5 Things WWE subtly told us on SmackDown: The Undertaker to attack Superstar at Survivor Series, Dream feud to begin soon (November 20th, 2020)

#5 WWE has still not given up on Otis on SmackDown; possible reason why Big E was not picked

OH YEAAAHHH!!!!Your final member of the Men's side of #TeamSmackDown is... @otiswwe! pic.twitter.com/LCxzImxwwG

— WWE (@WWE) November 21, 2020

One of the biggest rumors heading into this week's SmackDown was about the plan for Big E to be the fifth member of Team SmackDown.

However, as reported first by Fightful Select, the plan was changed this afternoon, and WWE instead went ahead and handed the spot to Otis.

Yes, the same Otis who lost to Seth Rollins a couple of weeks ago. A win against Dolph Ziggler last week helped restore some credibility, but it's the Showoff we're talking about here.

Otis' WWE push seemed dead in the water when he lost the MITB briefcase to The Miz. His alliances with Tucker and Mandy Rose were also nixed, and Otis was in a creative limbo. The WWE Management, though, still does have faith in Otis as a performer as the company has paired him with the uberly talented Chad Gable.

The Men's SmackDown Survivor Series team looks pale compared to the RAW lineup, and the men in blue are most likely set to take the loss at the PPV. Otis' inclusion in the match is an interesting one as WWE could have picked Big E and booked the former New Day member to put on a star-making performance.

It's a NEW DAY, Street Profits! Yes, it is... because @TrueKofi & @AustinCreedWins are HERE! Take it away, @WWEBigE! #SmackDown #SurvivorSeries @AngeloDawkins @MontezFordWWE pic.twitter.com/qNUXWTIkRo

— WWE (@WWE) November 21, 2020

The fact that WWE went ahead with Otis hints towards a possible plan for the former MITB holder.

The other possible reason why WWE might have chosen to go with Otis would be to protect Big E. The long-term plan is for Big E to be the top singles star on SmackDown, and the WWE is playing it safe and slow with his singles push. Being on the losing end of Team SmackDown might do him no good, and at this point, the fans would have to be patient about WWE's direction for Big E.