'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The WWE Draft is now finished and with its conclusion the SmackDown and RAW rosters are now clearly established. Furthermore, WWE also announced that the Wild Card Rule will be scrapped in favor of a return to a genuine brand split.
Last week, SmackDown hosted the first half of the draft, adding a number of big names from RAW including Bray Wyatt, Braun Strowman, and Sasha Banks. A huge title match took place on the Blue brand last week, as Charlotte Flair lost the SmackDown Women's Title to Bayley, who put her new heel personality on public display. Cain Velasquez and Brock Lesnar hyped their match with an intense segment and The New Day defeated The OC in a Six-Man Tag Team Match.
Tonight's episode of SmackDown will be held at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Here we discuss three things WWE could be planning on SmackDown this week.
#3 Ali joins Team Hogan
Besides the singles matches, two gigantic tag team matches are scheduled to take place at Crown Jewel. This includes Tag Team Turmoil, a match featuring nine tag teams with the winner taking home the prestigious World Cup. The tag team action doesn't stop there. A 10-Man Tag Team Match is also set between Ric Flair's team and Hulk Hogan's team.
A total of five Superstars will represent Team Hogan and five other Superstars will be part of Team Flair. Two Superstars have been announced for Team Hogan thus far: Rusev and Ricochet. While Seth Rollins was previously announced as the captain of Team Hogan, he is no longer part of the match and will instead focus on The Fiend. Randy Orton, Baron Corbin, Nakamura, and Bobby Lashley have been officially announced as members of Team Flair.
Ali is still a SmackDown Superstar and a babyface with enormous potential. The former Cruiserweight Superstar was in the Intercontinental Title picture, but failed to capture the gold. How could creative use him next? Given the fact that there are a total of three vacant spots on Team Hogan, Ali could be announced as the team's third member tonight on SmackDown.
#2 Alexa Bliss turns on Nikki Cross
Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross were drafted to RAW last Friday, but WWE eventually traded them to SmackDown. Given the success of Bliss and Cross, the two Superstars could prove to be huge assets for the SmackDown Women's Division, especially considering Charlotte Flair's departure left such a huge void.
Bliss and Cross have been impressive since forming their team. They went on to win the Women's Tag Team Titles, but lost the twin titles to The Kabuki Warriors at Hell in a Cell. It will be interesting to see if they remain a team after starting a new journey on SmackDown.
Alexa Bliss is a five-time Women's Champion and extremely valuable as a singles competitor. Although Nikki Cross has never won a singles title, she has been flying high since teaming up with 'The Goddess.' Both women are likely to excel as singles competitors on the Blue brand. Bliss could reach the top of the ladder again and Cross already proved her mettle as a singles star in NXT.
Bliss has a sordid history of betraying her friends and it wouldn't be a surprise, if she does it again, especially after losing the Women's Tag Team Titles. A betrayal could lead to an exciting storyline between the two women and it could all begin on this week's edition of SmackDown.
#1 Roman Reigns wins the Intercontinental Championship
WWE recently announced a huge title match, as Roman Reigns will take on the Intercontinental Champion Nakamura. Last week, the SmackDown Women's Championship changed hands on the show, and the WWE Universe could see another title change this week.
Reigns had a spectacular rivalry with Erick Rowan, who defeated 'The Big Dog' at Clash of Champions. The rivalry is certainly over, as Rowan was drafted to RAW, and Luke Harper is currently a free agent. Given the fact that Reigns is set to face Nakamura, this could be the beginnings of a brand new feud.
With the help of Sami Zayn, Nakamura has been a great Intercontinental Champion. However, the 'King of Strong Style' is yet to face anyone like Roman Reigns, who is one of the most capable performers in WWE.
This is the first title opportunity for Reigns since his return to the squared circle. 'The Big Dog' will attempt to win the Intercontinental Championship for the second time in his carer. It the match turns out to be fair, Reigns has a good chance of coming home with the gold. A Roman Reigns Intercontinental Championship run would elevate the title's importance.
Follow Sportskeeda Wrestling and Sportskeeda MMA on Twitter for all the latest news. Do not miss out!
