WWE SmackDown Preview: Roman Reigns returns to finally meet Brock Lesnar and confront Paul Heyman, top champion to be humbled? (17th December, 2021)

We are all set for this week’s episode of WWE SmackDown. The blue brand has delivered several memorable opening segments in the last few weeks, most of them revolving around babyface Brock Lesnar. Tonight’s show promises a lot of exciting updates on the ongoing feuds.

Here, we look at some of the most exciting things that can happen on WWE SmackDown. So, without further ado, let’s begin.

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#5 Roman Reigns returns on WWE SmackDown

Roman Reigns was absent from WWE SmackDown last week but is set to return on the show tonight. Prior to his vacation, he successfully defended his title against Sami Zayn, albeit with unexpected help from Brock Lesnar. This week, Reigns is expected to address the surprising events that transpired on the show last Friday.

In The Tribal Chief’s absence, Zayn took center stage and declared himself as the strongest champion in the promotion. He was interrupted by Paul Heyman, who questioned the credibility of his claims before the latter decided to threaten the Wiseman.

Sami Zayn even asked who would save Heyman, which led to The Beast Incarnate making a show-stealing entrance on WWE SmackDown.

Lesnar then had a hearty conversation with Zayn as the two planned a potential day out for the Canadian brothers who could go fishing. This prompted Heyman to unexpectedly rile up his former client in a bid to remind him how quickly he could switch from Brock Lesnar to The Beast Incarnate in the past.

Paul Heyman’s words immediately impacted Brock Lesnar, who reacted by absolutely destroying Sami Zayn and the male nurses accompanying him and his wheelchair on WWE SmackDown.

Later on the show, Lesnar refused to comment on his actions and said that his “advocate” Heyman would be the person for the job. The latter denied any association with Brock Lesnar, but he won’t get off that easily when Roman Reigns returns on the blue brand.

The Universal Champion has had doubts over Paul Heyman’s loyalty, and after last week, he has more reason to question one of the most trusted members of his entourage.

Heyman has been one of the most significant focal points of the title feud on WWE SmackDown. His past association with Lesnar and current loyalties towards Reigns puts him in an exciting position.

It also helps that Paul Heyman is a master of story-telling. It will be interesting to see how he will justify his position in the Universal Championship feud moving forward.

#4 Toni Storm humbles WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair

WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair is currently involved in a title feud with Toni Storm. The latter struggled to get a match against the champion for a few weeks before the two finally faced each other last week.

The Queen intentionally disqualified herself from the match, and Storm got the victory. Given that it was a championship contenders bout, she technically has a title shot.

Since Toni Storm won via disqualification, it is essential to help build her as a more credible challenger before she challenges Flair for the title. She will look to respond to Charlotte Flair's vicious attacks last week in a bid to humble the champion.

Storm can blindside her on tonight’s episode and make her pay for the previous week’s events.

We will likely see Toni Storm challenge Charlotte Flair for the WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship at the Day 1 pay-per-view. Both superstars need to intensify this rivalry as their previous encounters have included a lot more pie-throwing than fighting.

Storm has a lot of potential and can establish herself as a top superstar in the women’s division with the right push.

#3 Drew McIntyre continues to gain momentum on WWE SmackDown

One of the best things on WWE SmackDown at the moment is Drew McIntyre’s current run. The writers have done well in building his credibility right from scratch before he inevitably enters the title picture. This will do well to establish him as a top babyface when he crosses paths with Roman Reigns in a few months.

McIntyre was recently working alongside Jeff Hardy, but the latter has been released. Last week, The Scottish Warrior faced an old rival, Sheamus. The two superstars share a long history, and it can be used to build a memorable feud between them.

McIntyre and Sheamus’ respective runs as a babyface and a heel will benefit significantly from this storyline.

Since The Celtic Warrior has Ridge Holland on his side, it might be better to keep Cesaro involved in this storyline as well. The Swiss Cyborg deserves to be a part of better booking decisions on WWE SmackDown and has enough reasons to go after both Sheamus and his newfound protégé.

All four superstars can work together to elevate this storyline if booked well. Additionally, it might also give Drew McIntyre enough reasons to go after Adam Pearce – a common theme on the blue brand this month.

#2 Xia Li makes a strong statement on WWE SmackDown

Xia Li made her much-awaited debut on WWE SmackDown this week. The creative team advertised her as the “defender of the vulnerable and destroyer of the oppressors.” Her introduction to the blue brand was in line with her gimmick as she walked out to help Naomi against Sonya Deville and her entourage comprising Natalya and Shayna Baszler.

Naomi has been feuding with Deville for a long time on WWE SmackDown. The latter was scheduled to make her in-ring return last week for a match against the former.

However, Sonya Deville commissioned Natalya and Baszler to overwhelm her opponent with the numbers game. Naomi soon received help from Xia Li, who came out to one of the best entrances that we have seen on WWE television in a while.

Naomi’s alliance with Li and her ongoing feud with Deville can make for an exciting turn of events on WWE SmackDown. It will also help elevate the women’s division which has struggled with high-quality non-title feuds this year.

Xia Li will look to make a strong statement on the show this week, proving to be a top babyface on the blue brand. We hope to see her involved in compelling narratives moving forward.

#1 What’s next for Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura on WWE SmackDown?

Last week on WWE SmackDown, Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura and Rick Boogs faced Los Lotharios in a tag team match. The two teams have been involved in an extended feud over the last few weeks. Nakamura seemingly ended that rivalry following a quick victory over his opponents.

It is worth noting that the Japanese superstar has not been involved in a good title defense since winning the Intercontinental title. There is a desperate need to make his title reign more interesting on WWE SmackDown.

There are a lot of superstars who can make for good title challengers against The King of Strong Style. It is a sheer waste of opportunity to have Shinsuke Nakamura as the titleholder and keep him out of active feuds.

The creative team must invest a great deal in making Nakamura’s Intercontinental Championship reign look impressive, especially if he will have a potential match at the upcoming pay-per-view.

Even someone like Cesaro, who has been criminally underused, could benefit from a championship rivalry with Shinsuke Nakamura. We hope to see Nakamura involved in booking decisions on WWE SmackDown moving forward.