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Welcome to this week's edition of things WWE subtly told us on SmackDown. It was a solid episode this week that didn't have many storylines featured. There were limited stars, but the entire show was centered around the extensive main event between Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan.
We got a PPV main event-worthy match-up on free TV, and since that was the most important part of SmackDown, let's start with that:
#5 Daniel Bryan's incredible SmackDown run concludes, so what's next?
Daniel Bryan has been a SmackDown guy for almost five years, starting from his run as the General Manager during his retirement. He spent a lot of time in that position, but once he was ready for his in-ring return in 2018, he resigned from that role.
His return run has been incredible, with his peak occurring in 2018-2019 as the Planet's (WWE) Champion. To think that a superstar as popular as Daniel Bryan could turn heel is incredible, but he did it and resumed being a popular babyface as well.
His run on SmackDown had to come to an end at some point. All the speculation started with his recent interview, where he was open about the fact that he wants to become a part-time superstar. The Leader Of The Yes Movement also said he felt disconnected despite headlining WrestleMania 37 this year.
He even mentioned his contract status, and not long after, a match was made official where if he lost, he would have to leave SmackDown for good. Roman Reigns defeated Daniel Bryan clean in this week's main event. The objective, of course, was to get heat on Roman Reigns and present Cesaro as the next Universal Title contender on SmackDown.
A long hiatus is possible, but what we can see happening is a brief run on RAW before his contract expires.
As weird as it would be to see, Daniel Bryan is likely to become a superstar on the red brand, and if not, he will take a hiatus and return as a part-time legend.
#4 The Intercontinental Championship direction on SmackDown
In the first of two title matches on SmackDown, Big E challenged Apollo Crews in a WrestleMania rematch to claim the Intercontinental Championship. The biggest obstacle seemed to be Commander Azeez, who played a major role in the end.
Big E was close to finishing Crews with the "Big Ending", but Azeez pulled him out of the ring and attacked him - causing a DQ on SmackDown. Kevin Owens, who had a grudge against Azeez for what happened a week before, came out to make the save.
The two men were outpowered on SmackDown, and Sami Zayn hit the Helluva Kick on Owens to make it worse.
After that, there was a bit of tension between Sami Zayn and Apollo Crews when the former didn't give back his title (at first). Zayn ultimately ended up eating the Nigerian Nail from Azeez - a rebranded version of the Samoan Spike by the late, great Umaga.
With Big E, Sami Zayn, and Kevin Owens now involved, a Fatal Four-Way direction for WrestleMania Backlash seems inevitable. It's a great idea since WWE does these type of matches well almost all the time.
It's a good throwback to 2016 post-WrestleMania, when the Intercontinental Title picture involved The Miz, Cesaro, Kevin Owens, and Sami Zayn, as the four ended up having one of the best matches of the year. This could reach a similar level.
#3 The SmackDown Women's & Tag Team Title pictures heat up
SmackDown Women's Champion Bianca Belair was given the job of opening this week's show. The episode kicked off with a brawl and then we got the opening bout in the form of a six-person tag team bout.
Bayley and the SmackDown Tag Team Champions Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode teamed up to face Bianca Belair and The Street Profits. The rule in such matches, as you may know, is that the men face the men and the women face the women.
Bianca Belair was made to look like the strongest person in the entire match. Not only did she manhandle the longest-reigning SmackDown Women's Champion Bayley, but she even lifted Dolph Ziggler and had a direct impact on the outcome that saw Robert Roode get pinned.
While it's normal to protect a babyface champion, not many are made to look as good as Bianca Belair. It's a big sign of WWE's faith in her as one of their next big stars, regardless of gender.
Bianca Belair looks like she has the highest ceiling of all the women in WWE right now.
#2 The Champions get pinned on SmackDown, so what's next?
Backstage on SmackDown, The Women's Tag Team Champions Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler were attacked by Tamina and Natalya. The two challengers are supposed to be babyfaces, but that wasn't something you expect from the people portraying that role.
As always, their match was nothing more than average. This week on SmackDown, we got a WrestleMania rematch between the two, but the Title wasn't on the line. Usually, that's a way for the Champions to get pinned without losing their gold.
And that's exactly what happened as Natalya helped Tamina get the win for their team after a Super Fly Splash on Shayna Baszler. On RAW, Lana and Naomi have been getting the better of them.
It isn't a particularly interesting storyline, but what it means for sure is that the team of Natalya and Tamina are getting one more crack at the gold on SmackDown or at WrestleMania Backlash.
Perhaps an Interbrand Triple Threat match would be the direction to go for the next PPV. Since the Tag Team Champions have no brand restrictions, it's possible.
#1 Did WWE try to put The Shield completely behind on SmackDown?
Roman Reigns' new theme song was a big topic of discussion on SmackDown. For the first time in nearly seven years, Reigns has a new entrance. One could argue that it's the first time in 8.5 years. The reason behind that is because Roman Reigns adapted a small variation of The Shield's theme song and has been using it ever since.
Dean Ambrose/Jon Moxley moved on, while Seth Rollins had a change in theme songs as well at one point. Roman Reigns finally had that change as well, and many would argue that it should have happened a few months earlier on SmackDown.
Now that Roman Reigns is a heel, it makes sense to change his theme song. While there seem to be mixed reactions about the debut of the song on SmackDown, fans will eventually warm up to it.
What it seemed to be, however, is WWE trying to put The Shield completely behind. The Shield has been done for good for over two years now.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
