Top SmackDown Backstage Rumors: Real reason Bray Wyatt was stripped of the Universal Championship; 3-time WWE Champion to be sent to RAW; Update on Reigns/Heyman partnership (4th Septemeber)

SmackDown has become quite intriguing as of late. With Roman Reigns winning the Universal Championship at Payback, it will be interesting to see how WWE book the fallout on SmackDown.

Roman Reigns is allegedly turning heel and has already started showing signs of it. Roman Reigns is now managed by Paul Heyman. On today's edition of the top SmackDown Backstage rumors, we will discuss what the future holds for the two as a pair and why they were teamed in the first place.

We will also talk about what might happen to Braun Strowman now that he is no longer the Universal Champion. So let us take a look at these big backstage rumors that could have a major impact on SmackDown:

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#5 Reason why SmackDown Superstar Bray Wyatt lost the Universal Championship a week after winning

The Fiend was the single most over act in WWE last year. That is, up until WWE decided to job him out to Goldberg in under three minutes to lose the Universal Championship.

Braun Strowman who managed to beat Goldberg at WrestleMania 36 won the title. The Fiend finally managed to capture the Championship back at SummerSlam by beating The Monster Among Men.

However, the SmackDown Superstar lost the title yet again to Roman Reigns at Payback just a week after winning it. Tom Colohue has reported that the reason for WWE having Wyatt lose the belt was because they want fans to hate Roman Reigns now that he has turned heel.

"As for why they [WWE] gave The Fiend the title - they wanted the face to lose. You're supposed to hate Roman Reigns. They're genuinely worried now that they've made him a bada**, everyone is going to cheer him. That's why in the ThunderDome, people were specifically instructed to boo Roman Reigns."

#4 SmackDown Superstar Roman Reigns could be heading to RAW

Tom Colohue stated on his SK's Dropkick DiSKcussions that he believes there is a strong chance that there will be a brand change between the Universal and WWE Champions. With rumors suggesting that SmackDown star Roman Reigns is set to hold the Universal Championship for a long time, it is possible that we may see The Big Dog leave SmackDown and return to Monday Night RAW.

Colohue also stated that Roman Reigns will likely not have a match inside Hell in a Cell this year. The plan is for The Fiend to have a long-term feud with Roman Reigns but the two might not clash at HIAC this year.

"The plan at the moment is to have a long Championship reign - Brock Lesnar style - with a few more Championship defences. He will be defending the title at Clash of Champions, likely against The Fiend. And after that, The Fiend becomes the long-term goal. The Fiend becomes the chaser. He's not going to be feuding with anyone inside the Hell in a Cell, that will be going to someone else. I strongly suspect that we're going to see a brand change between the WWE and Universal Championships."

#3 Reason why Roman Reigns paired with Paul Heyman on SmackDown

SmackDown Superstar Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman joining forces was one of the biggest shockers in WWE over the last few months. The Big Dog Roman Reigns has become the Universal Champion and with Heyman by his side, it looks like big things are in store for him.

As per Dave Meltzer of The Observer, having Heyman and Reigns pair up on SmackDown wasn't a last-minute decision. In fact, Roman Reigns had himself been wanting to turn heel for a long time.

SportsKeeda's Tom Colohue also stated that Paul Heyman and Roman Reigns have known each other for a long time and had great respect for one another. The two men had wanted to work with each other and this was the perfect opportunity for that to happen.

''The planning for this technically started years ago but wasn't taken very seriously. [Paul] Heyman and Roman [Reigns] have had a long-term relationship. They've known each other and had massive respect for each other for a long time. Even five years ago, as far as WrestleMania 31, they discussed the idea of Paul Heyman in Roman Reigns' corner - wrecking things. Instead, they went through with four straight WrestleMania main events with Roman Reigns as a face.''

#2 SmackDown Superstar Braun Strowman to lose his push

Braun Strowman lost the Universal Championship at SummerSlam to Bray Wyatt and then failed to regain it at Payback a week later. Although the SmackDown Superstar debuted a new look after his Swamp Fight with Bray Wyatt, it has not translated into a push for him.

As per SK's Tom Colohue, we can expect The Monster to be pushed down the card in the time to come. Even though he held the Universal Championship for months, he was merely a placeholder Champion. He also stated that a feud with SmackDown Superstar Big E could be on the cards for Strowman.

''Next for Braun Strowman is down the card. He had a pretty good first title reign, it lasted four months. He only really feuded with Bray Wyatt. Yes, he had a match with The Miz and [John Morrison]. But he never really did much beyond that. For a first title reign, that's not bad. And there will be more in the future. He's shown that he can lead the company. Going forward, he will be in the upper midcard now, helping to put people over. We could see a feud with Big E coming in the near future. ''

#1 Alexa Bliss' role in the storyline involving The Fiend on SmackDown

One of the most interesting aspects of the ongoing storyline involving The Fiend Bray Wyatt is the involvement of Alexa Bliss. SmackDown's The Fiend had attacked Bliss with mandible claw in order to rattle Braun Strowman.

However, The Monster seemed unaffected by The Fiend's dastardly act. In the weeks following, WWE started hinting a bond between Bliss and Wyatt.

Tom Colohue has reported that SmackDown Superstar Alexa Bliss is key in The Fiend's face turn. He stated that his interactions with Alexa Bliss will give the fans a more compelling storyline for his face turn.

''Actually, the time when they found out that Roman Reigns was returning, things had to change. Braun Strowman was essentially relieved of that duty. The Fiend became the face because Roman Reigns was turning heel. That's why Alexa Bliss was there in order to turn The Fiend face - because there'll be a lot more story there - that really brings that home that makes it very convincing that you should cheer The Fiend."