5 Surprises that could take place on SmackDown Live this week

What lies in store when Vince McMahon returns to television?
What lies in store when Vince McMahon returns to television?

SmackDown Live is going all out to ensure that the go-home show before the Royal Rumble is a solid two hours of sports entertainment action. Naomi and Mandy Rose will finally settle their grudge in a match. Mustafa Ali will seek retribution against Samoa Joe. Andrade 'Cien' Almas will face off against Rey Mysterio in a two out of three falls match.

Last and definitely not least, Vince McMahon will return to action to chair a promo segment between AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan. This is a show that seems like it's worth watching at any cost. But I'm sure this is not all that WWE has planned.

I'm sure there will be a surprise or two, to get us excited for the Royal Rumble pay-per-view. Let me try and guess some of them in this piece.

Leave a comment and let me know what you guys think.


#5 John Cena gets laid out before the Royal Rumble match

Maybe we find out who attacked him closer to WrestleMania 35 season
Maybe we find out who attacked him closer to WrestleMania 35 season

I know that John Cena has announced that he will be a part of the Royal Rumble match next weekend. But remember the reports that stated that his film commitments may not allow him to be a part of the said event? I still think that this may very well be the case for Cena.

It is clear that John Cena has only returned to the company to put young talent over. He could do the same, by being laid out in the backstage area on this week's episode of SmackDown Live. The mystery of who attacked him could be a big story before WrestleMania 35.

The attacker could, in time, be some heel WWE has wanted to push. Samoa Joe could benefit from this WrestleMania dream match.

#4 Nikki Cross rejoins SAnitY

Maybe SmackDown Live is the brand where she will be
Maybe SmackDown Live is the brand where she will be

It is not yet known which brand each of the NXT call-ups will end up on. In my opinion, Nikki Cross should be on SmackDown Live. She could be just the shot in the arm that SAnitY needs.

I know that inter-gender violence is not something that WWE prefers to portray, but while in NXT, SAnitY benefitted from having Nikki Cross on board. In the main roster, SAnitY has been cast aside and dismissed while other teams get their moment in the sun. I really think that Nikki Cross could be a very valuable member of SAnitY if she were to rejoin.

Plus, she could feud with the likes of Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville on the blue brand. She could even potentially team up with Naomi as her future tag team partner and contend for the women's Tag Team titles.

#3 Andrade beats Rey Mysterio 2-0

Expect yet another classic from both of these men
Expect yet another classic from both of these men

Andrade and Rey Mysterio put on one of the best matches of the year, last week. This week, they have a chance to recreate their amazing chemistry in a 2-out-of-3 falls match. Expect this contest to be just as fast and furious as the predecessor. Also, expect it to have the same result.

I'm fairly certain that Andrade is winning this contest. He is a very promising talent who will certainly be fast-tracked on the main roster. He is the complete package, with incredible in-ring skills and a feisty manager too.

Moreover, I have a feeling that Andrade could win this contest 2-0, just to save time so that he comes out of this feud looking dominant. Whether it's with Zelina Vega's help or not, expect him to stand tall.

Having achieved it all, Rey Mysterio does not need the win.

#2 The Bludgeon Brothers return, destroy The New Day

The SmackDown Live tag team division will be bludgeoned very soon
The SmackDown Live tag team division will be bludgeoned very soon

Harper and Rowan had run through the entire SmackDown Live Tag Team division. And then, all of a sudden, the injury bug struck. Both men missed months of action at a time when they should have reigned supreme over the Tag Team Division.

The latest report indicates that Harper and Rowan have been cleared to return to the ring. If this is indeed the case, expect them to take exception to The New Day's acts and tomfoolery, because The New Day hasn't been in a feud for a while now. The two teams could renew hostilities based on their past.

The Bludgeon Brothers need to be away from the Tag Team picture for now considering the fact that The Bar vs. Shane McMahon and The Miz potentially has no place for them. Three's a crowd in this regard.

#1 Vince McMahon announces a special guest referee for the title match

Could we see McMahon himself donning the referee shirt again?
Could we see McMahon himself donning the referee shirt again?

It makes no sense for Vince McMahon to come back to moderate a promo segment unless it is to make an announcement. We know that things have been volatile between AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan recently. They have brawled on the ramp and the concession stands as well. What lies in store for us on this week's show then?

I think Vince McMahon will announce a special guest referee to keep things under control on the show. It could definitely be Vince McMahon himself. It would also potentially be Shawn Michaels calling the match down the middle.

Michaels could be a great WrestleMania challenger for both men. Maybe there will be a Triple threat match between the three in-ring legends.

Wrestling purists may love to see such a match happen.

One of Samoa Joe's colleagues had harsh words for him HERE

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