Solo Sikoa to denounce Roman Reigns, major return? - 6 possible surprises for WWE SmackDown
After presenting one of the best episodes of WWE SmackDown in 2024 last week, the promotion is set to deliver another huge episode of the blue brand at the Madison Square Garden in New York this Friday, with The Bloodline Acknowledgment Ceremony scheduled for the show.
The upcoming edition of SmackDown will have three qualifiers for the Money in the Bank Ladder Matches for the premium live event next month. LA Knight, Logan Paul, and Santos Escobar will battle for a spot in the Men's MITB Ladder Match. While Candice LeRae, Jade Cargill, and Tiffany Stratton will square off for a spot in the Women's MITB Ladder Match. Another spot will be on the line during the qualifier between Naomi, Blair Davenport, and Indi Hartwell.
With that being said, let's look at six possible surprises SmackDown could feature this week.
#6. & #5. Solo Sikoa removes Roman Reigns from The Bloodline, punishes Paul Heyman
Solo Sikoa became the acting Tribal Chief after Roman Reigns lost the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania XL and went on a hiatus. Solo added members of his choosing to The Bloodline after kicking out his brother, Jimmy Uso, from the group.
Last week on SmackDown, Sikoa told Paul Heyman that Reigns would not be returning to take over his duties as Head of the Table anymore. It seems like the acting chief has something planned against Reigns, which is why he made such a huge statement.
It is possible that he officially kicks the 39-year-old former World Champion out of the group during the Bloodline Acknowledgment Ceremony on SmackDown for losing at WrestleMania XL. He could declare himself the permanent Tribal Chief or shock everyone by revealing The Rock as the new Tribal Chief.
There is also a possibility that The Wiseman gets punished by The Bloodline for asking CM Punk's help to escape the group last week. Sikoa could have Jacob Fatu brutalize Heyman, which would generate more heat against The Samoan Werewolf.
#4. The Wyatt Sicks target Indi Hartwell
The Wyatt Sicks wreaked havoc on WWE RAW recently but did not show up on SmackDown. It is possible that the group wants to debut on the blue brand when they are least expected to make an appearance, catching everyone off-guard.
The group has also not targeted any female stars yet, and could possibly go after one this week. Indi Hartwell, who is still married to Dexter Lumis in an onscreen storyline, is set to compete in a Women's MITB Ladder Match qualifier on SmackDown.
There could be a possibility that she is taken out by Nikki Cross on the show. Hartwell is also in a Tag Team with Candice LeRae, who was seemingly being stalked by Cross before she joined The Wyatt Sicks.
The Australian star's links with both Lumis and LeRae could cause big problems for her.
#3. Santos Escobar defeats Logan Paul and LA Knight
United States Champion Logan Paul, LA Knight, and Santos Escobar will compete in a Triple-Threat Match on SmackDown for a spot in the Men's Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
While Paul or Knight winning the bout would be the most predictable outcome, WWE could shock fans and have Escobar qualify for the Men's MITB Ladder Match this year. The Maverick and The Megastar are already feuding over the United States Championship, so they could continue that during the build-up to Money in the Bank Premium Live Event.
Escobar could take advantage of their rivalry to pick up the shock victory. This would also allow WWE to set up Paul vs. Knight for the premium live event or on SmackDown before the PLE.
#2. Austin Theory walks out on Grayson Waller, A-Town Down Under loses WWE Tag Team Championship
Tensions have been rising between WWE Tag Team Champions Grayson Waller and Austin Theory. Their title reign will likely end soon at the hands of DIY.
WWE already booked a World Tag Team Championship change in the main event of RAW earlier this week, and the company could do something similar on SmackDown. It could be one of the big moments booked by Triple H, which would make the experience of attending a show at Madison Square Garden worth it for the fans present.
Theory could finally decide to part ways with Waller and leave him on his own during the match. Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano could then take advantage of the opportunity to capture the WWE Tag Team Championship.
#1. Jimmy Uso returns to WWE SmackDown
Jimmy Uso got kicked out of The Bloodline by Solo Sikoa for losing to his twin brother Jey at WrestleMania XL. He suffered an injury soon after and has not been seen on WWE programming since being brutalized by Tama Tonga.
There is a possibility that Jimmy makes his return to SmackDown to confront Sikoa for becoming power-hungry and ruin Jacob Fatu's big moment.
Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens, and Randy Orton are outnumbered against The Bloodline thanks to the arrival of The Samoan Werewolf, so Jimmy could shock everyone by joining forces with the babyfaces to even the numbers game.
In another potential scenario, Jimmy could return to SmackDown after a brawl breaks out between The Bloodline and Rhodes, Orton and Owens.