WWE SmackDown has seen its fair share of roster changes in recent months, whether it be a new champions crowned, stars returning from periods of absence, or members of other brands making the move to the blue brand.
With just over two months of 2025 left there is still plenty time for some exciting twists and turns on Friday nights.
Here are eight potential changes to the WWE SmackDown roster.
8. Ilja Dragunov Is Back & Continues United States Championship Open Challenge
On the October 17 edition of WWE SmackDown, Ilja Dragunov made his return to the company for the first time since September 2024 after suffering a torn ACL injury.
Answering the open challenge, Dragunov defeated Sami Zayn to win the United States Championship.
While Zayn reintroduced the U.S. Open Challenge to WWE, it should be “The Mad Dragon” who continues the tradition of quality matches on Friday nights.
Dragunov could appreciate the fact that he has this opportunity due to the open challenge, with this motivating him to offer other talent on the Friday Night SmackDown roster the same chance he was given.
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7. Jacob Fatu Sidelined
Jacob Fatu was set to face Drew McIntyre in an Undisputed WWE Championship number one contenders match on the October 17 episode of SmackDown, but he was unfortunately found laid out and bloodied due to a mysterious attack before the match.
With Fatu reportedly sidelined due to this, it will open the door for other stars to move up the ladder to replace him.
Whether it be singles stars who have been lost in the shuffle or a tag team specialist who wants gold on their own, there are plenty of different names who could benefit from a spot becoming free up the card.
Considering Fatu’s ascent in WWE this year, someone like Carmelo Hayes, Rey Fenix or Montez Ford could get the biggest push of their career now that “The Samoan Werewolf” will be out of action for potentially the remainder of 2025.
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6. The Wyatt Sicks & The MFTs Get Prepared For Men’s WarGames Match At WWE Survivor Series 2025
Solo Sikoa and The MFTs have undergone an aesthetic and attitude change as of late in their relentless pursuit of recapturing championship gold.
On the October 10 episode of Friday Night SmackDown, Tama Tonga made his return to WWE adorned in his old Guerillas of Destiny facepaint with Tonga Loa, Talla Tonga and JC Mateo wearing the same.
Having drawn the ire of many stars on the roster, the stare downs between the MFTs and The Wyatt Sicks have teased a showdown between these two factions.
With the company on the road to San Diego at the end of November, fans could see The Wyatts and MFTs do battle in the Men’s WarGames Match at WWE Survivor Series 2025.
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5. Sami Zayn Goes After Undisputed WWE Championship
In August, Sami Zayn moved from Monday Night Raw to Friday Night SmackDown and went on to defeat Solo Sikoa to win the WWE United States Championship.
Reintroducing John Cena’s United States Championship Open Challenge, Zayn showcased why he is still one of the best in-ring competitors on the WWE roster today.
However, Zayn has made it no secret that he has one more major goal on his list and that is winning his first world championship.
Now that he has lost the U.S. Title to Ilja Dragunov, Zayn should direct his focus on Cody Rhodes’ Undisputed WWE Championship, which could prove to be a pivotal title bout for SmackDown moving forward.
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4. Aleister Black & Zelina Vega Assemble Their Own Faction
On the October 10 episode of WWE SmackDown, Aleister Black defeated Damian Priest in a Last Man Standing Match thanks to outside interference from his wife Zelina Vega.
The duo are just establishing themselves on Friday Night SmackDown, but it could be just the backdrop for something bigger at hand.
Throughout both of their careers, Black and Vega have had memorable stints in factions, whether it be Aleister creating the House of Black in AEW or Zelina’s time with the LWO in WWE.
Now that they are together on-screen, Black and Vega assemble their own stable to leave their mark on SmackDown every single week.
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3. Oba Femi Gets Called Up To Main Roster
At WWE NXT No Mercy 2025, Ricky Saints defeated Oba Femi to win the NXT Championship.
After losing the top prize on the NXT brand, Femi has not seen on WWE television since then.
Having been off WWE TV for a month now, it might be time for “The Ruler” to make his move to the main roster spotlight.
Femi arriving on Friday Night SmackDown should feel massive with the former NXT Champion looking to prove his dominance can translate to the main stage in WWE.
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2. GUNTHER Returns & Joins SmackDown Roster
GUNTHER has been out of action with a nose injury since losing the World Heavyweight Championship to CM Punk at WWE SummerSlam 2025.
For the past two years, “The Ring General” has made Monday Night Raw his home and has had a highly successful run holding either the World Heavyweight Championship or Intercontinental Championship for the majority of his stint.
However, the likes of Seth Rollins, CM Punk, Jey Uso and Roman Reigns have dominated the main event picture on the red brand throughout 2025, so it could be the perfect opportunity to move GUNTHER.
Considering his history with Cody Rhodes in the Royal Rumble and last year’s Crown Jewel, GUNTHER coming to SmackDown should lead to an enticing Undisputed WWE Championship showdown in the near future.
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1. Cody Rhodes Turns Heel
On the October 17 edition of SmackDown, Cody Rhodes uncharacteristically got himself disqualified in his Undisputed WWE Championship Match against Drew McIntyre.
Using his own title belt to strike McIntyre, Rhodes showcased a level of ill intent that is not like “The American Nightmare” that has become the undisputed top babyface of SmackDown.
With the company bolstering several other popular babyfaces with Randy Orton, Jacob Fatu and Sami Zayn, WWE could explore turning Rhodes for the first time since his 2022 return.
After three years building himself to be the biggest hero on the WWE roster, it might be time for a significant change to Cody’s character and see him rediscover the villain he once was outside of the company years ago.
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