3 Hints WWE dropped on this week's SmackDown (29th November 2019) 

There are some things that WWE basically tells you through the course of an episode, but there are some things that are revealed through specific things that WWE Superstars do or not do.

This week's SmackDown was actually a good show, with some particular aspects being mind-blowing. Every segment involving The Fiend Bray Wyatt on this week's episode was on a different level altogether, not so much in terms of wrestling action but in terms of storytelling and building a feud.

One thing is for sure, SmackDown is The Fiend's house and he is the face of the Blue brand and the very fact that Vince McMahon has given The Fiend his customized Universal Championship tells you everything there is to know.

Among other things, Roman Reigns' feud with Baron Corbin is old news now, while Lacey Evans seems to be the next in line for a SmackDown Women's Championship opportunity. Two more important things that happened on this week's episode were the return of Elias and Sheamus.

With all of the above things in mind, let's take a look at the three hints WWE dropped on this week's show:

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#3 Braun Strowman has fallen down the pecking order

Braun Strowman

Due to some lackluster feuds over the past couple of months, Braun Strowman has seriously fallen down the pecking order, so much so that he didn't get any screentime this week.

The Monster Among Men is all set to face The Fiend Bray Wyatt for the Universal Championship at WWE Starrcade this Sunday in a Steel Cage Match but this match wasn't supposed to happen. The Miz was replaced by Strowman and that might have been done to protect the A-Lister, which tells you that Vince doesn't care if Strowman eats another pin.

Braun, upon his return to the Blue brand, should be booked in a manner that he deserves but will that be done? Only time will tell.

#2 Bayley's confidence is hurt after the Survivor Series loss

Bayley and Evans

The segment between Sasha Banks, Lacey Evans, and Bayley was a brilliant piece of storytelling. There was one part which some might have definitely missed.

During the promo exchange, Evans hit The Boss with a Woman's Right but what happened afterwards was very interesting. Bayley, seeing her best friend knocked out, didn't do anything.

She just stood there, in two minds and even when Lacey turned her back on the SmackDown Women's Champion, Bayley hesitated and attended to Banks. Leaving their opponents unscathed is not what most heels do but Bayley did that.

This segment and Bayley's expressions clearly conveyed that the SmackDown Women's Champion is hurting after the Survivor Series loss and it's great that WWE is exploring this angle.

Furthermore, it will be interesting to see how Banks reacts after Bayley did nothing to Evans. Keep your eyes peeled for a Banks turn, which is just around the corner.

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#1 Shinsuke Nakamura might not defend his Intercontinental Championship at TLC

Shinsuke Nakamura

The Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura hasn't defended his title for quite some time now and it seems we might not see him defend the newly designed Intercontinental Championship at TLC.

With only two weeks to go for TLC, which is scheduled to happen on the 16th of December, WWE hasn't given the WWE Universe any hints on who will be the next in line for the Intercontinental Championship.

Instead, Nakamura and Cesaro challenged for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles this week on SmackDown against The New Day, which the former team didn't win, of course. There is a chance that we might see a TLC Match for the United States Championship at the next PPV but the same cannot be said for SmackDown's mid-card title.

Not really sure how having Nakamura not defend his Intercontinental Championship does any good, but that is something only Vince McMahon can explain.