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This week's SmackDown episode will be nothing short of a pay-per-view event as WWE has announced several blockbuster matches. Two crucial first-round bouts of the Intercontinental Championship will occur this Friday, while a mixed tag team match will likely serve as the finale for a personal rivalry. On the women's side, the NXT Women's Champion Charlotte Flair will appear on SmackDown once again to take on the Blue brand's premier female star, Bayley.
This match has taken place on multiple pay-per-view events in the past. However, this time, Bayley has a lot more momentum on her side.
History between Charlotte Flair and Bayley
Charlotte Flair was the one who brought Bayley's heel persona out, and on the upcoming SmackDown, she would try to take 'The Role Model' to her limit once again. The Queen tried to break the friendship between Sasha Banks and Bayley on the previous SmackDown episode. Thus, a betrayal could also be on the cards this Friday.
This bout promises to exceed the expectations, and here are the five ways it could end.
#5 Bayley overcomes a challenge from Charlotte Flair
The probability that Bayley defeats Charlotte Flair on SmackDown is low as WWE has been using the NXT Women's Champion on all their brands. The creative team has also booked her to decimate all her rivals. Hence, a defeat against Bayley could dent her momentum.
An assist from Sasha Banks could help WWE protect Charlotte in defeat. However, the rumor mills have indicated that the backstage officials have been planning a rivalry between Bayley and Sasha for the SmackDown Women's title. Thus, booking 'The Boss' to help her ally once again would further delay the much-awaited storyline.
Still, there is an outside chance that the company would allow Bayley to pick up the win. There could be two theories behind this decision. The first would be that Vince McMahon is waiting for the pandemic situation to normalize and wishes to book this big betrayal on a show with thousands of fans in attendance.
The other theory could be that WWE wishes to establish Bayley as the best champion in SmackDown's history. She is the longest-reigning women's champ in the Blue brand's history. Therefore, a victory over Charlotte Flair would further glorify her reign.
Also, this win would take the stakes at the highest level when Sasha and Bayley compete for the title.
#4 Rhea Ripley interferes in Charlotte Flair's business
Looking at the recent developments on WWE TV, one can conclude that Charlotte Flair is the MVP of the women's division. She wrestles on RAW and NXT, then helps hype up the impending 'Sasha Banks vs.Bayley' feud on SmackDown to make sure that the fans get top-quality sports entertainment during these testing times. The 'Brand to Brand Invitational Rule' has worked in favor of Charlotte Flair as she has gained the most screen time in the last few episodes.
Will the NXT stars cost Charlotte Flair her match against Bayley?
However, the other Superstars can also make use of this rule and poke their nose in The Queen's business. This Wednesday on NXT, Charlotte Flair destroyed her nemesis Rhea Ripley, who was making her in-ring return. Ripley had an emphatic match with Io Shirai as both the ladies tore each other apart in a fantastic main event bout. Unfortunately, the night did not end well for either of the female stars.
They will look for some revenge soon, and that motive could lead them to SmackDown on FOX. There could be a triple threat match between the top three female stars of NXT for the title at the upcoming TakeOver event. Thus, it would make sense to have both Shirai and Ripley interfere in the Charlotte Flair's match against Bayley, leading to a disqualification finish.
#3 Charlotte Flair wins clean
Charlotte Flair has received a solid push in the post 'Mania season. She dethroned Rhea Ripley as the NXT Women's Champion at WrestleMania 36. Soon, she became the top female name in the organization with her stupendous performances on all brands. It seems like the backstage staff has pushed Charlotte Flair to the moon because of Becky Lynch's absence.
'The Man' was the biggest star of the women's division, and the only Superstar who could match her popularity was Charlotte Flair. Her segment with Bayley on last week's SmackDown hinted that she only came to FOX to split Sasha Banks and Bayley.
What if Charlotte Flair defeats Bayley clean?
A clean win over Bayley will not only establish Charlotte Flair as the premier athlete in all of WWE but also deepen the cracks in the friendship of 'The Boss' and 'The Rolemodel.' Bayley could lash out on Banks for not assisting her properly in the match, leading to betrayal. Or else, Sasha could have a bout with Charlotte Flair next week and defeat her to solidify that she is better than Bayley.
Either way, a clean victory for The Queen would help progress the storyline between the two best friends.
#2 Sasha Banks' mistake costs Bayley the match
Traditionally, WWE has built friction between two best friends by booking one of them to cost the other his/her match. The Creative team has already booked a segment where Bayley's mistake cost Sasha Banks a spot in the Money in the Bank ladder match. In the same way, 'The Blueprint' could unintentionally cost Bayley a victory against Charlotte Flair.
WWE needs to protect both the women in this contest because both hold the number one position on their respective brands. A clean victory for either female Superstar may not go down well with the fans. Hence, an outside interference would be the best way of ending this match.
Will Sasha Banks finally betray Bayley?
Bayley could dominate Charlotte Flair in the initial phases of the bout. She would almost seal the deal with her finisher. However, Sasha's untimely distraction would not allow the referee to concentrate on the pinfall. Otherwise, Banks could try to give a weapon to her friend, which would instead help Charlotte win the bout.
Thus, these are the ways WWE can have Banks lead to Bayley's defeat against Charlotte Flair. This booking technique would ensure the alliance implodes soon.
#1 Charlotte Flair wins, The Truth is Heard
SmackDown's hacker has been teasing a breakup for a long time now. The fans expected him to reveal the truth at Money in the Bank. However, WWE delayed the big reveal for a while. It seems like he would finally make his huge revelation on this week's SmackDown after Charlotte Flair would defeat Bayley.
Given that the creative team has shown no signs of splitting any other tag team, the hacker could disclose a rift between Banks and Bayley. Also, in the build-up to this announcement, there was a segment featuring a female voice.
Thus, the hacker could show the fans some backstage video footage where Bayley would boast of how she maintains her relationship with 'The Boss' and used her to keep hold of the championship. Otherwise, there could be a video of Sasha, where 'The Blueprint' would be plotting out a perfect betrayal to catch Bayley off guard and seize the SmackDown Women's Championship.
Either way, after Charlotte Flair, would get the better of Bayley, the common glitch will appear on everyone's screens with the hacker finally telling the truth to everyone.
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