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Welcome to another edition of the top SmackDown backstage rumors that could have a major impact. WWE is all set for Survivor Series this weekend which will see Superstars from SmackDown go head to head against RAW Superstars. Apart from the traditional five-on-five Survivor Series matches, we will also see Roman Reigns take on Drew McIntyre among other big matches.
On this edition of the article, we will talk about what the future holds for Roman Reigns and his title reign, why Drew McIntyre became the WWE Champion again, and much more.
So without any further ado, let us dive in and check out the five biggest rumors and stories related to SmackDown:
#5 SmackDown Superstar Cesaro gives details on being released in 2006
Former seven-time Tag Team Champion Cesaro has become an essential part of the SmackDown roster. The Swiss Cyborg has proven time and again that he may be the best pound for pound athlete in WWE today. However, he has never truly received a major push in the company.
Speaking on Chasing Glory, Cesaro revealed that his dealings with WWE have been rocky from the start. The former US Champion was unceremoniously fired by WWE in 2006 even before he could join.
'So literally I got signed. I finished all my indie bookings. At that point, me and Chris Hero were Kings of Wrestling. We had, which was unheard of at the time, but we had three different tag championships from three different promotions, which again, was unheard of at that point. So, we had that. We finished all our business there. When that was done and I was just about done with finishing all my bookings, I got a call that they can't hire me right now, to which I responded 'I am hired, I'm already getting paid'.
SmackDown Superstar Cesaro further added that he was not given a clear answer as to why he was fired by the company.
#4 Roman Reigns' Universal Championship reign on SmackDown was set to be short
Roman Reigns has been in the best phase of his career on SmackDown ever since returning at SummerSlam this year. Not only did The Big Dog capture the Universal Championship but he finally turned heel.
The Tribal Chief has been running roughshod over SmackDown and it is unfathomable for him to lose his Universal Championship anytime soon. However, Dave Meltzer reported on WOR that the original plans were for Reigns to have a brief title reign after his return. He did not reveal who was supposed to take the Universal Championship away from SmackDown's Tribal Chief.
''Roman Reigns probably isn't losing the title any time soon but who knows because Roman Reigns with a long title run was not the idea, believe it or not. Even though it seems so obvious it was not the idea. I don't know what the... I have no idea who's the guy who was supposed to be the champion because they've basically devalued everybody else.''
It is being rumored that WWE is planning a match between Roman Reigns and The Rock for WrestleMania next year.
#3 Possible final member for team SmackDown revealed
Braun Strowman, Keith Lee, Riddle, AJ Styles, and Sheamus will be representing Team RAW at the upcoming Survivor Series pay-per-view. On the SmackDown side, Jey Uso, Kevin Owens, King Corbin, and Seth Rollins have been finalized as of now. As per Fightful Select, the final member of Team SmackDown is going to be none other than Big E.
Here is what Cagesideseats stated:
According to Fightful, Big E was supposed to qualify for Team SmackDown on last week’s episode, but his match was cut due to time constraints.
Big E was separated from his New Day brothers Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods as there were plans for the former IC Champion to get a major singles push. However, Big E has been languishing on SmackDown and seen mostly in backstage segments ever since his feud with Sheamus got over.
Being part of the SmackDown Survivor Series team would be a good opportunity for Big E to start his rise as a top singles performer on the Blue brand of WWE.
#2 SmackDown Superstar Daniel Bryan to return with a new look?
Former WWE Champion Daniel Bryan was brutally attacked by Jey Uso on SmackDown a few weeks back at the behest of Roman Reigns. Daniel Bryan had to be stretchered out of the building given the viciousness of the attack.
It has been rumored that Daniel Bryan will be entered into the storyline involving Roman Reigns and Jey Uso after his return. Daniel Bryan showed a new hairstyle in the preview of Total Bellas sporting a clean cut instead of his usually unruly hair.
As per Dave Meltzer of WON, Daniel Bryan and Kevin Owens are the top two contenders to become the next challengers for Roman Reigns' Universal Championship on SmackDown.
Daniel Bryan is a former WWE Champion and one of the most popular faces on SmackDown. Having his feud with The Tribal Chief and his crew would not only give fans some great matches but wins over Daniel Bryan will help build Reigns as an unstoppable force.
What do you think of Daniel Bryan's new look? Tell us in the comments.
#1 Was top SmackDown Superstar responsible for Drew McIntyre becoming WWE Champion?
Drew McIntyre defeated Randy Orton on RAW to become a two-time WWE Champion. While McIntyre's credentials to become a WWE Champion can not be questioned, many fans were left confused at the timing of it all. As per Dave Meltzer of WON, one reason for McIntyre becoming WWE Champion again could be because of SmackDown Superstar Roman Reigns.
Dave Meltzer noted that WWE did not want to have a heel vs. heel match at Survivor Series pitting Randy Orton against SmackDown's Roman Reigns. This could be one reason that DrewMcIntyre became the WWE Champion yet again.
''But in the end yeah you could have held off till the PPV but I guess they wanted a babyface-heel dynamic in this match. I mean, Roman Reigns and Randy Orton would have been such a nothing match. I mean really, not even that it's been done before. I know technically as a wrestling match it'd have been fine. They're both good wrestlers but its two heels... the eventual thing would be that everybody would cheer Roman Reigns and they're not really looking for that this week. Roman Reigns and Drew McIntyre is kind of like the battle of the top dog in each brand. Drew has been the one that since before WrestleMania, since the Rumble really, has been pushed as the top guy on one side and Roman Reigns just destroyed everyone on the other side.''
SmackDown's Roman Reigns and RAW's Drew McIntyre will clash against each other at Survivor Series this Sunday.
