5 things you need to know before tonight's WWE SmackDown Live (April 16th, 2019)

Who will be the biggest acquisition in SmackDown Live history promised by Mr. McMahon?
Who will be the biggest acquisition in SmackDown Live history promised by Mr. McMahon?

Tonight, the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada will play host to a very special edition of SmackDown Live.

As the Superstar shakeup continues into night two, last night's edition of Monday Night RAW saw many of SmackDown's top stars leave for the so-called 'A-Show'.

However, tonight it is SmackDown's time to pillage, as the WWE Universe will see some of RAW's very best come over to the show.

As if the shakeup wasn't enough for you, there's also the fallout of last week's huge title change, as well as KofiMania carrying on.

With all this announced, and plenty of surprises along the way, tonight's show will surely be must-see.

Here are five things you need to know before tonight's episode of WWE SmackDown Live.

#5: Who will step up to The Hardyz?

The legendary duo won the SmackDown tag titles last week before being attacked by Lars Sullivan.
The legendary duo won the SmackDown tag titles last week before being attacked by Lars Sullivan.

The Hardy Boyz are considered by many as the greatest tag team in WWE history.

Holding tag team gold in the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s, the team of Matt and Jeff have become icons of tag wrestling.

Last week, the North Carolina-natives showed that they are just as good as before when they dethroned The Usos to capture the SmackDown Tag Team Titles.

A huge win for the duo, the question now is: Who will step up to the Hardyz?

After all, Jimmy and Jey were both drafted to RAW on last night's Superstar shakeup, so there is a spot open for any potential tag teams.

Perhaps a team from RAW will fill the void as part of night two of the shakeup, or maybe even a pair from NXT ready for a shot at the big time.

#4: Paige's new tag-team to debut

Royce and Kay defeated the Brooklyn Belles last week. to retain their titles.
Royce and Kay defeated the Brooklyn Belles last week. to retain their titles.

There isn't just intrigue in the men's tag team division on SmackDown Live, but in the women's as well.

Last week, after The IIconics became the 1 in 45-1 by defeating the Brooklyn Belles, the Aussie team were interrupted by former SmackDown GM and Divas Champion Paige.

Though she may no longer be able to compete in a WWE ring, Paige did stir up some trouble for the pair, by saying she will manage a new tag team that is coming for the IIconics Women's Tag Team Titles.

The British brawler has been very hushed on who this mysterious new team will be, as speculation has run wild on which two ladies will make their presence known on tonight's show.

One thing's for sure: We wouldn't want to be Billie Kay or Peyton Royce right about now.

#3: KofiMania becomes KofiSmackDown

9 days after capturing the WWE Championship at WrestleMania, Kofi Kingston and the New Day are riding high.
9 days after capturing the WWE Championship at WrestleMania, Kofi Kingston and the New Day are riding high.

WrestleMania 35 is in the rear-view mirror. The celebrations have been taken down, the confetti mopped up and the MetLife Stadium emptied.

But though the showcase of the immortals is behind us, one parting gift the WWE Universe have relished in is WWE Champion Kofi Kingston.

Completing his eleven-year odyssey at Mania, the New Day star is awaiting his next challenger for the gold, after his title unification match last week on RAW against Universal Champion Seth Rollins was interrupted by The Bar and Drew McIntyre.

Will we see a new challenger emerge tonight, as Kofi, Big E and Xavier Woods continue to ride their wave of positivity?

And what will the champ have to say tonight on his show, which is about to undergo some very drastic changes...

#2: The Superstar shakeup continues

The Miz, AJ Styles, Naomi and The Usos are just some stars who jumped to RAW.
The Miz, AJ Styles, Naomi
and
The Usos are just some stars who jumped to RAW.

In case you missed last night's edition of Monday Night RAW, let me fill you in.

During the three hour broadcast, over half a dozen SmackDown live stars jumped to the red brand, as part of the annual Superstar shakeup.

These leavers include former World Champions such as AJ Styles, The Miz, and Rey Mysterio, as well as young up-and-comers like Andrade and Eric Young.

But what goes around comes around, and tonight it is SmackDown's turn to raid the longest running weekly episodic show in WWE history.

Who will defect to the Blue brand tonight? Perhaps a former World Champion ready to take back the gold? A bonafide legend trying to return to glory? A smaller star who hopes for a fresh start on team blue?

And then of course, there's THE announcement...

#1: The biggest acquisition in SmackDown history

Could the Big Dog Roman Reigns be drafted to SmackDown Live tonight?
Could the Big Dog Roman Reigns be drafted to SmackDown Live tonight?

We may not know who exactly will be going to SmackDown Live tonight, but piece of epic news has been promised.

According to WWE Chair Vince McMahon, the biggest acquisition in SmackDown LIVE history will be making their presence tonight after jumping ship from RAW.

Speculation is running wild over who this huge acquisition will be?

Perhaps it will be Drew McIntyre, who stuck it to Kofi Kingston last week on both brands, ruining the WWE Champion's party.

Or maybe, just maybe, it'll be Roman Reigns, who hasn't been seen on the blue brand in three years and recently returned to the ring after a bout with leukemia.

Whoever the mystery person may be, one thing is for certain.

Things are about to get a whole lot more interesting on SmackDown Live.

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