One can choose to dwell on the negatives and speak about how WWE SmackDown happened in front of no crowd this week. Or one could view the whole thing through a positive lens, a story of perseverance of the men and women of WWE, who braved a global pandemic to put on a show against every single odd.
And the show will go on in the case of the Red brand too. And how do Vince McMahon and his team of creative personnel led by Paul Heyman ensure that people around the world tune in to watch this special show?
The easiest way to achieve the same is through a surprise, or two, or even 5. Be sure to leave a comment and let me know if you think one or more of these segments could likely take place on this week's show.
So, without further ado, here are some of the surprises that could happen this week. And let's hope they do so that the show becomes a must-watch affair.
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#5 Kevin Owens and Stone Cold team up to stun Seth Rollins' faction
Stone Cold Steve Austin will be making a big return this week, but the unfortunate thing is that there won't be a live audience to receive him. In any case, I can totally see him teaming up with Kevin Owens to take Seth Rollins' faction out. And if this were to happen, chances are that the last stunner would be received for Kevin Owens.
And that would not be a heel turn, but just what Stone Cold Steve Austin does as part of his 'Don't Trust Anyone' life philosophy.
Do you guys think that Stone Cold Steve Austin's return should be delayed in light of current worldwide events?
#4 The OC jumps The Undertaker during the whole contract signing segment
So, we were all looking forward to the contract signing segment with The Undertaker and AJ Styles. I just wonder if it will happen in the ring or indeed in a backstage segment now with the whole empty arena deal.
Whatever the case may be, the basic premise of a contract signing segment should not change at all, under any circumstances. The whole purpose of a contract signing segment is that it should end in a flurry of fists to build anticipation and excitement for the match that is yet to come.
So, maybe The Undertaker and Styles begin this segment but just before The Undertaker is about to lay his name on the dotted line, AJ Styles makes a comment about his wife, inciting and invoking The Phenom. And then, before he can launch an attack, it is revealed that this was all part of a well-laid trap because Gallows and Anderson are waiting in the wings, to lay a truly crushing blow.
#3 Erick Rowan lays Drew McIntyre out for killing his spider
Yes, I had second thoughts too when I was typing out the headline. Only in the pro wrestling world can you write something of this nature and it would still not be out of the realm of ridiculousness.
Not long ago, Erick Rowan told the world that his cage contains a spider, a completely mechanized spider no less. No Way Jose was completely taken back by this revelation but Drew McIntyre chose to do something about it and Erick Rowan's spider went to meet his maker in mechanical heaven not very long after.
We know that Erick Rowan is a former Wyatt Family member, a former Bludgeon Brother, and also a former Champion for the planet with Daniel Bryan. What I mean through all of these examples is that he is not a person to be taken lightly at all.
And he could certainly put Drew McIntyre's WrestleMania plans in peril by taking him out in the backstage area. It could lead to a grudge match, right before WrestleMania.
#2 Alexa Bliss costs Asuka her match
Paige was scheduled to be on SmackDown but the whole coronavirus pandemic threw things into utter disarray for her. As a result of the same, Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross took on Sasha Banks and Bayley at the top of the show. But the match would have a special guest making her presence felt- Asuka, who just happened to attack Alexa Bliss.
We know that Little Miss Bliss has had her eyes on the prize that Asuka holds ever so dearly and as a result, I have a feeling that she will also show up on WWE RAW to exact a measure of revenge and retribution against Asuka. Yes, such a segment would have worked better in front of a live crowd, but certain times call for very special measures.
And if WrestleMania still takes place as it was originally planned, then Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross could certainly take on The Kabuki Warriors for the Women's Tag Team Championships and come out on top in the process.
#1 Aleister Black enters the United States Championship picture
Andrade is a man who is simply brimming with talent but the fact is that he may not be in the good graces of WWE after his recent wellness policy violation occurred. In any case, he needs a fresh new feud as WrestleMania approaches (provided WrestleMania is still on the cards).
Aleister Black is the right man to take Andrade on because it will even give a chance for him to work with his wife, Zelina Vega. Black and Andrade are definitely not strangers to one another, having put on a whole bunch of amazing matches while in NXT.
In any case, Andrade needs to move out of this feud with Humberto Carillo and Angel Garza which seems to have gone on for the longest time ever. Sure, he could tussle with Rey Mysterio again, but I genuinely think he needs something fresh.
Andrade vs. Black is fresh even though it has happened before, in my personal opinion. It will really shake up the United States Championship picture.