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We are all set for the first episode of WWE SmackDown after WrestleMania Backlash. Tonight, the show will focus on kickstarting storylines to set the groundwork for interesting matches at Hell in a Cell. The episode can also witness a title change hands in a promising Fatal Four-Way match. All eyes will be on the top title-holders who will look for fresh challenges ahead of the next WWE pay-per-view.
In this article, we will take a look at things that can transpire on WWE SmackDown this week.
#1 Roman Reigns turns his attention towards ‘disrespectful’ Jimmy Uso on WWE SmackDown
Roman Reigns defended his Universal Championship against Cesaro at WrestleMania Backlash. Although The Swiss Cyborg pushed Reigns to his limits in their title bout, the latter emerged victorious and is now free to focus on more pressing matters. His cousin Jimmy Uso recently returned to WWE Smackdown after a prolonged injury, and we are seemingly en route to another family feud.
Soon after his return, Jimmy refused to acknowledge Roman Reigns as his "Tribal Chief." Instead, he questioned the Universal Champion’s authority and expressed his doubts over Reigns’ title reign. This didn’t sit well with The Head of the Table, who warned his cousin about the repercussions if he doesn’t fall back in line on WWE SmackDown.
Last year, Roman Reigns was involved in a similar disagreement with Jey Uso. This led to a brutal Hell in a Cell match between Reigns and Jey, which ended with the latter saying "I Quit" to save his brother Jimmy. We could see something similar transpire this year, and it could all start with an intense altercation on WWE SmackDown this week.
Roman Reigns could lay a surprise attack on Jimmy Uso in order to cement his superiority. Jimmy would then hit back, and it could eventually lead to a big match between them at Hell in a Cell. Reigns will once again look to establish his dominance and force his cousin to side with him. After all, it benefitted Jey Uso immensely on WWE SmackDown.
This feud will also put Jey Uso in an interesting position. He currently works as Reigns’ right-hand man and has proven himself to be the biggest reason behind The Tribal Chief’s successful championship reign. Jey will now have to choose between his brother Jimmy Uso and his cousin Roman Reigns. His presence can move this storyline in multiple directions on WWE SmackDown.
In the long run, Jimmy would benefit by joining forces with the rest of his family. Together, The Usos and Roman Reigns would be unbeatable on WWE SmackDown, and we could see one of the best heel stables in the promotion’s history. But before any of that happens, Reigns and Jimmy Uso will meet inside the ring to settle their ongoing quarrel.
#2 Star-studded Intercontinental Championship match scheduled for WWE SmackDown
This week’s episode of WWE SmackDown will feature an action-packed Fatal Four-Way match for the Intercontinental Championship. Apollo Crews will look to defend his title against Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, and Big E tonight. He will also have his new-found ally Commander Azeez at ringside, who helped him win the title from Big E at WrestleMania 37.
There are two feuds to note ahead of this match. Big E and Apollo Crews have been involved in a title rivalry since earlier this year. On the other hand, Kevin Owens started feuding with Sami Zayn after he vowed to beat the conspiracy theories out of his friend’s head. The last few weeks have seen all four superstars cross paths on WWE SmackDown, and now, everyone has set their sights on Crews’ title as well.
Considering their previous exchanges, it would be fair to expect chaos to unfold during this title match. It could also lead to a possible title change on WWE SmackDown. However, there’s a bigger chance that a slight assist from Azeez and an opportunistic move will help Crews retain his gold. It would be interesting to see the aftermath of this title match on all the four superstars involved.
#3 Cesaro hits back at Seth Rollins on WWE SmackDown
Cesaro’s recent push on WWE SmackDown has been nothing short of brilliant. Despite losing his match against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania Backlash, he managed to establish himself as one of the top babyfaces on the Blue brand. The creative now need to invest in his current run, and he could be involved in an extended feud with Seth Rollins.
After Roman Reigns defeated The Swiss Cyborg, the latter was brutalized by Jey Uso inside the ring. Soon after that, Seth Rollins arrived and laid out a brutal assault on an already injured Cesaro. This led to fans sympathizing with the former United States Champion, and they now expect him to settle the score with Rollins. Both superstars could use an intense feud to elevate their respective positions on WWE SmackDown’s roster.
Rollins and Cesaro are good friends in real life and share great chemistry. Their previous matches helped in the latter’s push, and they can meet once again for the final chapter of their ongoing rivalry. Cesaro did well in his first-ever world title match, and he needs to be a part of active storylines on WWE SmackDown in order to avoid seeing his push coming to an abrupt end.
#4 Bianca Belair looks for next challenger on WWE SmackDown
Bianca Belair successfully defended her WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship against Bayley at WrestleMania Backlash. It was an impressive bout that helped in kickstarting Belair’s title run on a great note. She will now look for her next challenger, and it could be her former nemesis, Sasha Banks. Both superstars last met at WrestleMania when Banks lost her title to Belair.
After the pay-per-view, Banks made it clear that she is not yet done with Bianca Belair and that she would return for her title rematch. It is possible that she will attack Belair tonight and demand a shot at the latter’s WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship. This could eventually lead to a brutal match between both the talented superstars at Hell in a Cell next month.
Although the WrestleMania match between Banks and Belair was incredible, their feud leading up to the pay-per-view was quite underwhelming. The creative will have the opportunity to rectify that mistake by booking them again in a more intense feud. Banks is a brilliant heel, and she should be allowed to go after Belair with everything she has, now that she has nothing to lose.
#5 What’s next for the newly crowned WWE SmackDown Tag Team Champions?
Rey and Dominik Mysterio won the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania Backlash after defeating Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode. In the process, they became the first father-son duo to win the tag team championships in WWE history. Despite conquering several milestones in WWE, the masked legend believes that sharing a title reign with his son is the biggest achievement of his career.
The Mysterios seem to have a bright future ahead as the reigning tag team champions on WWE SmackDown. It would be interesting to see who will step up to the new title-holders. We could see a title rematch between The Mysterios and The Dirty Dawgs. Following that, other tag teams would like to have a shot at the division’s gold.
The Mysterios can feud with Alpha Academy on WWE SmackDown as well. Both teams were involved in a brutal rivalry until recently. Otis and Chad Gable have been great as a heel, and they have continuously targeted Rey Mysterio in the past. The Street Profits will also look for title opportunities. Things are finally picking pace in the tag team division, and the creative should make the most of it by booking memorable storylines.
