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Yes, the episode of WWE SmackDown we're going to see this weekend is not only the preview show for WWE Payback 2020 but it is also the fallout show for SummerSlam 2020. There's so much happening in the world of WWE that it may be difficult to stay abreast of everything, but if you're a Sportskeeda reader, we've got you covered.
As great as the last pay-per-view was, the need of the hour is to make WWE SmackDown just as exciting to keep the momentum going. Not everyone may tune in to watch WWE Payback 2020 because, obviously, it is not as big an event as SummerSlam and there's a great chance of fatigue when it comes to watching pay-per-views one weekend after another.
So, with that said, here are 5 potential surprises that may happen on WWE SmackDown this week.
#5 Nikki Cross reveals that she is aligned with Bray Wyatt on WWE SmackDown
Sure, everyone that comes into contact with The Fiend changes and so will Alexa Bliss, but she may not become Sister Abigail as many have been predicting. Instead, it is another WWE SmackDown star who has been casting aspersions about The Goddess who could become this twisted character. This is Nikki Cross, who, many believe was at her best when she was the crazy loon in SAnitY.
Nikki Cross and Bray Wyatt could certainly become a very sinister duo, and Nikki Cross could adopt the character of Abby The Witch, the puppet we've come to know and love and fear from the whole Firefly Fun House segment.
As for Alexa Bliss, she could certainly turn heel once again, and maybe go to WWE RAW to challenge Asuka for the title. WWE SmackDown's women's division seems pretty stacked currently.
#4 RETRIBUTION shows up on WWE SmackDown and does not attack Roman Reigns
There is a rumor floating around, ever since he made his big return at WWE SummerSlam 2020 that Roman Reigns is the leader of the faction known as RETRIBUTION. When he officially makes his big return at WWE SmackDown this week, RETRIBUTION could invade the stage during the big contract signing, destroy everyone and leave Roman Reigns without a scratch, raising eyebrows.
It would be far too obvious to have Roman Reigns eventually be exposed as the leader of RETRIBUTION if this angle was to play out, but this week on WWE SmackDown, the seeds of doubt could be sown.
Eric Bischoff, the former Executive Director of WWE SmackDown, had some interesting thoughts about Roman Reigns potentially being the leader of RETRIBUTION and some other topics, as you can see above and below.
Whether or not WWE SmackDown star Roman Reigns is the leader of RETRIBUTION remains to be seen, but in this week's episode of WWE SmackDown and the ones that follow, he should certainly be involved in the whole Retribution storyline regardless.
#3 The Miz and John Morrison surprisingly split up on WWE SmackDown
As great as The Miz and John Morrison have been on WWE SmackDown, sometimes it just seems that their pairing is holding both men back. The Miz is someone who is capable of so much more as a heel in the singles division, and John Morrison's high-flying is sometimes impaired because he is supposed to be a bad guy, in the WWE SmackDown roster.
We've seen a tease of The Miz being a RETRIBUTION member and this can be capitalized on this week, as well. Maybe when John Morrison least expects him to, The Miz attacks him from behind and cuts a fiery promo (did you see his incredible exchange with Big E on WWE Talking Smack?)
The Miz could, in time, be unmasked as the leader of RETRIBUTION, if the Roman Reigns road is not something that WWE wants to go down. And John Morrison could mix it up with heels like King Corbin, Shorty G, and Sheamus as a babyface on WWE SmackDown in due course of time.
#2 Mandy Rose challenges Bayley for the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship
Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville have had quite the feud on WWE SmackDown thus far, something that has been marred by real-life incidents as well. Well, she stood tall at WWE SummerSlam 2020, as she sent Sonya Deville packing. And now, she's ready to ascend to the next level in her WWE career, taking the fight to the WWE SmackDown Women's Champion- Bayley.
This is a feud that can very likely happen since Mandy Rose is someone who has been on the precipice of breaking out in the WWE SmackDown roster. It is a roster dominated by Bayley and Sasha Banks where it's very difficult to gain a foothold. Mandy Rose could very well become the next breakout star by defeating Bayley in due time.
Sasha Banks and Bayley will likely be allied for some more time since they are also the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions at the moment. And the oddball team of Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler seems temporary, at best.
#1 Matt Riddle and AJ Styles form a tag team, enter the WWE SmackDown tag team division
Let's face it, when it comes to AJ Styles, even when he is a heel, he is still the best wrestler not just on WWE SmackDown but maybe across the world. Many people have grown up watching him in the ring and as a result, the WWE SmackDown loves him quite dearly, making it impossible for him to completely tap into his 'evil' side.
And so, there may be a chance that he could turn babyface on this week's episode of WWE SmackDown, to align with Matt Riddle, a man who needs an association with someone like AJ Styles, to ascend to the next level of his career.
Imagine the kind of matches they could put on with the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Champions Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura in the days that follow.
Be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you'd like to see transpire on this week's episode of WWE SmackDown. Also, be sure to check out the video that's been linked above.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
