5 Surprises for SmackDown: 6-Time Champion not returning for SummerSlam, Big face turn to be canceled?

#1. No Roman Reigns vs. Finn Balor match on SmackDown

Welcome back to the Island of Relevancy, @FinnBalor. Not everyone gets a second chance, don’t waste it. #Smackdown pic.twitter.com/I0Q2Us7Ke2

— Roman Reigns (@WWERomanReigns) July 24, 2021

John Cena returned to SmackDown last week to officially challenge Roman Reigns at SummerSlam. Meanwhile, Finn Balor had his first match on the Blue brand in two years as he defeated Sami Zayn with relative ease.

The show ended last week with Roman Reigns coming out to answer Cena's challenge and his response was a surprising "no". Instead, it was his old opponent Balor who came out and challenged Reigns at the end of SmackDown.

Finding Finn Balor a more enticing opponent, Roman Reigns was quick to accept the challenge. It will be three years since the two last met in the ring. They first faced off on the first RAW of the Brand Split era in 2016. On that occasion, Balor won clean. They faced off a few times after that, with Reigns getting the better of Finn Balor.

👀👀👀👀👀"Challenge ACCEPTED." #SmackDown @WWERomanReigns @FinnBalor @HeymanHustle pic.twitter.com/f00tAsloCz

— WWE (@WWE) July 24, 2021

But the dynamic now on SmackDown is different. Every time they faced off before, there was mutual respect. The chances of there being any now are next to none. What would be surprising, however, is if WWE decides not to go ahead with the match on SmackDown this week for whatever reason.