Given the significance of the first two-night SummerSlam, several of SmackDown’s long-running stories and feuds are set to conclude.
As WWE’s blue brand looks to initiate new angles and directions heading into the autumn, one likely move will be to mix up and add to the roster.
That could include fresh call-ups from NXT signing main roster contracts, as well as possible signings from the wider wrestling world.
WrestleTalk examines who could be next to join SmackDown in the post-SummerSlam period.
6. Moose
At TNA’s recent Slammiversary PPV, several WWE performers appeared across the show — but the standout match came from two of TNA’s stars, as Moose and Leon Slater battled over the X-Division Title.
Following the 31 July episode of TNA iMPACT, Moose is now set to challenge NXT star Trick Williams for the TNA World Championship at TNA’s Emergence on 15 August.
The 41-year-old seems firmly on WWE’s radar, having also appeared earlier this year on NXT programming in a bout against Oba Femi.
An experienced, polished performer with name value, Moose would likely head straight to the main roster — possibly landing on SmackDown soon.
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5. Tavion Heights
Tavion Heights appears to be another success story to emerge from WWE’s Performance Center.
The former Greco-Roman Olympian only began his in-ring career in October 2022, but has impressed with a powerful, takedown-heavy moveset.
In storyline terms, he recently wrapped up his feud with Charlie Dempsey, officially exiting the No Quarter Catch Crew.
With his clear in-ring progress, could we soon see him sign a main roster contract and debut on Friday nights?
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4. Oba Femi
It was noticeable on the 22 July edition of NXT that Corey Graves mentioned both SmackDown and Raw General Managers – Nick Aldis and Adam Pearce, respectively – were keeping a close eye on Oba Femi.
The 27-year-old NXT Champion is another successful product of WWE’s Performance Center and is demonstrably ready for the main roster.
He has quickly developed into a polished, main event-level powerhouse performer, with undeniable presence and charisma.
Femi’s call-up feels inevitable — but the question remains: will he land on Raw or SmackDown?
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3. Matt Cardona
At TNA’s Slammiversary, one of the loudest pops of the night was for Matt Cardona.
The former WWE Zack Ryder teamed with The System — Brian Myers, JDC and Eddie Edwards — to hand NXT’s Darkstate their first loss.
Cardona has not been shy about expressing his desire to return to WWE, becoming a far better performer and more engaging character in the five years since his departure.
Given his observable level of popularity, could we now see the star return to his old stomping grounds — not as Zack Ryder, but finally debut on Smackdown as Matt Cardona?
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2. Trick Williams
It was clear from his earliest TV appearances that Trick Williams possessed main event-level charisma.
What he lacked in the early years of his career, however, was the in-ring skills needed to succeed on the main roster.
That’s started to change in 2025, with the 31-year-old working across both NXT and TNA — picking up valuable and, indeed, necessary in-ring time and showing marked improvement.
While never likely to be a technical wizard, Williams’ undeniable charisma could soon make him a star on Friday nights.
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1. The Hardy Boyz
The tag team division on SmackDown is currently thriving — night two of SummerSlam features a six-team ladder match showcasing all the division’s top stars, and could potentially steal the entire weekend.
Despite the division’s strength, the addition of the legendary Hardy Boys could only elevate it further.
The team remains a hugely popular commodity, as demonstrated by their current run in TNA, where they’re arguably the most over act in the company, and by the rapturous reaction they received during their appearances on NXT earlier this year.
It seems inevitable that the Hardys will return for one final WWE run — could SmackDown be their landing spot?
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