'%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)
It's been a good few days to be a fan of professional wrestling/sports entertainment. Elimination Chamber was a solid show and RAW felt fresh. I have a feeling that the action will crescendo with SmackDown Live next. This is because a lot of seeds were planted at Elimination Chamber that should play out on SmackDown Live.
There is the obvious, there is the ridiculous and there's the outrageous. I shall cover different surprises from each sphere in this article. Please let me know your thoughts and views in the comments section.
Also, feel free to suggest surprises of your own. What decisions do you think WWE needs to take to make the show interesting?
Bear in mind that SmackDown Live has seen some of the lowest ratings in recent times.
#5 Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles begins
Of course, the two men met inside the Elimination Chamber earlier this week. They also had a brief altercation during the gauntlet match on SmackDown Live last week, when Randy Orton pinned AJ Styles. The two men have clashed in the past too, in what was a tease of a thrilling rivalry between two of SmackDown Live's biggest stars.
But the fact of the matter is that Randy Orton and AJ Styles are two men who've never had a full-fledged feud, even though they've been in the same brand ever since the last brand split. And this could culminate at WrestleMania where AJ Styles and Randy Orton could have the long-standing rivalry that fans have wanted.
Many men have attempted to play mind games with AJ Styles like Samoa Joe and Shinsuke Nakamura but 'The Viper' is certainly the master of them all. Maybe they'll clash as recently as the show this week, setting things off in motion.
#4 The Miz attacks Shane McMahon
The seeds have already been sown for a split between the co-besties. The Miz made a pretty nice babyface owing to the fact that he's likeable but we all know that he's a lot more comfortable as a heel. Some people are just natural babyfaces like Sting, while others like Flair preferred to play heels through their illustrious careers.
So The Miz and Shane McMahon lost the SmackDown Tag Team Championships to The Usos. Shortly thereafter we saw The Miz lose his cool in a backstage segment with Shane McMahon. And because of this, I have reason to believe that we may soon say a rift between these two leading to a WrestleMania program.
This is one program that does not even need a title for it to be considered prestigious. In his frustrated state, could we see The Miz lose his composure and attack Shane?
#3 Andrade become the new US Champion
And then, there is R-Truth, a champion who has not shown up on TV since he won the title. So much so, that the title has all but been forgotten by the entire WWE Universe.
I really think that it's time for the title to switch hands but R-Truth is quite clearly a transitional champion. WWE could always go back to the well and have someone like Shinsuke Nakamura or Rusev hold the Championship, but it may serve them better to push a young guy like Andrade.
Andrade is sitting on the precipice of becoming a breakout star but is only held back because he hasn't had a significant feud of note thus far except for the one with Rey Mysterio in the trilogy of matches. Maybe the two men should meet again at WrestleMania with the US Championship on the line.
Alternatively, they could put the title on Samoa Joe.
#2 Luke Harper becomes Bryan's second assistant
The New Day are three individuals, each of whom has a pedigree in the singles division as well. Daniel Bryan and Erick Rowan are clearly just two men, and not three. And this is why he may need to call upon yet another ally to take on The New Day.
Erick Rowan is already by his side and I suppose Luke Harper could be a very interesting prospect as well, considering his history with Daniel Bryan and the Wyatt Family. Harper is also extraordinary in the ring and he could have a series of great matches against The New Day. We know that's he is healthy again and is just biding his time for a return to action.
In time, Daniel Bryan could also have a great series of matches against Harper. The two men are great in the ring and will likely have pretty good chemistry.
#1 The New Day splits up
Big E was always destined to be the breakout star of the New Day. And yet, the spotlight has been on Kofi in recent weeks, with the WWE Universe spurring him on towards the WWE Championship.
Big E may take this to heart and decide to leave Kofi Kingston laying on the floor. And this could eventually prove beneficial for both men involved.
A lot of people have said that the New Day is stale and that the gimmick has run its course. This may be the ideal storyline to break them up considering that there is more interest around the New Day recently than there has been in quite some time. Big E, Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston could then go on to have a series of modern-day classics.
All said and done, SmackDown Live should be a good episode. This is what my gut says.
