WWE SmackDown: 5 Backstage rumors that could have a major impact - WM36 Championship match changed to triple-threat, Another Superstar gets 'Brock Lesnar type' deal (13th March)

WWE's biggest spectacle of the year - WrestleMania - is just 4 weeks away and the company is leaving no stone unturned in its attempts to make it a memorable one. However, with the looming threat of the Coronavirus, there is speculation that the big event may have to be postponed.

Several matches have been confirmed for the show including Goldberg taking on Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship and Becky Lynch putting her RAW Women's Championship on the line against Shayna Baszler, among other major matches.

Let us take a look at 5 big backstage rumors that could have an adverse effect on SmackDown this week:

#5 Fate of the Women's Tag Team Championships

One of the matches rumoured to take place at WrestleMania was The Kabuki Warriors putting their Women's Tag Team Championships on the line against Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross. However, it looks like the company plans on making the match a triple threat by adding the team of Beth Phoenix and Natalya to the mix.

Here is what Cagesideseats have reported:

Per Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, the current plan for the WWE women’s tag team titles is for The Kabuki Warriors to defend at WrestleMania 36 against Natalya & Beth Phoenix and Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross.

The last big match where the Women's Tag Team Championships were defended was at TLC when Kairi Sane and Asuka took on Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch. However, since then injury issues have resulted in Asuka or Sane performing in singles matches most of the time.

There was speculation that Beth Phoenix returned a few weeks on RAW only to further an angle with Kabuki Warriors but it looked like WWE had dropped that plan in favour of Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross getting a shot at the Kabuki Warriors at WrestleMania.

With Asuka taking a shot at Alexa Bliss on RAW, expect The Goddess to further the WrestleMania build on SmackDown.

#4 Rob Gronkowski set to appear on SmackDown

As per reports from The Wrap, former NFL Tight End Rob Gronkowski has signed with WWE and is set to start his in-ring career soon. As per reports, the 30-year-old is supposed to make an appearance on SmackDown soon and is also scheduled to be part of WrestleMania 36.

Dave Meltzer reported on WON that the Gronk has probably gotten a Brock Lesnar type deal and could be making big money in WWE:

So Gronkowski has a deal there. He's going to be on the show on 20th in New Orleans if there is a show on 20th in New Orleans. It could be somewhere else for all we know but he's going to be on the SmackDown side and he's going to be working some dates. It's probably a Lesnar type schedule. So, he's in.

Meltzer also stated that while he doesn't know of any concrete plans for Gronk at WrestleMania 36, the fact that he will be making a television appearance ahead of 'Mania may be a sign that something is planned for him.

With the SmackDown glitches taking place every week, could it be possible that The Gronk is behind those?

#3 Nia Jax to return on SmackDown

The former RAW Women's Champion Nia Jax has been out of action since WrestleMania 35. Jax had to undergo a double knee surgery which is the reason for the Unstoppable Force's absence from WWE.

While Nia Jax was a RAW Superstar ahead of her injury, there are reports stating that she will be returning to SmackDown this week. Not just that, there is also speculation that Paige (who is set to make an appearance on SmackDown) might be Jax's new manager.

Here is what PWInsider had stated:

The word making the rounds at Raw last night was that Nia would be part of the SmackDown brand when she returned and that she would be at this week's TV taping."

Nia Jax has been very active on social media, hinting at a return soon. Paige had previously told Sportskeeda's Gary Cassidy that she would be open to the idea of forming a 'team' with Nia Jax.

"I'm going to be a little bit biased towards Nia Jax. I love her as a person but I feel also like we'd be a really good team!"

#2 Unfortunate update on Paige's in-ring future

Speaking about Paige, there had been rumors suggesting the former Divas Champion might be the next-in-line to make a major in-ring return after a career-threatening injury, following in the footsteps of Daniel Bryan and Edge.

Unfortunately, these reports are untrue and Paige is not set to make an in-ring return anytime soon. Paige will be making a return to SmackDown this week in order to confront the SmackDown Women's Champion Bayley.

While many thought that this confrontation may lead to a match between Bayley and Paige, Sportskeeda's Tom Colohue has stated that this is not the case.

To my knowledge, Paige has not been cleared and there is no intention to clear her at this time. I think people might be getting a little overexcited. With Daniel Bryan, it was a long-time thing for him to come back, it took him a long time to come back.

Colohue also stated that it may happen in the future, but currently, Paige is there only to act in the capacity of General Manager.

#1 6-way match planned for SmackDown Women's Championship

With Becky Lynch set to defend the RAW Women's Championship against Shayna Baszler at WrestleMania 36, all eyes are now on the SmackDown Women's Champion Bayley and who she will be facing at the show.

Initial reports suggested that WWE may be planning a match between Bayley and Sasha Banks at the grand show, but owing to Banks' injury, that might not happen. However, there is still a chance that these two women will square off at WrestleMania as the current plans are for a 6-woman match at WrestleMania 36 for the SmackDown Women's Championship.

Here is what Alex McCarthy of Talksport had stated:

A source tells me the plan for the SD women’s title at WM36 is a six-pack challenge right now.

Bayley v Sasha v Naomi v Lacey Evans v Carmella - that’s five of the six names.

A source tells me the plan for the SD women’s title at WM36 is a six-pack challenge right now. Bayley v Sasha v Naomi v Lacey Evans v Carmella - that’s five of the six names.

— Alex McCarthy (@AlexM_talkSPORT) March 8, 2020

With rumors of Nia Jax returning to SmackDown this week, it is quite possible that she is the 6th woman to be part of this major match.