5 SmackDown stars WWE should've used in the World Heavyweight Championship tournament

Triple H made a blockbuster announcement regarding the World Heavyweight Championship tournament at the WWE Backlash press conference. The Game said that superstars from both RAW and SmackDown would have an equal opportunity to compete for the new title.

WWE recently announced the participants for the World Heavyweight Championship tournament. The line-up consists of 12 superstars from both RAW and SmackDown. Cody Rhodes is also in contention for the grand prize. The American Nightmare, however, is rumored to be replaced in the World Heavyweight Championship tournament.

The list contains popular choices to win the World Heavyweight Championship tournament. Having said that, WWE could've done a better job with the picks for the upcoming event, especially when it comes to the selection from SmackDown.

We believe these five stars from the blue brand should've been included in the World Heavyweight Championship tournament.

#1. LA Knight is popular among WWE Universe

LA Knight was drafted to SmackDown as part of WWE Draft 2023.

LA Knight is arguably the most popular choice on our list of SmackDown stars that should've been included in the World Heavyweight Championship tournament. The former Million Dollar Champion was one of the hottest acts to sign with WWE during the pandemic era.

Knight has not been in a notable feud since his rivalry with Bray Wyatt ended earlier this year. The former NXT star continues to get crazy reactions from the audience every Friday on SmackDown. This should have been enough to warrant him a spot in the World Heavyweight Championship tournament. WWE has reportedly planned big things for him in the future.

#2. Karrion Kross is a former champion

Karrion Kross had a nearly unstoppable run as NXT Champion on the former black-and-gold brand. Kross was booked as a monster who decimated every opponent he went up against except for Samoa Joe. However, his main roster run did him no favors, and he was released as part of the budget cuts in 2021.

Kross was one of the first stars Triple H brought back when he took charge of WWE's creative in July 2022. After having a heated rivalry with Drew McIntyre last year, the former NXT star seems to have lost some momentum.

Last week on SmackDowm, Kross lost to Shinsuke Nakamura, but his performance was praised by the fans. Although his second run with the company hasn't gone as planned, The Harbinger of Doom proved he could deliver a main event-level performance during his NXT run.

WWE has seemingly missed an opportunity to recreate the buzz around Kross by excluding him from the World Heavyweight Championship tournament.

#3. Montez Ford is a future champion

Montez Ford had a star-making performance at Elimination Chamber 2023. One-half of The Street Profits put on an incredible show for millions of fans around the world at the February 18 premium live event. This showed fans that WWE had great faith in Ford.

After a successful run on the red brand, Ford and his partner Angelo Dawkins were drafted to SmackDown last week. While it was rumored last year that the company has big plans for Montez for a singles run, those plans have seemingly been kept on hold.

WWE should've used the SmackDown star in the World Heavyweight Championship tournament to kickstart his singles run. Fans are still waiting to see what the future holds for the charismatic entertainer now that he's exclusive to the blue brand.

#4. Solo Sikoa could bring another gold to The Bloodline

Solo Sikoa is undoubtedly a star that will carry WWE for years to come. The Enforcer of the Bloodline is the right-hand man of Roman Reigns. Sikoa made his main roster debut last year at the Clash at the Castle Premium Live Event to help Reigns defeat Drew McIntyre.

The Street Fighter is also rumored to be the one who will cause an implosion in the group, forcing the Tribal Chief to take matters into his own hands.

It would've been interesting, nonetheless, to see Solo Sikoa in the World Heavyweight Championship tournament. The Street Champion apparently teased a solo run at Backlash in Puerto Rico this past Saturday.

#5. Cameron Grimes was recently drafted to SmackDown

Cameron Grimes teased his main roster look on social media weeks before The Draft came into effect. The former NXT North American Champion was drafted to SmackDown and debuted on the blue brand this past Friday.

The championship tournament could've been a great start for the man who wants to stack things on his way to the moon. However, a match with Baron Corbin is still a good way to kick things off next week on SmackDown.

Do you agree with this list? Let us know in the comments section below!