WWE SmackDown: 5 big backstage rumors that could have a major impact - Superstar upset with controversial LGBT angle, Former World Champion to leave (3rd January 2020)

This new year has brought new hope and excitement for WWE fans worldwide and it will be interesting to see what the first episode of the blue brand in the new year will have in store for us.

With RAW ending the decade with a rather unique wedding segment, the ball now lies in SmackDown's court to come up with something equally eye-catching for its viewers. With the rivalry between Daniel Bryan and Bray Wyatt heating up and Bryan managing to become the number one contender for Wyatt's Universal Championship, something explosive is bound to happen.

Let us take a look at 5 big rumors that could affect SmackDown:

---

#5 Sonya Deville unhappy with RAW's 'lesbian' angle

Sonya Deville is one of the youngest and fastest rising stars in WWE today. The former MMA fighter is currently part of a tag-team with Mandy Rose called Fire and Desire.

There have been backstage reports stating that Deville is not happy with the company because of the lesbian angle that has started on RAW when Liv Morgan hinted at having a romantic relationship with Lana during her 'wedding' segment.

Here is what Cagesideseats has stated:

There’s at least some talk going around that Sonya Deville is upset at the Lana/Liv Morgan lesbian angle, because she has pitched doing one and always been shot down.

With WWE heading towards more edgy content and segments that mirror those during the attitude era, it is possible that we may see Sonya Deville also involved in a similar storyline, perhaps involving Mandy Rose.

Sonya Deville is a part of the LGBT community and has been vocal in her support for them, so it would be a great opportunity for her to highlight this aspect of her life if WWE decides to go ahead with another such angle on SmackDown.

#4 The Miz to move to RAW

Former WWE Champion The Miz has become an essential part of the Blue brand ever since the split. Even though he has not had much success inside the ring as of late, he is a crucial part of the ongoing story between Daniel Bryan and Bray Wyatt.

However, for those expecting a major push coming for The Miz, there might be some bad news. The Miz is likely to remain a secondary character while on SmackDown as there is already discussion of moving him to RAW during the Superstar Shakeup in April, as per Tom Colohue.

There are some early whispers of moves coming for the planned Shake-up in April. Now, there are a few people that have been constantly moved back and forth and Miz is one I’m hearing mentioned a lot, but he’s always mentioned. He’s someone who they are considering someone of a role talent and it’s someone they can use on USA because Miz and Mrs is on USA and there is a preference for that.

(H/t: SportsKeeda)

#3 Tag team to be split

WWE has been teasing tension between Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose as of late. The two have stopped accompanying each other during singles matches and even had a minor backstage altercation on SmackDown last week.

As per Dave Meltzer of WON, there are plans to split the duo so that Mandy Rose can get a singles push. So expect more tension between the two on this edition of SmackDown.

It feels again like they are starting to break up with Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville, which, if that happens I feel very sorry for Sonya Deville because I can just see her disappearing after the programme’s over.

Well, they were going to do it, they were going to do it before WrestleMania. They had the whole thing planned, and then they just dropped it. You know it’s like one of those things where again, sometimes you do stuff, you break up a team, and not that they are a hot team, because they are really not, they are just there, I mean if you break them up it’s just whatever, It’s not like a big deal one way or the other.

Sometimes like, with Rusev and Lana, if you remember when they broke them up, there were like no plans on making it better, they just decided it was time to do it. With this one, it’s like, if you do it or you don’t do it, it’s a storyline, I think they will push Mandy Rose no matter what because of her look.

(H/t: SportsKeeda)

#2 Shinsuke Nakamura to move to NXT

It has been reported that NXT will be a part of the upcoming Superstar Shakeup in April. Not only will NXT Superstars get a call-up to the 'main roster', but some RAW and SmackDown stars may be heading to Wednesday nights.

One of the names that have a high chance of moving back to NXT as per SportsKeeda's Tom Colohue is Shinsuke Nakamura. The current Intercontinental Champion is part of a faction along with Sami Zayn and Cesaro. So we can expect the group to split up soon.

With regards to NXT, Sami Zayn is still the favourite name I’m hearing, but there is a lot of discussion about that, so I can say for certain. Sami Zayn is the one I’m hearing the most as I’ve mentioned in the Sportskeeda podcast as well as potentially someone like Nakamura. There is a level of people they are interested in bringing back to NXT, people who have been there before, people who have a lot to add, the Samoa Joes, that sort of level. Those are the people they want working and I would quite enjoy seeing Samoa Joe vs. Adam Cole.

(H/t: SportsKeeda)

#1 Roman Reigns to win the Royal Rumble

It has already been reported by multiple outlets that Roman Reigns is the favorite to win this year's Royal Rumble match and face 'The Fiend' at WrestleMania 36.

SportsKeeda's Tom Colohue has reported that Roman Reigns is the management's pick to win this year's Men's Royal Rumble match, whereas Shayna Baszler will likely be the first choice to win the Women's Royal Rumble match.

The current betting favourites, previously these were just favourites from management, to win the Royal Rumble, I mentioned it was Shayna Baszler and Roman Reigns, they are now the betting favourites on a lot of betting sites, and a lot of betting companies are taking less and less odds of the chance for Roman and Shayna winning. It’s worth remembering, I believe the time was 2016 when Randy Orton won, the betting averages narrowed day by day to get closer and closer to Randy Orton, at that time you had Goldberg, Lesnar and The Undertaker in the Royal Rumble, so they were favourites the day before but Randy Orton was the betting favourite on the day. So it’s very telling when the betting favourites start to move.