3 biggest surprises WWE could be planning on SmackDown Live this week (23 April 2019)

The WWE Superstar Shake-up is over, and Vince McMahon's billion dollar company is looking forward to building new storylines with new superstars on each brand. Superstar Shake-up takes place annually after WrestleMania, and it happened last week on RAW and SmackDown Live.

Both brands had some unforeseen surprises. AJ Styles joined RAW, but it was overshadowed when Roman Reigns became the new member of SmackDown Live. Moreover, the Intercontinental Champion, Finn Balor, was a new arrival from the red brand while Elias also joined the blue brand.

The women's division got a big boost when the former RAW Women's Champion, Bayley, joined SmackDown Live. Along with Bayley, Liv Morgan and Ember Moon are new additions from the flagship show. The former Cruiserweight Champion, Buddy Murphy, got drafted from 205 Live and Kairi Sane was the new name from NXT.

WWE already announced that Kofi Kingston will face Nakamura in a one-on-one bout this week while Charlotte Flair will come face-to-face with Becky Lynch for the first time after the Showcase of Immortals. Roman Reigns could face the consequence after attacking Vince McMahon.

Here we discuss three surprises that might take place on SmackDown Live this week.

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#3 Kairi Sane and Asuka could win the Women's Tag Team Titles

Will we see it this week?

Kairi Sane was a new arrival from NXT this week as Paige introduced Sane and Asuka as her new tag team. The former NXT Women's Champion made a mark on her SmackDown Live debut when she pinned Peyton Royce to win the eight-woman tag team match last week.

The IIconics are the current Women's Tag Team Champions, and they won the twin belts at the Show of Shows by beating three other teams. However, Peyton Royce and Billie Kay have a new threat. Judging by the stature of IIconics in the company, they might not hold the belts for a long time.

The twin belts could change hands if WWE gives a title shot to Asuka and Kairi Sane this week. The current champions defended the titles against local competitors on the SmackDown Live after WrestleMania, but IIconis might crumble against credible opponents like Sane and Asuka.

#2 Charlotte Flair could demand a title shot for the SmackDown Women's Championship

It should be exciting

Becky Lynch won the RAW and SmackDown Women's Championships after beating Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair at the Grandest Stage of Them All. Since the main event of WrestleMania, Lynch, and Charlotte have not come face to face. WWE announced that the two women will have a face-off on SmackDown Live this week and it could become exciting.

Becky Lynch already got a new feud after WrestleMania as Lacey Evans attacked The Man. The Sassy Southern Belle also earned the right to face the champion for the RAW Women's Champion after beating Natalya last week. Considering Lynch is a double champion, she still does not have any challenger for the SmackDown Women's Title.

Though Charlotte lost her SmackDown Women's Title at the Show of Shows, the Queen did not get pinned. The Man pinned Ronda Rousey to win the two belts. Hence, Charlotte could demand a title shot on the blue brand, as Lynch did not manage to pin the eight-time women's champion.

The Queen can face Lynch at Money in the Bank for the SmackDown Women's Championship if the latter agrees to defend the belt.

#1 Nakamura could beat Kofi Kingston

Kofi vs Nakamura

The WWE Champion, Kofi Kingston, and Nakamura will square off in a non-title match on SmackDown Live this week. Kevin Owens, Xavier Woods, and Kofi Kingston took on the team of Cesaro, Nakamura, and Rusev last week. Owens, who is a new member of New Day, pinned Rusev to win the six-man tag team match last week.

Judging by the scenario last week, Vince McMahon's billion dollar company might continue the rivalry. Since Nakamura will face Kofi in a one-on-one bout, we might see a surprise this week. Nakamura might pin the current WWE Champion to make a strong statement.

Nakamura, who is immensely talented, has not been utilized on the main roster. Although he had a promising start after arriving on the main roster, his run has been substandard in the last one year.

Therefore, it could be a perfect opportunity to rejuvenate the King of Strong Style. A victory against the WWE Champion could give him notable momentum, and he could become the next challenger of Kofi. However, a clean loss could hamper Kofi, and we might expect a distraction if Nakamura pins Kofi this week.