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Welcome to another edition of top WWE SmackDown backstage rumours that could have a major impact on the show. On today's edition we will take a look at what can be expected from the Roman Reigns/Kevin Owens storyline in the future, who is going to be Roman Reigns' likely opponent at WrestleMania and which current Superstar is primed to win this year's Royal Rumble.
There have been some rumors circulating regarding the possibility of an NXT Superstar coming to WWE SmackDown to become part of the storyline between Universal Champion Roman Reigns and Kevin Owens. We will take an in-depth look at who this Superstar could be and what the future holds for him.
We will also take a look at who could be winning the Royal Rumble this year. As per initial reports, Keith Lee was set to win the Rumble match, however, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon has apparently soured on Keith Lee and doesn't feel he will be able to do justice to a major push right now.
Apart from these topics, we will also take a look at some other interesting stories related to WWE SmackDown. So without further ado, let us dive in and take a look at the big backstage rumours related to WWE SmackDown.
#5 Sasha Banks 119-day long streak ended on WWE SmackDown
The Boss Sasha Banks has been doing a great job ever since she won the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship by beating Bayley. However, last week on SmackDown, her impressive streak of not being pinned or submitted in 119 days came to an end when she was pinned by Carmella.
Sasha Banks had teamed with Bianca Belair to take on the team of Bayley and Carmella. Though Banks put up a valiant effort, outside interference from Carmella's sommelier Reginald cost her the match on WWE SmackDown.
This was the first time since September 2020 that The Boss suffered a pinfall loss. The last time being when she lost to Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler along with her partner Bayley.
#2 WWE SmackDown Superstar Roman Reigns' likely WrestleMania 37 opponents
As per The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the Superstars who are most likely to face Universal Champion Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 37 are WWE SmackDown Superstar Daniel Bryan or Goldberg.
However, with Goldberg returning to WWE RAW this week and challenging WWE Champion Drew McIntyre to a match, it can be assumed that the former WCW Champion will not be facing WWE SmackDown's Roman Reigns at WrestleMania as it would not be a good build for Roman Reigns to face someone who lost to Drew McIntyre.
This could mean that Daniel Bryan will be the Superstar who finally gets his shot at the Universal Championship at WrestleMania next year. Bryan would be the perfect opponent for Reigns to conquer and give the fans a classic match in the process.
#3 NXT Superstar to join Roman Reigns' story on WWE SmackDown?
WrestleVotes had reported that an NXT Superstar is going to be added to the ongoing Roman Reigns storyline on WWE SmackDown. While a particular name was not revealed, it was stated that the Superstar would be part of the latest NXT episode.
Another report from PWInsider has stated that Damien Priest and Rhea Ripley from NXT are set to join the main roster soon. This implies that Damien Priest could be the Superstar who may be joining Roman Reigns' storyline.
"The current belief is that last night's New Year's Evil broadcast was planned to be the final NXT appearances for Rhea Ripley and Damian Priest and they each will be shifted to the main roster. While things can always change based on the whims of Vince McMahon, Priest's loss to Karrion Kross and Rhea's loss to Raquel Gonzalez were devised with the idea those were the end of the NXT chapters of their career." - PWInsider.
Would you like to see Damian Priest join Roman Reigns' angle with Kevin Owens on WWE SmackDown? Tell us below!
#2 More details on Damian Priest coming to WWE SmackDown
As mentioned previously, it was speculated that Damian Priest would be the Superstar to be called up to WWE SmackDown. In a new update from Dave Meltzer of The Observer, it has been stated that WWE indeed had a plan for Damian Priest to join the Roman Reigns/Kevin Owens saga on WWE SmackDown.
The plan was to have Damian Priest help Kevin Owens in his fight against The Tribal Chief. However, Kevin Owens was not too fond of the idea.
"So, they had a story where it was supposed to be Damian Priest is Kevin Owens’ best friend and he’s helping him against Roman Reigns and Jey Uso. In fact they were even gonna do a tag match on the show Friday night. And Damian Priest is there and ready and all that, and Kevin Owens essentially said 'it makes no sense for him to be my best friend. What do we have in common? Why would he be my best friend? I mean we could do it but, why is he my best friend?'" (h/t WrestleTalk)
With Jey Uso firmly by the side of his cousin Roman Reigns, Kevin Owens is in dire need of a new ally and Damian Priest might be the Superstar who is going to step up to The Tribal Chief on WWE SmackDown soon.
#1 WWE SmackDown Superstar Big E favorite to win the Royal Rumble
SK Wrestling's source within WWE has revealed that the current Intercontinental Champion on WWE SmackDown is the favorite to win the Royal Rumble this year. It has also been stated that the initial plan was to have Keith Lee win the Rumble but Vince McMahon doesn't feel that The Limitless One is ready for such a big push.
"Another big favorite at the moment is Big E because he's had years of exposure in WWE, and 2021 could be his year. Vince likes him."
Big E has become a dominant force on WWE SmackDown of late and with Vince McMahon's blessings, it looks like some big things are in store for the IC Champion.
