WWE SmackDown - 5 Potential surprises - Big return to take out Roman Reigns, Big heel turn, Charlotte Flair confronted by next challenger?

Yes, it is the final episode of WWE SmackDown before the 2022 Royal Rumble. Yes, an event that should have a lot more hype around it than it does at the moment.

Here are five surprises that could happen on the go-home episode of the blue brand before the premium live event. Here's a disclaimer. This is just speculation and not based on inside information or knowledge.

That said, it is absolutely necessary to pack the upcoming episode of WWE SmackDown with surprises because we're slowly entering the road to WrestleMania this weekend.

Do let us know in the comments which of these surprises you think could potentially transpire. Also, let us know which ones you'd personally like to see happen.

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#5 Drew McIntyre returns to WWE SmackDown and announces that he's ready for the Royal Rumble match

Could Drew McIntyre return to action in time for the Royal Rumble? And if so, what better way to let Roman Reigns know that he has him in his sights, than with a brutal Claymore when he's least expecting it? This is the feud that everyone in SmackDown wants, and it could very well happen at WrestleMania.

It simply does not make sense for The Scottish Warrior to return to feud with Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss again. Both of the guys are incredibly talented but we know there's only so far that they can go with the gimmick. McIntyre needs to be presented as a main event star and for this, he needs to be kept away from comedy skits.

Drew McIntyre is one of those cats who could go on to win the Royal Rumble and move to the WrestleMania main event. Could this fairytale story officially begin on SmackDown this week?

#4 WWE SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair mentions Ronda Rousey in her promo

It isn't out of the realm of possibility for WWE SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair to call out MMA megastar and former roster-mate Ronda Rousey on this week's show. There has been a lot of speculation about her imminent return to action recently, and the seeds could be sown on this week's show.

Could Rousey be the one to eliminate The Queen from the 2022 Royal Rumble? This could set up a mega one-on-one match for WrestleMania this year!

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#3 Big E finally turns heel

Where does Big E go after losing the WWE Championship to Brock Lesnar? It could take him into a downward spiral and make him turn over to the dark side.

He is scheduled to be on the blue brand this week, where he may finally snap and end up The New Day once and for all. This could introduce us to a brand new serious Big E who is a force to be reckoned with, without any goofy elements.

#2 Asuka returns to confront the WWE SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair

Could WWE SmackDown be graced by the return of The Empress of Tomorrow? There has been a lot of speculation about Asuka's return to action which could potentially happen on this week's show.

Could she show up and confront the woman that holds the gold, letting her know she will be in the Royal Rumble, gunning for the title? Remember Asuka and Flair have a history to draw from because it was the latter that broke her undefeated streak!

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#1 Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens have a massive fallout

So let's examine the facts. Kevin Owens is still clearly a heel because he's locked in a feud with Damian Priest, who is one of the company's hottest babyfaces. Meanwhile, Seth Rollins is in a feud with the promotion's top heel, Roman Reigns, and has been showing babyface tendencies in recent weeks too.

Could the two men get into a heated argument on this week's show to tease a program for the future?