer, if it’s not a one-off?
Also read: 5 surprises to expect on the SmackDown LIVE after WrestleMania 33
Does Rawley get a shot at Dean Ambrose’s Intercontinental Championship on SmackDown? Does he team up with another babyface (like say, Apollo Crews) and take on The Usos for the Tag Team Championships to freshen up the division on SmackDown? Will it translate into a feud with someone higher on the totem pole, like The Miz? If it was a one-and-done deal for Mojo, it would really be a crying shame.
#2 Which of the heels will feel the glow?
Naomi had a Wrestlemania moment that rivaled and topped even the one with Mojo Rawley. Picking up a victory in her hometown, she is the current SmackDown LIVE Women’s Champion.
This means that she can now feud with women, who wouldn’t otherwise be in programs with a heel champion like Alexa Bliss, such as Natalya, Carmella, and even Mickie James, even though she has been showing babyface tendencies lately. Who knows? She could even feud with Tamina Snuka or Kelly Kelly, both of whom are rumoured to return very soon. Who will her first challenger be on SmackDown? Will Alexa Bliss challenge Naomi for her prized belt, because of her rematch stipulation?
#1 Call-ups, big returns and a reunion
Raw brought up former NXT Tag Team Champions ‘The Revival’ to the main roster this week, and the crowd went wild. There are many names being speculated for the SmackDown call-up from NXT such as Shinsuke Nakamura, Elias Samson, Andrade ‘Cien' Almas and Tye Dillinger. Moreover, the buzz seems to suggest that Erick Rowan may make his comeback to Smackdown and reunite with Bray Wyatt.
We’re confident that the episode will be filled with surprises all through. We simply cannot wait to tune in, sit back and enjoy the ride.
Smackdown cannot come to our TV sets soon enough!
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