The Rock's SmackDown segment was a hit, but how often will he be around to further the Bloodline storyline? Credit: WWE.com

The Key to WWE Nailing Bloodline Storyline, Bron Breakker Feuds, More Quick Takes

Graham GSM Matthews

WWE has managed to maintain fan interest in the buildup to WrestleMania 40 with everything that's transpired so far, largely thanks to the ever-changing Undisputed WWE Universal Championship picture.

The Rock's buzzworthy heel promo on Friday's SmackDown successfully continued the conversation, but The Bloodline's presence on WWE TV between now and The Show of Shows will be of utmost importance.

Bron Breakker signing with the blue brand was another highlight of the latest SmackDown. The generational talent had a dominant and decorated run in NXT, and he is ready to make a massive impact on the main stage.

Now that he's put pen to paper with SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis, the question turns to what the road to WrestleMania will have in store for him. There are several potential opponents who would guarantee him a high-profile matchup at the event and an opportunity to prove himself.

This installment of Quick Takes will look at Breakker's best possible WrestleMania feuds, the next AEW TNT champion, where Jade Cargill's first WWE singles match should take place, and more.

Consistency Is Key with The Bloodline on Road to WrestleMania

The Bloodline's story seemed to peak once Jimmy Uso rejoined the group at SummerSlam 2023, and Roman Reigns' appearances on programming became much more sparse from that point forward.

As exciting as it's been so far, the ongoing angle with Reigns, The Rock and Cody Rhodes can't afford the former two not having a consistent presence on SmackDown through WrestleMania.

Rhodes having weekly interactions with Seth Rollins, Paul Heyman and others will only be interesting for so long. Reigns and Rock need to be around in order for the feud to reach its full potential.

It isn't imperative that both show up on every SmackDown for the next six weeks, but a schedule that sees them switch off each week and gradually progress the rivalry with The American Nightmare would be ideal.

WWE has gotten away with having a part-time world champion for this long, but if we are indeed on the home stretch of The Tribal Chief's run, Rock and Reigns should be present as much as possible and capitalize on the hot momentum their storyline has.

That could and should include an unannounced appearance at Elimination Chamber on Saturday to confront Rhodes and Rollins.

Jade Cargill Isn't a Necessary Addition to Women's Elimination Chamber

The field for the women's Elimination Chamber match at the same-titled premium live event is nearly complete, with the final spot set to be filled by the winner of a "last chance" Battle Royal on Monday's Raw.

There's a realistic chance of Jade Cargill making her Raw in-ring debut and reigning supreme in the match to punch her ticket to Perth, Australia, but WWE should be in no rush to get her back in the ring as soon as Saturday's pay-per-view.

The 31-year-old made her highly anticipated debut at the Royal Rumble and had a strong showing, making it to the final three before being eliminated by Liv Morgan. She was showcased and protected perfectly, which wouldn't be the case in the Chamber.

Inside such a structure, she'd have to be pinned or submitted, and it would be the wrong call for her to challenge for the Women's World Championship at WrestleMania this early in her run.

The inaugural TBS champion in All Elite Wrestling should have a prominent role come April 6-7, but it would be better to hold off until then for her to have her first singles match instead of rushing her into the Chamber, a spot that would be better suited for Australia's Indi Hartwell.

Cargill slamming the seemingly unbeatable Nia Jax on the grand stage would be the ultimate introduction for her to the WWE audience.

Daniel Garcia Capturing TNT Title Would Be Best Way to Capitalize on His Momentum

The AEW TNT Championship No. 1 Contender's match between Adam Copeland and Daniel Garcia on last Wednesday's Dynamite ended without a decisive winner.

Although that would normally indicate a Triple Threat is imminent, Revolution is already scheduled to feature a three-way for the AEW World Championship.

Doing two on the same show would be overkill. Thus, Christian Cage defending against Garcia one-on-one would be the best-case scenario, especially if Copeland will be off TV for a few weeks to sell the effects of Christian's brutal attack on Dynamite.

Garcia should not only go for the gold at Revolution on March 3, but he should also walk out as the new TNT champ.

Christian has excelled in the role for the last several months and elevated the title to heights it hasn't been at in years. However, the remainder of his rivalry with Copeland doesn't need the belt involved, and Garcia would benefit far more from holding it.

The 25-year-old has been working his way back up the card gradually post-Jericho Appreciation Society and should be able to win when it matters most.

Beating Christian—perhaps with an assist from Copeland—would cement him as a real player in the promotion instead of the stepping stone he's been slotted as for so long.

How Bronson Reed Can Reach Next Level in WWE amid Mediocre Booking

Since returning to WWE in late 2022, Bronson Reed has remained a mainstay in the midcard scene, and there's no logical reason for why he hasn't amounted to more by now.

That falls entirely on how he's been booked up to this point. He embarked on an undefeated streak in the first half of 2023 and never truly recovered after suffering an unnecessary defeat to Shinsuke Nakamura on the Memorial Day edition of Raw.

He's been afforded opportunities at the United States and intercontinental titles but has consistently come up short in every significant situation he's found himself in to date. This is despite possessing all the tools to be a big-time player in WWE.

It felt like a no-brainer for him to be included in the men's Elimination Chamber match in his home country of Australia, but Bobby Lashley beat him to qualify instead.

There are more than enough main eventers on Raw for Reed to be programmed with, and that will be how he finds direction and gets over with the audience ultimately.

He shouldn't be written off as damaged goods quite yet, but it's a colossal waste for him to be spinning his wheels when he could be utilized in a much more meaningful manner.

Bron Breakker's Best Potential Opponents for WrestleMania

With Bron Breakker officially arriving on Friday nights, the entire SmackDown roster has been put on notice.

The 26-year-old recently captured the NXT Tag Team Championship alongside Baron Corbin and could have easily debuted in the WWE draft, but the timing of his call-up and standout performance in the men's Royal Rumble match point to there being big plans in place for him heading into WrestleMania.

Currently, the blue brand boasts a stacked crop of competitors, many of whom have no clear-cut path to the event. While it would be premature to put him in the hunt for the United States Championship, he could feasibly face off with a star such as Kevin Owens, Bobby Lashley or Randy Orton on The Grandest Stage of Them All.

A win over any of those individuals would instantly catapult Breakker toward the top of the card, but those matches only work if he'll be a heel as he has been in NXT as of late.

If he reverts to his babyface roots, AJ Styles would likely be the best bet. He's established, seasoned and could play to Breakker's strengths while also getting his own 'Mania spotlight, which may be in jeopardy otherwise due to there being no other obvious opponent for him.

Regardless of who he goes up against, Breakker is bound to emerge as a top talent on SmackDown, with this WrestleMania 40 merely being his first of many.

Graham Mirmina, aka Graham "GSM" Matthews, has specialized in sports and entertainment writing since 2010. Visit his website, WrestleRant, and subscribe to his YouTube channel for more wrestling-related content.

   

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