5 Debuts/Returns that could happen on SmackDown

#4 Roderick Strong could go to SmackDown

Roderick Strong

Could we see the first former member of The Undisputed Era join SmackDown this Friday? After the group's implosion, both Roderick Strong and Bobby Fish were left out in the cold. Strong seemed like he wanted to back up Kyle O'Reilly, but O'Reilly wanted to do things on his own.

On the March 31, episode of NXT, Strong simply left the Capitol Wrestling Center rather than competing in the Gauntlet Eliminator Battle Royal. He lost the night's opening match to Cameron Grimes and then decided to leave the building. In doing so, he missed out on a chance at the NXT North American Championship.

.@roderickstrong is 𝒅𝒐𝒏𝒆... with all of it. #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/STbnTH0JRr

— WWE (@WWE) April 1, 2021

On the episode of NXT following WrestleMania 37 and TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, Strong was seen backstage. Alongside his wife Marina Shafir, he headed towards the office of NXT General Manager Williams Regal. It turned out that he handed in a letter of resignation from NXT.

.@roderickstrong has officially resigned from #WWENXT. We'll miss you, Roddy. You're welcome back at any time. @RealKingRegal @MarinaShafir pic.twitter.com/rkReXpdtru

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) April 14, 2021

Strong's NXT journey may have ended. SmackDown has long been considered more of the athletic showcase brand while RAW is more of the entertainment brand.

Strong joining SmackDown will give the Blue brand another high-caliber in-ring performer. He routinely displayed the ability to hang with anyone on the roster. Right off the bat, matches against Daniel Bryan, Cesaro, Shinsuke Nakamura, and many others would be intriguing tests for The Messiah of the Backbreaker.

His actions on the most recent NXT could be an ongoing storyline for the Black and Gold brand, but it wouldn't be a shock to see Strong on SmackDown this week. He has not removed any trace of NXT or WWE from his Twitter bio yet, but stars have done that in the past during a storyline.

The best way for The Undisputed Era to be completely finished is for at least one member to move on to RAW or SmackDown. Bobby Fish is still injured but he could return to NXT. O'Reilly is being primed as a top face on the Black and Gold brand. For that reason, Strong going to SmackDown seems like a logical next step.