Top WWE SmackDown Rumors: Current Champion's 119-day streak ends; Roman Reigns WrestleMania opponent; Royal Rumble winner (8th January)

#2 More details on Damian Priest coming to WWE SmackDown

Archer of Infamy 🏹 pic.twitter.com/JdNIpZILoJ

— DTFMania (@DtfMania) January 7, 2021

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.

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#1 WWE SmackDown Superstar Big E favorite to win the Royal Rumble

#MerryChristmas to everyone, especially the future inhabitants of "The @SamiZayn Butt Condos and Housing Developments!"@WWEBigE put in that 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 on #SmackDown. #AndNew pic.twitter.com/7AMFHDTKpn

— WWE Network (@WWENetwork) December 26, 2020

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.