Grading the SmackDown roster following WrestleMania 37

#1 Are there any returns or debuts for SmackDown after WrestleMania Backlash?

The Genius of the Sky

SmackDown saw the return of Aleister Black, but in a pre-taped vignette. On RAW, Charlotte Flair reappeared after a brief hiatus, supposedly due to COVID. Ivar returned to action with Erik after suffering a cervical injury.

While Black's return is a welcome sight, nothing else has happened to supplement the SmackDown roster. After several cuts on April 15th, there haven't been any visible additions to the women's roster.

One thing that may be postponing any NXT debuts could be WrestleMania Backlash. WWE could be looking to have several rematches at the pay-per-view instead of moving on from WrestleMania feuds. It's arguably best to start anew following the show of shows, after some rosters have been reset with new titleholders.

If WWE does indeed decide to debut some stars or have some performers return after the next big pay-per-view, it would make sense. There are a lot of Superstars waiting in the wings to either join the main roster or make a shocking return.

When will Sonya Deville get back in the ring? She was on fire during her feud with Mandy Rose, but an unfortunate situation outside of wrestling forced her to take some time off.

Two of the biggest possible returns would be Becky Lynch and Brock Lesnar. May will mark almost a year since The Man last competed inside a WWE ring. She gave birth in December of 2020. In the interim, her fiance Seth Rollins moved to SmackDown. WWE tries to keep couples together, so if she comes back it needs to be on the blue brand.

The Beast has been out of action since dropping the WWE Championship to Drew McIntyre last year. His deal expired last fall and he's apparently home in Canada at the moment. With the way Reigns is being pushed as The Tribal Chief, they may be setting things up for Lesnar. Or will the Beast return to RAW to challenge Lashley?

The reports of Brock Lesnar being a free agent are true. In talking with a source, the belief is that once Lesnar is ready to work again, he’ll let McMahon know. Or vice versa, if WWE needs Brock, they will present a deal he can’t refuse. Currently, it’s nothing more than that.

— WrestleVotes (@WrestleVotes) August 31, 2020

At the very least, there needs to be one or two NXT call-ups joining SmackDown after WrestleMania Backlash. The releases in mid-April opened up some roster spots. If the storytelling in NXT coincides with SmackDown, the likes of Roderick Strong, Io Shirai or Finn Balor could join the roster.

I don’t have the title. However I’m still alive. I’m never gonna stop.😈👍🏻#NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/tvwGYA5ORs

— 紫雷イオ、Io Shirai (@shirai_io) April 8, 2021

Santana Garrett was already "quietly" called up in November with only an appearance in the Royal Rumble to show for it. If she joins the women's division, it would be an instant upgrade. If another woman joins her, that's even better.

SmackDown is in pretty good shape overall, but could certainly feature some new faces in the second half of the year.