5 Things WWE Subtly told us on SmackDown: Interesting plans for Brock Lesnar's character after 19 years, 2 superstars to get a big title push?

Welcome to this week's edition of things WWE subtly told us on SmackDown. It was a good episode of SmackDown this week that saw a lot of progress storyline-wise. The road to WrestleMania is at full speed on both RAW and SmackDown, and the build-up has been good so far.

This week's edition featured WWE planting seeds for certain feuds while cementing others. Who walked out standing tall on SmackDown this week? Find out as we discussed the subtle messages sent to us on the show:

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#5. WWE's push of "The Biggest WrestleMania match ever" on SmackDown

WWE is going all guns blazing with the main event on WrestleMania Sunday. Night 2 will officially be headlined by Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar in a Champion vs Champion, title for title, winner take all match. It will officially be a unification match as well, possibly putting into question the status of the brand split.

The idea of a single world champion across two brands hasn't worked historically. We're not sure how it will play out, since Roman Reigns is expected to win and get the coronation of all coronations— not that he needs it. But he is yet to pick up a win over Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania, and we fully expect that to happen.

WWE is also trying to do the same thing from 19 years ago in 2003 to make Brock Lesnar the biggest babyface on the planet.

That's what they're trying to do on the road to WrestleMania this year. While it may not be successful, he certainly is popular enough. SmackDown this week ended with Lesnar laying out all the security that were around to "protect" him, while Reigns, Paul Heyman, and The Usos fled the ring.

The feud is only going to get more intense and WWE is trying their best to put the Lesnar-Reigns feud on the same level as 'Stone Cold' vs The Rock or Hulk Hogan vs Andre The Giant.

While some fans might be offended by Heyman saying that this match is bigger than the ones stated above, it's simply marketing.

#4. The SmackDown Women's title feud and the possible alliances

SmackDown this week opened with a segment featuring Women's Champion Charlotte Flair and this year's Royal Rumble winner Ronda Rousey. It was a tense confrontation that led to Sonya Deville trying to do Flair's dirty work.

Sonya Deville's role as an authority figure is likely to conclude soon after WrestleMania. Until then, she will be Charlotte Flair's lackey. It wouldn't be surprising to see her at ringside at WrestleMania, although there isn't going to be anybody on Rousey's side.

The contest will only be even if Sonya Deville is banned from ringside. It could happen if WWE adds a stipulation for next week's match. But until then, it isn't happening. Sasha Banks and Naomi, meanwhile, formed a tag team and the 34-year-old announced her intention to go after Queen Zelina and Carmella, who haven't done much with the titles since winning them.

The women's tag-team division is nonexistent, but this is the perfect way to get four different women on the card for a title match. Don't be surprised to see Sasha Banks and Naomi align with Ronda Rousey later in March on the road to WrestleMania.

#3. Is The New Day-Los Lotharios feud officially over?

Things in the SmackDown Tag Team division could be heating up. On one hand, the SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos seem to be facing the consequences of their actions from the Elimination Chamber as The Viking Raiders attacked them during an interview this week.

On the other hand, we have a rather tiresome back-and-forth feud between The New Day and Los Lotharios. The two teams have essentially been swapping wins week in and week out, with no end in sight. However, the light at the end of the tunnel may be near.

Backstage, Kofi Kingston and Big E crossed paths with Sheamus and Ridge Holland. We all know how WWE loves getting everybody on the card at WrestleMania. Don't be surprised to see The New Day, Sheamus, and Ridge Holland start a feud that spills over into the Tag Team title feud.

This makes at least four teams for the tag title match at WrestleMania, and it's an easy way to take the title off The Usos. The Viking Raiders are officially set to face The Usos for the Tag Team titles next week, so it will be interesting to see how it plays out.

#2. Is Xia Li set to become the next big thing on SmackDown?

After months of build-up, Xia Li made her in-ring debut on SmackDown. Months ago, there were cool animated vignettes to promote her debut. She even came out to help Aliyah in a sign of solidarity against Natalya.

Months later, she finally made her debut, and it didn't disappoint. Xia Li has great in-ring ability and natural charisma that got her over with the crowd. Natalya seems to be fitting in well in her new role of the veteran elevating other superstars.

She has been in that role before, but this seems to be a full-fledged transition. As for Xia Li, it's only the beginning, and it will be interesting to see how she will be utilized. Practically speaking, she could be a huge asset if WWE wants to expand into the Chinese market, but the company hasn't historically done well with marketable superstars from other countries.

If handled well, Xia Li could be the next big thing in the WWE Women's division.

#1. Johnny Knoxville's unexpected road to WrestleMania on SmackDown

The Royal Rumble might be over, but Johnny Knoxville is still appearing on SmackDown. The man he's feuding with? None other than Sami Zayn. This week, Zayn was celebrating his Intercontinental Championship win over Shinsuke Nakamura.

He was interrupted by Johnny Knoxville, who got a great reaction from the crowd in Hershey, PA. He confronted Sami Zayn and declared his intention to hijack the championship celebration.

The segment ended with Sami Zayn assaulting Knoxville and getting nuclear heat in the process. He hit him with one helluva kick before the referees physically forced him away before proceeding to hit a second kick. Later backstage, he met Adam Pearce, who wasn't happy with what went down.

Zayn was then met by Ricochet, who sought out a challenge from him. Pearce liked the idea and made the match official for next week. Unfortunately for Ricochet, he looks like he will be a stepping stone to lead to the Zayn-Knoxville match at WrestleMania 38.