'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Reading between the lines. It is an art that only the most seasoned WWE fans have mastered where they see the events that have transpired and derive their conclusions based on what's happening on their screens.
In this article, I shall point out 5 things that WWE subtly told us on this week's show. I invite you to comment and share your thoughts on my points and also point out the things that you believe that I may have missed in my review.
This was the last SmackDown of the year and in my opinion, it was a fun show. I do really believe that the 2-hour format makes SmackDown a much easier show to watch than RAW.
Trending
So, without further ado, I'd like to present 5 subtle things that WWE told us this week.
#5 Major rift in Fire & Desire
All good things must someday come to an end, and I do believe that such is the case with Fire & Desire - the team of Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville. Mandy Rose is obviously entering into some kind of love triangle storyline with Otis and Dolph Ziggler, while Sonya Deville is upset that Mandy Rose wasn't by her side. It does seem like the group is headed for a split!
And this is not a bad thing at all because these two women can, in turn, elevate one another with a very entertaining feud. They are obviously the best of friends and as we have seen in the past, the best of friends also make the best on-screen rivals as well. A classic case in point would be Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair who are bitter rivals on-screen but the best of friends in real life.
Let's hope that Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose have a great feud, very soon.
#4 Braun Strowman will be a lot less monstrous henceforth
Braun Strowman is known as the 'Monster Among Men', as he should because of his monstrous and intimidating physique. However, at the same time, Braun Strowman is often booked in certain ways that make us forget that he's supposed to be monstrous.
I mean we all remember his pairing with Nicholas and the storyline with the two guys from SNL. People wanted Strowman to become the Universal Champion at WWE WrestleMania on those occasions and yet, he was booked as a comedy character which explains why he isn't as over as a person of his physique should.
This week, he busted a move with The New Day which was entertaining if you're into that kind of stuff. But I really feel like every time he does one of these 'funny' segments, he loses a lot of his appeal and falls down the ranks in a pretty big way.
#3 Roman Reigns and Baron Corbin will feud until the Royal Rumble
If you thought that the feud between Roman Reigns and King Corbin ended at TLC, you were very much mistaken, ladies and gentlemen. The two men are going to take each other on, at least, until the Royal Rumble.
I'm guessing that Roman Reigns will enter the Universal Championship picture at WrestleMania this year. This is the rumor doing the rounds and it can certainly be the case because The Fiend seems to be running through all his opponents.
Maybe it will take a spear or a few spears from The Big Dog to keep The Fiend down and out. This is why I personally believe that Roman Reigns is being kept out of the title picture for the time being.
Also, whether or not you, the reader, likes these segments, anything Reigns or Corbin do, always does great numbers for WWE!
#2 Carmella will get a major push
Carmella has been racking up the wins and she scored a pretty big victory against Mandy Rose this week. I'm guessing that the reason for the same is that Bayley will need babyfaces to work with if she carries the title until WrestleMania. I'm guessing that she will manage to defeat Lacey Evans at their next encounter and will need opponents to feud with.
Carmella is ideal in a sense because she's more popular than ever after her whole stint with R-Truth not very long ago. Her relationship with Corey Graves is also very public and it is entertaining to hear Graves' reactions every time she is on screen. Carmella segments are a lot of fun to watch for fans.
I doubt that she will become the SmackDown Women's Champion in 2020 but I'm sure she'll be near the top of the food chain since WWE is doing a good job in building her up.
#1 The New Day will not defend their titles at the Royal Rumble
Kofi Kingston is Mr. Royal Rumble. It is almost 100% certain that he's going to be a part of the Royal Rumble match this year, in some capacity. And that makes me think that the SmackDown Tag Team Championships will not be defended at the Royal Rumble.
Even if you look at SmackDown as a whole, there is probably no team right now which can contend with The New Day for the Championship. Heavy Machinery are babyfaces and we've seen far too many matches between The Revival and the champs.
I guess with Sami Zayn returning, we could always have him team up with Cesaro to take on The New Day, but that's a really strange team indeed. And I doubt that Cesaro will be teaming with the returning Sheamus to take on The New Day because that will be a step back for Sheamus.
So, maybe the only thing the New Day does at the Rumble is participate in the actual match.
