Top SmackDown Backstage Rumors: Details on members of Roman Reigns' new heel faction; Major Superstar to likely never become World Champion again; WWE cancels big plans for The Fiend (10th October)

Welcome to another edition of top SmackDown backstage rumors that could have a major impact. The 2020 Draft kicked off on SmackDown this week with some major surprises coming our way.

'The Monday Night Messiah' Seth Rollins will no longer be part of RAW and will be joining the SmackDown roster. The iconic tag team of Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and Big E has also been broken up thanks to the draft.

On today's edition, we will talk about the backstage opinion on Otis as the MITB holder and why he has not lost the briefcase despite his underwhelming performance.

So without further ado let us take a look at the biggest SmackDown rumors:

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#5 Roman Reigns to lead heel faction on SmackDown

'The Tribal Chief' Roman Reigns has been dominating SmackDown ever since he returned at SummerSlam. Reigns won the Universal Championship at Payback by defeating Bray Wyatt and has been ruling the Blue brand ever since.

The Big Dog has been feuding with his cousin Jey Uso lately and will be facing him in an 'I Quit' Hell in a Cell match. It is being reported that a new heel faction is in the works with Roman Reigns leading The Usos as well as some other Superstars.

Here is what WrestlingNews.co have stated:

"For what it’s worth, there has been talk in creative about Reigns leading a stable with Jey and Jimmy (when he’s healthy) and others added in the future. We were told that the match at Hell in a Cell would be the next big chapter in the story being told and there are many other players that will be involved in the storyline with Reigns."

Roman Reigns has himself stated in the past that he is open to the idea of forming a heel faction which would showcase WWE's Samoan Superstars.

#4 Why former SmackDown Superstar The Miz may never become WWE Champion again

The Miz has become one of the most consistent and reliable WWE Superstars over the years. The former SmackDown Superstar is an eight-time IC Champion and has also held the WWE Championship once. However, his World title win came almost 10 years ago.

It is surprising that The Miz was never given the top title again after his first run proved to be underwhelming. Not only has The Miz improved over the years but has cemented his place as one of the best talkers on SmackDown.

While speaking on his podcast, Jim Ross revealed why Vince McMahon may never make The Miz a WWE Champion again.

“You never say never in WWE because they do strange booking and they come out of left field from time to time which is not unusual for any booker or any creative group. I don’t know that he will be the WWE Champion again. Would it surprise me? No, but I would kind of doubt it. He’s one of those guys like Jake Roberts used to be. He didn’t need the title to be over. As long as the Miz is able to communicate in whatever form that may take, he will be a top guy.” (H/T WrestlingNews)

#3 WWE cancels major plans involving Roman Reigns and The Fiend on SmackDown

As reported earlier by multiple sources, WWE's initial plan was to have 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt become the top babyface on SmackDown and have a long term feud with Roman Reigns. However, these plans seemed to have changed now as, after a brief tease of a possible feud between the two, the plan has been scrapped by WWE.

As highlighted by WrestleTalk, WWE might have dropped the previously planned Universal Championship storyline between Roman Reigns and The Fiend for now.

WrestleTalk have stated that both Roman Reigns and Bray Wyatt have been moved to different directions and the feud planned between the two may not happen. The original plan was to have the two face each other at WrestleMania 37, but with rumors of Reigns facing The Rock, even that has come under jeopardy.

With rumors suggesting that Bray Wyatt may be RAW bound in the draft, it becomes even more evident that WWE does not have any big plans left for The Fiend on SmackDown.

#2 Backstage opinion on SmackDown Superstar Otis

There have been multiple pitched ideas to remove the MITB briefcase from Otis & make the storyline a main focus again, some of which are really decent ideas I’ve been told. However, and this is a big however, Otis’ biggest fan is Vince. So right now, no go.

— WrestleVotes (@WrestleVotes) October 6, 2020

SmackDown Superstar Otis surprised everyone by becoming the MITB winner this year. It was an unexpected move as the MITB holder is usually a top-tier singles Superstar who can go on to challenge the World Champion.

However, Otis is primarily a tag team Superstar on SmackDown and more of a comedy act. While the fans were initially excited to see WWE make such a bold move, Otis has proven to be lackluster since his feud with Dolph Ziggler got over.

As per backstage reports by WrestleVotes, it is being said that most backstage officials want the MITB off Otis. However, it is Vince McMahon who is his biggest fan.

There have been multiple pitched ideas to remove the MITB briefcase from Otis & make the storyline a main focus again, some of which are really decent ideas I’ve been told. However, and this is a big however, Otis’ biggest fan is Vince. So right now, no go.

It will be interesting to see if Otis will remain the MITB holder or if WWE will choose someone else to take the briefcase.

#1 Original plans for Sasha Banks and Bayley on SmackDown

Sasha Banks and Bayley have been embroiled in one of the most bitter rivalries on SmackDown as of late. The two former best friends have been at loggerheads ever since the SmackDown Women's Champion Bayley attacked Sasha Banks in brutal fashion.

However, as per Wrestling Observer Radio (via Cagesideseats), WWE had planned to have the two women feud early on but was so impressed with their tag team act that they decided to prolong the team and delay the breakup.

Sasha Banks & Bayley’s feud has long been the plan, but according to Wrestling Observer Radio WWE kept pushing it back because of how great their heel tag team act was.

It had been reported that WWE were planning to have Banks and Bayley main event the upcoming Hell in a Cell event with the two women facing each other inside the demonic structure.

Bayley and Sasha Banks reigned supreme all summer as the two held all the gold in the women's division at one point.