WWE SmackDown Predictions: The Rock Will Replace John Cena

WWE SmackDown will smell what The Rock is cooking this week because CM Punk will be returning to professional wrestling on AEW Rampage that same night, and WWE will implement a ‘reactionary’ move to counteract the buzz from their competition. The only superstar who can compete with that buzz is The Rock, especially since he has plenty of familial history with Roman Reigns and competitive history with John Cena.

WWE is only one day away from WWE SummerSlam 2021. There are four SmackDown-affiliated matches scheduled for this PPV event: Roman Reigns (c) vs. John Cena for the Universal Title, Bianca Belair (c) vs. Sasha Banks for the SmackDown Women’s Title, Edge vs. Seth Rollins, and Usos (c) vs. Mysterios for the SmackDown Tag Titles. Hopefully, an IC Title match is added to the card as well since it has not been on PPV since WrestleMania 37.

With that being addressed, it’s now time to preview and predict what will actually occur on this week’s episode of WWE SmackDown.

WWE SmackDown is scheduled to take place on August 20, 2021, at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT live on FOX. Here are some predictions for this week’s show.

The Rock has plenty of competitive history with John Cena. They had two WrestleMania matches at WrestleMania 28 and 29, where they each got a win apiece. WWE’s 50:50 booking was implemented at its finest in a feud that should have been “once in a lifetime.” They showed respect for each other after their two wars and even assisted each other in fending off the Wyatt Family at WrestleMania 32. However, that sign of respect will no longer matter when The Rock lays his eyes on Roman Reigns’ Universal Title and replaces John Cena in this huge SummerSlam match.

Indeed, The Rock has plenty of familial history with Roman Reigns. The Universal Title would not be the only incentive for The Rock to feud with Roman Reigns. The title of tribal chiefhood would interest him as well since they would both want to be considered the leader of the Samoan Bloodline. Now, it has been reported that The Rock will return at WWE Survivor Series 2021 to confront Reigns and kickstart their feud. However, with the rumors of Punk’s return hanging in the balance, it would not be too far fetched to foresee The Rock returning earlier than expected.

Do you smell what Mark Justice is cooking? Stay tuned for more of these WWE SmackDown Predictions on Daily DDT. You don’t want to miss them.