WWE had some surprises this week on the red brand and the blue brand. Roman Reigns and Batista returned to Vince McMahon's billion dollar company on Raw while Matt Hardy and Kevin Owens came back to Smackdown Live. It has been a fruitful week for WWE.
Some unforeseen surprises can be expected in the WrestleMania season. Since WrestleMania 35 is just one month away, the return of the four top-notch superstars is a massive boost for the company.
Matt Hardy teamed up with Jeff Hardy to tussle with the Bar. The Hardy Boys are one of the most decorated tag teams in WWE history, and it was definitely a treat to watch them on Smackdown Live this week. Vince McMahon stunned the WWE Universe when he replaced Kofi Kingston with Kevin Owens. The former Universal champion is scheduled to face Daniel Bryan at Fastlane.
Fastlane is the final PPV before the Show of Shows in New Jersey, and the storylines are progressing for the biggest wrestling carnival of the year. Hence, Smackdown Live is expected to have a blockbuster show next week. Several bouts could be announced for Fastlane next week.
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Here, we discuss four shocking things that could happen on Smackdown Live next week (5 March 2019)
#4 Hardy Boys could be announced to challenge Usos at Fastlane
The recent NXT recruit Johnny Gargano was set to face Cesaro this week, but the Hardy boys came out and shocked the WWE Universe. Matt Hardy returned to WWE after recovering from an injury. The Hardy Boys defeated the Bar in a tag team match this week. The two men have been part of WWE for a long time, and they have achieved plenty of success.
There is no denying that the Hardy Boys are one of the most successful tag teams in WWE history and they won the tag team titles a record of eight times in WWE. Since the Hardy Boys defeated the Bar, they could be eligible to challenge the Smackdown tag team champions Usos. The Hardy Boys could grab the Smackdown tag team titles at Fastlane
#3 The winner between Rey Mysterio and Andrade might challenge R-Truth for the US title
The US champion R-Truth did not defend the title at Elimination Chamber, but he is expected to put the title on the line at Fastlane. As a matter of fact, R-Truth defended the title this week when he faced Andrade and Rey Mysterio, and he retained the title successfully in the triple threat match.
Andrade and Rey Mysterio had a rivalry last year, and the two superstars fought several times on Smackdown Live. Considering the two superstars are immensely talented, they produced exception bouts when they locked horns. With Fastlane around the corner, they could tussle to become the challenger of US title.
The two men might have a bout on Smackdown Live next week, and the winner could face R-Truth for the US title at Fastlane. WrestleMania 35 is just less than five weeks away, and WWE could be planning a blockbuster match for the US title. R-Truth is not likely to keep the title until the Show of Shows in New Jersey.
#2 Randy Orton could confront AJ Styles
Randy Orton interrupted AJ Styles during a backstage interview this week. It could be a beginning of new rivalry for the Grandest Stage of Them All. Styles has been chasing the WWE title after he lost it to Daniel Bryan last year, but he has not been successful. While Orton was also involved in the title match as he participated in the traditional Elimination Chamber match.
Styles is not in the title picture after Elimination Chamber as Kofi Kingston was announced the next challenger of Daniel Bryan, who was subsequently replaced by Kevin Owens. Styles needs an elite competitor who could be a potential opponent of the Phenomenal One in New Jersey. The 13-time WWE champion Randy Orton is undoubtedly a great choice to face the former WWE champion.
Styles and Orton are veterans in the squared circle, and they can bring the best out of each other. It is not clear if the two men could fight at Fastlane, but we could see a glimpse of their feud if they confront each other on Smackdown Live next week.
The two men locked horns in 2017 when Orton defeated Styles. However, a long feud between the two superstars could be exciting for the WWE Universe.
#1 A brawl between Kevin Owens and Daniel Bryan
Kevin Owens is the new challenger of Daniel Bryan at WWE Fastlane. Vince McMahon announced Kevin Owens as the replacement of Kofi Kingston who has gathered popularity in recent weeks. The performance of Kingston in the Gauntlet match and the Elimination Chamber made him a fan favourite. Since it will be the last Smackdown Live episode before Fastlane, a massive brawl is possible next week.
It is not clear why Kingston was removed from the match. There is no denying that Owens is a bigger name who has won six titles on the main roster. Hence, the former Universal champion could be a better match for such a high-profile clash at Fastlane.
Kevin Owens returned as a face, which is unusual as he has been a heel in most of his career. It will be interesting how it works for Owens as a face. With New Day involved in this feud, a brawl could break out between Owens and Bryan on the Smackdown Live next week.