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Welcome to the post-WrestleMania edition of things WWE subtly told us on SmackDown. Much like RAW, SmackDown wasn't the most happening show despite the expectations.
Only a small chunk of the roster was utilized on SmackDown, and there weren't any special returns or debuts. If anything, a lot of feuds seem to be getting recycled from WrestleMania.
There is an exciting main event feud, so let's start with that:
#5 Cesaro is set to compete for the highest gold on SmackDown - but an obstacle stands in his way
WWE made it clear at WrestleMania as to what was next for Cesaro. This week's SmackDown didn't feature Edge or Daniel Bryan, but as usual, it was Universal Champion Roman Reigns who opened the show.
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When he bragged about how there wasn't anybody left to challenge him, Cesaro came out. Just as he was getting ready to speak up, Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman, and Jey Uso left the ring without even listening to a word of what he had to say.
It was interesting, and while the match between Cesaro and Roman Reigns was first booked for Smackdown in a non-title match, it was changed. To no surprise, "Main event" Jey Uso replaced Roman Reigns on this week's show.
The match was going great, but it was ruined by a DQ via Seth Rollins - who said that their rivalry wasn't over. The story on SmackDown is this - on one side, you have the Universal Champion who refuses to acknowledge Cesaro as a legitimate challenger.
On the other hand, you have an obsessive Seth Rollins looking to get retribution for his loss at WrestleMania.
While a Triple Threat may not be in the books, we expect Cesaro to face and defeat Seth Rollins in a main event match on SmackDown heading into WrestleMania Backlash 2021.
Cesaro will be expected to defeat Seth Rollins if he is to challenge Roman Reigns at WrestleMania Backlash.
On another note, why did WWE have to replay Cesaro's UFO from WrestleMania four times in the same episode?
#4 A repeat in the Women's Tag Team Title picture on SmackDown
Natalya faced Shayna Baszler on SmackDown this week. Although Baszler is one-half of the Women's Tag Team Champions, we can't help but notice that she is always used to taking the fall since WWE always wants to protect Nia Jax.
What we've also noticed is that the Women's Tag Team Title picture is usually busier on SmackDown - and that's where it will continue to get featured. Natalya pinned Shayna Baszler and Tamina, who was at ringside supporting her partner, hit a superkick on Nia Jax.
It was a statement that both women, despite losing at WrestleMania, are still in the mix for Tag Team gold. One would think that this would be the perfect time to pull the trigger on The Riott Squad - a fresh team that rarely gets TV time.
But instead, WWE once again chose to go with a repeat match from WrestleMania 37. It won't be a bad option if Natalya and Tamina end up getting the gold at WrestleMania Backlash. It would give a fresh start to the Women's Tag Team division.
#3 Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens resume their feud on SmackDown - but is Backlash the destination?
The Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn feud didn't have a big build on SmackDown heading into WrestleMania 37. The match was great nonetheless, but it seems as though WWE has decided to continue the story on SmackDown.
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn had a rematch that ended in a count-out win for the former, seemingly to protect The Great Liberator. It's clear that just like some of the other feuds, it's going to continue at WrestleMania Backlash.
That's perhaps the reason why it looked like both men put in less than 5% of the effort that they did at WrestleMania. We're not sure what the objective of continuing the feud on SmackDown is, but perhaps that's the very reason why the next PPV is called "WrestleMania Backlash" and not just "Backlash" as usual.
We expect them to have a good match at the PPV, but there doesn't seem like much of a reason to continue the rivalry. Leading up to WrestleMania, it was Sami Zayn carrying himself through conspiracy theories, and Kevin Owens simply fit into the picture for one match.
#2 The SmackDown Tag Team Title picture stagnates
We're not sure of this decision on SmackDown, but we may understand why. There were two defining matches in the Tag Team picture. The first was a singles match between Rey Mysterio and Otis - where the legend won. The second was a SmackDown Tag Team Title match between the holders Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode and The Street Profits.
Everybody seemed to assume that The Street Profits were winning the SmackDown Tag Team Titles, especially since had hosted a title celebration for Bianca Belair before that.
The Street Profits lost, and there wasn't going to be a big celebratory moment. Many have wondered why this was the case, but there might be only one answer. WWE doesn't want another long and dominant run from The Street Profits. They dominated the entirety of 2020 - holding the RAW Tag Team Titles for nine months and the SmackDown Tag Team titles for two.
While The Mysterios and Alpha Academy could still be in the mix, The Street Profits appear to be done for now.
#1 Bayley joins the SmackDown Women's Title hunt
Bayley is the longest-reigning SmackDown Women's Champion in WWE history, but for some reason, she didn't have a match at WrestleMania 37. Instead, she played the role of the unofficial host and did better than the official ones, Titus O'Neil and Hulk Hogan.
Regardless, it seemed as though she would make a lot of sense as the next SmackDown Women's Title challenger. After a backstage segment on this week's show, it put Bayley in a spot to challenge for the title.
Luckily, she hasn't been mistreated post-SmackDown Women's Title reign, and her feud with Bianca Belair earlier was brief. It didn't have a definitive conclusion, which is why it makes a lot of sense now.
What seems unclear, however, is whether Sasha Banks will be involved in the match at WrestleMania Backlash. She didn't say much on SmackDown after losing the title to Belair, but a Triple Threat would be fun to watch.
Even a singles match for the SmackDown Women's Title between Bayley and Bianca Belair would be good.
