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Welcome to this week's edition of things WWE subtly told us on SmackDown. It's hard to argue against the fact that SmackDown has been the more consistent show in the last few months.
Even with an underwhelming main event scene before Roman Reigns' return, SmackDown was structured in such a way that it didn't need to be heavy from the top.
This week's episode of SmackDown was one that proved to be an excellent one from start to finish. Carmella is officially back as she was announced as the mystery woman and she has officially ditched her "Princess of Staten Island" persona.
Big E and Sheamus will face off next week in a Falls Count Anywhere match and we're now just a week away from the first of two WWE Draft Days. Here's what went down on SmackDown!
#5 What happened with Kevin Owens, Alexa Bliss, and The Fiend on SmackDown?
We'll start off with this segment because it was not only the best of tonight's show, but was one of the best segments this year in general. Alexa Bliss took all the limelight with her incredible performance in the segment. In essence, Kevin Owens, normally a RAW Superstar, appeared on SmackDown to host the KO Show featuring Alexa Bliss.
Owens' intention was clear. He came to SmackDown to try to find the similarities of the changes between Alexa Bliss and Aleister Black, his rival on RAW. He soon found out that Alexa Bliss had no interest in discussing similarities and she soon went into a trance, essentially doing The Fiend's bidding.
Kevin Owens soon realized what was happening and that he had already lost Alexa Bliss. When he asked whether The Fiend was there, Alexa Bliss simply said that he's everywhere.
This resulted in The Fiend's return to SmackDown, attacking Kevin Owens and setting up their feud. This has a few implications. Firstly, it appears to indicate that Kevin Owens is done with Aleister Black (or will be on Monday), and is most likely going to be drafted to SmackDown.
Secondly, it seems to be a new feud for Bray Wyatt. Thirdly, it reveals Alexa Bliss' role - being the right-hand woman of The Fiend. It's an incredible character change that she's gone through on SmackDown and we're getting increasingly excited about it by each passing week.
#4 Otis' storyline goes haywire on SmackDown
Otis' storyline on SmackDown has been an odd one. He's been feuding with the former SmackDown Tag Team Champions, The Miz and John Morrison. The duo has been trying to steal the Money in the Bank briefcase from him and then resorted to legal action to get Otis to forcefully relinquish the briefcase.
Recently, it came to light that Otis was getting sued by the duo for "unsafe working conditions". The three of them will now have to stand in a court of law and the lawyer representing Otis is...himself?
This was another move that made Otis look bad as a babyface. He doesn't seem witty enough and if this is the way that WWE plans for him to lose the MITB briefcase, then it's a big mistake that should be avoided.
It puts into question as to why WWE pushed Otis so hard on SmackDown, only to have Mandy Rose leave the brand and make him lose the briefcase. The fact that Otis has been winning so much on SmackDown isn't a good sign for him.
#3 Will Sasha Banks end Bayley's lengthy SmackDown Women's title reign?
Sasha Banks was the one who appeared on SmackDown this week and not the Champion Bayley. We're a bit curious to see where this goes, since the match hasn't been booked for Hell in a Cell, but rather, next week for the SmackDown Draft special.
It's a bit surprising since we fully expected WWE to book a Hell in a Cell match between the two women. While it could still happen, the circumstances surrounding it seems to indicate that it could be a one-and-done.
We would be shocked if that was the case since WWE normally likes dragging out feuds. The fact that this match is the culmination of nearly two years together makes it seem like a short-sighted decision.
This is, however, only if Bayley loses the title and is immediately drafted to RAW. This match deserves more than just a regular SmackDown showing. In our view, this should have been the main event of Hell in a Cell.
#2 Sami Zayn does away with Jeff Hardy on SmackDown
Sami Zayn faced Jeff Hardy in the main event of SmackDown. It was a rematch from Clash of Champions minus the ladders, the stipulation, and AJ Styles. In essence, it was a completely fresh match-up.
It was a good main event as well and Sami Zayn is continuously getting a good showing on SmackDown. It's hard to remember the last time when Sami Zayn was featured as such a serious competitor but he's taking his heel persona to the next level.
In the main event of SmackDown, Sami Zayn unsurprisingly resorted to dirty tactics to pick up the win as he loosened and removed a turnbuckle pad that allowed him to eventually retain his title.
Who imagined that it would take a pandemic and Sami Zayn's voluntary absence to get pushed again. Perhaps it's the fact that he's relatively fresh and that has given WWE the idea of featuring him more heavily. He also threw Jeff Hardy's Intercontinental title in the trash.
#1 Roman Reigns dictates the highest of stakes on SmackDown
Roman Reigns opened SmackDown to be crowned as the Tribal Chief, but it didn't go the way he wanted. Roman Reigns had no interest in Paul Heyman calling him that. He only wanted his cousin Jey Uso to tell him that.
He continued his brilliant character work on SmackDown, justifying what he did to Jey Uso, who told him in turn that he revealed his true colors. It looks like we're going to see the two cousins locked inside Hell in a Cell, but Roman Reigns mentioned that their match will be for the highest of stakes.
Now we can't be sure what the highest of stakes is, but it's going to be interesting to see how this storyline plays out on SmackDown. It's been among the best storylines that the brand has had in months.
Jey Uso also faced and defeated AJ Styles in phenomenal fashion. It's safe to say that he's ready to take on Roman Reigns again, but he isn't an exception to delusion, since he claimed that he would have been Universal Champion had his brother not thrown in the towel.
Just great character work overall.
