This past Tuesday night marked the final episode of “SmackDown Live” as WWE makes the transition over to FOX this upcoming Friday night, making the premiere episode of “Friday Night SmackDown.”
The monumental premiere will showcase two main-event clashes that would suffice on any pay-per-view card, which include Shane McMahon taking on Kevin Owens in a ladder match for both men’s careers, and Brock Lesnar challenging Kofi Kingston for the WWE Championship.
WWE is looking to make their move to FOX even more prestigious, however, as they have announced a superstar draft for Monday Night RAW and Friday Night SmackDown following Friday’s inaugural episode starting on Raw, October 7th, and ending on SmackDown, October 11th.
With WWE’s big-money deal with FOX Sports, FOX has made it clear that they want “Friday Night SmackDown” to be a spectacle week in and week out, meaning that they want the best talent on their show.
For months, rumors have swirled about a possible commentary role for former UFC Heavyweight Champion, Daniel Cormier, as well as a “WWE Backstage” appearance from CM Punk (Really?!).
However, until the draft is final on October 11th, the wrestling world won’t really know how SmackDown will shape. But given FOX’s desire for greatness, let’s take a look at the real possibilities that the WWE Universe might be in-store for:
Bray Wyatt
This is an obvious choice for FOX, as “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt is arguably the hottest commodity due to his bizarre, and rather, brilliant character that currently has it’s sights set on Seth Rollins’ Universal Championship at WWE Hell In A Cell.
Since returning to television over the summer, Wyatt has led WWE in merchandise sales, beating out Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin.
Given how Wyatt is currently running rough shot on Seth Rollins, Braun Strowman and the rest of the RAW roster, it doesn’t seem as if WWE would be willing to move Wyatt over to the blue brand, unless drastic changes are looming.
Seth Rollins
If WWE really wants to help FOX make Friday Night SmackDown the “A” brand, then bringing both Wyatt and the current Universal Champion, Seth Rollins, over to Smackdown would be the most logical and shocking (at the same time) move.
Rollins and Wyatt’s current storyline is arguably the hottest in the company at the moment, with the two set to clash inside hell in a cell this upcoming Sunday night.
By adding Rollins to the blue brand, Smackdown will become legit, with WWE’s hottest storyline, and arguably, hottest talents in the business performing on Friday night’s exclusively, with Brock Lesnar and Kofi Kingston, presumably, bringing their feud to Monday nights.
John Cena
This one seems a little far-fetched, however, bringing back the 16-time world champion for more appearances on Friday nights, will result in major ratings heading into the winter, which is arguably WWE’s weakest season.
Brining back the Cenation leader will put butts into seats on a weekly basis, as the “Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader” host can churn out classics with new talent that fans have dreamt about for years.
Despite his Hollywood schedule, Cena has always made it clear that WWE is his first home, as Vince McMahon would be foolish to not, at least, entertain the idea of bringing back the franchise player going into the winter.
Ronda Rousey
This is another obvious choice for FOX going into the brand-split, however, another long shot with Rousey’s current absence from professional wrestling.
After losing her Raw Women’s Championship to Becky Lynch in WrestleMania XXXV’s main event at MetLife Stadium, Rousey has been quite about her future in the squared circle, hinting that she may even want to start a family with husband and UFC Fighter, Travis Browne.
If SmackDown were able to pull off this acquisition, even as a part-time role, Ronda Rousey would for sure make SmackDown’s women’s division the absolute best in the business, alongside Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch.
Brock Lesnar
This seems like the most formidable choice at the moment, as FOX wants big-name draws heading into the fall season, as Brock Lesnar is just that.
Lesnar is currently slated to take on Kofi Kingston for the WWE Championship on SmackDown’s premiere episode this Friday night, and is most likely slated to walk out of the Staples Center as the new WWE Champion.
If Lesnar does indeed defeat Kingston, who has held the title since April, it would almost solidify the beast’s move to the blue brand, unless WWE decides to pull the shock factor of switching their main event scenes, bringing their Raw main-event talents to SmackDown and vice versa.
