5 Surprises that could take place on SmackDown Live this week

For two straight weeks, SmackDown Live beat RAW in terms of viewership, during the Holidays. The last episode saw RAW score a victory, albeit not by much. RAW needed a stacked roster with Lesnar, Hogan, Strowman, and Cena to achieve the same. How does SmackDown Live bounce back?

The answer is actually quite simple if you think about it. A few surprises here and there and the audience will be begging for more. I will suggest a few of them in this article.

Be sure to let me know if what surprises you would like to see on the show? Go absolutely wild because this is just a speculative article.

Here are 5 surprises that I think should happen.

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#5 Asuka turns heel

This is the only way to build heat before their match

We learned last week that Becky Lynch would be taking on Asuka at the Royal Rumble. This is guaranteed to be a good match, but does it necessarily mean that the crowd will be invested in seeing two of their favourites slug it out? I think one of them needs to turn heel for the crowd to care about the match at all.

Right now, there is no way that the crowd will boo Becky Lynch. If Becky Lynch were to attack an old woman, it would be the old woman and not her that would get booed. That's just an indication of how red-hot she is at the moment, in her run as 'The Man'.

Having Asuka turn heel would also freshen up her character as she's portrayed a babyface ever since she made her NXT debut. This would change up the dynamics of the match and could help WWE tell a story before their Royal Rumble match.

#4 EC3 gets involved in the Rusev vs. Shinsuke Nakamura feud

This feud seriously needs a real refresh

This is how I propose EC3 should be called up to the main roster. When Rusev and Shinsuke Nakamura talk about having a match again for the US Title, Vince McMahon emerges to remind them that there are no more contractual rematches. While the two men would still fight as their feud has become personal, another man would be added to the proceedings.

This could be the perfect platform to bring EC3 up to the main roster and have him make an instant splash. In fact, I would not be upset if WWE put the strap around EC3's shoulders right away. It would help establish him as a top contender and even make the US Title picture very interesting indeed.

He was part of a dark match ahead of RAW last week. I'm certain he's ready for the big time already.

#3 SAnitY takes out Shane McMahon and The Miz

After all, this new team did cut ahead of them

We recently learned that The Miz would be hosting a birthday bash for his Tag Team partner, Shane McMahon, this week. There's absolutely no way that this bash will go smoothly. SAnitY should interrupt and challenge Shane McMahon and The Miz for cutting ahead of them, in line. This could set a big match up on free TV, ahead of the Royal Rumble.

This is a much better way to go about things than to have The Miz take on Cesaro and then have Sheamus take on Shane McMahon (in various permutations). It allows for SAnitY, a team that has been sidelined in recent times, to rise to the forefront again and make a claim for a spot in the roster. It allows for the Royal Rumble match to be built up in a very interesting manner.

#2 AJ Styles snaps and attacks John Cena, setting up a match

An animal has been unleashed and there may be no stopping it

Not long ago, we saw Mr. McMahon with AJ Styles in the backstage area. McMahon urged Styles to bring out his inner animal and succeeded to an extent. AJ Styles was mean and vicious as he attacked Daniel Bryan on the ramp on last week's show after the latter had scored a massive victory over his opponent- R-Truth.

Could we see AJ Styles challenge John Cena to a match this week? The two men have had classics in the past and many of these matches are 'Match of the Year' candidates. Before Cena can accept or decline, Styles lays the beat down on Cena.

Such a match is certainly worthy of a pay-per-view. But it can be given away on SmackDown Live, as we've seen this contest several times before this.

#1 Randy Orton begins targetting Mustafa Ali

Watch out

Ali

. There may be a Viper on your trail.

Randy Orton and Rey Mysterio had quite a heated feud. But they are finally done with one another. So who does the new, deranged Randy Orton have in his sights next? I think Mustafa Ali would be the right candidate.

Ali could certainly use the rub from a veteran like Randy Orton. Orton can be absolutely sadistic while dealing with Ali, and this could get the crowd to sympathise with the former 205 Live star. A feud between the two men would only elevate Mustafa Ali into the stratosphere.

It would also give Randy Orton a reboot and allow him to work with fresh blood because SmackDown Live is very short on babyfaces right now. Who knows...maybe this could lead to a WrestleMania program.

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is my 5th and final surprise for this week's show.