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Isn't it amazing how little time the men and women of WWE have to recover, take a deep breath and celebrate, even after a taxing and tiring pay-per-view? The eternal soap opera known as sports entertainment continues on, without a moment of respite.
Now that Clash of Champions is in the past, yet another episode of SmackDown Live will be upon us this Tuesday night. The blue brand has the opportunity to continue their momentum, after a stellar pay-per-view with storyline twists. Twists that usher in a new season of programming.
So, what twists can we see following Clash of Champions? We don't know for certain, but we can certainly speculate.
So, speculate we shall!
#5 Bludgeon Brothers challenge The Usos
Harper and Rowan made their pay-per-view debut, as the Bludgeon Brothers, this weekend. They faced Breezango, a unit that the IWC believes in. This did not deter the brutes from destroying them to a pulp in the middle of the ring, before the packed arena. Absolutely brutal!
The whole point of a non-title match at a pay-per-view is that the winners get a direct shot at the champions next. While it would have been far too soon for any other team, we know that the Bludgeon Brothers are in-ring veterans. They've proved their worth in the ring and WWE knows they can deliver in a more competitive environment.
We wouldn't be surprised to see The Bludgeon Brothers challenge The Usos for the Tag Team Championships next and emerge victorious. This would really shake the whole division up!
We know that the two teams can put on a good match if allowed the bandwidth to do so.
#4 Natalya joins the Riott Squad
Natalya is the top heel in the SmackDown Live women's division. This week, following her match against Charlotte Flair, she cut a promo saying she would turn against her fans.
The WWE Universe wants to turn their back on me? Well now I'm turning my back on all of you.
This is a promo that does not make sense without a significant development on the horizon. Considering the fact that she's a heel, hasn't she already turned her back on the fans? That being said, what better way to turn on the fans than by joining the Riott Squad?
Ruby Riott is a talented performer but she's obviously ill-equipped for the role she has been entrusted with, at this point in her career. Having Natalya align herself with the Riott Squad will also make her a sort of a teacher-coach for these young women. She can also feud with them, when the time is absolutely right.
#3 Daniel Bryan announces his return to in-ring competition
Daniel Bryan learned he could not wrestle for WWE, because of a string of concussion-related injuries he had sustained over time. As his wife Brie Bella revealed on the Lilian Garcia Podcast, he's visited a host of specialists since then, in an effort to actively compete once again.
We wonder if the events at Clash of Champions were a precursor to his in-ring return? Maybe the tensions between him and Shane McMahon will reach a boiling point on SmackDown Live. And then, Bryan will shock the world with a massive announcement.
Imagine Daniel Bryan vs. Shane McMahon at the Royal Rumble. Or even better, at WrestleMania 34.
Not all surprises in WWE are pleasant, but this one certainly could be!
#2 Bryan replaced by a brand new GM
It is certain that the focus of the next episode of SmackDown Live will be the Shane-Bryan angle. It's impossible to envision them working together after what transpired at Clash of Champions. There's a distinct possibility that he may be fired from his kayfabe spot.
If so, it opens the door for a new General Manager to take his place. Someone who commands the same kind of respect from the WWE Universe as Daniel Bryan. Who better then, than Edge?
The WWE Universe often cannot get enough of Edge (or his catchy theme song). Having Edge as a General Manager may be a great idea, while Bryan possibly segues into an in-ring career.
#1 Shane McMahon punishes Owens & Zayn
Shane McMahon could not fire Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn at Clash of Champions. This does not mean that he's fond of them. He could make one significant decision to make their lives absolutely miserable.
He could make them Number 1 and 2 in the Royal Rumble. That would force them to take each other on, considering it's every man for himself. It may even fracture the alliance they've recently formed.
This would also be a reminder that The Royal Rumble is the next pay-per-view event. One of the Big 4 returns as the first pay-per-view of the year 2018.
Do you think any of these events will transpire on the next episode of SmackDown Live? If so, let us know in the comments below. If you feel otherwise, let us know what twists we'll see. We invite you to go crazy, dearest readers!
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