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Welcome to another edition of the top SmackDown backstage rumors that could have a major impact on next month's programming. This week's SmackDown is set to be a star-studded affair as 'The Big Dog' Roman Reigns will be making his SmackDown return after a span of almost 6 months.
WWE has already announced that the returning Superstar will challenge Universal Champion Bray Wyatt and SmackDown Superstar Braun Strowman at Payback. In today's edition, we will see what WWE told The Fiend and The Monster Among Men ahead of their match at SummerSlam regarding Roman Reigns' return and much more!
So without further ado, let's dive into the biggest rumors you should know before this week's SmackDown.
#5 Backstage instruction to SmackDown Superstars ahead of Roman Reigns' return at SummerSlam
Roman Reigns returned at SummerSlam after the SmackDown main-event match featuring Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman got over. After The Fiend became the new Universal Champion, The Big Dog came in and speared him. Reigns also went on to attack Braun Strowman.
As per reports, the returning Roman Reigns will have an edgier character on SmackDown. Tom Colohue revealed what Strowman and Wyatt were told before their match on Dropkick DiSKussions.
"Roman has been in constant contact for the last few weeks with the WWE, who've been giving him a lot more safety assurances and letting him know plans way ahead of anyone else in the company. The Fiend and Braun Strowman didn't know until just before the match that Roman Reigns was going to be there.
They knew how the match was going to go. They were told just beforehand, 'Oh at the end, Roman Reigns is going to come out. Beat you up. You're just going to lay down and take it.' Whereas Roman knew about the ThunderDome months before anyone else knew about the ThunderDome. Right now, he feels safe returning. They did a great job keeping it quiet."
#4 Original plans for MITB winner Otis involving top SmackDown Superstars
Tom Colohue recently revealed the plans WWE had for Otis' MITB cash-in on SmackDown. The original plans involved a long-term storyline involving SmackDown Superstars Roman Reigns, The Fiend, King Corbin and Otis.
Otis won the MITB match this year but there seem to be no concrete plans as to when he may cash in the contract. As per Colohue, the idea was to have the SmackDown Superstar cash-in on King Corbin after he had become the new Universal Champion.
"The idea was that they could make a new star. But of course there have been many changes since. It was supposed to be The Fiend vs Roman Reigns at WrestleMania with Roman winning the Championship. That would evolve into a Championship match for King Corbin. King Corbin would be the man whom Otis would claim the briefcase on. Otis would be cashing in on King Corbin after he won his first Championship"
With Roman Reigns having returned, it will be interesting to see who walks out of Payback as the Universal Champion. We will have to wait and see what plans WWE has for Otis and his MITB cash-in.
#3 Backstage argument between SmackDown announcer Michael Cole and Pat McAfee
Pat McAfee recently made his WWE in-ring debut at NXT TakeOver: XXX when he faced Adam Cole. However, McAfee has made multiple appearances on WWE prior to this, including one at WrestleMania 35, where he had a backstage fight with SmackDown announcer Michael Cole.
McAfee revealed on After the Bell that SmackDown announcer and WWE veteran Michael Cole was furious at him when he saw that the NXT Superstar was ready to appear on WrestleMania in shorts. Michael Cole was so angry that Vince McMahon's opinion on McAfee had to be taken and luckily the Chairman sided with the former NFL player.
He was mad. He was not happy with me. I tried to explain that to him but at the time. I got sent back in the dressing room after there was quite a bit of take between me and Michael Cole. He had to go talk to Vince. I had no other clothes. We were 20 minutes before showtime so there really was nothing anybody could do. They had to go ask Vince McMahon if it was ok. I was told that Vince’s words were, I’m hip. He looks good.”
#2 Major change planned for SmackDown Superstar Jeff Hardy
Jeff Hardy defeated AJ Styles last week on SmackDown and became the new Intercontinental Champion on SmackDown. The 5-time IC Champion had spoken to WWE's The Bump and told them that he wanted to bring back his old theme song 'No More Words'.
However, he continues to have the Hardy Boyz theme song as his entrance music. Beth Hardy hinted that the much-loved theme song of Jeff Hardy will be returning when live crowd returns to the SmackDown arenas.
“No More Words is being reserved for an actual live crowd.”
There has been a lot of speculation regarding Jeff Hardy's future with WWE once his contract is over. With his brother Matt Hardy deciding to join AEW, many believe that is where Jeff Hardy will head as well.
However, it looks like WWE is planning to push the SmackDown Superstar so he might stick around in WWE for the foreseeable future. He is currently feuding with AJ Styles on SmackDown and will hopefully hold the IC Championship for a long time.
#1 Return update on SmackDown Superstar Jimmy Uso
One half of The Usos - Jimmy Uso has been out of action for a long time. The SmackDown Superstar suffered an injury during his match for the SmackDown Tag Championships at WrestleMania 36.
As per Cagesideseats, Jimmy Uso has stated that he is set for a return in January 2021.
Jimmy Uso told Table Talk that he tore his ACL in the first minute of his match at WrestleMania 36, and he is targeting a return in January 2021.
The Usos are multiple-time Tag Team Champions on SmackDown. With Jimmy being out of action, even his brother Jay Uso is not being utilized by WWE.
The SmackDown Tag Team division is in state of flux right now as the newly formed team of multi-time Tag Team Champion Cesaro and former US Champion Shinsuke Nakamura hold the Championships. They have been feuding with the Lucha House Party as of late but they will be in need of serious contenders to their Championships soon on SmackDown.
