Top SmackDown Backstage Rumors: Sister Abigail plans; Goldberg return; Major twist in Bray Wyatt/Strowman story; Jeff Hardy's future (14th August)

Welcome to another edition of the top SmackDown backstage rumors that could have a major impact. With SummerSlam fast approaching, SmackDown is all set to deliver a solid show for the fans.

Last week on SmackDown we saw things heat up between The Fiend, Braun Strowman and Alexa Bliss. We will hopefully get some answ ers as to what Alexa Bliss' role in the feud really is. We will talk about about the various rumors circulating in regards to the future of the Bray Wyatt/Braun Strowman saga.

Talking about SummerSlam, we will also discuss a big possible title match that will be taking place at the biggest party of the summer involving two top SmackDown Superstars.

So without further ado, let us jump right in:

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#5 Original plans for Sister Abigail in WWE

WWE has been teasing fans with the involvement of Alexa Bliss in the Bray Wyatt/ Braun Strowman storyline on SmackDown as of late. Bliss appeared as Sister Abigail during the Swamp Fight between Wyatt and Strowman at Extreme Rules: Horror Show.

While it looks like Bliss will be involved with The Fiend in some fashion or the other - possibly even turning into Sister Abigail, former Wyatt Family member Erick Rowan revealed that Sister Abigail was not supposed to be a person as per original plans.

While speaking to SportsKeeda's Stephanie Chase, Erick Redbeard talked about the Sister Abigail character. Here is what he said:

"Sister Abigail was never supposed to be any person."

While Braun Strowman claimed that he did not care for Alexa Bliss on SmackDown, we saw a rather peculiar moment where Alexa Bliss was seen caressing The Fiend's mask before he tried to give her another mandible claw.

From the looks of it, it is probable that Alexa Bliss might join The Fiend soon.

#4 Is SmackDown Superstar Goldberg planning to return?

WWE legend Goldberg was last seen in action at WrestleMania 36 defending the Universal Championship against Braun Strowman. Goldberg had returned to SmackDown after a long hiatus and challenged The Fiend for the top prize at Super Show-Down.

The former WCW World Champion managed to beat SmackDown Superstar Bray Wyatt at the Saudi Show and was set to put over Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 36. However, SmackDown's Roman Reigns pulled out of WrestleMania at the last-minute and was replaced by Braun Strowman.

There have been some rumors that Goldberg may return to WWE again and is not retired yet. Here is what Goldberg told American Monster Productions:

“You want to leave at the top, right? You want to leave the biggest, baddest son of a bitch, period. But guess what? My thought process changed when I became a guy that’s 50 years old that can still do this shit. I used to talk about Ric Flair being over 40 and how goofy he was wrestling. Now I’m 53 right now and I just got done, that’s ridiculous. The fact is, the way I look at it now, there is me then and there is me now, and show me another 53 year old dude who can do it. Give me a month, the guys only give me three weeks every time anyway, give me an extra week, give me a month, I’ll show you what I can look like. Not many people can do that at 53 years old with a lot of things contributing to it, mainly injuries, especially what I’ve been through.”

#3 WWE planning a major twist in Strowman/Wyatt feud on SmackDown?

Things keep getting weirder each week on SmackDown with the feud between Braun Strowman and Bray Wyatt. Last week we saw Alexa Bliss patiently sitting inside the ring, waiting for The Fiend to attack her.

The Fiend, however, could not bring himself to give the mandible claw to Alexa Bliss on SmackDown who started caressing Fiend's mask right before he was about to give her the claw.

What was even more surprising was that Braun Strowman made his first appearance on SmackDown after 'drowning' in the Swamp Fight. The Monster Among Men said that he does not care about Alexa Bliss and is only interested in destroying The Fiend.

Wade Keller of PWTorch stated on his podcast that Strowman's behaviour was not that of the top babyface. By not coming to the aid of his friend Alexa Bliss and showing disconcern. It is likely that a major twist is coming as The Monster Among Men Braun Strowman is turning into a darker character than the white-meat babyface he was earlier.

#2 Could Braun Strowman have an ulterior motive for his statement on SmackDown?

As discussed earlier, Braun Strowman stated that he did not care about Alexa Bliss on SmackDown. While this could certainly mean that The Monster has shed all of his humanity and is going to bring a dark character to SmackDown now, Tom Colohue speculated that it could just be a tactic by Strowman to remove the leverage that The Fiend has.

Tom Colohue stated that it is possible that the reason why Strowman aced indifferent towards his former tag team partner Alexa Bliss on SmackDown is that he wanted The Fiend to believe him so he doesn't hurt The Goddess.

"I think it's the option that almost nobody has almost picked up on. I think Braun is lying. I think Braun is lying to try and encourage the Fiend to let Alexa Bliss go. It's the standard negotiating tactic. Take away the leverage. He has something you want. Okay, make him let her go, because if you don't care about her, what benefit is there to the Fiend of keeping control of Alexa Bliss. None whatsoever. I think Braun is just lying in an attempt to have her released, or I'd imagine this week or next week coming back and essentially admitting the fact that he wants her back, but at the same point, he never had her to begin with. And this is confusing thing of all for me. They haven't established an actual relationship between Braun Strowman and Alexa Bliss.''

#1 Major plans for Jeff Hardy's future on SmackDown

SmackDown Superstar Jeff Hardy finally got redemption after he won his Bar Fight match against Sheamus after months of humiliation at the hands of the Celtic Warrior. While Sheamus seems to have moved on to a feud with Baron Corbin, things look uncertain for the Charismatic Enigma.

PWInsider has noted that Jeff Hardy is in line for an Intercontinental Championship match against AJ Styles at SummerSlam. Here is what Cagesideseats stated:

PW Insider says current plans call for AJ Styles to defend the Intercontinental championship against Jeff Hardy at SummerSlam.

AJ Styles vs Jeff Hardy will be a spectacular match as both men are not only veterans in WWE but former WWE Champions as well. With Jeff Hardy's contract coming close, it is likely that WWE is giving the SmackDown Superstar a push in order for him to say with the company.

It is also possible that he will just be used for a filler feud before Styles goes on a lengthy program with someone like Big E or Matt Riddle.