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SmackDown Live is riding high on momentum after the fantastic show last week, which was packed with a few returns. This week, while WWE RAW wasn't the most eventful show ever, SmackDown could certainly be loaded with many surprises!
What are the potential surprises that I speak of? In this list (or the lexicon of Le Champion), I shall elaborate as to what I mean and point out the surprises that could technically happen.
I invite you guys to leave a comment and let me know which of these surprises you may want to see, and which ones you do not. This is a very exciting time for WWE as we head into TLC and beyond because a lot of programs and matches will be made clear for WrestleMania.
So, without further ado, here are 5 surprises that we could see on WWE SmackDown this week...
#5 Sheamus challenges Shorty G to a big match
Last week, we saw Sheamus cut a promo in which he spoke about the SmackDown landscape and all of the individuals he would technically love to face in the ring very soon indeed. One of the men in his list was Shorty G, someone who was in a heated feud with King Corbin and has been a part of several multi-man setups since that day too.
We all know that Sheamus likes to be a nasty slugger, and hence, Shorty G would make a very interesting opponent for him. The technical prowess of Shorty G against the power and the might of Sheamus.
Another man I would love to see him take on is Cesaro to potentially indicate that The Bar was over and done for good. But I'm guessing that that's a big-ticket program that they won't get to, right away, at least. Could Sheamus take on and defeat Shorty G in his big return match on SmackDown this very week?
#4 Daniel Bryan loses the hair and the beard
So last week, Daniel Bryan had The Fiend pull him all the way to hell, which apparently exists at the bottom of the SmackDown ring, in a pretty entertaining segment. And what followed is what the world has been talking about - The Fiend pulled Daniel Bryan's hair from his scalp.
It's very clear that Daniel Bryan is reverting to a babyface persona again and for the same to happen, he will need a change in his look, because the long hair and beard have been associated with his heel gimmick for far too long now. Whether it means that Daniel Bryan will become a follower of the Wyatt family, only to eventually escape the shackles, or take on The Fiend in a match very soon remains to be seen for now.
Daniel Bryan did a commendable job during his stint with Erick Rowan as The Planet's Champion and the beard and hair have become synonymous with that particular gimmick. This is a clean slate and a fresh new start for him!
Will Daniel Bryan become the Universal Champion? Can anyone defeat The Fiend, I wonder?
#3 The Miz challenges John Morrison
The hottest news of the week has certainly been the big return of John Morrison to the company, something that has set social media ablaze in recent times, and many have been wondering who the man's first opponent is. I daresay that someone like The Miz could be ideal because of the history that the two men have, which would make for some really compelling television content indeed.
Somehow, babyface Miz hasn't really done anything of note in my opinion, and it is time for him to actually become a heel again. John Morrison is a naturally likable guy and he is certain to do far better as a babyface than a heel.
And so, The Miz could come to the ring and show the first signs of becoming a heel again, challenging the returning John Morrison to a big match. It certainly helps The Miz out, since he's not been in a compelling feud for a long time!
SmackDown needs the star power that Morrison will bring a lot more than RAW. It just seems like a far better fit for the athletic Superstar too.
#2 Alexa Bliss joins the battle for Bayley's title
Last week was a pretty significant episode of the Blue Brand because three major superstar returns happened. Sheamus came back and so did Elias, and finally, Little Miss Bliss returned as well. Her return has been heavily anticipated, especially if you consider the fact that the SmackDown Women's Championship picture needs a revamp.
Bayley has been doing a commendable job as a Champion, but I doubt that Lacey Evans has the kind of appeal needed to carry a program on her own as a babyface. I mean she is certainly getting there, but her babyface turn has been sudden and odd, turning face after becoming the first woman to compete in Saudi Arabia (with Natalya, obviously). I don't know if she will have the audience urging her on to victory if she takes Bayley on for the Women's Championship.
Alexa Bliss certainly has the goodwill of the fans and even if she doesn't emerge as the victor, I can absolutely see her add star power to the match at WWE TLC. Bayley and Alexa Bliss have also worked in the past, and Bliss can bring out the best in Bayley on the microphone!
#1 Brand new challenger for Shinsuke Nakamura
Even though Shinsuke Nakamura is currently a reigning and defending Champion, it somehow seems like he's not as much in the spotlight as he should ideally be at this point in time. The fact of the matter is that the man needs a prominent feud to be back in the limelight once again and this can be achieved by taking on a monstrous opponent.
It's very weird that someone like Braun Strowman is on the roster but he is not actively feuding with anyone at all right now. Instead of him mixing it up with enhancement talent at the bottom of the roster (I mean it gets a pop from the live crowd, but it does little for Strowman's career), I think he could certainly enter into a feud with someone like Nakamura.
It is a fresh feud and while Strowman may seem like the clear favorite to win, keep in mind that Shinsuke Nakamura will have Sami Zayn by his side to even the numbers as well. And so, all said and done, it may be the best feud for both of the men involved.
And I daresay that Braun Strowman needs the Intercontinental Championship right now.
Teddy Long snaps when Swerve Strickland's race is brought up HERE
