5 things WWE can do to catch fans off guard 

Isn't it awesome when WWE does something unexpected?

Not only does it leave The WWE Universe on the edge of their seats in anticipation of what could come next, it also can turn any storyline into absolute must watch television. Of course things don't always work out that way and a shocking turn of events can wind up falling apart, but it is at least proof that the company is trying to entertain its audience.

Beyond that, doing something unexpected can allow the company that rare opportunity to blur the lines between reality and fiction, which will help to further immerse the audience into the story. It also gives the them a chance to build to other unexpected outcomes and further the cycle of anticipation with twists and turns.

With that being said and the company employing these kinds of storylines on the regular, here are five things WWE can do to catch fans off guard. As always, let us know your thoughts in the comments below and be sure to tell us what you think would catch fans off guard.

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#5 Keep the invasion angle going past Survivor Series

WWE needs to keep this war going!

WWE has made a lot of bold moves throughout the course of 2019, which is why the idea of keeping the invasion angle storyline going after Survivor Series doesn't seem so far fetched. In fact, it could be a great way to keep fans engaged in the product every week and ultimately allow the company to keep things fresh.

Instead of using NXT's appearances on RAW and SmackDown (and vice-versa) only to serve as build to a single PPV event, continuing the story past november and even into 2020 creates an unpredictability factor that can make all three of WWE's brands fun and exciting to watch. Of course this doesn't mean that an invasion angle should be the main focus of the three shows, but USA Network and FOX are clearly open to the idea of having their stars show up on what was until very recently considered the developmental brand and having NXT stars appearing on the two "main roster" shows. Continued interaction of NXT's talent with RAW and SmackDown Superstars could act as a great side-story to complement everything else the two bigger shows are doing.

In the end, this allows WWE more freedom in regards to booking, keeps the fans guessing and will truly help to make every episode of RAW, NXT, and SmackDown more unique. It could honestly make for some of the most groundbreaking television the company has ever created.

#4 Have Becky Lynch lose the Raw Women's Title

How much longer should Becky Lynch be RAW Women's champion?

Everything comes to an end eventually, and while Becky Lynch has enjoyed an absolutely glorious 7-month reign as RAW Women's champion, it may be time that the company starts looking toward what's next. Lynch has been on top of the mountain in the women's division between her time as SmackDown and RAW Women's Champion and the beginning of her time as "The Man" a year ago, so having someone beat her to take away her title could send fans into a state of shock.

If WWE has a Superstar like Asuka, for example, defeat Becky Lynch for the Raw Women's Title, it could make her the most hated woman in the WWE Universe. If they go for a bigger, more shocking title change, such as having Liv Morgan, one of the Iiconics, or Sarah Logan become the new champion it could really be something that the company can capitalize on moving into the future.

If nothing else, a win against Becky Lynch, especially after her historic win at WrestleMania 35, means something. With the right follow-up, it could be enough to catapult a Superstar's career to the next level. Especially if it's a more unexpected choice (someone other than Asuka, Kairi Sane or Charlotte, for example) the potential of a moment like that is huge.

In the end, it will be a great way to catch fans off guard, cement the new title holder as a rising star and shift the focus to the future of the division. It might even give the Raw Women's Title picture a refreshing restart that we may not have known that we needed.

#3 Continue to keep Roman Reigns out of the World Title picture

WWE should make fans demand to see Roman Reigns in the title picture!

Resentment.

Specifically, a crowd's verbal resentment toward WWE. It's a powerful tool in the world of pro wrestling and can turn a promising young babyface who may not be getting a chance to shine into the mega Superstar they were always meant to be. Just look at Daniel Bryan, who was snubbed repeatedly from main event status by WWE and only finally won the WWE Title at WrestleMania XXX after his Yes Movement rocked the company to its very core.

With that being said, WWE continuing to keep Roman Reigns as Superstar who stays lower on the card and takes on the men who are trying to move up the roster could eventually work its way into becoming resentment and forcing WWE to put him back into the World Title picture. It could even be what creates a sort of Yes Movement for Reigns, which ultimately results in his rechristening as champion.

A fan reaction of that manner is what WWE has wanted for a long time, and especially with how much Reigns has matured over the past couple of years, he's more ready than ever before to be the true face of the company. Changing their handling of the star by keeping him prominent but not the main focus of the show could be what finally tips the scales in his favor in the eyes of the vocal majority of the WWE Universe. It could even become his most successful run as champion to date.

Maybe this is a little too ambitious and the WWE Universe won't respond to this in the way they did with Daniel Bryan, but keeping Reigns away from the tippy-top of the card could spur up some stronger fan support that could ultimately lead the WWE Universe to demand to have Roman Reigns as their champion. It might not even be resentment, but actually distance making the heart grow fonder. Either way, this tactic could prove successful.

#2 Have The Fiend confront Brock Lesnar

Why not have The Fiend confront Brock Lesnar out of nowhere?

At this point, there is essentially no chance of seeing Universal Champion Bray Wyatt square off one-on-one at Survivor Series, something that many fans have been hoping for and maybe even expected, since the last few years has seen the WWE and Universal Champions wrestle each other in a non-title matches at the November supershow.There is at least a chance of the two crossing paths, because even though they are on different shows, the pay-per-views are all cross-branded. In fact, with WWE having a penchant for capitalizing off of dream matches and building them up into blockbusters, it only makes sense for the company to have a confrontation, however brief it may be, sooner rather than later.

Not only will it make fans come absolutely unglued when the moment finally arrives (remember the time Bray Wyatt stood face-to-face with Triple H and the crowd went nuts?), especially with the sharp contrast in the their characters, it also allows the company a chance to script the narrative in a way that makes sense. If they do it correctly, it could be a way to cement The Fiend as a babyface, since that appears to be what the fans are clamoring for.

Think about it this way. Brock Lesnar, in the eyes of many fans, is the embodiment of everything wrong with WWE. He's a man that fans believe is only there to collect a paycheck, show up only when the money is right, and appear as infrequently as possible while still keeping the cash flowing in. If WWE had The Fiend call him out on all that and make his life a living hell over the next several months with his mind games, you have the foundation for a blockbuster WrestleMania match.

The fans are likely, at this point, expecting Lesnar only to interact with Rey Mysterio (and possibly his son Dominic) at Survivor Series. It also appears that Daniel Bryan may be the one squaring off with The Fiend. Having Wyatt come out of nowhere to attack, or even just stare down, Brock Lesnar once their matches are complete could be a moment that nobody is expecting.

#1 The return of CM Punk

WWE bringing CM Punk could rock the wrestling world, or at least break the internet.

CM Punk! CM Punk!

Believe it or not, those chants are still a mainstay during WWE shows and even some other promotions, including AEW. The Chicago crowds, as you may expect are even louder when the changing begins. While they don't have the same force that they once did and the chant is far more infrequent, Punk's name is still used as a reminder to the company of when fans are unhappy. It's become an odd rallying cry of sorts and can be fun to participate in under the right circumstances.

With that being said, WWE would be well-served to bring The Second City Saint back to the squared circle. Making that happen would probably require a large pay day, CM Punk's WrestleMania main event dream match and probably more than a few apologies, but it could be well worth it.

Think about it! WWE bringing back CM Punk would be the one guaranteed way to shock The WWE Universe to their very core. While there are still a ton of people who want it to happen, most fans have likely resigned themselves that he's never coming back. If it does happen, though, it could renew so much faith in the product depending on the manner in which he returns. The company could script the return in a way that makes it look like an invasion of sorts and even allow him to, much like during the infamous "pipe bomb" promo, air the grievances he had in a moment that might actually have a chance to catch ligthing in a bottle for a second time.

WWE may have to take a bit of egg on the face in order to pull it off, but Punk's return would be something that echoes one of the promotion's most famous taglines: "Anything can happen in WWE!"