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This week on WWE SmackDown Live, Shane McMahon held the first-ever Town Hall meeting in SmackDown history. The segment saw various Superstars, including Roman Reigns, Liv Morgan and Apollo Crews, all vent their frustrations with current SmackDown boss Shane McMahon.
One of the names present at the Town Hall meeting was Buddy Murphy, the former WWE Cruiserweight Champion who Shane McMahon lauded as one of WWE's best-kept secrets. Shane then announced that Murphy won't be a secret in WWE for much longer, and alluded to making plans for the former WWE 205 Live star. While it's always possible that Murphy could still make sporadic appearances on 205 Live, it looks like Smackdown Live will be his permanent new home brand.
With Buddy Murphy possibly getting a push on the blue brand in the coming weeks, let's look at the 6 best options for Buddy Murphy's first SmackDown Live feud.
#6 Andrade
Based on Buddy Murphy's interaction with Shane McMahon on SmackDown Live this week, it appears as if Murphy will remain a heel on the blue brand, but that is not necessarily a given.
Should WWE decide to make the former 205 Live stand-out Superstar a babyface, a great first feud for Murphy could be with Andrade.
Both Murphy and Andrade need something longterm at the moment, and the pair have the potential to wrestle incredible matches which could carry the feud over the course of several PPV events.
Both Murphy and Andrade find themselves in situations where neither man can really afford consistent losses on WWE TV, however, with the right booking, both Murphy and Andrade could gain significant momentum on SmackDown Live if their matches are good enough. Even if Buddy Murphy emerges from the feud as victorious, Andrade could pick up a key win or two which would help boost him and Zelina Vega on SmackDown Live.
#5 R-Truth and the 24/7 Title
The 24/7 Championship is designed to provide comedic relief on WWE TV and relies much less on in-ring wrestling. With R-Truth and Drake Maverick jostling back and forth for the title in the past few weeks, all while Maverick has been trying to consummate his marriage, the 24/7 Championship relies on character and personality instead of technical wrestling ability.
While the above might make fans believe Buddy Murphy is not the right candidate to feud over the 24/7 title, working with talents like R-Truth and Drake Maverick might help draw more personality out of Buddy Murphy.
The former WWE Cruiserweight Champion certainly has what it takes to get the job done in the ring, and is an immensely talented wrestler, however, his personality needs to shine brighter on Smackdown Live so he can fully connect with the audience. A run with the 24/7 title might help develop aspects of Murphy with which the audience is unfamiliar.
#4 Daniel Bryan
One of the ways Buddy Murphy can make an immediate impact on SmackDown Live is by going straight after one of the brand's top stars, a name like Daniel Bryan.
With Bryan teasing this week that his days as a tag team wrestler might be numbered, it might be a good idea to have him enter a singles feud with an up and coming name such as Buddy Murphy.
It's important that Buddy Murphy's first feud be with someone he can have several matches against, spanning a couple of PPV events, and Daniel Bryan is certainly someone who could have quality matches against Buddy Murphy, and give him a great rub despite Murphy likely losing the war in the end.
Daniel Bryan is also another talent with excellent mic skills, which could help Buddy Murphy showcase more of his persona with mic battles against one of SmackDown Live's biggest names.
#3 Aleister Black
Aleister Black's first feud on SmackDown Live resulted in two big wins over Cesaro, as Black defeated The Swiss Cyborg at WWE Extreme Rules this past Sunday and again on SmackDown Live this week.
As Black looks to close the door on his feud against Cesaro, the next great feud for the former NXT Champion could be with Buddy Murphy.
It looks like WWE has big plans for Aleister Black in the coming months, so ultimately Black would likely emerge from the feud against Buddy Murphy as the victor, however, Murphy could pick up a key win along the way to help establish his star power on SmackDown Live.
The face vs heel dynamic would work well should Buddy Murphy remain a heel on SmackDown, as he could get the chance to cut some great heel promos against Aleister Black, who is relatively quiet when it comes to mic work.
#2 Ali
WWE has been producing fantastic vignettes in recent weeks, hyping the return of Ali to the SmackDown Live brand, and while the former 205 Live star appears to have his sights set on Shinsuke Nakamura's Intercontinental Title, a feud with Buddy Murphy could be a solid launchpad for both superstars.
Ali promised to be a major difference-maker on WWE SmackDown Live, and he could work great with someone like Buddy Murphy should Murphy continue to play the classic heel on the blue brand.
Another upside to a Buddy Murphy vs Ali feud is it would help integrate the style of wrestling seen on 205 Live with what fans see on the main roster. With Eric Bischoff soon coming in as the new Executive Director of SmackDown Live, and Bischoff's track record with pushing Cruiserweight talents, Ali vs Buddy Murphy could be a standout feud which helps elevate both talents along with the blue brand.
#1 Harper
Rumours have been circulating this week that former Wyatt Family member and Bludgeon Brother tag team member Harper might be nearing his return to WWE TV.
Harper was last seen on TV before suffering an injury which effectively split up The Bludgeon Brothers, and it remains to be seen whether or not WWE has plans to reunite Harper and Rowan when Harper makes his TV return.
With Rowan now working alongside Daniel Bryan, it doesn't appear likely that Rowan and Harper will re-team, allowing Harper to return to TV as something WWE fans have yet to see him as - a babyface.
With reports indicating Harper previously asked for his release from WWE and the request was denied, Harper could make an immediate impact on SmackDown Live if he returned to the brand as a babyface feuding with Buddy Murphy.
Who would you like to see Buddy Murphy feud with on SmackDown? Let us know in the comment section!
One of Samoa Joe's colleagues had harsh words for him HERE
