5 Surprises that could take place on the SmackDown after WWE TLC

WWE TLC was an action-packed show, especially for the Superstars of SmackDown, three of whom were a part of Sunday's main event. Asuka, Charlotte Flair, and Becky Lynch battled it out for 20 minutes, with Asuka getting the win and her first-ever title on the main roster, thanks to a little help from Ronda Rousey, who got retribution for Charlotte and Lynch's past actions against her.

On this week's RAW, the McMahon family, led by Vince McMahon, announced that the company had heard the fans' grievances and that they would make changes, starting with RAW.

New Superstars are set to be added to both brands, new rivalries, and new matches to also be announced to regenerate interest with fans.

So, what does WWE have in store for this week's SmackDown? Here are 5 surprises that could take place on the SmackDown after WWE TLC:

New Champs in WWE! More RIGHT HERE

#5 R-Truth challenges Daniel Bryan

The 'NEW' Daniel Bryan successfully defended his WWE Championship against AJ Styles at TLC in one of the best matches on the show, in not-so-convincing fashion as he won the match with a roll-up cover, to retain his belt.

It seems like the feud between Bryan and Styles will come to an end soon, and it could start off this very week on SmackDown Live. On last week's SmackDown Live show, Mustafa Ali made his debut on the blue brand and impressed the WWE Universe when he faced off against WWE Champion, Daniel Bryan.

We could maybe see Bryan face off against another lower mid-carder, and I have a feeling it may be R-Truth, who is currently on a high after winning Mixed Match Challenge Season 2 alongside Carmella.

We could maybe see Bryan propose an Open Challenge for SmackDown and R-Truth could answer the challenge. It would make for an interesting faceoff between a light-hearted, comical wrestler like Truth, against a serious, no-holds-barred NEW Daniel Bryan.

#4 Asuka loses her title

This will be incredibly unfair on Asuka, after having won the SmackDown Women's title just two days ago, but it is quite a possibility that the Japanese Superstar may lose the title.

After all, she won the title on Sunday in dubious circumstances as Ronda Rousey pushed both Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch off their ladders when they were very close to snatching the title which was dangling above the ring.

We could maybe see Flair and Lynch unhappy about losing the match due to Rousey's interference and take it up with Stephanie McMahon, who could maybe announce a rematch between the three for SmackDown.

It seems that WWE will most likely pit one of Charlotte or Becky Lynch (or both?) against Rousey at WrestleMania, and as Rousey is on RAW and Charlotte and Lynch are on SmackDown, the match at WrestleMania will not be a title match. So, one of the two will probably feud with Asuka, and there could be a possibility of that person to win the title on SmackDown, in the rematch.

#3 Harper and Rowan return

WWE announced on this week's RAW that 6 Superstars will make their main roster debut soon. They also announced the return of Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, who have been out of action due to injury.

We could maybe see a few injured Superstars from SmackDown return too, top among them being the tag team of Harper and Rowan. The former SmackDown Tag Team champions are both currently out of injury, which could not have come at a worse time for them personally, as well as SmackDown Live.

Rowan first suffered an injury in August and was put on the shelf for a few months, and a few weeks ago, it was announced that Harper has also undergone wrist surgery.

It may be a little soon for them to return, but there could be a possibility that they will at least have a promo segment on SmackDown.

#2 Sanity assault The Bar

With the injury to the Bludgeon Brothers, the SmackDown tag team division has just three popular teams - The Bar - the SmackDown Live tag team champions, and former tag team champions, The Usos, and The New Day.

Although the three teams have put on phenomenal matches, with the latter two being involved in several great battles, it is getting rather stale. One tag team that has been severely underused and not pushed by WWE's creative team is Sanity.

The former NXT tag team champions haven't been on the blue brand since September, which is a pity considering how talented each individual in that group is. The Bar need new challengers having beaten The New Day as well as The Usos recently.

Sanity are their best opponents on SmackDown at the moment, and we could maybe see them assault and brutalize The Bar with their 3-on-2 advantage.

#1 Paige sacked

On RAW, the message sent by the McMahons was that they're taking over both RAW and SmackDown and will control everything from now on. They did not announce a replacement for Baron Corbin as RAW GM, neither did they re-appoint Kurt Angle as the RAW GM, this week.

Could we maybe see both brands with no general managers? That is a possibility considering Shane McMahon's active role on SmackDown, and we could maybe see WWE use the Survivor Series storyline, where RAW won every match on the main card, to possibly fire SmackDown Live GM Paige.

That could be one of the changes that the McMahons hinted at on this week's RAW show, and Paige could be one of the authority figures fired too. Paige could perhaps become a manager of a stable, or maybe even become a commentator, much like Renee Young is on RAW.

Edited by Pratyay Ghosh