4 Biggest things we secretly learned from SmackDown LIVE (April 23, 2019)

WWE SmackDown presented its first episode since the Superstar Shakeup. The blue brand has emerged as a stronger line-up after the Shakeup, getting a ton of great talent. From the Big Dog Roman Reigns to SmackDown's 'greatest acquisition' Elias, Smackdown has no shortage of star power on the show.

With such talent consistent creativity, as the blue brand has shown over the last few years, SmackDown was an impactful show. Loaded with some hard-hitting matches, and well-known rivals crossing paths, add a heel turn from an honorary member in a faction, it was an easy recipe for a loaded show. Thankfully, WWE did not choose to fire Roman Reigns for attacking the boss. Instead, we had Shane McMahon seeking revenge.

In this article, we present 4 biggest things we secretly learned from the latest episode of Smackdown Live.

#1 It's about time IIconics drop those titles

Okay, we get it. The IIconics' WrestleMania win was a fluke. Peyton Royce and Billie Kay stole the win at New York, but they haven't been able to win anything since. From losing a tag match to Bayley and Naomi to losing singles matches to Naomi on RAW and Kairi Sane on SmackDown, the tag champions have become a joke.

Winning and losing may not matter in Pro-Wrestling, but it's only so many matches a team can lose and still stay relevant. The IIconics have won absolutely nothing after 'Mania. While mid-card champions do lose a lot in WWE, IIconics seem to be getting some special treatment. When someone had to take a pin on last week's 8-women tag match on SmackDown, it was Royce who did the honors.

Both Royce and Kay have been losing quickly too, and have become a comedy act. It's evident that they are placeholders until a better team takes away the titles from them. Still, WWE's treatment of the talented duo is anything but ICONIC.

#2 Elias is now SmackDown's Baron Corbin

Is it a dreadful thing to be Baron Corbin? Baron Corbin defeated Kurt Angle at WrestleMania. He's a former GM of the red brand. He's this planet's favorite son, besides Daniel Bryan. But, Corbin struggled to amass credibility to look legitimate competition against the likes of Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins.

During Superstar Shakeup, Vince McMahon introduced Elias as SmackDown's 'biggest acquisition' in history. This week, Elias teamed up with Shane McMahon to beatdown Roman Reigns. Did it feel emphatic? No. Even though Elias is one of SmackDown's biggest heels at the moment, like Corbin, he doesn't appear as legitimate competition to the Big Dog.

There's no chance that Elias can defeat Reigns cleanly at Money in the Bank. Moreover, it's hard to believe that Elias who hasn't proved himself as the best in-ring worker giving us an impressive Drew McIntyre kind of show. Though WWE Universe will always love Elias owing to the work he does on the microphone, he could easily find himself lost in the wrestling hierarchy in WWE.

#3 Bayley will turn heel, and yet another Championship reign for The Queen

Incredibly, WWE has booked another title shot for Charlotte Flair. Flair has already won the Championship 8 times. And, if things go her way, she might well win it for a 9th time soon. WWE needs Becky Lynch to drop the SmackDown Women's title sooner than later, so the company can separate the two belts.

Also, Lynch should end up as a full-time RAW star down the line, since SmackDown's women's division has a lot of depth. What that means is WWE could choose the obvious way to have Charlotte winning the title from Becky, and maybe starting a feud with Bayley over the title. Speaking of Bayley, she stole the show on SmackDown against Charlotte.

However, Bayley's new attitude is most interesting. She'd soon let us know that she doesn't care about the WWE Universe. She will turn heel. With both things we mention here, It's only a question of when and not if.

#4 Owens' may win the title win if Daniel Bryan's not returning soon

Big O has already turned on Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods. How sad is that! Last week, Kevin Owens became an honorary member of the New Day, and his ride along with the coolest 'goofy' guys had been fun thus far. While everybody could see the ending, nobody knew when Owens, as he always does, would backstab his 'friends.'

It didn't take time, did it? After Kingston's disqualification victory over Shinsuke Nakamura, the new New Day looked on the same page, taking on Rusev and Nakamura. Then, Owens leveled Kingston with a Super Kick out of nowhere. What followed next was a brutal beatdown for Woods and Kingston, including a devastating powerbomb on the apron to Woods.

While Owens will be Kofi's first challenger for the WWE Championship, WWE may take the title off Kingston. If Bryan's not returning anytime soon, it makes sense to put the title on Owens, making him the brand's top heel. Though it'd have always been a better option to have Bryan regain the title from Kingston, WWE has kept his injury a secret, and we have no idea when and if he'll return.

Nonetheless, Owens and Kingston should deliver for the blue brand, and Owens may win a WWE Championship.