3 Interesting observations from this week's SmackDown Live (April 23, 2019)

From Kevin Owens betraying The New Day to Elias and Shane McMahon joining forces against Roman Reigns, this week's edition of WWE SmackDown Live (23rd April 2019) featured a lot of contrasting moments indeed.

Last night's episode was intended to be a breezy watch, with the eventual Kevin Owens' heel turn being the focal point of the show itself. Other than that, there weren't a whole lot of eye-popping moments throughout the episode. This is one of the biggest problems with SmackDown Live nowadays, where the brand churns out decent episodes every week, but it somehow lacks in the buzz-worthy department of Professional Wrestling.

Nevertheless, here are a few interesting observations you may have missed during this week's edition of SmackDown Live.

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#3: Elias will most probably end up being a stepping stone for Roman Reigns

Elias and Shane McMahon assaulted The Big Dog at the beginning of the episode

Elias is one of my absolute favourite characters from the current crop of WWE Superstars.

Roman Reigns has also had an upward swing since he returned back to action.

But when it comes to the circumstances surrounding both of these superstars when they will slug it out at Money In The Bank, it seems quite obvious that Elias will end up being another temporary roadblock on Roman Reigns' path until the WWE Championship Scenario is right up for the grabs.

Both of these superstars have arrived from RAW, and Shane McMahon's presence might also heavily influence the outcome of this feud.

WWE feuds tend to diminish in terms of excitability when the fans can easily predict the outcome, and Elias vs. Roman Reigns seems to follow in that suit.

Let us see how this particular story progresses in the next few weeks. What are your thoughts on this feud?

#2: Why the Lars Sullivan situation is an epidemic for huge superstars on the Main Roster

Lars Sullivan decimated a number of WWE Superstars during the episode

Lars Sullivan steamrolled through Chad Gable, The Singh Brothers and R-Truth in a frightening display of power last night.

But this is exactly what he has been doing with a number of superstars on the Main Roster. In any other case, Lars Sullivan's freakish display of power might be a star-segment on a weekly basis. But it isn't.

This is because of the fact that we have seen this trope being played out several times in the past. An enormous superstar debuts on the Main Roster and rams through smaller opponents in a fury of rage week-after-week.

Truthfully, there is no way to determine if Lars Sullivan is going to be successful on the Main Roster or not. At least not until he is booked in a legitimate feud.

#1: Kevin Owens betraying The New Day plays into a larger narrative of his WWE career

Kevin Owens betrayed Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods at the end of the show

No matter how entertaining Kevin Owens turned out to be as an honorary New Day member, we all saw this moment coming sooner than later.

Owens betraying The New Day plays out into a larger narrative when it comes to his WWE career. This is because we know that Kevin Owens has had a history of betraying his allies in the most brutal fashion.

Sami Zayn, Chris Jericho and now The New Day.

Also, the lack of top heels on SmackDown Live could be easily felt after WrestleMania 35, and Kevin Owens' eventual heel turn only proves to be a fruitful addition to the roster itself.

We know that Roman Reigns will be coming for Kofi's WWE Title very soon. But does it also mean that Kevin Owens has better chances of winning the title from Kofi Kingston, now that the two are likely to clash in the near future?

Will Kevin Owens be the top heel posing as an obstruction between Roman Reigns and the WWE Championship?

Whatever the case may be, it is pretty clear that Kofi Kingston's WWE Title reign will be in deep jeopardy pretty soon...

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