WWE SmackDown: 5 Big backstage rumors that could have a major impact - Wyatt's WrestleMania opponent, Major character change (20th December)

While TLC may have received mixed reactions from the fans and critics, the SmackDown after TLC promises to be a strong one with a lot of stories and angles that will move forward.

From Daniel Bryan's return at TLC in a new avatar to King Corbin gaining an unexpected victory against Roman Reigns, there are a lot of issues that will need to be addressed at tonight's show.

Let us take a look at 5 most interesting backstage rumors and stories that could have a major impact on SmackDown:

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#5 Roman Reigns set to win the Royal Rumble?

While The Big Dog Roman Reigns may be involved in a silly and rather lacklustre feud with King Corbin as of now, don't think that WWE has forgotten about their blue-eyed boy.

SportsKeeda's Tom Coluhue revealed on Dropkick DiSKcussions, that Roman Reigns is the current favorite to win this year's Royal Rumble match and will likely go on to face The Fiend Bray Wyatt at WrestleMania 36.

“When it comes to leading into WrestleMania, Roman Reigns still does seem to be the favorite to win the Rumble. I think that’s what’s going to happen here. Daniel Bryan is unlikely to be in that match [versus The Fiend at the Royal Rumble] and then go on to win the Rumble, so he would be unlikely to have the opportunity to face The Fiend [at WrestleMania].”

Roman Reigns had recently lost to King Corbin at TLC in a match where The King was heavily assisted by Dolph Ziggler and The Revival to defeat the former Universal Champion.

However, with plans for Reigns to become the challenger to Wyatt's Championship, we can expect Reigns to be booked strongly on this edition of SmackDown as he starts his journey for revenge against Corbin before he moves on to bigger things.

#4 The Revival to be turned into comedy characters

While Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder continue to claim that they are 'tough guys' and champions of old-school wrestling, unfortunately, Vince McMahon doesn't see anything but a pair of comedians in them.

As per reports from The Observer, the company is planning to turn the duo into comedy characters.

As revealed by Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the booking plan is to make The Revival into comedy characters on SmackDown. As surprising as that may sound, the company is actually considering a massive character shift for the Top Guys.

Dash Wilder recently tripped during his entrance on SmackDown and that moment is said to be the beginning of the planned character alteration.

(H/T: SportsKeeda)

The former SmackDown Tag Team Champions are currently a part of King Corbin's entourage and even though they had a stellar match against the current Champions The New Day at TLC, it looks like we can expect more comedic skits from the two begenning this SmackDown.

#3 Daniel Bryan to face The Fiend at Royal Rumble

There is no denying that The Fiend Bray Wyatt has become one of the most intriguing characters on WWE in the recent decade. Wyatt has not only managed to capture the Universal Championship but has established himself as the most dominant force on the roster as well.

After attacking Daniel Bryan and ripping his hair out, Bryan made his return to WWE at TLC returning to his old ' American Dragon' look - with cropped hair and no long beard. Tom Colohue, while speaking to Korey Gunz revealed the reason why WWE wants Bryan to face Wyatt at Royal Rumble.

I think the reason we’re going to get Daniel Bryan against The Fiend at the Royal Rumble is to give The Fiend a match at the Rumble and to keep Daniel Bryan out of the Rumble.

“Much like I’d imagine as we get closer to the Rumble we’re going to hear a lot of reminders that CM Punk does not work for the company and will not be in the Rumble, to make sure whoever does eventually win is not booed out the building for not being Daniel Bryan and not being CM Punk.”

(H/T: Sportskeeda)

#2 Speculation on future plans for Bobby Roode

Bobby Roode was brutally attacked by Roman Reigns a few weeks back and stretchered out of the arena, and the former NXT Champion hasn't been seen since. Now, while he may be out due to an injury on television, the reality is that Roode was suspended by WWE for violating the wellness policy.

Though there were rumours stating that Roode may be in trouble and could lose his spot, Tom Colohue has stated that it probably won't have much of an impact on Roode's career.

"Bobby Roode could not get involved, he is of course, suspended due to a violation of the wellness policy. It’s been a while since we’ve had a violation of the wellness policy, the last one I can remember is Roman Reigns himself, so it shouldn’t have too much of an impact on Bobby Roode’s career."

(H/t: Sportskeeda)

There were also reports that WWE was originally planning a match between Ziggler & Roode against The SmackDown Tag Team Champions the new day but the plans were stalled because of Roode's suspension. So it is possible that there might be some altercation between The New Day and Dolph Ziggler on SmackDown leading to the planned match taking place once The Glorious One returns.

#1 Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross to remain a team

Alexa Bliss was a guest on the recent edition of WWE Backstage and talked about her original pitch for a storyline with Nikki Cross. The former RAW Women's Champion revealed that she wanted a story where she would manipulate Nikki Cross and make her do whatever she wanted.

Instead of a heel-face dynamic between the two, the team has clearly become a fan-favorite and Bliss has turned into babyface as part of the team as well. Even though there has been a lot of speculation on when the two will finally clash with each other, it safe to assume that the duo will continue to go strong as they have Vince McMahon's blessings.

At the time, I wanted to pitch me manipulating her and getting her to do what I want. But then, instead, Vince gave his blessing and we started to work together. It became this odd tag team that somehow works. It’s amazing and we travel together and work on everything together. It’s been such a fun dynamic. I’m super happy with us both going to Vince and everyone, they gave us that opportunity.

(H/t: Fightful)