5 Early Predictions for the WWE SmackDown After WrestleMania 33
By Evan Gomes
WWE.com
1. Shinsuke Nakamura Debuts
The star that SmackDown Live needs to confirm itself as a major brand.
The two-time NXT Champion has done all he can in WWE’s developmental brand. He’s been the major touring attraction for NXT for a year. His feuds and battles with Sami Zayn, Finn Balor, Samoa Joe and Bobby Roode have been the backbone for NXT programming. There is little more left for him to accomplish.
More from SmackDown
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- WWE SmackDown Predictions: AJ Styles Will Help Randy Orton
- WWE SmackDown Predictions: Street Profits Will Dethrone Judgment Day
- SmackDown reminded us of how pointless the brand split is
Nakamura heading instead to the blue brand can be promoted as a major coup for Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan. With RAW getting one of the two-time NXT Champions in Samoa Joe, this can be seen as SmackDown Live returning the favor.
SmackDown Live has become the “smark” brand as it is, with tighter storylines and less emphasis on “sports entertainment” and more on pure wrestling. Nakamura will fit in with the brand perfectly, being able to tell stories based on his already legendary career and in-ring prowess.
Have Nakamura be the first challenger for Randy Orton after failing to capture WWE World Heavyweight Championship gold. Have him battle the Miz to prove his dominance on the main roster and in the mainstream. John Cena is also on the blue brand, and doesn’t a SummerSlam matchup with Nakamura sound just right?
Next: 5 Future WrestleMania Main Events That Must Happen
Those are five predictions for what could happen on the first SmackDown Live after WrestleMania 33. What else do you think, or do you want, to happen? Let us know in the comments below.