The WWE Championship picture has become a lot clearer in the wake of the post-WrestleMania Superstar Shakeup. According to multiple sources, reigning title-holder Randy Orton is expected to keep the championship belt on "SmackDown Live" with a win over Bray Wyatt in their showdown at "WWE Payback 2017" on March 30.
Orton, who claimed his 13th world championship reign after dethroning Wyatt at "WrestleMania 33," will still come out as a champion at the conclusion of the first-ever House Of Horror match. Wyatt’s transfer to "Monday Night RAW" reportedly sealed the fate of the WWE championship, since each brand must have a world title-holder on its roster.
‘House of Horror’ match stipulation
It’s still unknown what type of stipulation the House of Horror match will bring. WWE hasn’t come up with an innovative gimmick match since Dean Ambrose and Chris Jericho competed in an Asylum match, which is basically a cage-match that introduces several hanged items as weapons and can be won only via pinfall or submission.
With two weeks left before "Payback," WWE has already emailed its "fan council" seeking suggestions on what kind of a wrestling gimmick a House of Horror match should have. The list includes matches involving mirrors, cages, fires, caskets, creepy themes, and projected images.
Who is the next WWE title contender?
The recent main roster call-ups, trades and movements have given "SmackDown Live" a plethora of options with regard to the next no.1 contender.
Sami Zayn, Shinsuke Nakamura, The Bulgarian Brute Rusev Machka and Tye Dillinger are some of the hot names WWE could use as Orton’s next feud.
Then, there’s the best in-ring performer on the planet in AJ Styles, who can deliver 5-star wrestling matches in his sleep. There’s a significant percentage of wrestling fans that have been clamoring for an extended feud between the Phenomenal One and the Viper ever since the two superstars tore the house down in the main event of "SmackDown Live" last March.
Styles, a former WWE champion himself, has indeed earned himself the right to be in the title picture after beating Shane McMahon in arguably the most entertaining match at "WrestleMania 33."
However, the Wrestling Observer reported that the WWE is leaning towards giving the Lone Wolf Baron Corbin a shot at the WWE Championship.
If things stand pat backstage, it will be Orton vs. Corbin for the WWE title at "Backlash 2017" – "SmackDown’s" first exclusive PPV event after WrestleMania. Sources added that the Corbin-Orton feud will extend past summer with a spot on the "Summerslam 2017" card guaranteed.
