WWE Update- The champions of a brand are the flag bearers of the company. They are the ones who define the company and make the viewers tune in every week. The company has to be very careful in the booking of its champions, as less intriguing programs surrounding the titles can have disastrous results for the company. There’s always a time when the titles change hands, as a change of guard is necessary after some time to keep the programming fresh. As we know, SmackDown has seemingly taken up the position of WWE’s A-Show since moving to FOX. Though the blue brand has been delivering intriguing content to the fans week in and week out, the ratings seem to point in some other direction. Thus, the company may book a few title changes soon to shake up things on SmackDown. Without further ado, let us take try to predict the stars that can make up the next set of champions on SmackDown:
Women’s Tag Team Championships
(Though the titles are not associated with any brand, they are part of this list due to current champions being a part of SmackDown roster)
Current Champion: Bayley and Sasha Banks
Next Champion: Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan/Bianca Belair
Possible event of title change: SummerSlam (August PPV)
Anyone who has been watching wrestling for some time now will know that Bayley and Sasha Banks are going to break up soon. With WWE not allowed to have real fans as the audience for SummerSlam, WWE can push the breakup angle a month or so, with their tag title loss at SummerSlam being the final nail in the coffin. SummerSlam is a month away, which gives Riott enough time to finalize a partner (be it Belair or Morgan) and gain enough momentum to become credible challengers for the title.
SmackDown Women’s Championship
Current Champion: Bayley
Next Champion: Sasha Banks
Possible event of title change: October PPV or Evolution (if it takes place)
As mentioned in the previous point, the money feud for the women’s division will be Sasha Banks taking on Bayley for the latter’s women’s championship. Given the dominant run Bayley has had over the past few months, making her lose the title to Nikki Cross won’t make much sense. Also, this gives WWE enough time to get live fans back, and possibly hold the event in Boston (Sasha’s Hometown), which gets Sasha the reaction desired by the creative. Sasha can then go on to have a lengthy reign, losing the title at WrestleMania 37 at the earliest.
SmackDown Tag Team Championship
Current Champions: Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura
Next Champions: The Usos
Possible event of title change: September PPV
The Forgotten Sons were in line for a huge push, but Jaxson Ryker’s political comments have got a lot of heat on him, which has affected the trio’s booking negatively. With The Forgotten Sons out of the title picture, the company went forward with Cesaro and Nakamura winning the titles. With WWE teasing a solo run for Big E, and Otis’ reign as Mr. Money In The Bank removing Heavy Machinery out of the title picture, it makes sense for The Usos to return. While this is not a knock on the Lucha House Party, the trio’s booking has been weak enough to present them as filler challengers only. The Usos have had an iconic feud with The New Day over the SmackDown tag titles 2017, and they can certainly work that magic again, this time with Nakamura and Cesaro.
The WWE Intercontinental Championship
Current Champion: AJ Styles
Next Champion: Sami Zayn
Possible event of title change: Royal Rumble 2021
Fan sympathy has been firmly on Zayn’s side ever since The Liberator has not been able to show up on the blue brand due to COVID 19. It has forced him to relinquish the title. Given how neglected the IC title has been in recent times, Styles needs to have a lengthy run with it to restore the title’s credibility. The consensus is that things will return to normality by the end of 2020. So we can assume that to be the timeline of Zayn’s return. WWE should capitalize on Zayn’s popularity to make him The Underdog from The Underground yet again. A barnburner match, followed by a title win for Zayn, will be the best way to re-establish Zayn as the champion en route to WrestleMania 37.
The WWE Universal Championship
Current Champion: Braun Strowman
Next Champion: ‘The Fiend’ Bray Wyatt
Possible event of title change: SummerSlam
The feud with Bray Wyatt has been able to bring out a never seen before intensity. The character work-out of Braun Strowman, which certainly is a good thing. Given the absence of Roman Reigns, WWE needs a big superstar to carry the blue brand on his shoulders. While this is not a knock on Strowman, Wyatt is easily the bigger star of the two.
So, it will make sense to have him win his second Universal Championship at SummerSlam as The Fiend. Strowman, on the other hand, can join forces with Wyatt to the shock of the WWE Universe. He will be playing out a storyline similar to Orton joining Wyatt Family in 2016. Not only will this allow Strowman to add more layers to his character, but it will also allow WWE to have a Triple Threat for the title at WrestleMania 37. A returning Roman Reigns can pin Strowman to win the title. Even Wyatt gets protected this way, so it’s a win-win situation for all involved, except Braun Strowman!
Which SmackDown stars, according to you, will constitute the next set of champions, dear readers? Do voice your opinion in the comments box! Be sure to tune into Beyond The Posts for the latest pro-wrestling news, rumours, predictions, and analysis!
