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It looks like we got the answer to our question about General Managers and the running of the two shows. In the beginning of SmackDown Live after TLC, Shane McMahon gathered the entire SmackDown Live locker room (except Becky Lynch).
He announced that Paige was relieved of her duties as SmackDown Live General Manager, but that she's still going to be around (though it wasn't mentioned in what capacity). This means that Paige's time as GM is up and the McMahons will be in charge of both shows.
Also read: Daniel Bryan injured on SmackDown Live?
There's been a mixed reaction towards this decision. Fans are generally unhappy because they really liked Paige in the role. It makes sense because she's a fair, babyface GM and doesn't involve herself in storylines as Shane McMahon does.
Instead, she's just a prop in the storyline of others, which makes her a good fit, because that's exactly what GMs should be. We reveal five potential reasons behind the removal of Paige as SmackDown Live GM.
#5 The McMahons are running the show
On WWE RAW, the McMahon family including Triple H, came out and revealed that they would be running the show to give the fans what they want. This seems to be a situation where any of these four can come out at any given time and make the decisions.
Obviously, Shane McMahon and Stephanie McMahon are going to be the ones making the most appearances, because as we know, Vince McMahon doesn't seem to like being an on-screen figure too much these days (more due to his age, which is fair).
As a result of this, Paige as an authority figure may have seemed unnecessary in the eyes of backstage officials. It would be a case of too many cooks spoiling the soup.
#4 She's going to have another on-screen role
Shane McMahon did mention that Paige will be sticking around despite not being General Manager. This means two possible things: 1) She's getting another name as an authority figure or; 2) She'll be a manager of someone or a team on SmackDown Live.
The obvious go-to would be for her to start managing Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose again, reuniting Absolution. It could make for an interesting storyline because there's bound to be tension between Deville, Rose and Paige for the decisions that the latter has made as GM.
It would play out well with Paige trying to earn their trust, or they could even turn babyface or be tweeners. Either way, there's potential in the storyline and those two aren't the only ones Paige can manage.
This is perhaps the most interesting possibility now because WWE will likely want to keep her on-screen at least until her contract runs out in 2019.
#3 Shane McMahon is turning heel
Ever since the WWE World Cup, it seemed like the seeds were planted for a Shane McMahon heel turn. It could be hit or miss, but if this is true, then they may have removed Paige as GM so that Shane McMahon gets more screen time to try and enforce his authority.
With that said, the last thing fans need is yet another heel authority figure. We just got done with the reign of tyranny of Corbin and it was only a few years ago that the Authority had disbanded.
Babyface authority figures are the best because they prevent the same repetitive storyline. With that being said, Shane is always going to be in a storyline, especially at WrestleMania season. But a heel turn is very likely because it gives him a fresh set of opponents to take on at the grandest stage of them all.
#2 A potential move back to RAW
Shane McMahon mentioned that Paige will be around, but he didn't mention whether she's going to be on SmackDown Live or not.
It's possible that she was removed as General Manager because WWE wanted to continue shaking things up. Paige being back on WWE RAW could add more possibilities and she doesn't have to reunite Absolution or manage the same two superstars.
It's possible that they have plans for her to be a manager of someone and have big plans for them. But the question would be as to who she could manage on the red brand. Paige is a good talker, so she needs to manage someone who's weak on the mic.
We've seen that it works wonders, and rising SmackDown star Andrade 'Cien' Almas is the perfect example of that. Having Zelina Vega as his manager changed his career drastically and it took an upward trajectory.
#1 She's preparing for an in-ring return
This is, unfortunately, the least likely scenario out of all of these, but it isn't out of the realm of possibilities. With Daniel Bryan's medical clearance to compete in the ring again, it seems like practically anything is possible.
In the case of Paige, it isn't concussions, but a neck injury. That's obviously the most vulnerable part of her body and she's now had a full year to rest up. An in-ring return is obviously what would be on her mind and if she does what Daniel Bryan did, she could make her return.
Of course, for one, it would require her to go across the United States and get multiple tests done by world-class specialists. She would then need to approach WWE and strike a deal like Bryan did, where she has to get medically tested after each and every match to ensure that she's fine.
If she does return, it would be another miracle.
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