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This week's episode of SmackDown is a special one. It's the final SmackDown of the Thunderdome era and it will be WWE's second last show before crowds return. In just a week, things will return to normal in the world of WWE and the LED screens will be replaced by an actual live audience.
A lot of surprises could take place tonight on the Blue brand. There are some high-stakes match-ups and potentially interesting storylines that make SmackDown the more entertaining of the two brands. Here are some surprises that could happen on the show:
#5. Could Baron Corbin get an "upset" qualification to Money in the Bank on SmackDown?
While it's too early to judge, Baron Corbin could be at the start of an entertaining character arc. He has spent most of his five years on the main roster as a SmackDown Superstar and has gone from getting "go away heat" to a legitimate top heel.
While he's obviously not a top heel on the level of Roman Reigns, he has been one of WWE's most underrated and reliable superstars. After Baron Corbin lost his throne to Shinsuke Nakamura, he has been in a downward spiral.
Last week's episode of SmackDown highlighted that as Corbin appeared to be sympathetic for the first time in his career. Given the direction that's being implied, he could have an unexpected face turn on SmackDown. Hopefully, WWE keeps going with the storyline when crowds return to test the waters with a babyface turn.
Corbin doesn't seem like he could be a long-term babyface, but stranger things have happened in WWE. It would be a refreshing story on SmackDown. But tonight on the Blue brand, Baron Corbin is set to face Shinsuke Nakamura once more - this time to qualify for the Men's Money in the Bank ladder match.
This will be one of two Money in the Bank qualifiers on SmackDown, with these matches determining the final two participants in the men's ladder match. A surprise would be if Corbin managed to beat Nakamura on SmackDown. After his loss last week and his car getting towed, it makes sense for the Japanese star to beat Corbin once again.
For a better long-term story, Baron Corbin should lose on SmackDown. But he could still walk out victorious.
#4. Liv Morgan's MITB woes to continue on SmackDown?
Sonya Deville hasn't exactly established herself as a fair authority figure - both on RAW and SmackDown. So far, Deville announced Carmella as the first competitor to "qualify" for the Women's Money in the Bank ladder match from SmackDown.
Last week, Zelina Vega returned to WWE as Deville announced her as the second women's entrant from SmackDown. Liv Morgan already defeated Carmella multiple times but didn't get a spot in the match.
Last week on the Blue brand, Morgan's momentum continued and she defeated the returning Vega. It seems inevitable that Liv Morgan will qualify for the women's ladder match, but it may take one more obstacle.
While it would be surprising, Sonya Deville may announce the third female entrant from SmackDown, only for Liv Morgan to win again. It's certainly a good way to build Morgan as a babyface on SmackDown as crowds return, but she could have more obstacles to face this week.
#3. Cesaro manages to qualify for the MITB ladder match on SmackDown
The Cesaro vs. Seth Rollins feud continues on SmackDown. We've seen them face each other numerous times in 2021 - both on the Blue brand and at pay-per-views. Rollins recently got the better of his rival at Hell in a Cell with a quick pinfall.
The reason for this win was reportedly because WWE is planning a Seth Rollins vs. Edge feud on SmackDown heading into SummerSlam 2021. To make The Architect look strong, they needed him to beat Cesaro.
Rollins has demanded entry into the Universal Championship picture, expressing his frustration on Talking Smack about how The Rated-R Superstar took a vacation after WrestleMania while he has been around.
Regardless, Edge vs. Roman Reigns is the Universal title match at Money in the Bank, but Seth Rollins has another opportunity. This week on SmackDown, he could put a full stop to his rivalry with Cesaro by defeating him.
But a surprise would be if the latter manages to get one over Rollins to qualify for the Money in the Bank ladder match. It would make a lot more sense for Cesaro to qualify, but since WWE wants an Edge-Seth Rollins match, it seems more likely that the four-time World Champion will win on SmackDown tonight.
#2. Jimmy Uso doesn't get written out of SmackDown
Jimmy Uso only returned to SmackDown recently, but his current run could abruptly halt before it has even taken off. So far, his story with Roman Reigns on SmackDown has been different.
While Jey Uso eventually joined Reigns, Jimmy Uso hasn't shown the same enthusiasm on SmackDown. Still, last week, we saw Jimmy do Reigns' bidding on SmackDown while the Universal Champion was absent.
This led to a little throwback at WrestleMania where The Tribal Chief was nearly submitted. Jimmy was on the receiving end of a rod in his mouth and Edge stood tall on the Blue brand.
But after his real-life incident this past week, it seems unlikely that he will appear on SmackDown. Given that it has happened on repeated occasions, it might be a serious concern to WWE officials.
Fans expect this to be the end of the potential reunion of "The Bloodline" in its new form. Jimmy Uso seemed to in a position where he would eventually align with Roman Reigns on SmackDown, but that could be canceled as soon as this week.
It would be surprising if Jimmy wasn't written out in some way. But given that he was on the receiving end of a beatdown last week, it could be an excuse to simply keep him off the Blue brand.
#1. A premature return on SmackDown?
Last week, SmackDown Women's Champion Bianca Belair revealed that she wanted to face Bayley at Money in the Bank in an "I Quit" match. With multiple victories over The Role Model already, Belair could be set to conclude her feud with the longest-reigning SmackDown Women's Champion in history.
It hasn't been a particularly notable feud, but their match at Hell in a Cell was a last-minute addition and exceeded expectations. In just a few months, Bianca Belair has headlined WrestleMania and carried herself through important rivalries on SmackDown.
One big name that's expected to return next week on the Blue brand is Sasha Banks. We haven't seen her since she main evented WrestleMania 37 and lost the SmackDown Women's Championship to Bianca Belair. However, just like Edge, she could return earlier than expected in the biggest surprise of SmackDown this week.
It would, however, only make sense if Banks is being added to the SmackDown Women's title match at Money in the Bank 2021. This would admittedly be confusing, since an "I Quit" match is traditionally between two superstars and not three. This would force WWE to forgo the stipulation already in place and that would be a big mistake.
Would you like to see Sasha Banks return to SmackDown a week earlier than expected?
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