RETRIBUTION: 5 directions WWE could go with their newest faction

#1 The SmackDown Hacker is a part of RETRIBUTION

Audio constantly cutting out on #SmackDown THE HACKER LIVES ON! pic.twitter.com/YVvZ6NBLQB

— WrestlingShouldBeFun (@WSBFun) August 8, 2020

One of the primary reasons why WWE fans are skeptical about RETRIBUTION is the way the SmackDown Hacker angle was abruptly dropped. What was a weekly Easter egg initially turned into a consequential storytelling device, But the SmackDown Hacker was slowly petered out in the past couple of months. This was probably due to Mustafa Ali's move to RAW.

An idea that had so much potential had seemingly been squandered. But what if that is not the case? What if WWE decides to branch the two together? It is certainly plausible, especially considering the RETRIBUTION invaders were dressed in the same black hoods that the hacker wore.

All the messed up sounds and lights on RAW and SmackDown over the past week could be courtesy of the hacker, who has taken things to a higher level through the chaos caused on TV. If it is revealed that RETRIBUTION is linked to the SmackDown Hacker, it would be a storytelling masterstroke from the company.

If WWE creative and Vince was smart, they could revive the hacker angle with this Retribution stable seeing as how they’re all dressed the same and the person who was hacking Smackdown could be later revealed as the leader of the faction.

— Michael (@HellcatPerez) August 5, 2020

A tie-in between the two angles seems like the logical thing to do, considering the similarity in anonymity and technological disruption. Hopefully, the SmackDown Hacker is ultimately revealed to be the leader of RETRIBUTION. It makes sense, revives an abandoned story, and might even restore the fans' faith in WWE's creative team.

The storytelling possibilities for RETRIBUTION in WWE are endless. It is only a matter of how much effort the company is willing to put into the new group. If they want a sustainable increase in ratings, WWE must put in the effort. It is time to turn potential into substance and doubters into believers once and for all.