Top star to announce WWE departure & shocking heel turn after title loss? - 7 possible surprises for SmackDown
The upcoming episode of WWE SmackDown will emanate live from the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois. The show will feature the fallout from the Clash at the Castle 2024 Premium Live Event.
So far, appearances from Cody Rhodes and CM Punk have been announced for the upcoming edition of SmackDown. Moreover, Randy Orton, Tama Tonga, and Carmelo Hayes will battle in a Triple Threat Match for a spot in the 2024 Men's Money in the Bank Ladder Match. Another qualifying match will see Kevin Owens, Andrade, and Grayson Waller fight for another spot in the 2024 Men's Money in the Bank Ladder Match. Furthermore, LA Knight and Logan Paul will cross paths once again tonight.
So, without further ado, let's take a look at seven possible surprises for WWE SmackDown tonight.
#7. AJ Styles announces he is leaving WWE
For the first time in his career, AJ Styles lost an "I Quit" match when he failed to dethrone Cody Rhodes as the Undisputed WWE Champion at Clash at the Castle 2024.
The Phenomenal One got humiliated by The American Nightmare, so their rivalry is seemingly over. He does not have much left to do in WWE, so Styles may announce that he is on his way out of the company during the upcoming episode of SmackDown.
The Stamford-based promotion is currently in collaboration with TNA Wrestling, the company that was the home of Styles for more than a decade. He could go there after quitting WWE on SmackDown and try to redeem himself after back-to-back failures against Cody Rhodes.
SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis may also not want The Phenomenal One on the blue brand anymore because the latter defied him and staged a fake retirement to get an Undisputed WWE Championship match.
#6. Logan Paul ambushes LA Knight
LA Knight has his sights set on Logan Paul's United States Championship, but the Maverick does not think that The Megastar has done anything to deserve a title shot.
Knight is desperate to face off against Paul, which is why the former flew to Puerto Rico last week and invaded the latter's house. A strong response from the current United States Champion is imminent tonight on SmackDown.
While WWE could go for a normal segment in which the two men fire shots at each other, a surprise attack on Knight from Paul is possible because the latter seems to be fed up with The Megastar. This would also make their rivalry more personal, potentially leading to a title match between them at the 2024 Money in the Bank Premium Live Event.
#5. & #4. CM Punk announces his in-ring return date, Drew McIntyre attacks him
CM Punk showed up in the main event of Clash at the Castle 2024 as a referee to ruin what could have been Drew McIntyre's biggest world championship win to date. The Scottish Warrior got fed up with Punk's games and quit WWE on RAW earlier this week.
The Best in the World is set to appear on SmackDown in his hometown tonight to share some "good news" with fans. It could be that he has been medically cleared to wrestle and will step back inside the ring soon.
Drew McIntyre could shock everyone by showing up on SmackDown to ruin the moment for Punk by attacking him in front of his native fans and injuring him again. It would be the best possible way to avenge what the Second City Saint did to Drew at Clash at the Castle 2024.
Punk will reportedly not be able to wrestle until Money in the Bank at least, so WWE could use this angle to book his next appearance after the event, where the build-up to Punk vs. McIntyre at SummerSlam 2024 can begin.
#3. Carmelo Hayes pins Randy Orton, brawls break out during Money in the Bank qualifying matches
WWE SmackDown will feature two qualifying matches for the 2024 Men's Money in the Bank Ladder Match tonight. The involvement of The Bloodline and Cody Rhodes is inevitable in both of them because of the ongoing feud between the heel group and Rhodes, Randy Orton, and Kevin Owens.
Orton and Tama Tonga's rivalry will be beneficial to Carmelo Hayes and interruptions from Solo Sikoa, Tonga Loa, Cody Rhodes, and Kevin Owens will probably help him win the bout. WWE may want to protect Tama Tonga from getting pinned, so Hayes could get the victory via a major pinfall over Orton.
In the second qualifying match, The Bloodline will probably get into another brawl with the babyfaces. Kevin Owens will likely get the win and earn the opportunity to perform in his home country at the 2024 Money in the Bank Premium Live Event.
#2. The Wyatt Sicks wreak havoc on SmackDown
The Wyatt Sicks finally arrived in WWE on RAW this week after sending cryptic messages for months. The terrifying group's debut shook the Stamford-based promotion to its core as they annihilated everyone in their path backstage.
The group could cause more destruction on SmackDown tonight. As they already showed what they are capable of during the latest episode of RAW, they could show up during a match or segment on the blue brand to take out everyone present in the ring at that moment.
They could attack the commentary team as well and quite possibly SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis, who is used to taking bumps in the ring. Another possibility could involve the Wyatt Sicks secretly taking out wrestlers and leaving their bodies backstage, which could continue throughout the night.
#1. Bianca Belair betrays Jade Cargill
Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill lost the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship to Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn in a Triple Threat Tag Team Match at Clash at the Castle 2024, also involving the team of Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark.
Since the duo has already captured the Women's Tag Team Championship together, there is nothing left for Belair and Cargill to achieve as a team anymore. So, the upcoming episode of SmackDown could be their last night as a tag team.
Jade Cargill's performance at Clash at the Castle was not up to the mark and Belair could blame her for losing the titles. The EST has had a very successful career and she may hold her partner responsible for their major loss.
Belair needs a change in character, and attacking a beloved babyface like Cargill would help her do that tonight.