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There could be a lot of surprises in store for us on the next week's episode of Raw as multiple segments are planned for the show. But nothing has been announced regarding SmackDown Live for the next week. Despite this, fans will be tuning into the show as SD Live has constantly delivered as compared to Raw.
There are many interesting storylines ongoing in SD Live. AJ Styles won the fatal 5 way and will now challenge Daniel Bryan at the Royal Rumble PPV for the WWE Championship. Shinsuke Nakamura interrupted the Rusev Day celebration to stake his claim for the US Championship. Also, Asuka has been told by HHH to select her opponent for the Royal Rumble PPV.
WWE will also be looking to focus on The Miz and Shane McMahon while also progressing Naomi and Mandy Rose's rivalry. Here we take a look at the 5 things that WWE should consider for the next week's episode of SD Live.
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#5. Rusev should be attacked backstage by Shinsuke Nakamura
Despite winning the 2018 Royal Rumble match, Shinsuke Nakamura could not rise to the main event level on SD Live. He lost many WWE championship matches against AJ Styles and then nowhere to be seen on TV for a long period of time. He did win the US Championship from Jeff Hardy but rarely defended it on TV.
On the Christmas edition of SD Live, Rusev defeated Shinsuke Nakamura to capture the US championship which was good for both men. Shinsuke could not focus on regaining the championship and will be involved in a meaningful storyline while Rusev finally got success after being in the background for a long amount of time. He became one of the most popular stars in WWE last year and will now be looking to capitalize on his popularity.
Next week on SD Live, WWE should let Shinsuke attack Rusev from behind in a backstage segment to make him look vicious. A match between the two should be then announced for the Royal Rumble PPV.
#4. Gallows & Anderson and SAnity should get added to the tag title mix
Unlike Raw, the tag team division on SD Live is in much better shape. The division has been headlined by three top teams in The Bar, The Usos and The New Day while the division also boasts quality teams like Gallows & Anderson, Sanity and The Bludgeon Brothers, who are currently out due to injury. SD Live, however, has been found guilty of using only its top three teams.
The Bar is the current tag team champions on the blue brand and has mixed up with The New Day and The Usos multiple times. So, it is time WWE could let the other teams get involved in the tag title picture. A few weeks back on SD Live, Sanity, Gallows and Anderson & The Usos all made their presence felt but the recent storyline involving Jimmy Uso, Naomi and Mandy Rose seems to indicate that the Usos might not be involved in the title picture which allows WWE to make the feud a three-way and have The Bar defend their title against Sanity and The Good Brothers at the Royal Rumble PPV.
WWE could let Sanity face Gallows & Anderson on the next week's episode of SD Live for number one contender for the tag titles. However, The Bar should lay waste to both teams mid-match after which the triple threat match is announced for the PPV.
#3. Nikki Cross should emerge as the new challenger for Asuka
Asuka finally became Women's champion in 2018 after several failed attempts. She defeated Charlotte and Becky in a TLC match after Ronda Rousey interfered and cost both Charlotte and Becky the match. This week on SD Live, HHH asked Asuka to pick her opponent in a backstage segment during which all three of Charlotte, Becky and Carmella staked their claim to face the champ.
However, WWE should throw a curveball and should let Nikki Cross face Asuka at the Royal Rumble PPV. On next week's edition of the show, WWE could book Charlotte, Becky & Carmella in a fatal 4-way match with the fourth participant being a mystery women. This would be a perfect way for Nikki Cross to finally make her SD Live debut after her one-off appearance in which she lost to Becky Lynch.
Nikki could not only debut but would go on to win the match, pinning Carmella. Not only this would protect both Charlotte and Becky, but it would also give Nikki a great debut.
#2. The 'Real' AJ Styles and The 'New' Daniel Bryan should have a brawl
AJ Styles was called by Vince McMahon in his office who went on to question Styles attitude and provoked him by slapping him and demanding to see the real AJ Styles. Styles replied by attacking Mr. McMahon. This week's on SD Live, Styles refused to apologize to Vince and then went on to win the fatal-5 way match and now would face Daniel Bryan for the WWE Championship.
Styles vs Bryan will be a must-see match at the Royal Rumble PPV. Daniel Bryan's heel turn has completely changed him and he has managed to gain negative reception from the crowd despite being a very popular babyface before.
Bryan's new attitude and AJ's new attitude will be in full display at the Royal Rumble PPV and this might be the last time when AJ will get the shot at the WWE Championship.
Next week on SD Live, WWE should kick off with a huge in-ring brawl between AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan which would require the whole roster to pull them apart. AJ has been known to lose control sometimes and his new attitude completely suits an in-ring brawl.
#1. Mustafa Ali should feel the wrath of Randy Orton & Samoa Joe
Mustafa Ali's addition to the SD Live roster and his push has been a huge step taken by WWE. Ali was the heart of 205 live as he constantly delivered top quality matches and was always ready to entertain fans. Ali made his SD Live debut last month and faced Daniel Bryan in a losing effort. He then went on to team with AJ Styles and also got his first victory on SD Live by pinning Daniel Bryan.
Ali was attacked by Bryan after his victory against Andrade 'Cien' Almas two weeks ago and it seemed like he would be next opponent for Bryan's WWE title. However, WWE dropped that storyline and went on with AJ being the challenger for Daniel Bryan with his win in the fatal-5 way match last week. Ali along with Orton and Joe was in the fatal-5 way match and although he did not win, he impressed everyone with his display.
However, he might have caught the ire of Samoa Joe and Randy Orton. Ali could announce his intention of entering the Royal Rumble match but could be attacked by Randy Orton. As Orton would leave the ring, Joe would come from behind and hold Ali in a coquina clutch. Orton & Joe would then stare at each other just like they did in the match last week. However, this time they would smile and the show would end.
