Top name to announce retirement, the end of The Bloodline? 4 surprises for WWE Friday Night SmackDown (September 27, 2024)
WWE Friday Night SmackDown has shifted its base to the USA Network. After spending five years as part of the FOX network on broadcast television, the blue brand has moved back to cable via the USA Network.
Now, SmackDown has gone from being the most-viewed weekly wrestling show to a program whose numbers are much closer to the next highest: Monday Night RAW. The drop was expected when moving from broadcast to cable, but it is still likely disappointing.
As a result, Triple H would want to inject some more life into the Friday Night Show. One way for the company to achieve this goal is by presenting some major surprises that could keep fans hooked despite it being football season.
This article will take a look at a handful of surprises that could take place on Friday Night SmackDown this week. This includes The Rock's return, the destruction of The Bloodline, and popular names debuting in the company after spending years establishing their names elsewhere.
Below are four surprises for WWE Friday Night SmackDown on September 27, 2024:
#4. The Rock could return to address Roman Reigns teaming up with Cody Rhodes
The Rock is one of the biggest names in pro wrestling history and Hollywood. On top of being a blockbuster movie star, The People's Champion is a former multi-time WWE Champion who helped usher in the Attitude Era.
The Final Boss made his return to WWE earlier this year. While initially, his goal was to feud with Roman Reigns, the two ultimately ended up uniting in an attempt to take out Cody Rhodes. The Great One and The American Nightmare despise each other. Meanwhile, Rhodes and Reigns are set to join forces for a tag team match against Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu at Bad Blood.
The Rock could show up and address this new union between Rhodes and Reigns. He could either convince Roman to ditch Cody or warn the Original Tribal Chief about the consequences that would come with him joining forces with the current Undisputed WWE Champion.
#3. The Bloodline could turn on Solo Sikoa
The Bloodline has dominated the Stamford-based promotion since 2020. The original group was formed by Roman Reigns, but the current version of the faction is led by Solo Sikoa. He is joined by Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and Jacob Fatu.
While this version of The Bloodline has certainly been dominant, the self-proclaimed Tribal Chief has failed twice in his pursuit to bring the Undisputed WWE Championship back to the stable. This might cause some resentment within the group, which could boil over on this week's SmackDown.
In what would be a major surprise, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and Jacob Fatu could betray their Tribal Chief, leading to the implosion of Solo's Bloodline. The Street Champ could be kicked out of the group, with The Samoan Werewolf emerging as the new leader. Otherwise, The Bloodline could just die altogether.
#2. The Motor City Machine Guns could make their WWE debut
Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley are two long-time veterans of pro wrestling. The Detroit natives broke into the wrestling industry a few decades ago and rose to fame in TNA Wrestling. However, they have competed all over the world.
The duo is known as The Motor City Machine Guns, and they have long been rumored to join WWE. If reports are to be believed, they are indeed on their way to the Sports Entertainment juggernaut, despite at one point being courted by rival company All Elite Wrestling.
If The Motor City Machine Guns are indeed joining WWE, they could appear on Friday Night SmackDown this week. With the likes of the Street Profits and #DIY aiming to win tag team gold, Shelley and Sabin could join the mix this Friday.
#1. AJ Styles could announce his retirement
AJ Styles is one of the best in-ring performers of all time. He became the face of TNA Wrestling and later found success in New Japan Pro-Wrestling before joining the Stamford-based company. He has since gone on to become a two-time WWE Champion.
The Phenomenal One hasn't been seen on WWE television since he lost the "I Quit" Match to Cody Rhodes at Clash at the Castle in June 2024. Reports have since emerged that his contract with the company is potentially set to expire either towards the end of 2024 or in early 2025.
Many worry that Styles is looking to hang up his boots. If that's the case, he could appear on this week's SmackDown to announce his retirement from the squared circle. While this would be disappointing, it would undoubtedly be a big surprise.