'%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)
From John Cena and "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt's tease at the end of the show to Roman Reigns and Goldberg's first confrontation on the Road to WrestleMania 36, this week's edition of SmackDown featured several contrasting moments.
This particular episode was one of the most newsworthy editions from the Blue brand we have seen in a while. But that was expected to be the case since John Cena's return was pre-announced and Goldberg's Universal Title win in Saudi Arabia kicked things into full gear as well.
This episode was certainly predictable for those who have been reading the dirt sheets lately. With some of the biggest matches already scheduled for the Grandest Stage of Them All, WWE Elimination Chamber takes place on March 8 next.
Here are the 5 biggest news stories from this week's episode of WWE SmackDown (February 28, 2020).
#5: The Miz & John Morrison will defend their SmackDown Tag Team Titles inside an Elimination Chamber
After winning the SmackDown Tag Team Titles from The New Day at WWE Super ShowDown 2020, The Miz & John Morrison came out to celebrate their victories on SmackDown this week.
However, that celebration was cut short when it was announced that Miz & Morrison would have to defend their titles against Heavy Machinery, Lucha House Party, Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode, The New Day and The Usos inside an Elimination Chamber Structure on March 8.
But before that, Miz & Morrison would face The Usos in a Tag Team match during the episode.
Surprisingly, The Usos won over the newly crowned champs via pinfall.
This comes off as a controversial decision during a time where fans are already mad about a very controversial decision that took place in Saudi Arabia. On Twitter, even Bray Wyatt responded to a fan criticizing this piece of booking regarding Miz & Morrison.
Before we move on to the next slide, don't forget to check out the brand new episode of Dropkick DiSKussions!
#4 Sasha Banks returned and teamed up with Bayley to face Naomi and Lacey Evans in a Tag Team contest
Sasha Banks finally returned on the Blue brand to stand in Bayley's corner during the latter's rematch against Naomi.
Naomi began to pick up some steam against Bayley. That prompted Banks to rush the ring and attack The Glow in a 2-on-1 assault.
Lacey Evans came to Naomi's aid and a Tag Team match between both parties was immediately announced.
However, Banks and Bayley couldn't win in this case when Naomi rolled up Bayley for the victory using a successful pinning combination. Perhaps the SmackDown Women's Champion had to eat the pinfall this time around since it wouldn't make sense for Sasha to look weak upon her return.
Sasha Banks and Bayley are two of The Four Horsewomen whose WrestleMania 36 plans look uncertain at this point. Bayley's feud with Naomi isn't over, as evidenced by the challenger successfully pinning the champion this week.
But you can't expect that feud to stretch till April. Either Banks and Bayley face each other at this year's WrestleMania, or WWE may have something else in store for both of these women right now.
#3 Braun Strowman will defend his Intercontinental Title in a 3-on-1 Handicap Match at Elimination Chamber
A contract signing was scheduled to make official Braun Strowman’s Intercontinental Title defense against Shinsuke Nakamura at the Elimination Chamber Pay-Per-View.
But as evidenced by the past few weeks, Sami Zayn will take up any advantage to dethrone Strowman as the Intercontinental Champion. Strowman jinxed his own future as the Intercontinental Champion by saying that he would have to eventually face Shinsuke Nakamura, Sami Zayn, and Cesaro together no matter what contract he signs.
Zayn held Strowman to his word, and before you know it, Strowman has to defend his title against Nakamura, Zayn, and Cesaro in a 3-on-1 handicap match at the Elimination Chamber Pay-Per-View.
A scuffle ensued, and Strowman ended up going through a table in the end.
The Monster Among Men is known to defy the odds thanks to his brute strength and physique.
It would benefit Strowman's credibility if the Monster Among Men manages to overpower three men together on the Road to WrestleMania 36. After that, Braun Strowman could hopefully move on to other interesting scenarios for his title reign.
#2 John Cena accepted a WrestleMania 36 challenge from "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt
As John Cena returned to the Blue brand after a long hiatus from the company, the leader of the Cenation talked about his future in WWE.
Cena acknowledged that the fans want a new generation of wrestlers to make their own mark at this point in time. So in an effort to let the young guns "earn" their own WrestleMania moment, Cena stepped down from this year's WrestleMania card altogether.
He said this was the right thing to do, and it is goodbye for now. As John Cena made his way to the stage for one final bow, the lights went out to signal the arrival of The Fiend.
The Fiend appeared behind John Cena. The rumors came true when Bray Wyatt's alter-ego pointed towards the WrestleMania sign and Cena would accept the challenge immediately.
As it turns out, John Cena will not just be doing "something" at WrestleMania 36. The leader of the Cenation will face the most unique gimmick WWE fans have seen in years.
From a critical standpoint though, it is hard to digest that The Fiend has shown signs of diplomacy since his defeat against Goldberg. If all of this happened several months ago, The Fiend would have decimated Goldberg after their match, and Cena would have suffered the same fate during their initial confrontation.
But for what it's worth, John Cena vs. "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt has the potential to be an amazing program for both parties involved.
#1Roman Reigns challenged Goldberg for a match at WrestleMania 36
Goldberg came out as the new Universal Champion to a chorus of boos on SmackDown.
He said that it's not about who was last, but it's all about who is next.
As expected, Roman Reigns came out to have a showdown against Goldberg. Reigns defeated King Corbin in a Steel Cage Match in Saudi Arabia, and that finally ended a feud that had run past its expiration date.
So Reigns aimed for the top instantly. Goldberg is now the man to beat, and by saying "I'm next", The Big Dog seemingly confirmed a dream match against the current Universal Champion at WrestleMania 36.
This segment was short and to the point, as Reigns dropped the mic and left immediately after.
As I pointed out in the Super ShowDown article, the "big plan" seems to be Roman Reigns ultimately becoming the new Universal Champion at the Grandest Stage of them All. Everything else leading up to that point - including The Fiend's title run - has been altered to fit this big puzzle.
Finally, Goldberg and Roman Reigns will engage in a battle of spears to determine who will emerge as the champion from this ultimate showdown.
