3 Hints WWE dropped on the first SmackDown of the year (3 January 2020)

Delivering an astounding show this week, WWE started the year on a positive note. While SmackDown had a number of fantastic matches, the returns of some big names were the biggest takeaways from the first show of the year.

John Morrison, who re-signed for the company last month, appeared on SmackDown, coming out from The Miz's locker room after the latter was beaten by Kofi Kingston. After taking shots at SmackDown locker room for weeks, Sheamus finally returned to the squared circle and assaulted Chad Gable. The Usos also returned and helped Roman Reigns in the main event of the night. Elsewhere on the show, Braun Strowman beat Cesaro in a singles match, while Lacey Evans and Dana Brooke picked up a huge win in a triple threat tag team match.

In this article, we talk about three hints WWE dropped on the Blue Brand this week.

#3 The Usos will be new back-ups for Roman Reigns

A colossal tag team match took place in the main event of the night, and it had a couple of twists. Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns teamed up to lock horns with the bad guys, Baron Corbin and Dolph Ziggler. The match didn't just have interference but also saw a big return.

The Usos, the former Tag Team Champions, returned after a long time, rescuing Roman Reigns from Baron Corbin and Dolph Ziggler, who were attempting to humiliate the Big Dog again. With the return of Jimmy and Jey, WWE hinted possible back-ups for Roman Reigns, considering how the later has been outnumbered in this feud, costing him two matches against King Corbin.

When The New Day teamed up with Reigns a few weeks ago, it looked like the Big Dog got new back-ups, but that did not fly. However, The Bloodline worked as a team before, and The Usos are likely to play a major role in this feud.

#2 WWE doesn't have major plans for Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross heading into Royal Rumble

A random triple threat tag team women's match took place on SmackDown this week, as the team of Sasha Banks & Bayley faced Lacey Evans & Dana Brook, and Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross. While Brooke and Evans were already having a feud with the heel duo, Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross weren't part of it until this week.

Having taken a hiatus, Alexa Bliss came back to the company a few weeks ago. Bliss, however, hasn't been on SmackDown regularly nor has a major storyline. The same can be applied to Bliss's former tag-team partner, Nikki Cross, who hasn't been involved in a serious rivalry.

Bliss and Cross are unlikely to stay in the rivalry between Banks & Bayley and Evans & Brooke, as it makes little sense. Moreover, it is feasible that Evans will challenge Bayley for the SmackDown Women's Title. With no major feud before heading to Royal Rumble, Bliss and Cross might participate in the Women's Royal Rumble match. Being a five-time Women's Champion, The Goddess will be a favourite to win the Women's Royal Rumble this year.

#1 The New Day have new challengers

The Miz was involved in the Universal Championship storyline, but he will not be part of the storyline after losing the triple threat match last week. The A-Lister wrestled the former WWE Champion as well as on half of the current SmackDown Tag Team Champions, Kofi Kingston. It was a great match, but The Miz lost the bout.

A shocking incident took place after the match when The Miz tried attacking Kingston and indicated a heel turn. However, Big E prevented The Miz from doing any significant damage. With the heel turn of The Miz, it is clear that he has started a new feud with The New Day, who are babyfaces.

The Miz can't take on the SmackDown Tag Team Champions alone, and hence, his possible tag team partner was hinted on SmackDown this week. When Cathy Kelly was proceeding to take an interview of The Miz; John Morrison, a former tag team partner of The Miz, came out of his room, showing signs of a possible reunion. Returning to the company after a gap of eight years, Morrison could align with his former tag team partner, and they might challenge The New Day for a SmackDown Tag Team Championship match at Royal Rumble.