The storyline involving SmackDown LIVE Commissioner Shane McMahon turning heel as a result of The WWE World Cup is still scheduled to take place, according to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter. However, instead of it happening right away, the company is planning for it to take place during the first quarter of 2019, likely to build towards WrestleMania.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch remains sidelined indefinitely and there is no timetable for her return. She continues to deal with a concussion and is “off everything.” Alexa Bliss, meanwhile, also remains out of action dealing with multiple concussions that she suffered during a short period of time. There is also no set date for her return and there has been speculation that she could be kept out of action for an extended period of time, which would require WWE to give her a new on-screen role with some rumors suggesting that she may be the next General Manager Of Monday Night RAW after the upcoming WWE TLC PPV Event. Bliss & Lynch both underwent concussion testing last week at Survivor Series and WWE’s Medical Staff was obviously not satisfied with the results to clear them.