'%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 SmackDown may not feature a single one of the surprises mentioned in this list. That said, the post-WrestleMania episode of WWE SmackDown did not draw a major number and hence, surprises are necessary.
It does seem like the company is going to phone it in until WrestleMania Backlash comes around, which just seems like it'll continue the existing feuds we see on TV. A few jolts are necessary, a twist, a turn or two, to remind the audience that anything can happen on WWE SmackDown.
So, here are five surprises that could happen this week. Feel free to share your thoughts and views in the comments below and let us know what you'd like to see on this week's show!
#5 Seth Rollins forms a pact with WWE SmackDown stars Roman Reigns and Jey Uso
From the social media post that Seth Rollins recently made (as can be seen above), it does seem like he and Roman Reigns may be cordial. One may go so far as to say that they have been presented as friends! Could this be a prelude to a brand new version of The Shield being formed on WWE SmackDown this week?
Well, let's just say that it may be a little difficult to get Dean Ambrose to fill in the third spot, for obvious reasons. The easiest solution to the problem could come in the form of Jey Uso, who would be a fantastic third member for the heel trio in its current avatar.
All of them have a mutual foe in the form of Cesaro, as Seth Rollins has made it clear that he's not done with the Swiss Cyborg yet, through his actions on WWE SmackDown last week. Would you like to see this version of The Shield?
#4 Mia Yim steps up to WWE SmackDown Women's Champion Bianca Belair
It turns out that WWE SmackDown is in for a reckoning. It may also come in the form of a former RAW star RECKONING, who recently moved to the SmackDown brand. Chances are, now that the whole gimmick has been dropped, she will revert to the Mia Yim character.
Imagine the kind of impact she could make if, on her WWE SmackDown debut, RECKONING takes off her mask and says she is Mia Yim, getting in Bianca Belair's face.
The HBIC, as she dubs herself, could make quite a splash, going right for the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship, even if she were to come up short in her debut attempt. Obviously, Bianca Belair is the face of the brand and there's no way that she is losing the title anytime soon. But for Mia Yim to have a competitive showing against Belair would just establish her as the future.
Plus, Belair needs strong opponents to work against, beyond Sasha Banks, Bayley, and Carmella.
#3 Cesaro and Big E form an alliance on WWE SmackDown
Many dub WWE SmackDown Superstar Cesaro as 'Superman', but chances are that even he cannot take on multiple opponents. When confronted by such a massive threat as Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, AND Seth Rollins, Cesaro may find that all the uppercuts and swings in the world may not be enough.
This is why Rollins could form an alliance with Roman Reigns, which could have long-term consequences on WWE SmackDown. Simply put, once Roman Reigns and Cesaro are done jousting over the Universal Championship, Big E could enter the title picture in the lead-up to SummerSlam. And maybe at SummerSlam, Big E brings Roman Reigns' reign to an end.
But all of this could begin on this week's edition of WWE SmackDown when Cesaro and Big E form a temporary alliance. Big E should not go back to the well and face Apollo Crews again because that's a feud that's over and done with. He needs to climb up the ranks with something he can sink his teeth into.
#2 Io Shirai makes her WWE SmackDown debut
The WWE SmackDown women's division suffered a massive setback when Billie Kay was let go from the company. To compensate for her departure, the division may decide to bring in Io Shirai from NXT, who can mix it up with the stacked roster. The 'Genius of the Sky' would be a welcome addition to the division.
Io Shirai can excel both as a babyface and a heel, as we've seen during her NXT stint. She is also an incredible worker, and in time, will be a great opponent for the likes of Bianca Belair, Sasha Banks, and Bayley. In fact, her first feud on WWE SmackDown should be against Bayley, and she should go over!
Io Shirai has spent far too much time in NXT and it may be time for her to make a splash in a big way. WWE SmackDown also needs fresh new blood to keep Bianca Belair exciting and interesting for fans. Do you guys think that she is ready for the main roster?
#1 Aleister Black returns to action on WWE SmackDown in a brand new avatar
If you want a recap of what happened on WWE SmackDown last week, we at Sportskeeda have you covered. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel, which has exciting content going up every day that you can check out for free!
The final WWE SmackDown surprise may involve a certain gentleman named Aleister Black, who has been teasing a repackaging based on the vignette shared above. His wife may no longer be employed by the company, but he's still a very valuable commodity, and he may climb up the WWE SmackDown ranks starting this week.
It would be really cool to see Aleister Black take on Intercontinental Champion Apollo Crews in a series of matches that raises the value and equity of the Championship. Black is just far too valuable a player to be sitting on the sidelines for months on end.
Or would you rather have Aleister Black step up to Roman Reigns and challenge him for the Universal Championship?
