5 things WWE subtly told us on SmackDown: 11-year veteran to earn title shot, Major WrestleMania storyline continues (April 10th, 2020)

Braun Strowman had a new opponent while Sheamus continued his path of destruction
Braun Strowman had a new opponent while Sheamus continued his path of destruction

Welcome to the first edition of 5 things WWE subtly told us on the SmackDown after WrestleMania 36. It was an interesting episode and for the first time since moving the tapings to the Performance Center, WWE utilized the entire show for programming rather than putting a throwback match for an hour.

Since it was after the so-called biggest show of the year, WWE knew they had to do whatever they could with the limited names in hand. Despite this, we got a fresh show and one that had new and exciting challengers.

However, there are still some areas of WrestleMania 36 where WWE has picked right up from. Perhaps the company themselves don't view it as big an event as it was supposed to be. Either way, the focus going forward is going to be Money in the Bank next month and here is what WWE subtly told us:


#5 A new challenger emerges

Is Tamina the dark horse?
Is Tamina the dark horse?

Before WrestleMania 36, we said that Tamina could be the dark horse for WrestleMania 36. She was eliminated first, but it took every other woman on the match to do so. In making her look strong, they established her as a potential title challenger and that's exactly what seems to be happening.

Tamina confronted Bayley and Sasha Banks - both of whom tried to butter her up in fear. Tamina challenged Bayley for the SmackDown Women's title and the Champion told her that she needed to get through Sasha Banks first.

So next week, Tamina will be facing Sasha Banks to earn a SmackDown Women's title shot against Bayley. We fully expect Tamina to go over and get the title shot. Even if she doesn't win, it's good to see the 11-year veteran getting that spot.

#4 The saga isn't over just yet

Tucker rubbing his nose in
Tucker rubbing his nose in

On the latest episode of SmackDown, one half of Heavy Machinery Tucker took on Dolph Ziggler in a singles match. While Ziggler was accompanied to the ring by Sonya Deville, Otis nor Mandy Rose appeared to support Tucker.

That didn't stop Tucker from rubbing salt in the wound anyway, showing Ziggler photos of Otis and Mandy Rose from Instagram. He would go on to face and lose to The Showoff, indicating that the feud is far from over.

We wouldn't be surprised to see it continue, though WrestleMania 36 felt like the perfect conclusion. It's going to be interesting to see where it goes once Otis is back. We imagine that Ziggler may get a win over Otis before they pay it off with one more match, but we don't see the reason to extend the feud that long. What would be better, however, is seeing Mandy Rose accompany Heavy Machinery to the ring as their valet.

If they keep dragging it on, there's a chance of no payoff at the end.

Anyways, Deville look to clear the air with Rose next week and we will have to wait to see what happens next!

#3 The end of a rivalry

And still!
And still!

The Kabuki Warriors have been the most dominant Champions in the year-long lineage of the WWE Women's Tag Team titles. While they won it from Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross, the duo would reclaim the titles in the WrestleMania 36 opener.

They had another rematch with the Japanese duo on SmackDown and beat them clean, effectively ending their rivalry. It's going to be interesting to see what lies ahead for them in the long run.

They're set to take on Carmella and Dana Brooke for the Tag Team titles - with both women wanting a title shot after missing out on a spot at WrestleMania 36. While that will be the immediate title match, we wonder which team could end up challenging Bliss & Cross.

Given the nature of the Championship, we might have to see the two jump ship to RAW or even NXT for a tag team title feud. Either way, that will make it interesting to watch. Who would you like to see the two face after Carmella and Dana Brooke?

#2 Another WrestleMania rematch...of sorts

Who will stand tall?
Who will stand tall?

At WrestleMania 36, the SmackDown Tag Team Championship was defended in a triple threat singles match. It sounds odd, but it was due to The Miz pulling out, which meant that it wouldn't make sense for John Morrison to be handicapped.

Either way, he retained it for his team and the two came out on SmackDown to brag about it, only for The Usos and The New Day to confront them. In what was our favorite segment of the night, it was revealed that we'll be seeing another singles triple threat match for the tag team titles - this time between The Miz, Big E, and Jey Uso.

Given that WWE has been centering the tag team division around these three teams, it isn't surprising to see them run the match back with different superstars. We can't be sure whether there'll be a title change or not, but as of this writing, there may not need to be.

The Miz & Morrison are doing great now as the Champions.

#1 Braun Strowman decides to let Wyatt in

Strowman has decided to let his old leader in
Strowman has decided to let his old leader in

Braun Strowman was first confronted by Shinsuke Nakamura when he opened the show as the Universal Champion for the first time. He faced Nakamura in a singles match in the main event, with only Cesaro at ringside and not Sami Zayn.

It wasn't enough as Strowman put Nakamura away, only to be cut off by an episode of the Firefly Fun House. Here, Bray Wyatt seemingly "erased" John Cena from this history and shifted his focus to a man who he has a past with - Braun Strowman.

Wyatt is the logical next challenger or the Universal Championship and there's a high chance that he takes the title off Strowman as well.

We personally wouldn't want that to happen just yet, but it's an exciting first feud for the Universal Champion. It's going to be tricky to protect both men and when they tried to do that in Wyatt's feud with Seth Rollins, both of them ended up looking bad.

Either way, expect a solid PPV match at Money in the Bank 2020.

Ex WWE writer blasts Liv Morgan HERE

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