'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
WWE TLC was a great show or not, depending on your perspective. What we know for sure is that it was a show with far-reaching consequences, which will be felt in the WWE locker room, for a really long time.
We already saw the impact of WWE TLC on RAW, but SmackDown is a whole new story and one wonders what is next for the men and women on the blue brand. With that said, I would like to present 5 surprises that could potentially take SmackDown by storm this week.
Be sure to voice your opinion in the comments section below, reader. And thank you, so very much, for reading my work and the work of my colleagues here at Sportskeeda, allowing us to earn a living from doing what we love.
We will all continue to bring you the best sports entertainment coverage in the year 2020.
#5 Sheamus makes his big return
We've been seeing vignettes about Sheamus' return for weeks now but he hasn't shown up on the blue brand just about yet. But all of that could change this week if he were to come and attack Roman Reigns out of the blue. One hopes that Roman Reigns is done with King Corbin at last and that their feud has finally come to a conclusion.
Sheamus has always been at the top of the card, although in recent years, he had slipped a rung or two to become a Tag Team Superstar. But even as a Tag Team performer, Sheamus has always been a top star, almost always in the title picture. The best way to re-establish him as a force to be reckoned with is to have him feud with a top star, and there's nobody bigger and 'dogger' than The Big Dog!
#4 The Miz turns heel after losing to Wyatt
Everyone changes once they face The Fiend and I'm assuming the same will be the case when they take on Bray Wyatt too. For instance, Prince Devitt AKA Finn Balor reverted to his original persona and went to NXT, while Seth Rollins became the despicable heel that he was a few years ago.
One would assume that The Miz will change as well and will transform into a heel, presumably to challenge the likes of Shinsuke Nakamura, for the Intercontinental Championship. I think that it's high time The Miz was included in the title picture once again because he is arguably the best Intercontinental Champion in history.
Shinsuke Nakamura has had to change his offense ever since he went heel and is a lot less flashy than he used to be as a babyface, if you remember his work in NXT or even before that, back when he was in New Japan Pro Wrestling. A heel Miz can certainly keep pace with Sami Zayn on the microphone and engage in a war of words that leads to a program with Nakamura, and in doing so, all three men involved can elevate the Intercontinental Championship significantly.
#3 Bray Wyatt begins to terrorize Brie Bella
Bray Wyatt showed us a glimpse of just how demented he can be by terrorizing The Miz with photographs where he was pictured alongside Maryse and Monroe Sky. But now, Wyatt has a brand new target in mind, specifically someone who returned at TLC with a brand new look- Daniel Bryan.
And Wyatt knows that in a match against Daniel Bryan, the first blow has to be struck even before the opening bell is rung. For this precise reason, I am certain that Bray Wyatt will terrorize Brie Bella in much the same manner that he terrorized Maryse not long ago.
This will be very cool to see because the WWE Universe knows and loves Brie Bella already, and perhaps could even make her a big deal when she makes a surprise return at the Royal Rumble if there are plans for her to do so. And this will cause Daniel Bryan to snap and for the upcoming, inevitable match to become far more personal.
Everything that these two men do is worthwhile, but if Brie Bella is added to the mix it could certainly become a feud for the ages.
#2 Ali and Shorty G challenge The New Day
A lot of people, quite rightfully, thought that the match of the night at WWE TLC was the one between The New Day and The Revival. Kofi Kingston reminded us all just how innovative the man is, even after so many years in the business, with his feats of athleticism on more than one occasion. And yet, as good as the match was, almost everyone had the same reservation.
They felt that we have seen far too many matches between The Revival and The New Day. There are only so many matches you can watch, even if the performers are legendary. And this is why The New Day needs fresh opponents to work with, every week on television.
So, while they can presumably work with a heel tandem like Corbin and Ziggler for the Royal Rumble pay-per-view (provided the plan is not for Kofi Kingston to enter the Royal Rumble and showcase his feats of athleticism), they can definitely elevate the team of Shorty G and Ali on SmackDown this week. Because it's weekly television, a face vs. face match may actually be justified and it could lead to many possibilities.
#1 Alexa Bliss enters the SmackDown Women's Championship picture
There are many great promos in WWE at this point in time, but the one promo that everyone's talking about at the moment is the one that Alexa Bliss cut on WWE Backstage earlier this week. As good as Lacey Evans is, her feud with Bayley has felt a little flat and many have felt the need to include The Goddess in the mix because she has oodles of charisma and a natural connection with the entire WWE Universe too.
And this is why I do believe that Alexa Bliss could certainly enter the SmackDown Women's Championship picture and spruce it up with her presence. She has an existing history with Bayley which could certainly play a factor and could have a very interesting war of words with Lacey Evans if given the opportunity.
I don't necessarily think that Alexa Bliss needs to be made the SmackDown Women's Champion but I wouldn't mind it if it happens. We could see her take the division to the next level as a babyface champion.
But I'd be content to see Bayley carry the title all the way to WrestleMania, and potentially face someone like Sasha Banks at the grand show.
