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We are all set for this week’s episode of WWE SmackDown. Between the aftermath of Fastlane and the fast-approaching WrestleMania, there’s a lot that can happen tonight. Top superstars want to confirm their spots on the next pay-per-view while others are preparing to step into brutal rivalries. The show could also feature big matches that will have a monumental impact on some of the ongoing storylines.
Roman Reigns picked up a controversial win over Daniel Bryan at Fastlane. The latter will have a few words for the Universal Champion as well as Edge, who teased a heel turn at the last pay-per-view. Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair are also finally about to kickstart their title feud en route to WrestleMania.
In this article, we will take a look at things that can transpire on WWE SmackDown this week.
#1 Daniel Bryan makes a bold demand on WWE SmackDown
The Universal Championship picture is looking interesting on WWE SmackDown. As of now, Roman Reigns is set to defend his title against Edge at WrestleMania 37 next month. However, things could take an exciting turn if the creative incline towards a triple-threat title match at the upcoming pay-per-view. This past Sunday, Daniel Bryan challenged The Tribal Chief for the Universal Championship at Fastlane.
The referee was knocked out during the match, and Edge stepped inside as the special guest enforcer. While Bryan and Reigns were involved in a grueling battle, Jey Uso decided to make an interference. He first hit Edge with a Superkick and then turned his attention towards Bryan. The WWE SmackDown superstar landed a few blows before fetching a Steel Chair, but Bryan was having none of that.
He used the same chair to remove Uso from the match, but things got out of hand soon. Edge shocked everyone when he used the chair to attack Bryan during the match and tease a heel turn. Eventually, Reigns went on to retain his title, but he didn't pick up a clean victory. Bryan had forced Reign to tap out, but the official didn’t see that happen. Thus, Bryan has more than enough ammo to go after both Reigns and Edge on WWE SmackDown this week.
It is expected that Bryan will put forth a fair demand for a rematch, and this could lead to a big change in the title bout at WrestleMania 37. There are several reasons why WWE might add Daniel Bryan to Roman Reigns vs. Edge, including the fact that the WrestleMania main event featuring these superstars will be iconic. WWE SmackDown might finally confirm tonight if Edge turned heel at the last pay-per-view.
A lot can fall in place for Daniel Bryan and his hopes of featuring in a WrestleMania title match before becoming a part-timer. That said, Roman Reigns won’t let the match card change so easily. He is known to use his backstage influence to his advantage and will look to stop Bryan by all means possible. It will be interesting to see what’s in store for these three superstars on WWE SmackDown this week.
#2 Kevin Owens addresses Sami Zayn’s conspiracy theory and subsequent attack on WWE SmackDown
Last week on WWE SmackDown, we saw Sami Zayn begging Kevin Owens to believe that someone is conspiring against him. He even got KO to sit with the announce team during his match against King Corbin. Interestingly enough, Sami Zayn was right as the match official purposely delayed Zayn’s attack, leading to him losing the match.
Zayn then approached Owens and tried to convince him about what had happened inside the ring. The latter didn’t agree, and soon, Zayn attacked Owens with a Helluva Kick. KO is expected to address the turn of events on WWE SmackDown tonight. For now, they seem to be heading towards a classic rivalry on the Blue brand.
Zayn had people documenting him backstage. He might eventually find something useful to convince KO that he is telling the truth. In the meantime, the two will feud on WWE SmackDown, at least until Zayn reveals what is going on backstage. This could also lead to a match between the two real-life best friends at WrestleMania 37. The WWE Universe is excited to see them working together once again.
#3 Sasha Banks confirms heel turn on WWE SmackDown
WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Sasha Banks teamed up with Bianca Belair to challenge Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler for their Women’s tag team titles at Fastlane. Jax and Baszler managed to retain their titles after Banks was underwhelmingly pinned. This led to an irate Belair blaming Banks for their loss at the pay-per-view.
Sasha Banks then finally responded by slapping Belair for challenging her in-ring dominance. The creative has been planting the seeds of her potential heel turn on WWE SmackDown for the last few weeks. Banks now appears to be more arrogant and is looking for a way to dominate Belair before the two face each other for the WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship at WrestleMania.
Fans are eagerly waiting for their WrestleMania feud to kickstart on WWE SmackDown. The creative have limited time to add more intensity to this title match. Belair is eventually expected to win the title, and she needs a lot of momentum on her side ahead of the next pay-per-view. This will help transform her into the top babyface of the Blue brand by WrestleMania 37.
#4 Seth Rollins assaults Cesaro on WWE SmackDown
Ever since his return on WWE SmackDown, Seth Rollins has been feuding with Cesaro. The Messiah recently faced Shinsuke Nakamura in a singles match at Fastlane. Now that he has removed Nakamura from his way, Rollins can focus his attention entirely on Cesaro. The latter also looks determined to seek payback against Seth Rollins.
Both superstars can come face to face once again on WWE SmackDown tonight. Rollins desperately wants Cesaro to embrace his darker side and follow in his path. However, Cesaro is content with his run as a babyface and wants Rollins to stop pushing his agenda on everyone on the roster. This feud has a lot of potential, and it could get extremely personal very soon.
Cesaro and Seth Rollins are close friends in real life. Thus, their chemistry will play a huge role in their ongoing feud on WWE SmackDown. The rivalry could set up a great match at WrestleMania 37, in which both these superstars can put their full in-ring potential on display. Cesaro has deserved a big push for a long time, and this rivalry could work wonders for his single’s run.
#5 Who could challenge for the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Champions for a title match at WrestleMania
The WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship picture has grown rather interesting over the last few weeks. Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode now have to keep an eye on three teams that can threaten their title run, including The Street Profits, Rey and Dominik Mysterio, and The Alpha Academy. The three teams have delivered good matches over the last month and were recently involved in a four-way standoff with the champions.
With a little over two weeks left for WrestleMania, the creative need to identify the next team to step up to the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Champions. The Street Profits have held the titles. The Mysterios have started looking great as a team, and Chad Gable and Otis have been brilliant ever since they turned heel on the Blue brand.
These teams are expected to be involved in huge match-ups on WWE SmackDown over the next couple of episodes. The creative have to determine the strongest challengers for the gold unless they are planning to have Ziggler and Roode defend their titles against multiple tag teams at WrestleMania.
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