WWE SmackDown: Burning Questions to Address After July 4 Show

Whether they were coming apart at the seams or in the early stages of coming together, the Fourth of July edition of WWE SmackDown was all about alliances.

Carmella won't have her favorite bootlicker at her side as James Ellsworth was hit with a suspension. Chad Gable and Jason Jordan took a step away from each other. Tension simmered between Mojo Rawley and Zack Ryder.

And a downtrodden Lana seems to have found an ally in Tamina.

Rusev and John Cena returning to the blue brand was the biggest news of the night, but these shifts in partnerships left behind the biggest questions. Are we set to see American Alpha and The Hype Bros become the latest tag teams to implode? What will being sans Ellsworth mean for Carmella? What's up with Lana and Tamina.

Read on for a full dive into each of those situations, breaking down the unknowns to emerge from the latest SmackDown.

Is an Alliance Forming Between Lana and Tamina? 

The match result was the same: Lana quickly fell to Naomi again. The difference between the latest SmackDown women's title match and their previous encounter, though, was that the failed challenger had someone to lean on afterward.

Tamina stepped out to the ring and told The Ravishing Russian to come with her. 

Is Tamina taking over as Lana's muscle? Are these two going to form a tag team? 

Seeing Tamina and Lana together left Miami Herald columnist Scott Fishman with visions of Karate Kid:

This potential duo is not expected, but it is a smart one. Tamina is best suited to play someone's bodyguard. She's big, strong, sullen and not a great talker. Lana's character, even as new as it is, could use an added wrinkle.

Lana doing the majority of the talking and Tamina doing most of the fighting would be the ideal dynamic for them.

What Will Be Repercussions of Ellsworth's Suspension?

SmackDown general manager Daniel Bryan wasn't about to let Ellsworth get away with defying him.

The GM banned Ellsworth from the arena last week for the Money in the Bank ladder match. The little weasel found his way back in to interfere with the match.

Bryan issued a fine and suspension to Ellsworth on Tuesday night, leaving Carmella without her sidekick for the time being.

Will Ellsworth want revenge for this? Will Carmella pick up a new crony in his absence? Will Ellsworth try to re-enter the SmackDown scene under a mask a la Mr. America?

Carmella could use the extra space on stage. She's been tremendous of late and hasn't needed Ellsworth's cockroach ways nearly as much as when they first paired up. This suspension could be a test for her, a chance for her to fly solo for a spell.

As for Ellsworth, WWE would be wise to have Becky Lynch fight in Bryan's stead if a feud between GM and manager unfolds.

Are Rawley and Ryder Headed for a Split?

Rawley and Ryder both entered the United States Championship No. 1 Contender's Battle Royal knowing they may have to face each other. 

The ever-hyped half of that tag team, though, didn't wait until the field whittled down to the two of them before going after his friend. Rawley surprised Ryder by pouncing on him from behind and tossing him out of the ring.

A tense moment followed.

The Hype Bros suddenly have a crack in its unity. Is yet another WWE tag team going under?

The guys at the Mat Men podcast were among those discussing a potential feud between Rawley and Ryder:

WWE would be nuts to go this route right now. The tag team division already suffers from a lack of depth. The Hype Bros only just recently got back together after Ryder recovered from a knee injury.

Plus, WWE has already told the breakup story several times in the past year-plus. It's best to stick a pin in this and return to it later. 

Is Gable Venturing Out on His Own?

Gable and Jordan haven't teamed on TV since April. The past two times Gable has competed on SmackDown came in singles action. Last week, the Olympian faced Kevin Owens; this Tuesday, he collided with AJ Styles.

Jordan, meanwhile, wrestled in the No. 1 Contender's Battle Royal.

Is American Alpha coming to an end? Are both members headed for solo runs?

It certainly looks like that for the moment.

Gable revealed more about the current direction of the team in a backstage interview after SmackDown. The SmackDown savant talked about him and Jordan taking on new challenges. He implied they would be doing their own thing for a while.

But with no resentment between them. "We support each other 100 percent," Gable said.

That leaves the door open for WWE to reunite these two when there is more room for them in the tag team division. They were collecting dust until two weeks ago. Testing the waters with both men as singles competitors with the American Alpha safety net hanging under them is a no-brainer.