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Welcome to this week's edition of the top SmackDown rumors and news stories. SmackDown continues to give fans exciting episodes each week, and this week was no different.
Not only did we see the return of The Boss Sasha Banks on SmackDown, but the SummerSlam match between John Cena and Roman Reigns has also been confirmed. In today's edition, we will take a look at why Sasha Banks took such a long time to make her return to WWE among many other interesting topics.
So without further ado, let us dive in and take a look at the biggest news and rumors related to WWE SmackDown:
#5 Bronson Reed wants to join Roman Reigns on SmackDown
Former NXT North American Champion Bronson Reed added fuel to the fire amid speculation that he is interested in joining The Bloodline on SmackDown. There have been a lot of rumors suggesting Reed is going to get a main roster call-up soon.
The Samoan Australian superstar told The Sportster's Denise Salcedo that he is willing to be part of Roman Reigns' faction on SmackDown. However, he did add that he isn't opposed to the idea of facing them either.
"Well I think a lot of people online fantasy book that. So I just like to feed their ego a little bit, {laughs} stir the pot a little bit. But I would not be against aligning myself with those guys. I’ve met them, they are someone that I feel I can definitely work with, but at the same time I wouldn’t be against fighting those guys as well," said Bronson Reed.
The powerhouse athlete has made a major mark in NXT already and is pegged as one of the NXT superstars who could become huge on the main roster as well. It would be interesting to see Reed join Roman Reigns' faction as a heavyweight. It will also make the inner dynamics of the group even more interesting to watch.
#4 SmackDown's Sasha Banks sends a message to Bray Wyatt
SmackDown Superstar Sasha Banks took to Twitter to send out a heartfelt message to Bray Wyatt following his unexpected release from WWE. Former WWE Champion Bray Wyatt was released by WWE on Saturday.
Wyatt has been absent from WWE since the RAW after WrestleMania 37. It was believed that he would be returning to the company in August, however, he has been let go instead.
Former SmackDown Women's Champion Sasha Banks tweeted Bray Wyatt's famous catchphrase 'he's got the whole world in his hands' followed by a heart emoji.
#3 Reason for Sasha Banks' absence from SmackDown
Sasha Banks returned to SmackDown this week. She attacked her rival Bianca Belair indicating a revival of their program over the Women's title. Banks was last seen at WrestleMania 37 where she lost the women's championship to Bianca Belair on Night One of WrestleMania.
PWInsider has reported that the reason for Banks not being on SmackDown until now was because she was busy filming for The Mandalorian show. She plays the character Koska Reeves on the Star Wars spin-off show.
As per PWInsider’s report, the belief is that Banks has been busy filming content as Koska Reeves, her Star Wars character, for a future Disney+/Lucasfilm series.
Do you think Sasha Banks will regain the SmackDown Women's Championship? Let us know in the comments.
#2 The Rock set to return to SmackDown
Andrew Zarian of the Mat Men podcast has revealed that WWE has penciled The Rock vs SmackDown's Roman Reigns for WrestleMania 38. There has been a lot of speculation on when The Rock will return to WWE. Zarian had reported that there is talk of bringing The Rock back for this year's Survivor Series.
It looks like WWE is heading towards a clash between The Rock and his cousin Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 38:
“By the way, Rock vs Roman, that is what is soft on paper for the main event in Dallas. I mean, Dallas, 100,000 people, you need the freaking Rock,” said Andrew Zarian.
#1 Big E wasn't happy when his plans for a feud with Aleister Black on SmackDown got scrapped
Big E was set to feud with Aleister Black a few months back on SmackDown. Black made his long-awaited return to SmackDown and attacked Big E. Unfortunately, Black was released by WWE before the program could pick up steam.
Speaking to Give Me Sport, Big E talked about the nixed plans involving him and Aleister Black on SmackDown. He said that he was disappointed that the feud did not happen as it could have been great fun considering their contrasting personalities.
"There’s such a difference in the way that we carry ourselves, in our characters, in many ways polar opposites. I think it could have made for a lot of fun," concluded Big E.
The MITB contract holder also admitted that he was himself surprised when Aleister Black was released by WWE. Black, now known as Malakai Black, works for AEW.
