WWE SmackDown premiere on the USA Network will take place tonight. The show will mark the beginning of the blue brand’s five-year run on its old home.
WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H has announced that Cody Rhodes vs. Solo Sikoa in an Undisputed WWE Championship Steel Cage match will kick off the show. It will be the self-proclaimed Tribal Chief’s second shot at The American Nightmare’s title.
VIDEO: Tomorrow night, LIVE from Seattle, @CodyRhodes vs. Solo Sikoa in a Steel Cage for the Undisputed WWE Championship will kick off #SmackDown’s monumental return to @USANetwork at 8/7c. As for the rest of the show… you’ll just have to wait and see.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at five things that are likely to happen if Solo Sikoa walks out of tonight’s SmackDown as the Undisputed WWE Champion.
5. Cody Rhodes could get traded to WWE RAW from SmackDown
Cody Rhodes officially moved to SmackDown in the WWE Draft earlier this year. He had been the most popular babyface on the brand until SummerSlam, where Roman Reigns returned to take out Solo Sikoa.
If The American Nightmare loses his title, he will not have much left to do in the blue brand’s main event scene. Therefore, Nick Aldis could trade him to RAW in return for a top star from the red brand.
The SmackDown General Manager could get Jey Uso or Sami Zayn, as both of them need to return eventually for the inevitable Bloodline Civil War.
4. Randy Orton’s heel turn gets delayed
Randy Orton has been one of the most popular babyfaces in WWE for the past three years. The Viper is definitely better as a heel, though, and the Stamford-based promotion will likely go in that direction in the future, as fans want to see a rivalry between him and Cody Rhodes.
The 14-time WWE Champion was spotted eyeing The American Nightmare’s title a few times when they teamed up earlier this summer. His motivation for a potential heel turn may have been going after his 15th world title, but if Cody Rhodes loses the Undisputed WWE Championship, The Viper may delay his plans.
It is possible that WWE will hold back on booking Orton vs. Rhodes until after WrestleMania 41, as the rumored plan for the next Show of Shows is an encounter between The Rock and Rhodes. So, if The American Nightmare drops the title on SmackDown, he may challenge The Final Boss for it at The Showcase of Immortals or win it back before the latter’s return.
3. Solo Sikoa gifts The Rock the Undisputed WWE title
The Rock is the only member of The Bloodline who did not suffer a loss at WrestleMania XL. The Final Boss set his sights on Cody Rhodes’ Undisputed WWE Championship on the RAW after the Show of Shows.
VIDEO: “Our story has just begun.” #RawAfterMania
If Solo Sikoa wins the title on SmackDown, he may reveal in the main event that he was leading The Bloodline and going after the title on the orders of The Rock.
The Final Boss could then return to SmackDown and take the title from Sikoa, who could become his Enforcer. The angle could set up a Rock vs. Rhodes match next year, followed by a Rock vs. Roman Reigns bout at WrestleMania 42.
2. A Triple Threat match between Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, and Solo Sikoa
Roman Reigns never got a rematch for the Undisputed WWE Championship after he lost it to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania XL. On top of that, he helped his former rival retain the title against Solo Sikoa in the main event of SummerSlam.
The Original Tribal Chief is expected to face Solo Sikoa when he returns, but he may want the title alongside the Ula Fala if his former Enforcer wins it on SmackDown tonight. Cody Rhodes’ involvement in the feud is also possible because he would want his title back.
WWE could book a Triple Threat match between the three men for the gold at a major event like Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia.
1. Roman Reigns could join forces with The Street Profits on SmackDown
If Solo Sikoa walks out of the Steel Cage match as the Undisputed WWE Champion on SmackDown tonight, it will be a big blow to Cody Rhodes. The potential loss may lead to The American Nightmare being written off television for a while.
Sikoa could then continue to feud with Roman Reigns, who may return as soon as tonight on SmackDown. However, The Original Tribal Chief has been on his own so far.
With Jimmy Uso out of action and other members of the original Bloodline on bad terms with The OTC, the only star who could help him is Cody Rhodes. However, a potential title loss may prevent that from happening.
The Street Profits are currently feuding with The Bloodline and would want payback for Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and Jacob Fatu’s attack on WWE NXT. So, Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford could join forces with Roman Reigns.
VIDEO: The Bloodline is here and they just took out EVERYONE!!! #WWENXT
Fans have long wanted to see Ford break out as a singles star, and his involvement with The Bloodline may just put enough spotlight on him for that to happen.
