Welcome to this week's edition of things WWE subtly told us on SmackDown. We're only two SmackDown episodes away from Hell in a Cell 2021.
This week's episode centered around the Tag Team Championship, and the storyline progressed considerably on the show. Here are five things WWE subtly told us:
#5. The main event storyline on SmackDown
The Usos were to challenge Rey & Dominik Mysterio for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship, expecting to become 7-time Champions. It was the opening match on SmackDown, and Roman Reigns demanded that they bring him the SmackDown Tag Team Championships while the whole family watched.
Jimmy Uso still didn't acknowledge Reigns, adding tension to the relationship. The Tag Team title match went on with Reigns watching backstage, and it ended in a big controversy.
Jimmy Uso was pinned by Dominik Mysterio, but it was evident from the replay that his shoulder was up by the two-count. Reigns demanded that The Usos fix things, and they went to Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville.
Pearce and Deville ordered a rematch for the same night, informing the Mysterios of their decision as they were about to leave the building. They accepted and the opening match became the main event.
There was a moment backstage when Roman Reigns called Jey Uso "Jimmy." When it was pointed out to him, the Universal Champion made a sly jab by saying that the way things are going, it won't make any difference anyway.
Either way, The Usos and the Mysterios faced off in the main event, and it ended with a DQ win for the Champions after Roman Reigns interfered for reasons unexplained. It culminated with him giving Dominik Mysterio a beatdown while Jimmy Uso watched in horror.
Jimmy refused to be a part of Reigns' beatdown, and told the Universal Champion who was choking Dominik Mysterio it was enough, before walking away.
It was a tense ending, and was an excellent way for the story to play out, giving Roman Reigns more heat than ever.
#4. Carmella could get a SmackDown Women's title shot
It seems Carmella is being built up as the next challenger for the SmackDown Women's Championship. On the latest episode of SmackDown, she faced the only remaining member of The Riott Squad, Liv Morgan.
Carmella called herself the most beautiful woman in WWE and proceeded to defeat Liv Morgan with relative ease. While we wish the match on SmackDown was longer so that Morgan looked good, it was a quick affair meant to establish Carmella in the running.
We speculated a month ago that Carmella would be next in line for the women's title. But after WrestleMania Backlash, Bayley still seems to be in the title picture. Bianca Belair challenged Bayley to a match at Hell in a Cell and was met with feindish laughter.
Don't be surprised if Carmella emerges as Bianca Belair's title challenger on SmackDown after Hell in a Cell.
#3. No concrete plans for the Shinsuke Nakamura-King Corbin feud
It's been a month now since King Corbin has faced Shinsuke Nakamura almost every week on SmackDown. The feud seemed to be over the crown, and it even served as the platform for Rick Boogs to make his SmackDown debut.
While the feud was entertaining at first, it has run its course. There isn't much substance to the storyline and it seems like the duo are merely exchanging victories and trying to grab the crown.
This week, King Corbin defeated Shinsuke Nakamura and reclaimed the crown. However, Boogs tripped him and allowed Nakamura to hit a swift kick to the head and reclaim the crown.
That's it. Nothing more, nothing less. We can only hope WWE pulls the plug on the feud soon.
The way things stand, neither man wins. But we get the feeling that WWE will prioritize Corbin over Nakamura going forward on SmackDown.
#2. At last, a non-title Tag Team feud on SmackDown
The Tag Team divisions on both RAW and SmackDown have left a lot to be desired. WWE has made it clear on several occasions that they're not a priority.
That's why we often see random teams having runs with the Championship. Usually, tag teams only get screen time when they're in the mix for a title or in a random match.
This week on SmackDown, Chad Gable approached former Champions The Street Profits, pointing out the downward skid that they've been on recently. Using Otis as an example, he offered to mentor Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins, but was shot down.
Otis wasn't happy about this, and he confronted the former Tag Team Champions. He attacked them and it ended in complete chaos. WWE is finally making the effort to have a non-title Tag Team feud, which is exactly what's needed. Now, let's do the same for the women's division too.
#1. Is Apollo Crews officially done with Kevin Owens on SmackDown?
There's no doubt that Apollo Crews' push in 2021 on SmackDown is bigger than the one he received last year. When he moved to RAW in 2020, it was a blessing in disguise and he was utilized well as a babyface, leading to his first Championship in WWE.
In 2021, we're seeing the story of a more established superstar come into his own. His Intercontinental title reign in 2021 has been entertaining. And so far, he has defeated Big E, Kevin Owens, and Sami Zayn.
Kevin Owens had another shot at Apollo Crews's Intercontinental Championship on SmackDown tonight, but he was set up to fail. Commander Azeez (who was barred from ringside) attacked him backstage, giving Crews a huge advantage.
Sure enough, Crews successfully retained the Intercontinental title. Then after the match, Sami Zayn attacked a defenseless Kevin Owens. It's interesting to see the direction on SmackDown since Owens vs Zayn is a given.
But who will step up to challenge Apollo Crews? Will Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens continue to be involved in the title picture on SmackDown?