Top SmackDown Rumors: Impact of Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar on Day 1, Major superstar could leave, Drew McIntyre's 'incident' with Jeff Hardy (13th December)

Welcome to another edition of the top SmackDown backstage rumors that could make a major impact. While SmackDown has been hitting home runs on-screen lately, there has been a lot going on backstage as well. This relates to the release of a former WWE Champion because of his behavior as well as speculation that another prominent SmackDown star could soon be AEW bound.

The wrestling word has been abuzz since SmackDown superstar Jeff Hardy was released after an incident during a live event. We will take a look at what role Drew McIntyre played in it and how he was impacted.

Apart from that we will take a look at how the match between Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar has impacted the ticket sales for the WWE Day 1 pay-per-view event, and much more. So without further ado, let's dive into the top SmackDown rumors:

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#5 Backstage details on SmackDown superstar Drew McIntyre's incident with Jeff Hardy at WWE Live Event

At a recent live event in Edinburgh, TX, Jeff Hardy displayed some peculiar behaviour as he left his match mid way and vanished into the crowd. Hardy had teamed up with Drew McIntyre to face The Usos.

However, after Jeff Hardy's unplanned exit from the match, Drew McIntyre was left surprised and confused. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has revealed that McIntyre even got on the mic and called Hardy out.

''When he hot tagged out, he just disappeared. Because the match was going on people didn't notice. After McIntyre hit the Claymore kick to pin Jey, Jeff was nowhere to be found, after disappearing into the crowd. McIntyre even got on the mic and noted we seem to be missing a partner and said, "If found, please point him in our direction." He then was sent home and didn't work the show in Corpus Christi the next night," said Meltzer.

Drew McIntyre and Jeff Hardy had become on-screen allies on SmackDown. However, with Hardy's release from WWE, McIntyre will certainly feel the effect as storyline plans for him will have to change.

#4 Impact of Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar's match at Day 1

SmackDown superstars Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar will be facing each other yet again at WWE's newest pay-per-view event - Day 1. As per The Observer (Via CSS), ticket sales for Day one have significantly improved since the match between Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar was announced.

"In the Daily Update it’s noted by the Observer that tickets for Day 1 started moving much faster after the announcement of Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar but it’s still unlikely to sell out."

As per the Observer, the match between both these SmackDown stars will merely serve as a stepping stone for their eventual clash at WrestleMania next year. The report also says that a big finish has been planned for the Universal Championship match.

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#3 SmackDown star Sami Zayn's future uncertain in WWE

Sami Zayn has enjoyed a lot of focus on SmackDown since he has been involved in a story with Brock Lesnar. Zayn is one of the most entertaining superstars on the roster today. The reason behind his push is because WWE feels that he may not re-sign with them and wants to keep him happy.

As per The Observer, there is a big chance that Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn will leave WWE once their contracts are over and both of them are being pushed in order to make them stay.

#2 Released SmackDown star Jeff Hardy going to AEW?

Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has stated that it is unlikely that Tony Khan will sign former WWE SmackDown star Jeff Hardy soon. Despite their interest in Hardy's talent and the possibility of a Hardy Boyz reunion, the company will be apprehensive, given the fact that he has refused to go to rehab.

Dave Meltzer is now reporting that AEW President Tony Khan could be hesitant to offer a deal to Hardy due to the latter refusing rehab for his addiction problems.

Jeff Hardy re-signed with WWE in 2020 and his current deal was expected to run until September 2022. While Jeff Hardy could eventually join AEW, it is unlikely that it will happen anytime soon.

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#1 WWE want to make Roman Reigns the new Brock Lesnar

SmackDown's Universal Champion has been projected as unstoppable ever since he became the champion. Andrew Zarian of Met Men said that in WWE's eyes, he is the new Brock Lesnar. This is why he has been protected so much and won his match against WWE Champion Big E at Survivor Series.

''The whole story is that he is a monster. He is the Brock Lesnar now. He is undefeated. He has been the champion for over 400 days. This guy is not going to lose and he is going to continue winning until someone dethrones him. Maybe the guy who dethrones him is Drew McIntyre,'' said Zarian.

Reigns is set to take on The Beast Incarnate in a few weeks. Given that WWE plans to have them face each other again at WrestleMania, The Tribal Chief could retain the title at Day 1.