WWE SmackDown: Burning Questions to Address After May 2 Show

Questions surround the contenders poised for title opportunities at the Backlash pay-per-view after Tuesday's WWE SmackDown Live.

It's hard not to doubt Jinder Mahal's viability as a top-tier heel, even after his latest win. WWE's trust in Tyler Breeze and Fandango is uncertain. And will someone among the so-called "welcoming committee" be the one to challenge Naomi for the SmackDown Women's Championship on the May 21 PPV?

The latest edition of SmackDown entertained with quality action, but it left plenty to discuss, those situations included.

In addition, Chris Jericho's latest hiatus appeared to have begun on Tuesday night. Kevin Owens thrashed him after their match, presumably allowing Y2J to return to the music world.

What's ahead for Jericho, the Natalya-led stable, Breezango and Mahal?

The following is a dive into that question, looking to make sense of what transpired on the blue brand's most recent show.

How Long Will Jericho Be Gone?

Owens dethroned and dismantled Jericho on Tuesday. KO walked away with the United States Championship; Jericho likely walked away from SmackDown for the time being.

His band, Fozzy, just released an album and is going on tour. That's a sure sign Jericho is stepping away from the ring for now.

But for how long?

Will he sneak back on to the blue brand between shows to settle his issues with Owens? Can we expect him back for SummerSlam? Will he be out of sight for a good while?

Jericho has extended his career by taking periodic breaks. There's no reason to rush back. He can get healthy and refreshed should he come back months down the road.

The most likely scenario is that WWE brings him back when it starts the WrestleMania build, using his star power for the all-hands-on-deck event.

The one certainty about Jericho's return is he will reinvent himself when he comes back. He's done that several times over.

How Far will WWE Allow Breezango to Go?

After becoming the No. 1 contenders for the tag team titles last week, Breeze and Fandango found themselves in the spotlight on Tuesday's SmackDown.

WWE aired a "Fashion Files" segment, a mock-up of Law and Order wherein Breezango played the fashion police.

It was a beautiful piece of ridiculousness. Breezango made fun of its rivals. The team made puns. They left sight gags in the background for the observant to catch.

As Miami Herald columnist Scott Fishman noted, Breezango has made the most of its gimmick:

Will WWE keep letting them experiment and goof around? Will the company give Breezango the leeway it gave The New Day when that trio was finding its footing? Will Fandango and The King of Cuteville be allowed to go all out with these segments?

To maximize this team's talents, the answer has to be yes to all of that.

The Fashion Files bit worked because it showcased what makes Breezango unique. That has to happen moving forward, but WWE has to trust in Breeze and Fandango for them to make their mark.

How Will Faction War Play Out?

Carmella, Natalya and Tamina joined forces again.

This time out, the heels ambushed Charlotte Flair backstage. They beat on Naomi in the ring. And later, when Becky Lynch came to save the day, the trio left her floored as well.

A faction war is brewing in the women's division.

A number of questions remain unanswered about the situation? Does that mean Naomi will be too focused on battling "the welcoming committee" to defend the title? Will Flair flourish as a babyface? Will WWE think of a better name for Natalya's crew?

This story is still in its early stages. The dynamic between enemies is just being created. 

There will be lots of change ahead as Flair evolves, Lynch finds her role among her new team and WWE tries to establish the identity of the Natalya-Tamina-Carmella grouping.

The energy pulsating during their clash on Tuesday suggests this will be a feud to watch regardless of the details.

Can Mahal Get Over as a No. 1 Heel?

The Mahal push is in full force. The Maharajah took down Sami Zayn, posed with the WWE Championship belt he stole from Randy Orton and was a major part of Tuesday's show.

Although he is in line for a WWE Championship match, concerns remain about Mahal's ability to thrive in a top-tier spot.

Can he force his critics to shut up? Will he prove to be a bust? Just how will the Mahal experiment pan out?

So far, the results have been positive.

He looked good against Zayn, although he bloodied the babyface's lip. Having The Singh Brothers at his side adds an interesting dimension, but WWE needs to work on telling the audience who those guys are. His intensity has been excellent to this point too.

Alasdair Wilkins of the A.V. Club wrote: "SmackDown Live does continue to do a half-decent job building up Jinder Mahal as a threat in time for Orton's next appearance."

That process will continue, with plenty of doubters watching warily.