With WWE beginning a ‘brand new season’ following WrestleMania 41, changes should be expected across Raw, NXT and SmackDown.
With the upcoming WWE Draft on the horizon as well as expected debuts from outside the company – there are likely going to be big changes ahead for SmackDown.
Here are seven potential changes to WWE SmackDown.
7. Jeff Cobb Debuts
One potential new addition to the SmackDown roster that could be coming from outside of the company is veteran wrestler, Jeff Cobb.
Known to professional wrestling fans for his work in New Japan Pro Wrestling or even appearances in AEW and ROH – Cobb is reportedly headed for WWE.
Cobb took to social media to offer a cryptic post about his future, writing: “16 years is a long time to work, Happy Retirement to me…. I’ll let the waves take me to my next destination.”
While it remains to be seen where the next destination for Jeff Cobb may be, it remains heavily speculated that the waves may bring the Hawaiian-born star to WWE, with SmackDown a fitting landing spot if he does.
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6. Chelsea Green Moves Up The Card
Many fans were shocked to see Chelsea Green lose the WWE Women’s United States Championship to Zelina Vega on the April 25 episode of SmackDown, with Green enjoying a memorable run as the inaugural title holder.
According to subsequent reports, the title change plan was kept so close to the vest that even some WWE officials were surprised about Green losing.
However, losing the United States Championship isn’t a negative in the long run of it actually makes way for Green to move up the card – and challenge Tiffany Stratton for the WWE Women’s Championship.
While Nia Jax made her return to take out Stratton and seemingly set up a match at Backlash, there is no reason why Chelsea Green couldn’t be the next heel to try and end Tiffy Time for good.
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5. SmackDown Returns To Two hours
Beginning in January 2025, SmackDown not only moved from FOX to the USA Network – it also began airing for three hours instead of two.
With plenty of action to pack into the road to WrestleMania 41, the time is rapidly approaching for the show to change again.
WWE reportedly plans to return the Friday night staple to the former two-hour format beginning in June 2025.
While there is not yet an official date confirmed by WWE as of now, this one seems like its on the cards.
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4. Alexa Bliss Returns With Wyatt Sicks
Alexa Bliss made her return to WWE at the Royal Rumble and would go on to compete in the Elimination Chamber match one month later, however, since then she’s been completely gone from television.
It has been reported that Bliss’ absence is due to creative rather than any injury reasons, with plans for an angle involving The Wyatt Sicks put on ice due to Bo Dallas’ reported injury.
The Wyatt Sicks have been off TV since December, however, there were teases of involvement with Bliss on TV when she returned.
It isn’t clear what WWE has planned for Alexa Bliss or the Wyatt Sicks but hopefully the mystery begins to be unraveled soon.
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3. Switching Up General Managers
With Nick Aldis recently filling in for Adam Pearce on WWE Raw, we got a tasted of what a General Manager shake-up could look like ahead of this year’s WWE Draft.
Comparable to the NFL Draft, it wouldn’t be that unusual for there to be a mix-up of the active WWE GMs across shows.
Perhaps NXT could find itself with a new powerful female GM in the returning Paige while instead Ava moves on to be an Assistant GM on SmackDown – and the eyes and ears of the Final Boss on the blue brand.
With fans crying out for Nick Aldis to get a chance to return to the ring someday, perhaps a new GM being drafted to SmackDown in his place could allow for that to finally happen.
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2. Aleister Black Teams With NXT Call-Up
While Aleister Black returned and immediately took out The Miz – there is a chance he won’t be running alone upon his return.
There are possibilities of various WWE stars who could team up with the returning Black to form a new group and wreak havoc on SmackDown.
Particularly since Black seems to be set to feud with The Miz – who is currently teaming with Carmelo Hayes – perhaps Trick Williams will be called up to align with Aleister Black against the pair, or someone new to WWE entirely.
Black’s AEW run was defined by his time leading the House of Black, and while fans may be keen to see him run on his own now he’s back in WWE, it would make for an intriguing prospect to imagine a WWE version of the group.
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1. Charlotte Flair Forms New Faction
While Charlotte Flair has been cast by fans as a heel, she was intended to return from lengthy injury as a babyface.
One way out of the crowd reaction jam that WWE currently finds itself in with Flair would be to introduce the idea that she is a supportive faction leader – bringing along fan favorites from NXT as potential proteges and putting the spotlight on them.
Flair would become much more difficult to hate if she was flanked by Lash Legend and Katana Chance and Kayden Carter – just to name one example.
Realistically fans may not be ready to cheer Flair yet however, so maybe instead of calling upon plucky babyfaces from NXT, she can turn to heels such as Kelani Jordan and Cora Jade.
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