WWE SmackDown: Burning Questions to Address After Dec. 6 Show

What lies ahead on WWE SmackDown for The Miz, Natalya and Heath Slater?

Tuesday's edition of the blue brand built on the events of the TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view, hinting at new narratives on the horizon. Are new feuds in the works? Are Natalya and Slater bound to take drastic new directions?

The Miz's interactions with Dean Ambrose in Houston could be a peek at what's to come for the intercontinental champion. Now that Dolph Ziggler is out of his way, The Hollywood A-Lister is in need of a new enemy—lunatic or otherwise.

Natalya denied what Carmella accused her of. Slater looks to have lost his tag team partner. 

And AJ Styles' bad wheel had us all worried when he limped down the entrance ramp on SmackDown. 

What should fans make of all these developments? What's in store for these Superstars? Read on as we dig into the biggest questions to emerge from Tuesday's SmackDown.

How Long Will Styles Be Out?

Styles walked to the ring on Tuesday in a protective boot.

There had been reports about him being banged up coming out of TLC, but there didn't seem to be any real reason to worry. But then, as Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com reported, WWE pulled Styles from a live event on Monday as a "precautionary measure."

The world champ then told SmackDown fans in Houston that he couldn't compete in his scheduled match with James Ellsworth.

Is WWE just playing it safe here? Was the protective boot for dramatic effect? Or is the injury bug that plagued last WrestleMania season beginning to emerge again?

The Ellsworth match isn't all that important, and there's not a SmackDown PPV until next year. It would make sense for WWE to pace Styles' recovery, even if it's a minor injury.

He was just hours removed from a nutty, dangerous TLC match. A week's rest isn't too much to ask.

But fans will be nervous until Styles is cleared. He's been a tremendous performer since his arrival in January earlier this year, and it'd be terrible for his hot run to end with a bum ankle.

Is a Feud Between The Miz and Ambrose on the Way?

Now that The Miz has vanquished Ziggler, what's next for the IC champ?

There aren't a ton of fitting babyface options as his next rival. Could The Lunatic Fringe be switching his focus from the WWE World Championship to the IC crown?

If that's the direction WWE is headed, the two wrestlers will have some animosity to build on.

The Miz and Ambrose first clashed during a Miz TV segment. The IC champ needled Ambrose, blaming him for Ellsworth betraying him. Their animosity bled into a title match at the close of SmackDown.

Miz and Ambrose had good chemistry. And their match was an entertaining one. It's easy to see WWE sliding these two into a feud with each other soon.

The Lunatic Fringe, though, has to deal with his old buddy, Ellsworth. The chinless underdog once again cost Ambrose a chance at gold, distracting him during his bout with The Miz.

Ambrose must now want to rip Ellsworth into pieces. Once he's done devouring Ellsworth, though, the door will be open for an IC title feud.

Did Natalya Really Attack Nikki Bella?

SmackDown has a whodunit on its hands.

Before Bella could enter the ring at Survivor Series, someone attacked her from behind. Natalya took her place on Team SmackDown as a result. After battling Bella at the TLC PPV, Carmella revealed that it was Natalya behind the assault.

Natalya and Carmella brawled on SmackDown after the former refuted those claims.

Who is telling the truth here? Is Carmella a mastermind or just a messenger? 

One can't take anything for granted with WWE. The company has gone the ridiculous route with past big reveals. Remember who the Anonymous General Manager turned out to be?

For now, the story is heading toward a three-way rivalry, with Natalya perhaps turning heel once she comes clean. That would be an intriguing option, as it would allow three women to stand in the spotlight at the same time.

What's Next for Rhyno and Slater?

The Wyatt Family yanked the SmackDown Tag Team Championships from Rhyno and Slater at TLC. On Tuesday's SmackDown, Wyatt and Randy Orton again bowled over the babyfaces.

The squad showed major cracks soon after the loss. Rhyno and Slater bickered on Talking Smack. Each tried to blame the other for their losses.

A tense moment turned newsworthy when Rhyno walked off the set mid-interview.

Is Beauty and The Man Beast done? Or is this just a hurdle the allies have to get over?

This was all sudden and surprising.

Sean Rueter of Cageside Seats wrote, "I was also expecting a standard pro wrestling tag team betrayal. You know, a Rhyno-gets-frustrated-and-Gores-Heath-Slater-after-a-match kind of thing." Is that what's coming next after a brief reunion?

If Slater and Rhyno are truly splitting, that puts The One Man Rock Band in an odd spot. He will have no direction again and would be in danger of falling down the card. WWE had quite the good thing going with Slater and his powerhouse partner.

WWE wisely gave fans another reason to watch next week's SmackDown. The audience will be waiting to see if this team unites again or if Slater will have to wander alone once more.