5 Things WWE subtly told us on SmackDown: Huge change made to Brock Lensar's character after 9 years, Next big title change revealed?

Welcome to this week's edition of things WWE subtly told us on SmackDown. This week's show was notable for the absence of the Universal Champion and face of the brand Roman Reigns.

However, Brock Lesnar's star power seemed to make up for that absence, and the episode was largely centered around The Beast Incarnate. Things got interesting as Los Lotharios' undefeated streak on the blue brand ended at the hands of Shinsuke Nakamura and Rick Boogs.

Overall, it was a solid episode of SmackDown, and this is what WWE subtly told us:

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#5. Brock Lesnar's transformation on SmackDown and the Paul Heyman tease

Sami Zayn was out on SmackDown in a wheelchair following what happened last week. For the uninitiated, Lesnar goaded Zayn last week into taking his Universal title shot on the Friday night show rather than waiting for Day 1.

With intentions in his mind, Brock Lesnar decimated Sami Zayn and Roman Reigns only took a few seconds to put the former Intercontinental Champion away and retain his title.

This week, Lesnar came out to confront Zayn and had a sit-down with him. The latter had a neck brace, two bulky medical assistants, and his wheelchair.

It was an interesting segment showcasing the new babyface side of Brock Lesnar. While we've had glimpses of it since SummerSlam 2021, this was perhaps the longest promo time that he has had individually in a long time.

We're seeing a somewhat lighter side of him as a babyface, along with the classic Brock Lesnar who destroys everything and everyone in their path. Given how WWE took the opportunity with Reigns' heel turn, there isn't anything wrong with experimenting with a character for Lesnar on SmackDown.

Paul Heyman even provoked Brock Lesnar to attack Sami Zayn, and The Beast Incarnate still claims that Heyman is his advocate, which will play into the storyline when Roman Reigns returns to the blue brand next week.

#4. The New Day gets a big push ahead of SmackDown Tag Team title contention

At this point, it seems to be a matter of when and not if The New Day become SmackDown Tag Team Champions again. The 11-time champions had a big match on this week, as they faced the tag team champions of both main roster brands.

In a triple threat match to determine the best team in WWE, RAW Tag Team Champions RK-Bro made an appearance on the blue brand to face The New Day and SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos.

It was an interesting main event to book, with RK-Bro winning the online poll by the WWE Universe. However, in the match itself, Sir Kofi Kingston got the pinfall and secured the victory for his team.

King Woods also got a new crown - a massive upgrade from the previous generic version. It was a solid tag team match as expected and it could have headlined almost any pay-per-view.

The WrestleMania-worthy match-up fully cemented The New Day as the next top contenders in line, and it could be the SmackDown Tag Team titles that change hands next.

#3. Toni Time on SmackDown as the Day 1 match is seemingly teased

It truly was Toni Time on SmackDown with the Los Angeles crowd completely behind her. Toni Storm didn't earn her title match just yet, but she had the opportunity to get into Charlotte Flair's head further by beating her in a non-title match.

The crowd's reaction towards Storm was positive, which is a good sign for her future push. Flair simply couldn't get one over her and resorted to attacking her excessively, disqualifying herself in the process.

The direction is clear - Day 1 is the destination for the SmackDown Women's title match between Toni Storm and Charlotte Flair. The next couple of weeks of the blue brand won't feature it too heavily, which is why it would be easy for them to simply announce the match for Day 1 instead.

Unfortunately for Storm, it's a little too early for her. It's rare for women to debut in WWE and win their first titles within a month or two - with Rhea Ripley and The Queen being the obvious exceptions to this rule.

#2. Naomi vs. Sonya Deville on SmackDown drags on...but with a new ally for the former

This week on SmackDown, Naomi and Sonya Deville were finally supposed to have their blow-off match, and it shouldn't come as a surprise that the bout didn't happen.

Deville announced that Natalya would be the special guest enforcer, while Shayna Baszler would be the timekeeper. Wise to her tactics, the former SmackDown Women's Champion took out Natalya and Baszler, but it meant that the match never officially started.

This week's episode of SmackDown was set to feature the debut of Xia Lee, and it was the Chinese superstar who finally made her debut by saving Naomi. The promos and vignettes for Lee's debut have been fantastic, and her appearance on the show lines up with her "I hate vultures" comments.

Naomi has a new ally and both women paid each other their respects before standing tall. It seems as though Naomi has back-up in the form of Xia Lee, and Day 1 could be the pay-per-view where the match against Sonya Deville could finally happen.

#1. Drew McIntyre and a higher power storyline on SmackDown?

It wasn't too long ago when Drew McIntyre was excluded from the Black Friday Battle Royal on SmackDown. While it was originally thought to be won by now-released star Jeff Hardy, Sami Zayn picked up the win.

But McIntyre being excluded from the list seemed shocking, and on this week's episode, he confronted Sonya Deville about it, only to be told that Adam Pearce was behind the call.

This week, Adam Pearce teased a higher power being responsible for Drew McIntyre not making the cut. The Scottish Warrior faced his old rival Sheamus, someone with who he can't seem to have a bad match with at all.

They had yet another incredible match, and it was McIntyre who picked up the win with the Claymore Kick.

Ever since his loss to Big E at Crown Jewel (which was another great clash in its own right), Drew McIntyre has been heavily protected on SmackDown. Now that Jeff Hardy is gone, the higher power storyline could be one that plays out over the next few months - possibly preventing McIntyre from a Universal title shot.