Top SmackDown Rumors: Major MITB spoiler, superstar could turn on Reigns to join The Rock, Jericho says current WWE star will never be world champion (17th July)

Welcome to another edition of the Top SmackDown Rumors that could have a major impact on the blue brand. After a year without a live crowd, the blue brand finally returned to a show with a live crowd in attendance this week.

WWE made sure the episode was memorable as Edge and Roman Reigns were both in action this week. Apart from that, former NXT Champion Finn Balor finally made his return to the main roster after carrying NXT for months.

In today's edition, we will take a look at some major plans that WWE has in store for top SmackDown superstars such as Roman Reigns, Edge and more. So without further ado, let's dive in to check out the big stories and rumors related to SmackDown:

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#5. Possible spoiler regarding SmackDown's Edge vs Roman Reigns at Money in the Bank

Roman Reigns will defend the Universal Championship against Edge at the upcoming MITB show. While Edge is no doubt one of the strongest contenders to win the Universal Championship, it looks like The Tribal Chief is set to retain.

Dave Meltzer of WON pointed out that WWE is already advertising Roman Reigns as the Universal Champion for dates after his and Edge's upcoming match. This makes it clear that Edge will likely lose at the show:

“7/24 in Pittsburgh is listing Reigns vs. Rey & Dominik Mysterio in a handicap match with the title at stake which means Reigns has to win and putting the title up in a handicap match is stupid to begin with, as it just makes the babyfaces look like they are losers to start out with.”

Rumors suggest that a feud between Edge and SmackDown Superstar Seth Rollins is locked for SummerSlam. Edge's appearance on WWE's The Bump mocking Seth Rollins further goes to prove that a match between the two is likely.

#4. One of The Usos might turn on SmackDown's Roman Reigns

SmackDown Superstar Roman Reigns finally managed to get his cousins Jey and Jimmy Uso on the same page a few weeks back. Though Jey Uso served as the right-hand man for Universal Champion Roman Reigns for most of last year, it took Jimmy Uso some time to finally get on board the Tribal Chief's bandwagon.

However, there might be trouble in the family when The Rock finally returns to SmackDown. Dave Meltzer of WON said that while the plan is to have Reigns and Rock face each other in a singles match at WrestleMania next year, it could get turned into a tag team match:

"One idea that has been talked about, as the goal is Reigns and Rock in Dallas for the 2022 Mania, is that if concessions have to be made regarding Rock and movies and injury fears, that they do Reigns and an Uso vs. Rock and an Uso, so Rock can be protected from doing too much and it keeps it all in the family with the idea and Rock and Reigns as who is really the tribal chief. Obviously the singles match is the preferred match but any involvement of Rock is preferred over him not doing the show," stated Dave Meltzer.

Which Uso do you think will turn on Roman Reigns to side with The Rock on SmackDown? Let us know below.

#3. Chris Jericho comments on why SmackDown star will never become world champion

AEW Superstar and former SmackDown star Chris Jericho recently spoke on the Keeping it 100 podcast. The former WWE Champion talked about SmackDown superstar Rick Boogs and why he hates that name.

Jericho said that Rick Boogs is a comedy name and there will never be a world champion with such a name. While he praised Shinsuke Namamura's new associate, he said that by giving him a name like Boogs, WWE has almost sealed his fate:

'''Boog' - it sounds like a fuc*ing booger. I think he's super entertaining, very hyper. I think he would have a chance to do something if they were to give his name Bugenhagen. I don't think Boogs... I always equate it to, say, 'World Champion Chris Jericho' - that would work. 'Your World Champion Disco Inferno' - doesn't work. Same thing with Rick Boogs - there will never be a World Champion called Rick Boogs."

Jericho said that Rick Boogs's original name Bugenhagen was much cooler and the company should have kept it. Do you agree with Chris Jericho?

#2. John Cena is set to return on SmackDown

WWE may be planning SmackDown's Universal Champion taking on The Rock at WrestleMania next year, but he has to get through John Cena first. As per multiple reports, John Cena is set to return to SmackDown soon to start the build-up for his SummerSlam match against Roman Reigns.

These plans ran into some roadblocks when it was revealed that John Cena has some prior commitments in August. Dave Meltzer of WON has revealed that the match between Reigns and Cena will still be taking place:

''It’s Cena’s first weekly TV series as an actor (not including the game show host stuff) and debuts on HBO Max in December. Cena plays the superhero character lead, described as a douchey version of Captain America. At press time the belief was that everything necessary to make the match happen has been worked out.''

John Cena has been absent from SmackDown since his feud with Bray Wyatt concluded at WrestleMania 36. Do you think Roman Reigns will be able to vanquish one of the most celebrated WWE Champions of all time at SummerSlam?

#1. Possible future plans for Bayley on SmackDown following injury

Former SmackDown Women's Champion Bayley suffered an ACL injury while undergoing training at the Performance Center. This came as a major blow since Bayley was involved in a program with Bianca Belair for the SmackDown Women's Championship.

The two women were set to face each other at MITB, but the plan had to be scrapped. Dave Meltzer of WON has stated that there is a big chance that Bayley will continue to be an on-screen character until she is cleared to compete in 9 months or so:

"Pam Martinez (Bayley) suffered a torn left ACL doing training drills on 7/8 at the Performance Center. She was doing the mandatory training that almost all (everyone but the tippy top) talent were told they had to do to get ready for the return of road shows. There’s never a good time for an injury and this certainly wasn’t, in the middle of a program with Belair. She could wind up like Miz being kept on the air to do her talk show," stated Dave Meltzer.

Bayley could be used as the host of her talk show while she is unable to compete. Another good idea could be to have her join the team of Talking Smack.