'%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)
Unlike RAW, which has been chugging along at a great pace in recent times, SmackDown has not been nearly as consistent in my opinion. Everything on WWE RAW feels like it has a sense of purpose to it, but SmackDown does not.
So, on this week's explosive episode of SmackDown, we could certainly see 5 surprises that may transform the landscape of the company for good. With Goldberg and John Cena in the mix as we head towards WrestleMania 36, it does seem quite likely indeed.
Let me know what surprises you would like to see in the comments section right below. Also, please let me know if you believe any of the surprises I have listed could actually take place.
While pro wrestling is subjective, any of the following surprises could be a big deal!
#5 Jeff Hardy returns as the partner for Roman Reigns
In the latest installment of the Dropkick DiSKussions podcast, our insiders Tom Colohue and Korey Gunz spoke about Matt Hardy potentially leaving WWE and heading to another promotion. They also brought up the question of whether Matt Hardy's brother, Jeff Hardy would follow suit or not. You should check out the podcast when you have the time because it's certainly worth a listen (or two).
So, this week Roman Reigns and a mystery partner will take on John Morrison and The Miz. We know it is not going to be someone like Goldberg in this role for sure, considering that Goldberg does not wrestle except if it's at pay-per-view events. However, if Jeff Hardy were to return on SmackDown, I wouldn't be too surprised at all, quite honestly.
With Matt Hardy seemingly on his way out of WWE, it doesn't matter if Jeff Hardy shows up on a different brand because SmackDown desperately needs babyfaces.
#4 Carmella defeats Bayley to become the SmackDown Women's Champion
While some may feel that it is far too premature to take the SmackDown Women's Championship from Bayley, I do think that Carmella defeating Bayley to become the Champion may not necessarily be the worst thing in the world right now. And this is because it also allows Sasha Banks to get back in the hunt to become the #1 contender and sow the seeds for a Triple Threat match at WrestleMania.
As for Carmella, she is more popular than ever right now, on the back of her whole stint with R-Truth in the 24/7 picture. Carmella has proved not only to her fans but to her bosses, that she can be trusted with just about any role at all.
Bayley and Carmella are the best of friends in real life and therefore, it is all too likely that Bayley wouldn't mind dropping her Championship to Carmella if the storyline does require it. And then Carmella could actually have a dominant reign, without the curse of James Ellsworth hanging about her.
#3 Goldberg has a faceoff with The Big Dog
There are quite a few rumors doing the rounds at the moment, and one of them concerns Goldberg, who made a return (in a sense) on last week's episode of WWE SmackDown. We all know that his next opponent will be The Fiend in Saudi Arabia, for the Universal Championship.
But according to WrestleVotes, one of the possibilities that we could see at WrestleMania is a clash between Goldberg and Roman Reigns, without a title on the line. This is one of those matches that does not really need a Championship because of how popular and how big the two superstars are.
If this is indeed the plan, I think that the two men could certainly have a showdown on this week's show (provided Goldberg shows up in the flesh), to sow the seeds for the titanic clash down the line. WWE does tend to hype their WrestleMania matches well in advance to get the audience invested in the feud.
Is Goldberg vs. Roman Reigns a match that you'd want to see this year?
#2 Mandy Rose chooses to ditch Otis
Contrary to everyone's expectations, Mandy Rose actually seems to be quite excited about her date with Otis. In fact, she even posted a few pictures online, showing how she was getting ready for her date. But we know that nothing in WWE goes according to plan, and this date could certainly be a setup for a brand new angle on SmackDown.
The most likely scenario that I can imagine is that Mandy Rose will not show up to the date, because of some reason or the other. And then, it will be revealed that she was on a date with someone else (most likely Dolph Ziggler) which could be used as fuel for a brand new feud. Heavy Machinery vs. Ziggler and Roode would not necessarily be the worst idea in the world, at least in my personal opinion.
It would also make Mandy Rose a heel, who could potentially take on the likes of Naomi and Carmella and the other female babyfaces on the roster, in the months to come.
#1 Sheamus calls out John Cena
While Sheamus has been portrayed as a dominant performer since his big return to WWE, one can't help but feel that he has a ceiling right now. He was always in the mix as a member of The Bar, but now that Cesaro is doing his own thing with Sami Zayn and his cohorts, Sheamus just feels like he needs a big feud to sink his teeth into.
What he can certainly do is call out John Cena, who we know is slated to make a return later this month. The two men could tussle at Elimination Chamber and even if Sheamus loses, it will give him a lot of heel heat to carry forward because the main thing John Cena brings to the table is many additional eyeballs.
In any case, do check out Gary Cassidy's interview with Sheamus in the video shared above. It happened at a BT Sport Event in the United Kingdom.
Is Sheamus vs. John Cena a feud that you would otherwise like to see?
