'%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)
Since we are just three weeks away from the Showcase of Immortals, the expectations were sky-high this week. With some astounding moments this week, the blue brand did not disappoint the WWE Universe. Smackdown Live produced a mind-boggling episode this week, and the much-awaited Gauntlet match stole the show.
Smackdown Live was held at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis this week. WWE already announced the Miz's appearance to respond to Shane McMahon, who attacked the former WWE Champion at Fastlane, while Kofi Kingston was scheduled to face five men in a Gauntlet match.
Kofi Kingston did the insurmountable task on Smackdown Live as he won the Gauntlet match, but Vince McMahon punished him as Daniel Bryan beat Kingston. The decision certainly got a massive backlash from the fans. Becky Lynch and Charlotte had a massive brawl after they appeared on the Kevin Owens Show. The IIconics defeated the Women's Tag Team Champions Boss N Hug Connection, and Rey Mysterio announced he would tussle with the US Champion Samoa Joe at the Show of Shows.
Here we discuss three things WWE secretly told us on Smackdown Live this week:
#3 Still no opponent for Asuka
Vince McMahon's billion dollar company has been building the Raw Women's Championship match for months, but the Smackdown Women's Title has not received the same prestige. With just three weeks left for the Showcase of Immortals, the Smackdown Women's Champion Asuka still does not have an opponent for the Show of Shows.
However, the company announced after Smackdown Live this week that Asuka's WrestleMania Challenger will be decided next week as Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville, Carmella and Naomi will face each other in a fatal-4 way match and the winner of the match will lock horns with the Empress of Tomorrow.
Since Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair got involved in the Raw Women's Champion match, it left a void in the Smackdown Women's roster. Considering the stature of the Empress of Tomorrow, she does not have a credible opponent in the blue brand.
As a result, WWE failed to book her in an exciting storyline after she beat Becky Lynch at Royal Rumble. Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville already fought Asuka in the last couple of weeks, and it will be interesting to see who faces the Smackdown Women's Champion at the Show of Shows.
#2 The IIconics could be heading to WrestleMania 35
The Women's Tag Team Champions Sasha Banks and Bayley appeared on Smackdown Live to take on the IIconics. Peyton Royce and Billie Kay called out the Women's Tag Team Champions on Smackdown Live last week. The Boss N Hug Connection faced the IIconics in a non-title match, and the IIconics conquered the champions.
Considering the current scenario, the Women's Tag Team match is likely to be a fatal-4 way tag team match in New Jersey. The WWE Hall of Famer Beth Phoenix announced her coming out of retirement to fight at the Grandest Stage of Them All. Beth Pheonix and Natalya could be serious challengers for the current Women's Tag Team Champions.
The team of Nia Jax and Tamina are also part of the storyline, and they could become challengers. Though they got a title shot at Fastlane, they failed to grab the twin belts. The IIconics certainly made a statement after beating the Boss N Hug Connection, and they have a big chance to grab the twin belts in New Jersey.
#1 Vince McMahon is still the biggest heel of the company
Vince McMahon, who is the Chairman of the company, proved once again that he is still the biggest heel of the company. Following the start of the new year, the McMahon family promised to get involved in more storylines, and they are doing it flawlessly. Mr.McMahon's involvement in the WWE Championship storyline has created nuclear heat, and it got better this week.
Vince McMahon has been punishing Kofi Kingston for weeks, and the same scenario was visible on Smackdown Live this week. Earlier, Kingston was removed from the WWE Championship match at Fastlane as the former Universal Champion Kevin Owens replaced him.
The Chairman gave Kingston an insuperable task this week as the latter faced five other men in a Gauntlet match. Surprisingly, the New Day member overcame the unconquerable obstacle as he defeated the Bar, Erick Rowan, Samoa Joe and Randy Orton in the same night. It was undoubtedly one of the best performances in the history of the blue brand.
Kingston still got cheated by Vince McMahon after winning the Gauntlet match as he announced Daniel Bryan as his final opponent. The current WWE Champion pinned Kingston and crashed his dream to headline WrestleMania.
There is no denying that Vince McMahon has become a massive heel in this storyline and the fans are heavily invested in this feud. Kingston might need to cross more hurdles in the next two weeks before getting a title shot at the Showcase of Immortals.
