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  • Top SmackDown Rumors: Major Superstar to use 'backstage pull' to leave? 5-time World Champion responsible for Alex Bliss' poor booking; Details on Heyman/Reigns' true equation (19th Septemeber)
Reigns/Bliss

Top SmackDown Rumors: Major Superstar to use 'backstage pull' to leave? 5-time World Champion responsible for Alex Bliss' poor booking; Details on Heyman/Reigns' true equation (19th Septemeber)

Welcome to another edition of the Top SmackDown Backstage Rumors that could have a major impact. WWE gave the fans another tremendous episode of SmackDown this week and the plot continues to thicken with Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman's new partnership.

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While Heyman also served as the advocate of Brock Lesnar, we have backstage details on how WWE is trying their best to make sure that his dynamic with Roman Reigns is different from the one he had with The Beast Incarnate.

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We will also talk about Braun Strowman's future, the reason behind Mandy Rose being sent to RAW and much more!

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#5 AJ Styles to use his pull to leave SmackDown?

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AJ Styles had moved from RAW to SmackDown as he did not wish to work with Paul Heyman, who was the creative head of the red brand at the time. However, soon after Styles joined SmackDown, Heyman was removed as RAW head.

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Now, Paul Heyman has returned as an on-screen character on SmackDown. Some rumors have claimed that AJ Styles is not happy about this and may be looking to go back to RAW.

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Dave Meltzer of WON has stated that the former WWE Champion could use his backstage pull to get drafted from SmackDown to RAW to avoid Paul Heyman.

Maybe he should have thought about that when he requested to be moved off Raw when he convinced himself that somehow the guy who fired Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows wasn’t the same guy in charge of both Raw and Smackdown. Well, the draft is coming up in October unless they change plans, he should ask to be moved back, and he’s got enough pull that there is a good chance they’ll listen

AJ Styles has been booked strongly on SmackDown so it would not be a wise decision for him to head back to RAW.

#4 How Roman Reigns has affected the booking of Alexa Bliss on SmackDown

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Roman Reigns returned at SummerSlam 2020 and has established himself as the 'Tribal Chief' of SmackDown by becoming the Universal Champion. However, while his return has brought back a lot of enthusiasm, it has also worked against a few Superstars.

It was discussed on Dropkick DiSKcussions how Roman Reigns return led to Alexa Bliss being featured less.

''Well, the Roman return did surprise quite a few people. It was being discussed but didn't actually get confirmed till until very late on so they sort of threw a storyline out of the way as it were. So when it came to Alexa Bliss, there's a reason she wasn't featured at SummerSlam, for example, and she wasn't featured at Payback beyond looking at a tv screen. It was because Roman Reigns had returned that a lot of things changed. ''
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While Bliss did suffer a minor setback, she has again become one of the pivotal characters on SmackDown as her storyline with The Fiend continues to take dark turns every week.

#3 Reason why WWE split SmackDown Superstars Otis and Mandy Rose

One of the hottest storylines on WWE and SmackDown earlier this year was the love saga between Otis and Mandy Rose. However, WWE has announced that Mandy Rose will be drafted from SmackDown to RAW, leaving Otis without his 'peach' on SmackDown.

Dave Meltzer of WON has reported that the idea is for Otis and Mandy Rose to have a 'long-distance' relationship.

''The idea is Otis and Rose are now going to have a long distance relationship given that no world exists in these characters except Monday and Friday night and they aren't allowed to be together.''
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While they might still continue to be a couple in theory, it is obvious that WWE ran its course with the storyline on SmackDown. Also, with Otis again settling into his comedy act, it would have been detrimental for Mandy Rose to be associated with him.

By splitting from Otis, Mandy Rose can now have an independent career and focus on getting a major push for herself.

#2 Booking plans for SmackDown's Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman

Roman Reigns is now associated with Paul Heyman on SmackDown. Dave Meltzer of WON explained how Paul Heyman's relationship with Roman Reigns is different to that with Brock Lesnar.

He stated that in story Paul Heyman is the one indebted to Roman Reigns for bringing him back. He also stated that we shouldn't expect Reigns and Heyman to have a 'buddy' relationship like the one between Heyman and Lesnar.

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''The idea is that everyone knew that while Lesnar was a mercenary, he was also friends with Heyman. He smiled at his promos, laughed at his jokes, and long-time fans knew the relationship dated back to Lesnar’s start on the main roster in 2002. With Reigns it is the opposite. There is no friendship. The idea is that with Reigns, he is completely in charge of the relationship and that, at least in idea, Heyman was done in wrestling with Lesnar gone and had nothing left. ''

The duo has been working great on SmackDown and the storyline has added layers to Reigns' character.

#1 Braun Strowman's future as a SmackDown Superstar

This week on RAW, we saw SmackDown Superstar and former Universal Champion Braun Strowman make his way to RAW Underground. This has led to a lot of speculation on Strowman's future and if he will be permanently moved to the red brand.

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It has been revealed that while Strowman will feature in RAW Underground, he is still very much a SmackDown Superstar. Although there is a chance that he might get moved to the red brand during the draft.

''At the moment, Braun Strowman is still a SmackDown guy. I have reached out and have had that confirmed and RAW Underground is being used as a special non-brand arena right now. It's very possible that come the draft he will be moved but at the moment, it's another case of the company not having anything for someone right now. Shane McMahon has enough room to help someone out, much like he's done with Shayna Baszler in the past.''

The Monster Among Men is a perfect fit for RAW Underground as it is clear that WWE doesn't have plans for him on SmackDown right now.

2 more stars coming from AEW to WWE? More details right here

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Edited by
Atharva Papnoi
 
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