5 things WWE subtly told us on SmackDown: 4-time World Champion returns in main event, Newly-debuted faction to earn a title shot? (April 24th, 2020)

Welcome to this week's edition of things WWE subtly told us on SmackDown. It was an interesting episode but felt weird in a few ways. A lot of that had to do with the main event segment, which saw Triple H celebrate his 25th anniversary in WWE.

It saw the progression of the tag team divisions, including a solid title match to top it off. As for the other matches and segments, the objective was to build to Money in the Bank 2020 and we saw a couple of qualifying matches as well.

We're getting closer to the MITB PPV and the ladder match is the one beginning to take shape. While the field hasn't been fully set, we know that there's a Universal Championship match between Braun Strowman and Bray Wyatt and a SmackDown Women's title match between Bayley and Tamina.

Without dragging it much further, let's jump right into it.

#5 The main event was extremely improvised

We were a bit surprised that SmackDown had wrapped up almost entirely with just 20 minutes to go. It left a lot of time for the Triple H 25th anniversary celebration, which we expected a bit more of.

However, there were a few good moments. There was the return of 4-time World Champion and 2-time WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels. There were also a lot of funny moments, including Michaels bringing up the infamous 'Katie Vick' segment, and roasting The Game for his heavy WrestleMania defeat record (a record that Michaels isn't too far from himself). Then there were Stephanie McMahon, Ric Flair, and Road Dogg facetiming Triple H.

It was clear that the segment was completely improvised, including the special Vince McMahon appearance where he praised Triple H before roasting him and throwing the two best friends out of the show.

#4 The newly-debuting faction could be in for big things right away

The title picture just got a whole lot more interesting

The WWE SmackDown tag team division wasted no time in getting busy post-WrestleMania 36. Big E won the tag team titles back for The New Day recently and with that, the target is once again on their back.

They opened the show and were confronted by two teams - The Miz & John Morrison and The Lucha House Party. The latter seemed to get mic time for the first time in ages. Either way, the segment ended with The Forgotten Sons appearing and clearing the house.

The trio of Steve Cutler, Wesley Blake, and Jaxson Ryker made an impact in a big 9-man brawl, standing tall at the end. With that, they seem to have cemented their place as future championship contenders and could get a title shot at Money in the Bank 2020.

It's an interesting new injection into the SmackDown tag team division, which is already looking to be the most competitive its been in years.

#3 Why Sasha Banks isn't in the Money in the Bank ladder match

Sasha Banks faced Lacey Evans in a Money in the Bank qualifier. Many seemed to anticipate that The Boss would come out victorious since she would be a better fit for the Money in the Bank ladder match.

However, she's still a part of Bayley's story and in the end, she ended up losing to Lacey Evans after the Champion Bayley accidentally cost her the match. However, Evans might have a legitimate shot at winning the MITB briefcase now that she's completed a year in her main roster run.

As for why Sasha Banks didn't qualify, it's likely because WWE wants to go another route to set up her match with Bayley in the future. While she would be unlikely to win the briefcase, it's an accomplishment we hope that she gets in her career, along with a Royal Rumble victory.

Bayley and Sasha Banks walked back after the defeat, only for the SmackDown Women's Champion to eat a superkick to the face by her next challenger Tamina.

#2 A Lucha House Party mini-push incoming?

The Lucha House Party has been largely forgotten about in their run together. It's a bit surprising since the trio comprises of three extremely talented individuals, particularly Gran Metalik.

When you think about it, the trio has gotten minimal promo time as well, with little to no opportunity given to get over. But with WWE seemingly taking a special interest in the SmackDown tag team division, this might be the start of a good run for the team.

While we don't expect them to become SmackDown Tag Team Champions, it's clear that they're benefiting from the relative lack of Superstars being present post-WrestleMania, with The Usos being the most notable team of the lot.

Either way, it's an opportunity for Lince Dorado and Gran Metalik, who defeated The Miz & John Morrison clean on SmackDown. They've likely dived into the title picture again and we wouldn't be surprised to see WWE pushing them as a serious tag team. Will they swim or sink? If they can get over somehow, it could mean big things for them.

#1 The Sheamus-Jeff Hardy saga continues

The Jeff Hardy redemption arc continued tonight with Chapter 3 and will conclude with Chapter 4 next week. Meanwhile, The Celtic Warrior Sheamus has been wreaking havoc on SmackDown.

Last week, he confronted Michael Cole on the announcers' table after the veteran voice of WWE stopped talking about Sheamus and began talking about Jeff Hardy. He did it again for the third time this week, leading to an infuriated Sheamus grabbing Michael Cole and threatening him.

It looks like we're going to get one more week of this before Sheamus is confronted by Jeff Hardy or the latter is attacked by the former Royal Rumble winner. While Sheamus hasn't been setting the world on fire, it's a good feud to begin with after WrestleMania 36. It could lead to a singles match at Money in the Bank 2020, though we wish Hardy would have been in the mix for the corporate ladder match.

Could this be the beginning of another great Jeff Hardy run?

Meet Randy Orton's lovely wife HERE