5 Potential Storylines For SmackDown Live After WWE TLC 2018

WWE TLC was a huge success for the WWE, to say the least, and to be fair, it was SmackDown Live who prevailed as the better brand of the two due to the outstanding matches they put on the night.

The night started off with a tremendous triple threat tag team match between The New Day, The Usos, and The Bar, who retained their SmackDown Live Tag Team Championships. What followed next was an excellent WWE Championship rematch between AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan and to round off the pay-per-view in style, Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and new SmackDown Women's Champion, Asuka stole the show in a first-time ever all women's TLC match.

That being said, this Tuesday night, SmackDown Live could finally shift their focus towards brand new and fresh storylines, as they get set to kick-start 2019 with a bang, on the Road To WrestleMania 35.

Here are 5 Potential storylines for SmackDown Live following TLC.

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#5. The Bar firmly set the bar on the SmackDown Tag Team Division

They do set The Bar!

At TLC, the duo of Sheamus and Cesaro rightfully proved to the world why they're one of the best tag teams' in the world today, as they successfully defended their SmackDown Live Tag Team Titles in an intense triple threat match also involving former champions New Day and The Usos.

Now that The Bar has defeated not one but two former set of tag champions at one go, they have all the right in the world to label themselves as the best tag team on SmackDown Live. And come this week's episode of SD Live, we could very well witness The Bar claim that they are truly the greatest on the blue brand.

That being said though, the duo of Sheamus and Cesaro will have to defend their titles at Royal Rumble next month and it is only fair if a brand new tag team such as Gallows & Anderson or Sanity get the shot on this occasion.

Nevertheless, The Bar is truly sitting at the top of the mountain on SmackDown Live now!

#4. An unusual feud for AJ Styles

AJ Styles vs Randy Orton on the cards?

Since AJ Styles has now failed to capture the WWE Championship and has failed to win his third world title in the WWE, following his loss to Daniel Bryan at TLC, it is about time 'The Phenomenal One' shifts his focus towards something completely fresh and new and something that doesn't involve the WWE Title.

For well over a year, Styles has been in possession of the WWE Championship and there is no reason in the world for him to play the role of a challenger heading into WrestleMania as well. Rather why not have him get into a long-term program with a top star instead?

Styles' rumored WrestleMania 35 opponent is non-other than 13-time World Champion Randy Orton, who much like Styles, was unable to come out victorious at TLC and will be in a need of a fresh feud. See where I'm going with this?

So instead of any further hesitation, WWE should already plant the seeds to a long-term feud between a pure babyface like AJ Styles and a sadistic heel like Randy Orton. However, if they're going to stretch it till 'Mania 35 then I'd suggest them to take things slow as of right now.

#3. Shinsuke Nakamura demands competition

Shinsuke Nakamura needs more time with the US Title

Shinsuke Nakamura's US Title reign has been pretty lackluster so far and that right there is no secret. Nakamura, who won the US Title in July at Extreme Rules by beating Jeff Hardy, has rarely had the chance to defend his title on pay-per-views and is barely getting any TV time as well.

Nakamura has also not been a part of the PPVs and after missing out on a stacked TLC card, the only fair thing left for 'The Artist' to do is make his way out to the ring on Tuesday and make his intentions clear. Having Nakamura demand competition from the rest of the blue brand roster will not only help him elevate the US Title to the next level but will also give other superstars such as the likes Andrade 'Cien' Almas, R-Truth, The Miz, Harper, Rusev, Shelton Benjamin and even Karl Anderson a much-needed chance to shine.

Imagine the outstanding matches Nakamura could put up with the aforementioned names!

#2. Daniel Bryan learns his next challenger for Royal Rumble

Another show stealer on the cards?

Daniel Bryan was victorious at Royal Rumble and his triumphant win over AJ Styles certainly did cement his place as a World Champion. Bryan's new attitude has been working pretty fine so far and his championship run finally has some meaning now that he has solidified his place by beating the former champion in an outstanding match.

As expected, Bryan is likely to cut another mean promo on the WWE Universe tomorrow night and could brag about his win over AJ Styles and that's when you have former World Champion Rey Mysterio enter the fray.

Since his return to the WWE, Mysterio has been on absolute fire and the former WWE World Champion could rightfully make his claim for the WWE Title, given that he defeated a former 13-time World Champion at TLC.

Mysterio could also express his will to win the WWE Championship after all these years and given how over he is with the WWE a babyface vs heel program could indeed be amazing between Bryan and Mysterio.

#1. Asuka vs Becky Lynch is set for Royal Rumble!

Asuka could stand tall over Becky Lynch

I guess it is safe to say that people definitely didn't expect Asuka to prevail victorious at TLC, after all, what has she done all year? She definitely hasn't been treated well on SmackDown Live and not only did her winning streak come to an end at 'Mania 34 but prior to this, she also failed to beat Carmella to win the SD Live Women's Title.

However, at TLC, Asuka's historic win over Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair certainly does put her at the top of the mountain and considering how outstanding The Man's run with the title was, the only fair decision from here onwards would be to have Becky Lynch invoke her rematch clause against Asuka for Royal Rumble.

The WWE Universe has been patiently waiting to witness a match between the two for a while now and now is the perfect time to have them square off at Royal Rumble. A win for Asuka in early 2019 will solidify her place as a legitimate threat to the entire women's division yet again.

As for Becky Lynch, she could shift her focus towards Ronda Rousey, who she definitely has unfinished business with.